The Day We Fall In Love

Chapter 41

Hindi ko alam kung matutuwa ako o mas lalong masaktan nang hindi sumunod sakin si Daniel. Bago pa ako makalabas ng resto ay narinig ko ang sari-saring reaksyon galing sa loob.

This is it. Ito na yung pinakakatakutan kong mangyari sa buong buhay ko. To be hurt by someone you love.

“Bes!” narinig kong tawag ni Pau mula sa aking likod. Naghihintay ako ng taxi. Gusto ko munang lumayo.

“Bes.”

Nakatayo ako habang pinupunasan ang mga luha sa pisngi ko. Tumingin ako kay Pau na nakatayo rin sa may hindi kalayuan sakin habang malungkot na tinitigan ako. Alam kong nasasaktan din siya para sakin.
Lumapit siya at niyakap ako ng mahigpit.

“Magiging okay rin ang lahat.”

Iyak lang ako ng iyak sa balikat ni Pau. Nang marinig ko ang boses ni Daniel ay mabilis na humiwalay ako at pinunasan ang mukha.

“I wanna go home,” I said between my sobs.

“Yes, we will.”  Hinawakan ni Pau ang kamay ko at naglakad kami papuntang parking lot.

“Kath, please.. Let me explain,” nagmamakaawang sabi ni Daniel mula sa likod ko. Nakasunod siya samin pati si Rico.

Tumigil si Pau at hinarap si Daniel habang nagpatuloy ako sa paglalakad saka pumasok sa loob ng sasakyan. Hindi ko alam ang pinag-usapan nila.
Hanggang sa pumasok si Rico sa driver's seat at tumabi sakin si Pau. I tried my best to stare in front but I found my self giving Daniel a small look outside through the car's window. He looked awful and terribly sad. As soon as we pulled out of the parking lot, I cried again to Pau's welcoming shoulders.

What a happy freaking birthday!

Pagdating namin sa bahay ay inalalayan ako ni Pau papunta sa kwarto. She wanted to stay but I insisted to be alone. Left with my thoughts.

Kelan nangyari yun? Did they really planned all of this behind my back?
Daniel would never hurt me, I thought so. Of all people, why does it have to be the girl I had issues on?
Just when I'd decided to live my life the way it has to be and all of this happened. My mind flashed back at the sight of the picture awhile ago. Who send me those pictures? Did it really happened? Why? I closed my eyes as my tears continued to fall. I just wish the pain would stop when I wake up.

Nagising ako sa malakas na tunog na nanggagaling sa alarm clock. Kinuha ko ang cellphone sa bedside table habang nakapikit pa rin. I turned it off. I decided to skip all of my classes today and go back to sleep. Ilang minuto ang nakalipas at tumunog ulit ang cellphone. Kinuha ko ito at sinagot kung sino man ang tumatawag.

“Hello,” my voice sounded dry and heavy from crying last night.

“Bal..”

Nang marinig ko ang kanyang boses, muntik ko ng mabitawan ang cellphone. The first thing came to my mind was to scream but I chose to stay quiet. I heard a slight pang inside my chest as my eyes begin to water.

Nagsalita ulit si Daniel hang hindi ako sumagot.

“Can we talk?”

“Aren't we?”

“I mean literally talk. Not in the phone but face to face.. please?” He begged.

“No,” I answered without thinking. For now, at least. Ayoko munang harapin si Daniel ngayon. Masyadong masakit ang pangyayari kagabi. I thought yesterday would end well that I had expected since it was my birthday and Daniel was the best gift. But it turned out to be the most heartbreaking time of my life. More way painful when my father left when I was young.