Chapter 8
What do I feel?
That’s been bugging me ever since that kiss was made. Up to know, I don’t know. I just don’t know yet how will I ever call Travis again. It’s painful, I know. I’m a sadist and still consider myself as a masochist. If only Travis knew why I’m hiding myself, this will be less complicated.
I sighed, hoping I can exhale all this pain away.
Travis shouldn’t be treated this way.
In the very first place, I should have not made that call.
I know the consequences but it’s too hard to accept all of them.
I’m such a coward.
I am.
“Lily?”
I saw Khris.
Inayos ko ang upo ko at ngumiti sa kanya. I handed him Travis’ guitar. He accepted it and smiled too.
“How long, Lily?”
I shook my head for I really don’t know the answer.
“He’s getting worse, Li-”
“I know.”
I exhaled once more. I know.
I shouldn’t give this treatment to Travis.
He doesn’t deserve craps.
“I’ll call him. Promise.”
Khris sighed as a sign of his defeat. You can see on his face that he’s worried for his best friend. Nah, He really does have a soft heart for Travis and for me too, that’s why I love him so much. He looked at me and smiled weakly. I shook my head once more.
“I know you can.”
His voice was still soft as ever. I nodded and smiled at him again.
“Hindi ko lang alam kung hanggang san pa ‘tong kakayanin ko, Khris.”
“If you just let him know. He’ll understand. Hindi naman kasi—”
Alam ko. Alam ko.
I smiled bitterly and made him shut.
“Konti pa.”
He nodded.
He handed me my phone after turning it on. Inabot ko naman ‘yun at tumingin sa kanya. Ginulo niya ang buhok ko. Lumabas siya ng classroom at tumingin muna ulit sakin bago tawagin si ang lalaking nagpapagulo ng takbo ng mundo ko.
“T!!”
Nakatitig lang ako sa labas hanggang sa makita ko si Travis sa harapan ni Khris. Ang puso ko. Eto na, nagtatatalon na naman sa tuwa. Pero nararamdaman ko na naman ang luha ko. Di pede ‘to. Kelangan kong maging matatag. Compose yourself, Lily!
“Uy Lily! Forever alone ang peg?”
“Baliw.”
Dumila ako kay Charmaine tapos tumawa siya.
“Mamaya na! Excited na ako sa event~”
“Ako din.”
“Labas ka na mamaya, ha?” Tumango ako sa kanya tapos lumabas na siya.
Tumingin ulit ako sa labas ng bintana at nandun pa rin silang dalawa. Nag-uusap. Sinabi ko naman talaga ‘yun kay Khris dahil matagal kong hindi nakita si Travis. Namiss ko e. Plano talaga namin ‘to. Khris was laughing naturally while Travis still has his poker face. The same old Travis I knew. Masungit pa rin talaga! Pero ang cute niya, sarap lumabas at pisilin ang pisngi niya.
Kinapa ko ‘yung earphones ko sa bulsa at tiningnan ang phone ko. Inayos ko ang handset ko at inisa-isa ang mga text niya. Nakakatuwa dahil kahit hanggang ngayong ‘di ako nagpaparamdam sa kanya, hindi niya nakakalimutang i-text ako.
Tell me Travis.
Do you like me?
Pero sino bang niloko ko?
Kitang kita ng mga mata ko kung pano siya magbago . Nakita ko kung pano maging malungkot ang mga mata niya tuwing natingin siya sa phone niya. . .tulad nalang ngayon.
Kitang kita ko ang pagtawa ni Khris habang walang pakielam si Travis. Alam naman namin na hindi siya nakikinig at wala siyang pakielam sa mga sinasabi ni Khris. Kung hindi lang mabait si Khris, siguro nasapak na niya ang kaibigan niya.
Pumunta ako sa contacts at nakita ang kaisa-isang number na nakaregister dun. Siya lang naman kasi at sina Khris ang may alam ng number na ‘to e. Pero alam nina Khris na hindi ito ang ginagamit ko. Ginagamit ko lang tuwing tatawagan ko si Travis.
I pressed the green button and secret placed the mic close to my lips. I heard the first ring and my heartbeat went crazy. Nakita ko ang expression ni Travis nung napansin niya ang phone niya. I smiled secretly.
Hindi ko maipaliwanag ang itsura ngayon pero kahit ano pa ‘yun. Natutuwa ako.
I’m too proud of saying that I’m the only person who can make Travis like that.
Mayabang ako. Alam ko.
Pero ito ang kayabangan na gusto kong ipagmalaki,
Pero hindi ko magawa. *sigh
Pasimpleng tumingin sakin si Khris. Nakita ko ang smirk sa mukha niya. He mouthed something to Travis at tumango naman ‘to. Dahan dahan siyang umalis at naiwan si Travis sa tapat ng room IV A. I smiled for I saw his lips forming something I really really missed.
He’s smiling.
Tumingin siya sa loob ng room at saktong nagtama ang mga mata namin. Nagpatay malisya lang ako sa kanya. I smiled casually like I always do whenever I saw him. He smirked at looked away.
He still doesn’t know who I am.
He doesn’t know that I was he’s secret caller and singer for more than a month now. Gusto kong matuwa. Gusto kong malungkot. Kasi nasasaktan ako pero I should accept it for I’m the one who chose this.
Inayos ko ang buhok ko para itago ang earphones at kumuha ng panyo para sa mic.
Sinagot na niya.
[“R-ree?”]
Napangiti ulit ako nung nakita ko siyang mapakamot sa batok niya.
His voice.
“Hello, Travis.” I respond. “Happy Valentines. I-I missed you.”
Ngumiti siya at sumandal sa railings. Tumingin siya sa baba ng building. Maybe he’s thinking of what to say? Kahit kasi ako hindi ko alam ang sasabihin. . .
Biglang may lumapit kay Travis. Si Aika,
[“*T, kelangan ka na daw ni sir sa music room* Ah sige. Susunod na ako.”]
Umalis naman din si Aika at pumasok sa room namin.
“You’re busy. You should go.” I lowered down my voice. Tumingin sakin si Aika at ngumiti. I returned the smile.
[“I can’t go. Ng-ngayon ka nalang ulit tumawag.”]
“I’ll call you again if you’re done.”
[“N-no.”]
“Pasaway.”
Lumabas naman si Aika pero nagulat ako nung,
“CHARMAINE!”
Alam kong narinig ni Travis ang boses ni Aika mula sa linya ko. Nakita ko siyang nakatingin kay Aika at dahan dahang ipinaling ang tingin mula sa loob ng room.
[“Ree?”]
Busted.
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AN
Malapit ko na po siyang matapos. :"""">
And Yessss, imaginary picture for Travis (check each chapter, meron)--->
-kitin <3
BINABASA MO ANG
Hello, Travis
RomanceI have an unknown caller and singer for a month now. And I guess, it's about time to know who she is.
