This Time

Chapter 2

Her POV

"Ayokong maligo sa stagnant water." I pouted at my friend. I crossed my arms in my chest. Wow. Napakabata ng reaction ko. But I tend to do this kapag siya ang kasama ko at ayoko sa sina-suggest niya. I feel at ease with her. Hindi ko na kailangan pang magpanggap.

"Pool. Swimming pool." She quoted. I know medyo naiinis na siya sa akin. I can feel it in her words.

"Stagnant parin niyan." pabalang na sabi ko. I hear her long, annoyed sigh. I think she's about to give up. I tried to supress a smile. A wicked one.

"Hindi naman pool yung main feature, yung reunion!" she exclaimed but lower her voice then.

"Ayoko parin." Wala naman akong phobia sa tubig, ginagawa ko lang talagang excuse, non sensible excuse, ang pagka ayaw kong maligo sa pool.

Para bang nawalan siya ng ganang pakipag-usap. Oops. Energy rank down. Naisipan niyang umupo na lang sabay taas ng dalawang kamay. That's it the surrender sign. I win this argument.

Tahimik at walang imik.  She's glaring at me. Nakakatawa.

"Don't throw daggers at me." I break the silence. A smile had finally escaped from my lips. I find humor at serious situation. Pwera na lang kapag may nawawalan ng buhay.

"You see," she pause for a moment. Thinking. "Walang sasama na hindi mo gustong makita."

"Ayan ka na naman, humihirit." I whisper, a bit exasperated.

"You know naman na ayokong pumanta kapag wala ka. Pero gusto kong pumunta. Tsaka, this is one way of escape. Kahit paminsan-minsan lang bigyan mo ang sarili mo ng pagkakataong pakipag-ugnayan sa totoong tao. Hindi lang yun puro movie yan inaatupag mo. At fb games."

At hindi pa niya nakalimutang sabihin ang fb games huh?

Well ayan, nagsisimula ng magsermon ang madre. Her face is already flushing. Galit na ang lola ko. But ayoko ko paring sumama sa kanya. Pinipilit niya ako sa isang reunion. Reunion that she knows I would not come. Baka may makita pa akong multo doon. Multo ng nakaraan. And what could be the worse ay yung mararamdaman ko na naman yung masasaklap na feelings na napagdaan ko na. Graduate na ako sa stage of bitterness. That is what I'm trying to believe though.

"Ayoko ko pa din eh. Di mo na ako mapipilit." I shook my head afraid it might fall off rolling on the floor. Iling ako nang iling sa kanya. Habang siya umiiling out of frustration and annoyance.

"He's out of the country ngayon. I bet he's staying in Japan for good. Nabalitaan kong mag sesettle na siya dun at di na babalik. Stop it. Huwag kang assuming." she chuckle at her last words. Ako rin, medyo napangiti.

Sabagay, I'm assuming that he's going to be there. It's not like I'm hoping that he will come to see me. Siguro din naman ayaw niya akong makita. O baka, pumunta siya ng ibang bansa para kahit na kailan hindi na magko-cross ang landas namin. I choose the latter. Mas logical kung iisipin.

"Hmm. . . Pag-iisipan ko muna. Give me three days."

"No three seconds. Ilang araw na kitang kinukulit about this matter!." she said with her hands ready to strangle me.

"Wooah, wag naman tayong magpatayan. Sige na. I'll come with you." I said half-heartedly.

She smiles, finally. A big one. Genuine. Nawawala ang mga mata niya kapag ngumingiti. Chinita. May lahing chinese kasi. She had this flowing shoulder length chestnut brown hair. Shiny rin at mukhang healthy. Dumaan rin naman sa bleach yan. But I like her hair. Di kagaya nitong akin, wavy and medyo messy kaya pinahaba ko na lang para magmukhang stylish din tignan. She had this alabaster skin samantalang ako tan.