If I Stay | Ricci Rivero (Book 2: DISCONTINUED)

Kabanata 20

Kabanata 20
11:11

Standing there completely confident while here I am, shaking uncontrollably.

"Hey, okay ka lang?" Chino, my friend from LSDC, asked.

"Oo naman, bakit naman?" I shrugged off.

"Mukha kang naka-kita ng multo," He teased then his eyes diverted on the stage, "Ah, kaya.."

I rolled my eyes, "Shut up, Chino."

"He's the one why you can't call me Chi, diba? He's your ex boyfriend? Ricci ba 'yun?" He fired up.

Huminga ako ng malalim at pinag tutulakan siya, "Ugh!"

"So, so, so guilty, Melecio," He laughed as he pinched my nose.

"Ang sweet naman!"

Nanlaki ang mata ko, "Guys, naman!"

"Bakit hindi pa kasi sagutin, Lex?" Aduke asked.

"We're friends, girls." I stated.

"He's courting you for 6 months, Alex, jusko naman!" Michelle argued.

"I mean, uso pa pala ligaw ngayon?"

"Hindi ko naman sinabing ligawan niya ako!" I defended.

"Kahit naman di ako sagutin niyan, crush ko parin 'yan, e." Singit ni Chino.

"Ayie!"

"Chino, sasapakin na talaga kita!" Banta ko.

"Kahit saktan mo 'ko, crush parin kita." He teased.

Napasapo ako ng noo ko, "Lord, bakit ganto buhay ko?"

Napuno ng tawanan ang grupo namin. Nagulat nalamang ako ng biglang hiyawan sa grupo ng kabila. Tinignan ko kung saan sila nakatingin at namataan ang hindi ko inaasahan.

Everything turned silent.

Nang nakita kong hawak ni Ricci ang pulso ni Erin habang ginagabayan nito paakyat ng stage.

Bakit kailangan pa hawakan yung wrist? Di ba kayang umakyat ng stage? Lampa ba siya? Lampahin ko siya.

God, help, I need to calm down.

"Powder room lang saglit," Paalam ko sa kanila.

All eyes turned on me pero I smiled as if telling them that I'm alright.

I shouldn't be affected.

I walked out of the hall as I was wiping my tears that dared to crawl out of my eyes.

Nang naka-labas na ako, agad akong lumanghap ng hangin. I needed air.

Akala kong pag babalik siya, ako yung babalikan niya. Ngunit bakit sa pag balik niya, ay may kasama siyang iba?

I carefully wiped my tears and tried to stop more from coming out pero sa bawat tigil ko ay siyang mas lumalala ang pag hikbi ko.

Ricci holding Erin's wrist kept on rewinding in my mind! God! Tigil na!

Para akong binuhusan ng malamig na tubig at ginising sa katotohanan na wala na nga talaga.

Wala na talaga.

Mas lalong lumakas ang hikbi ko at wala akong ginawa kundi ipikit nalamang dahil hindi ko narin naman ito mapigilan.

Hanggang sa nakaramdam kong may nakayakap sa akin galing sa likod.

The familiar position, breathing, heartbeat, and scent from the familiar person invaded my system. Home. Home is the best way I could the feeling.