Escape Route

CHAPTER 11

As everyone around me continued to congratulate each other, I stood off to the side, almost feeling detached from it all. We won... But why does it feel like something's missing? I can't understand it. Everyone's so happy, but I'm here, stuck in this strange feeling. Shouldn't I be feeling proud?

I looked at myself in the mirror by the wall, adjusting my blue blouse and skirt, my black shoes. Everything's perfect, but I still don't feel... happy. I didn't know why, but it felt like something was missing. Why can't I just accept the praise? Yes, we won, but there's a heaviness in my chest, something I can't shake off. I didn't feel the warmth of victory the way I expected to.

It's so strange.

I was still standing there, lost in my thoughts, trying to make sense of everything, when I noticed Elie making his way toward me.

But just as he was about to reach me, someone else stepped in front of him,

If I know he was our opponent, Marco.

"Hey, Adahleine diba?" Marco asked with a smile, his voice smooth, and casual like we were just having a normal conversation, not after an intense debate. He was so... at ease.

"You did great out there." he complimented.

"Oo, you can call me Adah." I replied. "Thanks, you and Mia did well too." I smiled at him trying to sound as normal as possible.

"I know we're opponents," Marco said, the smile not fading, "but I've got to admit, you've earned my respect. You're not just the quiet type who hides in the background. You've got something." He leaned in a little closer, and I could feel the tension in my chest rise.

Before I could think too much about it, Elie cleared his throat, loud enough to break the moment.

"Uy, Marco, pare!" he put his arm to Marco's shoulder. "Sorry tol ah, uwi ko na 'to, hinahanap na ni tita eh.." he winked at Marco and went to me.

"Tara na, Adah?" he asked and smiled cockily at me. My brows furrowed at him.

Tumingin ako kay Marco na tila ba naiinis sa presensya ni Eliezer ngayon, pagulo kasi ang tao na 'to. "I'm sorry, Marco, I have to go." I gave him an apologetic smile.

Marco chuckled, his lips curling up in a smirk. "Alright, alright.." But there was something in the way he looked at us, a sort of teasing challenge in his eyes. "Adah, you did well. Congratulations again."

I watched as Marco walked away, his smile still lingering. But now, it felt like Elie was... holding his ground, making sure no one took up more of my attention than he did. I couldn't ignore the way his gaze never left Marco. Parang hindi pa siya tapos, ah.

I turned to Elie, still processing the weird feeling inside me. "Ikaw talaga, minsan na ngalang ako kumausap ng ibang tao.." I crossed my arms.

Inis siyang tumingin saakin, "Pa-cute lang 'yun sa'yo eh." asar na saad niya.

"Mabait lang siya! Ikaw talaga." I rolled my eyes.

"Mabait? ikaw nga lang sinasabihan na magaling kahit nasa tabi mo na ako? Bias amputa." he said and ruffled his own hair like he was so frustrated.

Ngumisi ako, "Aw, tampo yarn? Ako nalang mag compliment sa'yo, ang galing galing mo." I said and pinched his cheeks like a baby.

"Tara na nga." tinanggal niya ang kamay ko sa mukha niya at pulang pula siyang nauna maglakad.

"Saan pupunta?" I asked.