That One Night

Chapter 18: Unplugged

Panibagong araw, panibagong ganap. Pangatlong araw na namin dito sa Guimaras. Nandito parin kami sa Alubihod Beach. Maya-maya raw ay aalis kami to visit a marine reserve pero babalik din kami rito dahil dito kami mags-spend ng isa pang gabi.

After eating our breakfast, nagpaalam ako sa mga kasama ko na maglalakad-lakad muna ako sa beachside. Mabuti na lamang at wala si Tan ng mga oras na nagpaalam ako. If he was there, I'm a hundred and one percent sure that he'll come with me.

As I was walking near the beach, I started picturing out my life with Tan. Yung buhay kasama sya na wala akong ibang iniisip. What if he is not Ivanah's ex? Maybe I'll be happy right now. If he isn't Ivanah's ex, things will be ok.

Hindi ko alam kung anong point of view ng ibang tao about my situation right now pero sa akin kasi, pinaninindigan ko talaga ang sinabi ko noong una pa lang. I will not take Ivanah's man. Nahuhulog man ang loob ko sa kanya, susubukan ko pa ring alisin ito sa sistema ko.

Naging ok naman ang buhay ko nang walang ibang lalake. Magiging ok pa rin ako kahit na balewalain ko ang nararamdaman ko.

"Aiv."

Boses ni Cose ang nagpalingon sa akin. Mukhang sinundan nya ako.

"Oh."

He stood beside me habang nakapamulsa. We're both facing the horizon.

"May problema ka? You look depressed."

"Ha? Wala. Pagod lang siguro ako. Hindi ako sanay sa mga ganitong klaseng bakasyon eh." Partly true.

"About Tan and I, pasensya ka na kahapon." Napailing akong nakangiti.

"It's okay. Alam kong di kayo magkasundong dalawa."

"Do you want to know why?" I looked at him. Will he share it with me?

"Okay lang ba sayo?" He zipped his lips for a few seconds bago muling nagsalita.

"Muntikan na kaming magkasuntukan kahapon dahil sayo."

Napaawang ang bibig ko sa sinabi nya.

"W-what?"

"He told me he is into you." What the fuck, Tan!? "Aivanah, you don't know him that much. Kung totoo mang nililigawan ka nya, don't give him a chance. I know him for years and he is not the kind of guy for you."

Medyo nagulat ako sa binitawang mga salita ni Cose. This is the very first time he butted in on my own life. I know we're already friends, but I never imagined him saying these kind of things to me. I never thought of him like this.

"Tan is not courting me." Ang naisagot ko sa kanya. The topic about Tan and I is always a bother to me. Bakit ba kailangan pang ipagsabi sa iba?

"I am just telling you that in advance. Ayokong umuwi kang luhaan." Cose tapped my shoulder and smiled. Hindi ko mapigilang tingnan lang sya nang diretso sa kanyang mga mata. "If there is one person you shouldn't invest your feelings, it's Tancsc." Tinap nya ulit ang balikat ko at tuluyang bumalik sa tinutuluyan namin.

Nanatili akong nakatayo sa buhanginan, kunot ang mga noo at naguguluhan.

"Aivanah." Hindi ako sigurado pero may parang malambing na boses na tumawag sa akin. I turned my back to see Tan watching me from afar. By the looks of him, mukhang nakita nyang nag-usap kami ni Cose.

He walked towards me.

"Anong pinag-usapan nyo?" He asked the moment he reached me.

"Wala."