Love, A (Short Story)

Six

Someone Else

I was.. guilty. Alam ko naman kasi na mali yung ginawa ko pero hindi ko inexpect na maaapektuhan ng ganun si Donny. Akala ko kasi laro lang lahat para sa kanya. Akala ko wala lang para sa kanya yun.. akala ko lang pala.

Kakatapos lang ng classes ko at wala sa sarili akong naglalakad sa field. Ano ba yan, Alex.. nakokonsensya ka tuloy ngayon. Hindi ko na lang dapat binigay sa kanya yun, at di ko na rin dapat sinabi na siya yung gusto ko kahit hindi naman totoo.

"Aray--" Nabigla ako nang mabangga ako sa isang lalaki. My eyes widened when I realized that I just bumped to Donny's chest!

"Lutang ka na nga, hindi ka pa tumitingin sa dinadaanan mo." He said. We looked at each other for a couple of seconds hanggang sa nagsalita siya ulit. "Hindi ka ba magsosorry?" He asked. Is he back at his usual arrogant and annoying self?

"Uhm.. hindi ka na ba galit sakin?" I asked instead.

Donny just shrugged, "Do I even have the right to get mad at you?"

Hindi ako nakasagot.

"Joke lang," he said and patted my head. "Hindi ako galit. Na-realize ko lang na kung gusto mo talaga yung isang bagay, gagawin mo lahat para makuha mo 'yun."

Napakunot ang noo ko dahil sa sinasabi niya. Kanina lang, ang drama niyang kausap ah? Bakit parang ibang tao naman ito ngayon? Ang gulo niya talaga kahit kailan.

"Anong konek? Ang sabihin mo, grabe lang ang mood swings mo." I said.

"Para kang internet. Ang slow mo," he uttered.

"Ano?" Tanong ko ulit dahil di ko siya maintindihan.

"Wala. Bakit ka ba nandito? Gusto mo bang matamaan ng nagliliparang bola ng soccer sa mukha?" He asked. Doon ko lang na-realize na nasa field nga pala kami.

Naglakad na lang kami sa school grounds para makaiwas sa lumilipad na bola ng soccer, sabi nga ni Donny.

We were walking but I was stunned nung nakita namin si Dominic. He was with the girl na ka-holding hands niya nung game nila.. and they looked happy together.

It stung. Tinignan ko yung babae at nakita kong ang ganda niya.. she was so feminine. Definitely Dominic's type. Eh ako? Tibo at barako nga ang asar sakin ng mga tao.

I suddenly felt insecure.

"Alex, gusto mo ng ice cream?" Nabalik ako sa realidad noong tanungin ako ni Donny. He held my wrist again at hinila niya ako papunta doon sa opposite ng direction kung nasaan sila Dominic.

"Merong ice cream sa labas ng school," he said and dragged me. I was not in the mood to argue with him kaya sumama na lang ako sa kanya.

The ice cream parlor was only a few blocks from our school kaya nakarating kami agad.

"Anong gusto mo?" Donny asked me. He's suddenly being so nice. Grabe talaga ang mood swings niya.

"Libre mo ba?" I kidded.

"Hindi. Tinatanong lang kita, pero ikaw magbabayad." He sarcastically said and I just rolled my eyes. Pilosopo.
Donny laughed, "I brought you here, edi siyempre, libre ko. You should feel special." He said while wiggling his brows.

I made a face, "Psh. Okay. Rocky road sakin," Sabi ko at nag order naman na si Donny.

Nung dumating yung order namin ay tahimik lang akong kumain. Hindi ko pa rin matanggal sa isip ko si Dominic..

"Donny.." I mumbled.

He looked at me, anticipating, "Hmm?"

"May.. may girlfriend na ba si Dominic?" I asked. Hindi ko alam kung sasagutin niya, but I pushed my luck.

Hindi siya kaagad sumagot. Ibinaba niya yung cup ng ice cream and he looked at me. I wanted to avoid his gaze cause it was making me nervous but I couldn't.

"What was the first thing I asked you again, Alex?" He asked.

Napaisip naman ako.. at nagflashback yung sinabi niya nung game nila.

I want you to stop thinking about him.

"You.. you want me to stop thinking about h-him.." I answered.

He sighed. "Exactly. Don't even think about someone else when you're with me, Alexandria. Kahit yun lang.. ibigay mo na sakin yun." He said while intently looking to my eyes.