I Heard You

Chapter 18: Chance

Savanna was already waiting outside their house when I arrived. Medyo nainis pa ako dahil hindi naman niya ako kailangang hintayin sa labas. Pwede namang sa loob eh!

But when I saw her bright smile, nawala iyong inis ko. Lumabi ako at lumapit sa kanya. Kung makangiti siya ay parang walang problemang kinakaharap.

"Ang pangit mo." Bungad niya ng makalapit ako. I pouted. I probably looked like a zombie right now because I didn't sleep last night. Mamaya nalang ako matutulog pag-uwi ko.

Sumulat ako sa dala-dala kong white board. Sabi kasi ni Mommy ay baka mahilo pa ako kung phone ang gagamitin ko. Ayaw nga sana niya akong palabasin nang di nakakaidlip manlang kaso nagpumilit ako dahil kailangang nasa tabi ako ni Sav ngayon.

Cryd: Hindi ako nakatulog

She smiled and nodded as if she expected that, "Mom and dad's inside. Papunta na sina Ate Kiana dito pati iyong iba naming kamag-anak. Apparently, they've heard about the news."

Binura ko gamit ang basahin ang nakasulat sa whiteboard at nagsulat ng muli. Ang hirap nito. Mas madali kapag tinitipa lang sa phone ang gusto kong sabihin.

Cryd: You aren't nervous that they're coming here?

The smile on her lips grew wider, "You're here," she said saka ako hinila papasok ng bahay nila. Hindi ko na nga nabati si Mang Julio ng 'magandang umaga' dahil hatak-hatak ako ni Sav.

Sa loob nga bahay ay agad na napukaw ang atensyon ko kina Tita Shanty at Tito Joseff na nagkakaroon ng seryosong diskusyon sa salas. They looked really stressed 'bout what happened.

"Cryd," malamig na tawag ni Tita Shanty nang mapalingon sa akin.

Umayos ako ng tayo at pinirmi si Savanna sa gilid ko. May balak ata siyang dalhin ako sa kwarto niya. That's a bad idea knowing that she'd be facing her relatives later. And I don't think she's ready for another kiss so...damn.

"Tita, Tito, good morning po."

Tito nodded in acknowledgement. Humalukipkip naman si Tita, "I knew something happened last night kaya maaga kayo umuwi. Why didn't you tell me, Cryd?"

Well, I expected she'd be really upset knowing that I lied to her last night. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you, Tita. I figured it would be better if Sav will be the one to tell you." I said honestly.

"Kahit na! I have the right to know, right away!" She spat. I stayed cool. In times like this, you have to keep yourself calm. Like what my Mom do all the time.

"Ayoko pong pinapangunahan siya," sabi ko. Pumikit ng mariin si Tita Shanty at umiling, "I know but...you should've told me."

"Shanty, calm down," Tito told her bago tumingin sa bintana, "They're here. Salubungin na muna natin sila."

Malamig akong tinignan ni Tita bago siya sumunod sa asawa. I sighed. I hoped that didn't tamper the trust she gave me. I did the right thing to do. It's only right to let Savanna tell them the truth. It's her life, she has her own free will to do what she wants and what is needed. If she's in my position, she'd do the same for sure.

"Mom's mad at you." Sav murmured beside me tapos ay hinatak ako patungo sa couch. She sat on the side and asked me to sit beside her. I obliged, of course. Iyon din naman ang gusto ko eh, ang katabi siya.

Cryd: It's fine. I lied to her. Ang sabi ko kagabi, we got bored kaya tayo umuwi agad.

Kinuha niya ang isa pang white board na nakalapag sa la mesita. Tatlo ang white board, may limang black marker at mga basahan.