Playing Provincial Proxy (MSS#3)

31. Palumpon Ng Bulaklak

Playing Provincial Proxy

Kabanata 31

Tumikhim ako noong nagseryoso na siya. We remain in the same position. Siya sa kama, ako sa upuan. Seryoso niya akong tiningnan, waring hinahalungkat ang kailaliman ng kaluluwa ko. I shifted my position because of his intense gaze. Nakuyom ko ang kamao sa ibabaw ng binti.

"Do I already have the right to be jealous?" he asked, sounding all too serious.

I am not prepared of his question. Ang tangi ko lang nagawa ay ibuka at itikom ang bibig sa kawalan ng sasabihin. Noong nag-aminan kami ni Arren, wala naman kaming pinag-usapan tungkol sa mga ganito. We allowed things to happen as it is, kaya siguro kulang kami sa pag-uusap. We were too confident in the idea that we knew each other so well because we grew up together in the first place. It didn't occur to me that the too much familiarity between us was the main reason why we deprived our relationship of the luxury of conversation. We seldom talks about us. We often talk about anything, except about us.

Kaya siguro naninibago ako ngayon. Xinna is very open. He's very direct when it comes to his right and possession. He says what he wants without holding anything back. He even confessed to me that he likes me even though it involved risks... na baka layuan ko siya. Well, not really. Masyado siyang timing, e. Naunahan niya lang akong umamin.

"Ah. Two people with mutual feelings also have mutual responsibilities with each other. It involves the right to be jealous... and some limitations," patuloy ni Xinna. Binigyan niya ako ng makahulugang tingin.

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay kahit natatawa ako sa mga pinagsasabi niya. I didn't expect him to talk this way. Yes, we like each other. Shit. Totoo nga. Gusto ako ni Xinna. Gusto ko rin siya.

It seems a little bit childish. Here we are. In my room. Alone. Talking to each other late at night. Do you know what time is it? Eleven thirty but here we are... talking about being jealous and what.

I crossed my arms. Pinatulan ko ang pinagsasabi ni Xinna kahit natatawa ako. Maybe, he talks this way because of alcohol. Baka totoo ngang lasing siya... o hindi. "Okay. We have now some responsibilities and limitations for each other. What's your point, then?"

"My point is I am damn jealous of your cousin," he straightforwardly said.

Nalaglag ang panga ko. "Xinna, Edom's my cousin!" may diin ngunit natatawa kong sinabi. Ano bang pinagseselosan niya kay Edom?

He furrowed his eyebrows. There is an apparent irritation in his eyes. "Yes. But I can't help it."

Nagseryoso ako. "Bakit? Ano bang ginawa ni Edom at pinagseselosan mo siya?"

He turned his head towards me, eyes bloodshot. "It's not about what he did. It's about what you did to him,"

My curiosity deepened. "Ano'ng ginawa ko?"

"I told you I'll just replace your bike but you fix it with him. You went on a date.
You babysit him..." there was a hint of disappointment in his voice despite his effort to conceal it.

His tone affects me but what he said jars me. "Kanina lang 'yan nangyari. Paano mo nalaman?" puno ng akusasyon ang aking boses.

"It's not important—"

"Si George ba?" sabi ko, naalalang palagi niyang hawak ang cellphone kanina. Although, hindi ko dapat siya husgahan pero siya lang ang kasama namin kanina!

Hindi sumagot si Xinna. Nasa akin lang ang atensyon niya. Mukha ngang hindi siya nakikinig sa sinasabi ko. Kung gayong hindi niya ako sumagot, totoo nga? Magkatextmate sila ni George?