Played Without Rules

04. Unfortunate day

Liam Ford Fortalejo

It's been a while since I've last saw Lex. I mean, I'm not quite used to not seeing her for a day. Pero hindi ko na siya mahagilap matapos ang pangyayaring iyon sa bahay.

Galit ba siya? But she's not like that. Hindi siya basta-bastang nagagalit ng dahil lamang sa maliit na bagay.

What's the problem Lex?

This was confusing. Parang bigla siyang nawala. Every time I visit her, she's no where to be found.

Is she trying to hide from me? Something was happening out of my awareness. This was the first time that she has never answered my calls or text. Kahit na nakukulitan siya sa akin ay sumasagot pa rin siya kahit papaano. A simple 'k' is already a big thing. Pero ngayon, wala ni blankong  text message. Nakapatay din ang phone niya. If I could weigh things, it seems like she's avoiding me. But why?

Suddenly, what Jaime said crossed my mind.

"Are you sure na bestfriend lang talaga ang turing niya sa'yo, babe?"

I shook those thoughts away.

It can't be.

The idea of us being together as a couple was impossible. I feel no intimate feelings with her and she's like a sister.

Pinikit ko na lang ang mga mata  habang hinihintay sina Papa dumating. Nasa bahay ako ni Lex, nakaupo sa sofa dahil may pag-uusapan daw kaming importante ngayon.

Maya-maya pa, narinig ko ang pagbukas ng pinto.

I opened my eyes and saw Lex coming in. Behind her was dad, papa, mommy and granny.Tinitigan lang niya ako saglit saka dumiritso sa sofa kaharap ko.

What's wrong with her? Have I done something? Nakakapanibago ang galaw niya. I'm used to her making fun of me, but this time, the way she moves bear no signs of a joke. The emptiness settling in those fuliginous orbs deepened.

I tried hard to dismiss the jarring thoughts running inside my mind and decided to start a conversation.

"Uy, dito ka na pala iho," ani Daf. Hindi ko tuloy nasabi ang nasa isip dahil sa biglaang pagpansin nito sa akin. I just nodded.

Like Lex, there was something in his words that seem to add heaviness on the atmosphere. The matter we are going to talk about must be serious that it affected them up to this extent.

"Hey Mommy and Papa," I greeted Lex's parents. They smiled at me.Pero may kakaiba lang. Hindi kasi ito umabot sa mga mata nila.

Even dad, he appears to be in great delimma. Nakaupo lang siya at tila sinusukat kung ano ba ang magiging reaksyon ko.

"How should we start?" papa said, trying to sound casual. The longer they are delaying their purpose the more confounded I become.

"Just tell him, " mommy interupted. They are itching to tell me and yet they are too hesitant to open their mouths.

"What is it pa?"I asked them. Mas lalo akong naguguluhan sa ginagawa nila.

"You have to get married," mommy said all of a sudden. What?

Parang akong nabingi sa narinig. Ano raw? Married?

How old am I again? I'm just 18.Ilang minuto rin ang lumipas bago ako nakabawi.

"What are you talking about? You're fibbing right?"I asked hoping they will laugh.Waiting for them to tell me that they are just joking. I even scanned my brain, checking what month was it today. It might be April where everyone tends to fool around but it's not.