Mutually Unrequited ~ Austin and Andrea's Story ~

Chapter 6

Austin’s POV

“I heard that you attended her wedding.” Pahayag ng kababata kong si Rachel Castro, sabay inom mula sa kanyang wineglass. Tiningnan niya ako nang maigi pagkatapos, at walang dudang mapang-usisa ang titig na ibinibigay niya sa akin. 

Patuloy naman ako sa pagkain ng inorder kong T-bone steak, tila mawalang-bahala.

“And so? What about it?” Pakli ko.

Isang mapang-asar na ngiti ang agad na namuo sa kanyang mga labi.

“Geez. Don’t be so defensive. Nahahalata ka lalo tuloy.” Pangungutya niya.

Napatingin na rin ako sa direksyon niya.

“I’m not being defensive.” Kontra ko.

Agad naman siyang nag-eyeroll nang marinig ang sentimiyento ko.

“Oh come on, Austin Delos Santos. Do you seriously think that I’d believe your completely obvious lie? I’ve known you for more than twenty years, and not once have I fallen for any of them.”

“But I’m not really being defensive.”

“Tsk, whatever.” Tugon na lamang niya, sabay eyeroll muli. “I’m just wondering if you’re okay. Most especially since I know that you still have feelings for her even until now.”

May namuong maliit na ngiti sa aking mga labi.

“Thanks for the concern, but there’s really no need for you to worry about me. I’m completely fine. Although, I do admit that it did hurt a lot when I saw her there at the altar, about to get married to another man. At that time, I really wished that I was the one she was going to exchange vows with. But well, I guess I was just never meant to fulfill that role. And since I know that she’s happy, then I’m happy for her too.” Pahayag ko.

Napangiti na rin si Rachel, at pagkaraan ay inilapat niya ang kamay niya sa ibabaw ng kamay ko.

“I’m really glad that you’re finally moving on even little by little.”

Napatawa ako saglit.

“Well, what other option do I have other than that? After all, the only girl that I’ve ever loved my whole life is already married. It’s not like I can keep chasing her, most especially since she’s tied to someone else now.”

Naging mapang-asar na naman ang ngiti niya.

“Malay mo.” Pagbibiro niya.

Napatawa na lang muli ako, at nagpatuloy kami sa pagkain pagkatapos. Lumipas ang ilang minuto, at mamaya-maya’y bigla na lang nanumbalik ang kanyang mapang-usisang titig. Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay.

“But wait a second. Now that I think about it, somehow, you seem to be handling everything pretty well. Samantalang nung araw na natanggap mo yung invitation para sa kasal nila, halos isang buong linggo kang nagmukmok nang dahil lang dun.” Pagmumuni-muni niya.

I couldn’t help but snort.

“Ang OA mo talaga kahit kailan. At sino namang maysabing nagmukmok ako? Tss. You and your crazy tales, Rachel.”

Isa na namang eyeroll.

“Fine, hindi ka nagmukmok. But it was obvious that you were completely depressed back then. And yet, right now, I can’t help but notice that there’s something different about you. Somehow, there’s something different about your smile, and there’s that sparkle in your eyes again. The last time I saw you like that, you and Nadine were still a couple.” Pag-aalala niya.

Nagpatuloy na lang ako sa pagkain.

“You’re exaggerating.” Ang matipid kong pahayag.

She gave me a skeptical look in return, at pagkaraan ay dagling nanlaki ang kanyang mga mata.