The Sacrifice

Fifteen

"Ay, so sabay kayong napunta dito?" Mike asked as finally, he stopped playing with his food and looked at us.

Leandro smiled as he nodded.

No, the story was not like that.

Is he trying to make me feel better? That's why he's trying to change the flow of the story? I remember that day, when he asked me what was I doing inside my car that led me to crashing unto him.

Nung sinagot kong dahil sa nag-overtake ako at naging careless, I saw how furious he was. Like he blamed me for the unfortunate thing that happened to him. I saw his expression. Though not transparent, I saw what his heart says. What it truly felt. That is why..

What is he saying right now?

"Wow. Bihira lang na may sabay na pumupunta dito. Same accident, same place, same day." Mike tsk-ed in disbelieve.

"Uhmm.." Veronica hummed, napa-tingin naman ako sakanya. Her tone implies something. "Di naman siguro kayo mag.. magka.. you know. Something. Like, in a relationship or something like that?"

My eyes awkwardly flew towards Leandro who is already looking at me. Parang nakatingin siya at naghihintay na ako ang sumagot sa tanong ni Veronica.

I avoided his gaze and looked at Veronica, whose waiting for an answer. I cleared my throat and smiled.

"No. Walang nagaganap samin ni Leandro, Veronica." In my peripheral sight, I thought Leandro was staring at me. Maybe waiting for my head to turn at him. And I did all I can not to look at him.

"Really?" Ani Veronica. Her voice clarifying. I just nodded in response.

"That'sㅡ I mean, okay! Hmm. Yeah, okay." She cheerfully chimed.

"Overjoyed?" said Mike staring weirdly at her.

"Hindi ah!" Defensive naman netong sagot.

I laughed and I don't even know what I'm laughing for. It suddenly became awkward and so I decided to stand.

"Uhmmm. I need to go somewhere." I excused. "The food was great though, Mike." I smiled as I left.

Agad nawala ang kaba at kung ano mang naramdam ko nang umalis ako sa mesa. Napa-buntong hininga ako. Isang malalim na buntong-hininga.

Why am I acting so weird lately? Ang OA ko pa, God.

I struggled with the decision whether to go back and play dumb about what I was feeling. But I know, I'm transparent, I'm easy to read. It'll be so obvious na di ako okay. Everyone will throw questions at me.

Especially Leandro.

So, it's better if I stay. .

Away?

I cleared my throat and heaved a sigh.

Well, nothing stays unresolved if you'll bravely face it, right?

Running away wont solve the problem.

Avoiding will make it worse.

Tch. Why would I over-react? Bat ba kailangan kong magbigay ng space para sa Leandro'ng yun?

Like, the hell would I care, right?

Napa-buntong hininga ako ulit. I composed myself and decided na babalik ako doon ng parang walang nangyari.

Okay Trynna. Here goes nothing.

Saktong paglingon ko, bumungad sa akin ang mukha ni Leandro.