Living With The Psychopath (GL) [Completed] [Self-Published]

Episode 8

TRIGGER WARNING: This chapter contains scene/s that may be upsetting, disturbing, and/or traumatic. Please be advised.

Episode 8:

"You look stupid." I whispered to Cheddy while eating. Para kasi siyang ewan, hindi mapakali.

Inirapan niya ako at inginuso si Rosendale na kasabay rin naming kumain—which was weird. Halos lahat nga ng nasa cafeteria ay napapalingon sa kanya. It's the first time na may sinamahan siya, and that's us.

"Nate-tense ako, Echo." Sagot niya sa akin ng pabulong din. Wala namang imik si Rosendale na kumakain lang at hindi alintana ang attention na nage-gain niya sa ibang tao. She didn't even bother to look at me nor to my friend. "Paano mo na-convince iyan na sumabay siya sa atin? She's Rosendale Ibañez for Pete's sake!"

I shrugged my shoulders in response. I didn't even know myself what kind of magic did I use to convince her. I just asked her and she agreed which surprised me. I was even surprised that I asked her.

I know there were lots of people wondering. Baka iniisip na rin nilang may kawirduhan din kami but who cares? I now know Rosendale and I learned my lesson not to judge someone based on plain rumors and superstition. Katulad ng lahat ay tao lang din siya na may pinagdadaanan sa buhay.

Besides, she's a good company kahit na nagtatalo kami. She's just way too bitchy than me sometimes. Hindi rin maganda kapag nagc-clash ang attitude naming dalawa.

I wanted to give myself a congratulatory pat on the back for being this open and understanding. Maybe she really did hit some soft spot in me.

"Cheddy, she's still human." Sumagot ako after kong makapag-isip-isip tungkol sa kasama namin. "Malay mo naman nasa mood lang siya kaya pumayag."

"Or maybe she's starting to loosen up to you."

"I can't hear you guys clearly but I know who are you talking about." Napatitig kami kay Rosendale nang magsalita siya. Ngayon lang siya kumibo ulit. "I can notice you both stealing glances from me."

"Kapag napapatingin sa'yo, ikaw kaagad ang topic?" I retorted, trying to hid the embarrassment. She just raised a brow na nakapagpairita kaagad sa akin.

Natahimik na lang kaming tatlo hanggang sa matapos kami sa pagkain. As usual, maiiwan na naman ako ni Cheddy dahil may next class pa siya samantalang vacant naman namin ni Rosendale.

"Tambay ka lang anywhere?" My friend asked and I nodded in return. "Okay, kitakits na lang. Uhm, ikaw, Rosendale?" tanong niya. Hindi man lang sumagot iyong isa. Napangiwi si Cheddy sa inasal ni Rosendale at tumango na lang. "Uh, okay. Bye-bye."

"Sige."

Kami na lang ang naiwan pagkatapos. I stared at her. "Ang rude mo kay Cheddy."

"I don't know her." Walang pakialam na saad niya na talaga namang ikinailing ko. Abot hanggang rooftop pagiging antisocial niya.

"At least be civil, you know." Pinanood ko siyang ligpitin ang pinagkainan, pati nga yung akin dinamay niya, eh. Ngayon ko lang na-realized na may pagka-neat din pala siya. "She's my friend."

Hindi niya ako pinansin. She stood up instead habang bitbit ang pinagkainan namin. Kumunot ang noo ko. Anong gagawin niya?

Sinundan ko siya ng tingin. Naglakad siya papuntang counter at inabot ang mga pinagkainan namin. Nabasa ko sa lips no'ng babaeng nagbabantay yung pag-thank you niya kay Rosendale. Napailing ako habang nangingiti. I didn't know if she's just being kind or what. Bakit ba ngayon ko lang napapansin yung mga bagay na iyon tungkol sa kanya?