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Confessions
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She's smiling at me yet I can't identify if it's just a fake one or not. I was immobilized by the warmth she's showing. And I was more surprise when she called me by my name. She knows.
I looked at the man beside me. So, totoong sinabi niya na kay Ram ang totoo? Alam na ng kanyang asawa kung sino ako. I saw him smile at Ram tenderly. Simpleng ngiti pero parang nagyelo ang paligid at bigla akong nilamig. He adores her. I can see that and that's not a matter of opinion. It's a statement.
"Sit, Anne. I won't bite you." mas lumawak ang kanyang ngiti. Nagkatinginan kami ni Cy. He smiled at me, giving me assurance. Inakay niya ako sa upuan na malapit sa kama ni Ram.
Hindi ako makapaniwala na maghaharap kami ng ganito. I was expecting a heavy atmosphere to welcome me. Yet, it was so ironic that Ram's talking with me like she had known me for a long time.
Umupo ako sa silyang tinuro niya. Nasa likod ko si Cyfer at nakatayo. Nanatili ang ngiti ni Ram sa kanyang labi. She has a natural beauty. Her face has no trace of make up but it didn't make her less pretty. Though, she looked pale as white paper. She has a chinky eyes, small pointed nose and thin pale lips. Mapayat rin siya. Dala siguro ng pagkakasakit.
Tumingin siya kay Cyfer. "Gelo, can I talk to her alone?"
Muntik na akong mapasinghap at mapatayo sa kinauupuan ko. Napatingala ako kay Cyfer at bigla akong kinabahan. Iiwan niya ako rito?
"Ram. . ."
"Do you mind, Anne? I just want to talk to you without the presence of this arrogant man." she chuckles as she said that. Mukhang magaan talaga ang loob nila sa isa't-isa. "And I won't hurt you. I have no intentions of doing so."
Napalunok ako at sandaling nag-isip. Alam kong hindi niya ako masasaktan pero hindi ko kayang pakalmahin ang sarili ko ng mabilisan. Sa sobrang bilis ng mga pangyayari at puro hindi tugma sa inaasahan ko, daig ko pa ang dinagit ng ipo-ipo.
"She's not comfortable, Ram." sagot ni Cyfer sa malumanay boses.
There's a lot of unanswered quertions in my mind. Mag-asawa ba talaga sila?
Nakauunawang tumango si Ram. "If that's the ca-"
"I-I'm fine." pagsingit ko. Napatingin silang dalawa sa akin. "I-It's okay." bulong ko kay Cyfer.
"You sure?" he mouthed. Dahan-dahan akong tumango.
Tumingin muna siya kay Ram bago tumalikod. "I'll buy us coffee." iyon ang huli niyang sinabi bago lumabas ng kwarto.
Nakakabinging katahimikan ang pumailanlang. Halos marinig ko na pati ang pag-usad ng oras sa wall clock.
