I think it was because of the embarrassment of having me run away, explaining this to our family and friends and anyone else who asked... and then apologizing to Cassandra and her family.
"Nakakahiya! Ikaw pa talaga yung tumakbo!" Yelled my dad. "My business partners are laughing at me."
"Dad, stop shouting at Rj. Makinig ka naman sa bata." My mom said, coming to my defense.
"Pasensya na talaga, Dad. I couldn't go through with it."
"We spoke to Cassandra, anak," my mom said. "We know ayaw din niya. Sana lang sinabi niyo agad. How could you think we wouldn't understand?"
My dad gave me the cold shoulder. Cassandra's family - pretty much the same. Hindi nila makuhang magalit ng matindi sa akin because Cass told them the truth, and nakita naman nung parents niya sa altar when Cass told me to run.
I felt bad. I never wanted to have my parents deal with this mess I made. Yung kahihiyan ko, okay lang, I accept that kasi kasalanan ko talaga, but if there was any way I could spare my family? I would have.
For the first time, I felt so alone. It didn't feel right to run to Cass about this even if we were probably the only two people who understood. I felt like everyone was staring at me, aware of what I had done.
I couldn't run to my parents, I couldn't run to my friends because they were done ridiculing me yet...
Just as I was wondering if it would always be like this, my phone rang.
She cut the call abruptly, so I dialled her back. "Hey. I can help."
"No, Rj sorry. I just need to call my Kuya Ric."
"Your brother's name is Ric?"
"Yes. I'm Nic, he's Ric. Haha. Okay na? Can you get off the line so I can get help na?"
I apologized quickly. "Ako na nga. What's wrong?"
"Won't start eh. I think it's the batteries lang."
"Where are you?"
Surprisingly, she was at the mall which was walking distance from where I lived so I went to her.
"Hi," I greeted.
"Hello. I told you naman na okay lang ako. My brother can come get me."
"I live close by, wala naman akong ginagawa kundi magmukmok so... might as well make myself useful."
She allowed me to check the car and, fortunately, only the battery was the problem.
"I already called for a replacement but mga one hour pa daw. I'll just wait sa coffeeshop," Nic said.
"Samahan na kita," I offered and she agreed.
At the cafe, she started, "So, nagmumukmok ha?"
I rubbed my nape. "Yes. Well..." I hesitated but shared my story anyway.
"It was kind of naive for you to expect that your family won't take a hit, don't you think?" She pointed out. "Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying blame them in anyway but your actions would have had impacted them. How could you think otherwise?"
"I wasn't thinking about anything except getting out of that situation," I admitted.
"Well, at least alam mo. Family is family. Maaayos niyo din yan, I believe," she said.
I nodded. I hoped.
"Smile ka na! Uuuyyyy! Magsa-smile na yan! Ano ka ba. Wag ka ngang busangot diyan. Ako yung na-hassle kasi nasira yung car, tapos ikaw nag-e-emo."
"Pwede namang pareho tayong magdrama."
She laughed and flicked my nose. "Tara na. Nandiyan na yung magdedeliver nung battery."
People stared.
Hay, one day I'd have to have my paranoia checked. Imposible namang lahat ng taong makasalubong ko alam ang kwento ko di ba?
I didn't share my issue with Nic, but I was happy to be with her. This girl had eyes that danced with light, parang she found some happy thought in everything and it was contagious.
When we parted ways, I almost skipped to board the elevator, not even minding the stares.
When the elevator doors closed, I did a double take on reflection at the mirrored surface.
I had something below my nose - small and inconsequential except that it looked like I had booger hanging off a nostril.
Remembering that she flicked my nose, I called her.
"Nic."
"Hi!!!!!"
"Ikaw naglagay nito no?"
"Ng alin?!"
"Ano ka ba? Nakakahiya! Para akong may kulangot o! Tapos kanina pa tayo naglalakad sa mall?!"
She burst out laughing. "Hindi mo ba napansin?! Kaya nga good mood pati si Kuya na naghatid nung battery."
I groaned. "Di ba dapat papasayahin mo ako? Hindi ako yung pagtatawanan?"
"Huh? Never kong sinabi yun ha. May problema din ako kanina, I needed to laugh. Thank you for helping out - kahit hindi mo alam."
"Ugh!!! Pasalamat ka cute ka."
We both were silent at that.
"Uh papasok na ako ng elevators," I lied. "Bye."
My phone beeped when I got in.
Oops! Ang larawang ito ay hindi sumusunod sa aming mga alituntunin sa nilalaman. Upang magpatuloy sa pag-publish, subukan itong alisin o mag-upload ng bago.
Geesh. I need to up my game with this one.
Huh? What game? Wala naman akong balak dito. Cute lang talaga. Oo, yun lang. yun lang.
