Kabanata V
Hindi naman niya kailangan gawin ito para sa kaligtasan ko. Hindi ko siya kailangan. Bakit niya ba ito ginagawa? We barely know each other, Joel.
Joel Palencia: I am always here for you. Remember that. I know that we don't know each other but i'm willing to know you better. Keep in touch.
Napabuntung hininga ko sa mga sinasabi niya. How can he easily say that? I should change my number so he can't contact me anymore. I stood up and go outside.
“Hey, Miss. Are you alright? Here's your money. A total of twenty five thousand pesos. Thank you!” ngumisi ang bank teller at umiling. Maybe she thinks that i'm crazy. Weekly nagpapadala si Daddy. Hindi naman na kailangan magpadala dahil may sariling cafeteria si Mommy pero pinipilit niya pa din. Iniipon lang ni Mommy lahat tapos monthly dinadala niya din sa banko. My dad is an engineer abroad. Obviously, they were separated.
Lumabas ako ng banko at dumeretso na pauwi. Wala pa si Mommy so i decided to put the money over the table. Nakasobre naman kasi yun. Humilata muna ko sa sofa ng biglang may bumusina. Maybe my little sister and her school service.
“Ateeeeeeeee! I'm home!” sigaw niya. She's just 7 years old and a grade two student.
“Hey, baby. How's school? Wala pa si Mommy e. Baka nasa cafeteria pa,” nakangiti na sabi ko nung nakalapit na siya.
“Can we go there, Ate? Please?” nakapuppy eyes na tanong niya.
“Wait. Saan ka pala galing? Saturday ngayon at wala kayong pasok,” nagtatakhang tanong ko.
“Galing ako kela Gellie, Ate. Naglaro kami dun, si Mommy pa nga ang naghatid sakin,” tumatango na sagot niya.
“Alright. Magbihis ka na para makaalis na tayo.”
Rocel calling...
“Yes, Rocel?”
“What the hell, Marg! You didn't tell me na nagkasama kayo ni Joel. I thought we're bestfriend!” histerikal na sigaw niya.
“I can explain, Roch. You know me!”
“Anong ipapaliwanag mo sakin, Margaux. Viral ang picture nyo ni Joel. I know it was you. And Joel posted it. You knew each other, really? How come na hindi ko alam? Na hindi ko nalaman? What the hell is going on?!”
“Listen to me, Roch. I didn't mea—
“No, Margaux. You listen to me! You betrayed me and i can't believe you do! At nandun ka sa EB kanina. Really, Margaux? Just damnit! Go to hell!” napaiyak ako nang nawala na si Rocel sa linya. Nanghihina akong napaupo sa sahig nang biglang may humawak sa kamay ko.
“Ate, why are you crying?” napahulgol ako na niyakap ang kapatid ko. Bakit lagi nalang ganito?
