Chapter 43
Jillian’s POV
I don’t know if what I did was the right thing to do. It was an inglorious defeat against the inside battle. Why does the truth hurt so much we’ve loved to hide inside the lies?
I sighed. I was not ready. I was never ready to hurt him. The fear has turned into tears, an ocean curse.
My phone rang so I immediately fished for it. I swear I have never quivered so much I thought I would lose my hand. It seemed so fragile that I even have to support it with the other.
It wasn’t Cyrus. I felt relieved.
“Mitch,” I started.
“Oh my God, Althea!” she spat out. Her voice was trembling. I could feel that she was close to a vehement outcry. What’s happening?
“Calm down, Mitch. Ano’ng nangyayari?” tanong ko sa kaniya. I stood up and kept pacing back and forth. I myself am not calm.
She started sobbing. “Nandito kami sa Antharax!”
“Anong ginagawa niyo diyan?!” Malakas ang boses ko dahil hindi ko inakala na pupunta sila sa lugar na ‘yun. Of all places. Ghad, why Antharax?
Nagsimula akong mag-panic. Nakarinig ako ng mga sumisigaw. “Answer the stupid question, Mitch! Anong ginagawa niyo diyan?!”
“Napaaway si Guian kay Frank.” A small sob escaped her. “He won’t listen to us. Please stop him.”
Life, why are you so screwed?
“Wait for me. Papunta na ako.” Binaba ko ang cellphone at agad akong tumakbo sa kuwarto ko. I reached for my small bag and went off.
Malapit lang ang Antharax dito sa T.S. It’s one of those bars where fights are very much expected. It’s that one place you should go if you want to get your face perforated. Sobrang gulo doon. I’ve been there a year ago, back when we’re still doing our thesis. Our classmate happened to be there that time and so we had to drag her out. I’ve averred I would never go back to that shuddery place until today. My God!
It is 10 minutes away from our building, using the hidden passage near the Jupiter Street. I’ve known these snug dens because of our endless researches. I never knew I could use this weird knowledge.
Bawat galaw ko, sobrang careful ako dahil hindi ko alam kung sinu-sino ang mga nakakasabay ko sa daan. There was never a second that I didn’t pray for my life. This place is that scary.
What in the world had gone into G’s mind? Patay kami kay Cyrus kapag nalaman niya ‘to.
When I arrived at the Bar, I saw Mitch boohooing at the other side. Agad akong lumapit sa kaniya at inalalayan ko siya. “Stop crying,” wika ko. Hinaplos ko ang mukha niya na punong-puno ng luha. I feel bad. I feel so bad about myself. All those times, wala akong ibang nakita kung hindi ang sitwasyon ko. Ni hindi ko na nga nakukumusta ang mga kaibigan ko. Bakit kailangang magkagulo muna kami bago ko mapakita na mahalaga sila sa akin?
