CORDIVILLA: Breathless

Chapter 15

Chapter 15

"Akala ko wala ka na naman." Bungad ko kay Kevin na nadatnan kong abala sa pag-aasikaso ng kung ano sa counter ng gym niya.

Ngumisi siya nang makita ako. Umirap ako at binagsak ang sarili sa upuang nasa gilid niya. Sariwa pa rin sa akin ang nangyari kaninang tanghali lang sa cafeteria. It bugged my mind the whole afternoon, as I was trying also to concentrate on my academics.

Hindi muna ako papasok sa SeLo ngayon. I want to release a grudge against those people.

"I'm sorry, nasabi nga sa akin na ilang beses kang pumunta rito. I was in Florida during the past two weeks." Aniya at inabutan ako ng juice.

"Glad you're back, I need a drinking buddy." I pouted.

Nagtaas siya ng kilay at umupo sa harapan ko. Sumimsim siya ng juice habang nakatitig sa akin. Sinulyapan ko ang mga naggi-gym. Ngumuso ako at ipinilig ang ulo nang may maalala.

I started to wonder why the ambient feels so light and benign when he's not here. I feel like if Stan is around me, anywhere near me, the surrounding seems to collapse in a dark and intensified context.

"Anong problema mo? Spill it." Kev snorted pulling me back from my wondering.

Ngumiwi ako. I crossed my legs and laid my head on the headrest of the chair. Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga bago nagkwento tungkol sa nangyari kanina sa skul. Nakasimangot ako habang nagkukwento. Para akong bata na nagsusumbong.

Well, he's the only person I can rant on to anything that's annoying me.

I frowned, even more, when his only reaction to my story is a sarcastic roar of laughter. Namumula ang mukha niya sa kakatawa at hindi ko alam kung maiinis ba ako o matatawa rin.

"She accused you of flirting with his boyfriend? E siya naman itong lumandi sa ex-boyfriend mo kaya kayo naghiwalay. I find her funny." He uttered while laughing his ass off.

Umikot ang mata ko paitaas. I find that funny too pero hindi ko 'yon sinusumbat. Hindi ko sila kailanman ginulo dahil sa pagtataksil nila sa akin. Did she hear or taste any of my bitterness for their conspiracy to cheat behind my back? No... wala.

What I didn't like is her pinheaded accusation, based on a facile proof. Bakit sa akin siya agad dumiretso at kung anu ano ang pinagsasabi? Bakit hindi niya muna tinanong ang boyfriend niya? Nakakasira ng mood ang babaeng 'yon.

I am not bitter. I am clearly not. I am just exasperated by how shallow her point was. Hindi ko kailanman iyon ginawa sa kanila even if they slapped it right in front of my face. I had the factual and vivid evidence of their infidelity! But they never heard anything slurring from me!

Why can't they leave me alone? Nananahimik na ako!

"Matapobre ang inggratang 'yon. Hindi ba nila alam..." natigil siya sa pagsasalita.

Nagtagal ang titig niya sa akin bago tumango tango, marahil napagtanto ang sagot sa sariling tanong. Kumibot ang labi niya at umiling. Mas lalo akong sumimangot.

"Ah right. They don't know." Kevin laughed again.

I glared at him and finished drinking my juice.

"What about that Robin? The way how he blends in with the story, parang may iba..." he said in a dubious manner.

I frowned and finger-combed my tied hair. "That... I don't really know. He has this equivocal attitude that I don't know how to read him."

Nanliit ang kaniyang mga mata. Nagtaas ng kilay at parang nag-iisip.

"Baka gusto ka niya..." he concluded.