I Lost Me, Too

Seven: He's Back. Unfortunately.

"The number you have dialed is--"

I screamed as I threw my phone on the bed.

Damn, why is he not answering my calls? This is so irritating! Kaunti na lang talaga ang pasensyang natitira sa'kin.

Pang ilang subok ko nang tinatawagan ang numero niya ngunit hanggang ngayon ay paulit ulit na linya lamang ng operator ang sumasagot.

What the hell is happening with him? Halos isang linggo na akong walang balita sa kaniya. He's even ignoring my calls!

Sa ilang taong pagkakaibigan namin ay ngayon lang ito nangyari. He used to be one call away whenever I need him tapos ngayon, isang linggo na, wala pa rin?

Calm down, Breanna. There has to be a reason behind this. You just have to trust him, right? Like how you always do. Kalma lang.

My phone suddenly rang and my eyes immediately darted right at it as if it is something that would save my life.

Mabilis kong itinungo 'yon, inaasahan na ang tawag ay mula kay Rai habang pinakakalma ang kalooban pero nang mahawakan kona 'yon ay wala sa screen ang pangalang inaasahan ko.

It's just Ali. I was wrong.

Agad akong nanlumo at napabuntong hininga.

Walang ganang sinagot ko ang tawag habang naglalakad na patungo sa pinto. I guess I'll just swim today if I won't be able to reach Raius.

It's friday at ito rin ang araw na nakalaan para sa pagkikita naming dalawa.

Usually, tuwing friday niya ako sinusundo sa school para magtungo sa kung saan namin mapagkasunduang palipasin ang oras pero sa ngayon na walang pasok, dapat ay naririto na siya sa bahay at sinusundo na ako.

But then, hindi nga siya nagpaparamdam sa akin. Isang buong linggo na.

No texts and calls. Walang kahit ano.

"What is it?" I said as I laid on one of the lounge chairs.

"Woah, bad mood?" She immediately guessed. Ang bilis talagang makaramdam nitong taong 'to.

Hindi maipagkakailang halos sampung taon na kaming magkakilala dahil kahit simpleng paghinga ko lang, alam niya na agad kung ano ang nararamdaman ko.

"Let's not talk about it." Agad kong lihis sa usapan.

"Oh... kay." She chuckled. "Well anyways, to cheer you up, I have some good news for you! Siguradong gaganda ang mood mo."

It's a good thing that she didn't pry on it because I really am not in the mood to talk right now.

"Walang kahit anong kayang magpapaganda ng mood ko ngayon, Ali." I said as a matter of fact.

"Hmm? Totoo ba?" Maligayang aniya. "Kahit sabihin ko sa'yong I've already handled that Celestina girl?"

Napataas agad ang kilay ko kahit na hindi niya 'yon nakikita.

"What do you mean?"

"The thing is, I just found out earlier that, my Aunt Caridad, do you remember her?"

"Yeah. From Singapore?"

"Yep, from Singapore."

"And?" Medyo nawawalan na ng pasensyang tanong ko. She's too excited that she can't even get straight to the point.