Mission: Act Like a Probinsyana

Kabanata 26. Sinat

Natasha's POV

Three days had passed since LNKF ended. Three days had passed since Lino confessed. It's Monday today and I don't feel like going to school.

Knowing I've hurt someone.

I knew he had feelings for me. But I thought he was a torpe guy. I got so comfortable with the thought that he's so torpe that he would never tell me his feelings. Kung hindi nya sinabing may feelings sya sakin, wala akong ire-reject. Edi sana hindi sya nasasaktan ngayon.

But I also knew that one day I would have to hurt him. Just like how I would have to hurt Oyang.

All I cause, and will cause, is pain.

This is all my fault. I'm sorry, Lino. I'm so sorry.

"Tasyang.." narinig ko mula sa labas ng bahay ko, kasabay nito ang pagkatok sa pinto.

"Tasyang, nak. Kung ayaw mong pumasok ay kumain ka na lang ng agahan." sabi ni ante Tuya from the other side of the door.

Alam kong hindi pa nakaka-alis si Oyang papunta sa school kaya ayaw ko munang lumabas. I know he would just persuade me to go to school.

After a while ay narinig kong tumahimik na. And so I had my peace and quiet that I've been yearning for.

I woke up nang makaramdam ng vibration. I took my phone na nasa ilalim ng unan ko. 4 messages.

From: Ante Tuya
Tasyang, anak, huwag kang magpapalipas ng tanghali ah? Magkusa ka nang lumabas at sumabay sa amin. Hindi ka na nag-almusal kanina. Hihintayin ka namin ni ankol mo.

Ante Tuya. Kind as ever. Parang anak na talaga ang turing nya sakin. Sometimes naiisip ko, do I even deserve her?

From: Mutchacha
Tasyang! Aba naman bat hindi ka pumasok? Magpapasahan na ng thesis. Guess what? Nalagot kay Sir Martinez si Lino hahaha wala kasing napasang assigment sa science hahaha. Ay wow napapa-guess what na ako. Punta ako sainyo mamaya pagka-uwian.

Huminga ako ng malalim. So pumasok pala si Lino. I guess I should just pretend like everything's okay like him.

Sunod kong binasa ang text galing Kay Sarang.

From: Saranghaeee
Kamusta Tasyang? Nalaman kong hindi ka pumasok ngayon. Okay ka Lang ba? Gusto ko lang sana alukin kayo ni Mutya sa darating na Sabado. Inutusan ako ni mama na bumili ng mga pili na ipapadala nya sa mga tiyahin ko sa Manila. Naisip ko na pwede tayong pumasyal pagkatapos. Ayos lang naman kung ayaw mo :)

For the past few days Ay nagtetext na rin kami ni Sarang a little bit. I And she really is comfortable to be with. Like Mutya.

Kung si Mutya ay makulit, si Sarang ay fine lady pero sobrang saya nila pareho kasama.

I replied to her.

To: Sarang
Sige. Sasama ako :) pupunta dito sa amin si Mutya mamaya. Gusto mo ba sumama sakanya?

Binuksan ko ang pang-apat na message. It's from Oyang.

From: Oyang
Wag kang magpapalipas ng gutom.

My heart started pounding. How can I even feel this right now, I hurt somebody's feelings tapos nagagawa ko pang kiligin sa ibang tao? I'm starting to hate myself.

It's already 11:30am kaya naman ay nagpalit ako ng damit. Got off my nighties/pajamas at kinuha ang sweater ko. Napa-bahing ako on the process. I am gonna get sick. I can feel it.

I wrote a brief report of the happenings this week. I managed to send it to Mister through email. He hasn't been calling or texting me. But I know he's just there, watching me. I know so. Nagreply agad sya saying good job and thank you.