It's been three days—three days without seeing Sheena coming home in our apartment, not replying to my messages and calls. Same with Jackson too, not seeing him in school and not replying to my messages and calls. Alam kong hindi maganda ang huli naming pagkikita pero alam kong hindi naman siya ganito mag tampo.
"Kukunin ko na lang next week yung dalawang power bank?"
"Sige pero si, Sheena na ang mag aasikaso, baka ma-busy lang ako sa defense namin." Niligpit ko ang mga nagkalat na mga magazine books at nilagay sa isang tote bag ko.
"Sige okay lang. Thanks, Roseanne." Tumango lang ako at umalis na sila pagkatapos kong kuhanin ang bayad nila. Inayos ko ang mga gamit bago pumunta sa library, nandoon kasi sila Emily at kanina pa naghihintay sa akin para sa preparation ng aming final defense next week.
Habang naglalakad, naisip ko na naman si Sheena at Jackson, nag aalala na ako sa kanila lalo na at wala man lang akong update sa kanila pareho. Dahil na rin sa lalim ng iniisip, hindi ko napansin ang harang ng isang bato at bago pa ako matisod may mabilis humawak sa braso ko para mapigilan na matumba.
I was expecting someone but to my surprise, I'm a little bit disappointed.
"Roseanne, are you okay?" Carlo asked in a concerned one. Kinuha ni Adrian ang tote bag ko.
"Saan ka ba pupunta? Ihahatid ka na namin."
Hindi ko alam kung papayag ba ako o hindi, lalo na sinabihan ako ni Jackson na huwag na sila pansinin pa. Hanggang ngayon hindi ko pa rin maintindihan kung bakit sila nag away at hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin sila nagpapansinan.
"Sorry, I know, Jackson told you—"
"Okay lang." as I walked beside Carlo. I want to ask them, kung ano nga ba ang naging problema at bakit hindi na sila nag uusap pa.
"Kumusta? You look great." Adrian flashed his charming smile to me. I only nod at him.
"Okay lang. Kayo? Kumusta kayo?"
"We're good, doing good in both academics and sports." Carlo winked at me.
Silence. It was an awkward walk to the University library and small talk for how many months of not talking and greeting like normal friends. But they tried, while walking they tried to make a joke and silly comments like their usual conversation, asking me about my life, they tried and I appreciate it.
Iniisip ko kung itatanong ko ba sa kanila kung nasaan si Jackson? o kung ano ba ang pinag awayan nila?
"Roseanne?" doon ako nabalik sa reyalidad ng makitang naka abot na sa akin ni Adrian ang tote bag.
"Kanina ka pa tulala, may problema ba?" maingat nitong tanong. Napatingin ako kay Carlo na titig na titig sa akin.
I just noticed a while ago that when they saw me while going to the library, there was something different in their stares.
There are still playful acts like their usual behavior, but there is something about them staring at me, or am I just overthinking?
"May gusto ba kayo sabihin, Carlo? Adrian?"
And I saw it, I saw Carlo pale because of what I said, but it quickly disappeared because he just laughed. I know there is something wrong and I can feel it. And I hate to feel these things. Nag aalala na ako para kay Sheena at Jackson pero mukhang may idadagdag na naman sa iisipin ko.
"Na-miss ka lang naman, hindi mo na kasi kami pinapansin." Pabirong sinabi ni Carlo. Kinuha ko ang tote bag sa kamay ni Adrian at lumapit na ako sa pintuan, nilingon ko sila pareho.
"Magkaibigan pa rin naman tayo kahit minsan hindi tayo nagpapansinan." I waved and offered my small smile before entering the library.
That day, I didn't hear Sheena or get messages from Jackson.
BINABASA MO ANG
Thorns
RomanceThorns tells the story of a woman who had given up on the idea of love. She had seen too much heartache and disappointment in her life to believe that it was real. But one day, unexpectedly, she met someone who changes everything. He challenges her...
