Nagising si Colet sa paulit ulit na tunog na nagmumula sa cellphone niya. Wala siyang planong sagutin ang tawag pero bigla niyang naisip na baka isa 'yon sa mga HR na pinagpasahan niya ng resumé. She needs to get a job ASAP, so, she lazily picks up the phone, half asleep.
“Hello?” She tried to sound decent.
“Cols.” Her eyes immediately shut open. Nakaramdam ito ng pag-aalala sa matamlay na boses ni Aiah.
“MQ, bakit anong nangyari?” Mabilis niyang tanong.
Hindi sumagot si Aiah at mas lalo pang nag-aalala ang kaibigan niya.
“Nasaan ka? Pupuntahan kita.” Sabi niya.
She could hear Aiah's faint sobs. “Sa bahay.” Aiah mumbles.
“Alright. Antayin mo 'ko.” Binaba niya ang tawag.
Wala pang isang oras ay nakarating na si Colet sa bahay ni Aiah.
Pinagbuksan ito ng pinto ng mama ni Aiah.
“Good morning po tita.” Colet greeted her.
Aiah's mother grin. “Colet, magandang umaga rin sa'yo.” Bumeso siya rito. “Kumusta ka na?”
“Ayos naman po, tita.” Magalang niyang sagot.
“Mabuti kung ganon. Halika, pasok ka.” Nakangiting sabi nito kay Colet.
Hinanap ng mga mata niya si Aiah. “Si...Aiah po?”
“Nasa kwarto.” Napalitan ng lungkot ang mga ngiti sa labi ng ina ni Aiah. “Colet, may alam ka ba sa pinagdadaanan ng anak ko? Nag-aalala na ako sa kaniya. Inumaga na 'yan ng uwi.”
Colet mirrors her worry. “Hindi ko po alam kung pwede ko po bang sabihin sa inyo, tita. Pero 'wag po kayong mag-alaala, ako po munang bahala kay Aiah.”
Aiah's mom smile, but it didn't reach her eyes, she's thankful that Colet was there nonetheless.
“Salamat. Please take care of her.” Sabi niya.
Tumango si Colet. “Opo. Puntahan ko na po siya, tita.”
Colet went upstairs. She didn't knock and immediately went in. She found her best friend sitting on the bed, both arms hugging her knees, while her chin rests onto them.
Colet sat beside her, and caresses her shoulder.
“MQ, I'm here. You can you talk me. I'll listen.”
As soon as Aiah felt Colet's touch, her body gave in. Tears started falling on her cheeks, her lips tremble, shaky hands wrapped onto her best friend's back, gripping tightly on Colet's cardigan.
Her sobs were loud, she could barely catch a breath.
“Sshhh...hinga, Aiah. It's gonna be okay.” Colet comforted her, drawing circles on her back.
Patuloy sa pag-iyak si Aiah habang si Colet ay pilit siyang pinapatahan. Makalipas ang tila mahigit isang oras, unti unting natutuyo ang mga luha sa mga mata ni Aiah.
“Here, uminom ka muna.” Inabot ni Colet sa kaniya ang baso tubig.
Aiah swallows the hiccups along with the liquid, pushing it back.
“Thank you, Cols.” Her voice cracked.
Colet places the glass to the table and laid down beside her. She patiently waits for Aiah to speak it out.
“I kissed her.” Aiah's voice echoes in the quiet room. “I acted upon my emotions.” Her heart aches at last night's memory.
“Hinalikan mo siya. Did she push you away?” Marahang tanong ni Colet.
YOU ARE READING
THAT GIRL | MIKHAIAH
RomanceHave you met your ideal type in real life? Do they look exactly like how you imagine them to be? Were you lucky to know them? Do they know you exist? What if your ideal type happens to be someone you can't have? Would you still let yourself fall fo...
