Sleeping Beauty

Kabanata 22

Kabanata 22

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-Iya-

"Iya, ikaw 'to di ba?" bungad sa akin ni Sheena pagpasok ko ng classroom. Pinakita niya sa akin 'yung picture ko na pinost ni Jerome sa Instagram. Napatitig lang ako sa kanya at hindi pa man ako nakakapagsalita... "Ikaw 'to! I'm sure!" she immediately concluded. "Gandang babae, eh!"

"Alam mo naman pala..." simpleng sagot ko at dumiretso na sa upuan ko.

"Seryoso? Tapos ikaw din si 'this girl'? Pati 'yung babaeng nakatalikod?" she intrigued. Kinuha niya pa ang upuang nasa unahan ng row ko at umupo sa harapan ko. "Naku! Iya! Iba na talaga 'yung meron sa inyo ni Jerome eh, ano? Unlabeled pa rin?"

"We're just friends..." bagot na sagot ko.

"Luh, friends daw sila pero ibang level naman ng friendship. Kayo ha? May pa-Tagaytay at midnight date pang nalalaman... pero friends lang daw. Mukhang gusto ka naman na talaga nun ni Jerome."

"Madami siyang babae, he can just easily pick someone to be his girlfriend." kinausap ko na rin siya, tutal wala pa naman 'yung professor namin. "I'm sure he likes gentle girls. Like his brother's girl. He likes girls who wear make-ups and dresses at 'yung mahinang kumain. Iba ako sa mga ganoong babae... we're just friends, really." diretso kong sabi sa kanya.

"Fine!" napalabi siya. "I heard his ex girlfriend enrolled on our university. Nakabalik na pala 'yun from South Korea? Balita ko nga ay dito na talaga sila magsi-stay for real."

I got a bit shocked and curious about her news. Lihim akong napalunok at parang may kung anong pait ang dumaloy sa sistema ko. I wonder what does his ex looks like? I bet she's pretty, smart... and probably a crush material! A sweet and gentle lady who really cares about her weight and figure.

"They were our batch Prom King and Queen before, they were almost a perfect couple. Nagulat na lang kami nung bigla silang naghiwalay kasi kailangan nung girl na umalis ng Pilipinas." Sheena continued. "And I don't know if they still communicate until now."

"Malay mo magkabalikan sila..." I suddenly said. What the hell, Iya?

"Huwag na! Mas bagay naman kayo ni Jerome 'no! Mas seryoso na siya ngayon eh! He's rarely seen on bars na kaya! Dati halos gabi-gabi 'yung nandoon kahit hindi Thursday." she commented, like it's a great news to hear.

"Baka natakot lang magkasakit ng lung cancer kaya nag-lie low..." I suggested.

Sumimangot naman siya. "Nakakaloka ka talaga, Iya Sabrina!" she sneared. "Pero hindi talaga kita kinakaya huh? Ano namang connection mo kay Keith Henry Falcon ngayon? Ikaw ha! Gandang babae talaga! Pati sa ibang school may nahahatak!" ngumisi siya.

Para akong nanlamig sa sinabi niya. I don't know if I can trust her. I don't even know if I can already consider her as my friend gayong lagi lang niya akong binubulabog.

"Ano na? Bakit mo siya kilala? Famous din 'yun sa MD University... pero ang galing kasi sinadya ka pa niya rito..." she trailed off and looked at me curiously. "Do you guys know each other? Wait? Baka kayo ang may relasyon?"

Huminga ako ng malalim at seryoso siyang tinignan. I think it's not bad to share some of secrets to them, right? Maybe they'll finally understand my situation. Maybe they can help me too.

"Can I trust you?" I frankly asked her.

Kumunot ang noo niya sandali pero mabilis siyang tumango. "Oo naman! We're friends kaya, di ba?" she smiled. Marahan akong tumango at napabuntonfg hininga.