Taste Of Sadness

Chap 22 - Dinner

I looked at Janella with so much disbelief. Pero malungkot lang tingin na pinapakita niya sakin. I really really really can't believe it. It was Lilianne. Who became my---our friend 2 years ago. Who also left me. And currently helping us to get rid of William. As a return for her mistake.

“Ryleigh-girl, Janella said that you both know her. Is it true?” Domilieve asked. But my eyes are stucked on her. Kahit siya, nakatingin lang sakin. Hinihintay niya ang sasabihin ko. Kung magsisinungaling ba ako na hindi ko siya kilala at nagloloko lang si Janella o sasabihin ko ang totoo.

“Y-yeah. I know her. We know her.”

“Kung ganun, magkaibigan kayo?” i nod on Dominique's question.

“What a coincidence!” react ni Victoria. Sumang-ayon naman ako sa sinabi. Or maybe it wasn't really a coincidence?

Tiningnan ko si Dominique.

“We should take our seats right now.” sabi ko sakanya. Tumango naman sya sakin saka umupo. Ganun na rin ang ginawa nila Victoria. Pero hinila nila ako.

“Dun tayo, tumabi ka samin! Hihi.” sabi ni Victoria. Pinaupo nila ako sa tapat mismo ni lilianne. Katabi ko Si Domilieve sa kaliwa, habang sa kabila si Victoria. Katabi naman din ni Domilieve si Janella, habang si Victoria, katabi si Tito Zhan. Pero bago ako makaupo sa upuan ko ay nanatili ang tingin sakin ni Janella. Alam kong gusto niyang magsalita, may gusto siyang sabihin. Pero hindi ngayon ang tamang lugar. Walang alam sila Victoria tungkol sa nangyari sakin dati. Kahit sa mga tito ko. It was my mom's choice because she said it was too embarrassing para sabihin. I can't complain though, dahil nanay ko parin siya.

“So about you and Aleah, how did you girls met? Magkaklase kayo ngayon? Are you always hanging out? I wanna know the story of you two!!!!” masayang tanong ni Domilieve. Napansin kong hinahanda na rin ng mga waiter ang mga pagkain namin.

Napatingin naman ako saglit kay Lilianne. Bago ilipat ang tingin kay Domilieve.

“We were classmates, 2 years ago. Sa school ni lolo.” i honestly said. Wala naman din akong rason para magsinungaling. Napansin ko ang pagtingin sakin nila mom.

I remember, they didn't know the whole details of what happened to me 2 years ago. They only know about me having my mistake on a big competition. Including my grades. But they didn't know about how painful it was for me that time. Hindi rin nila alam ang rason kung bakit ako napahiya, at kung bakit naapektuhan yung grades ko. Only because it was my choice.

I chose to pursue my dream in exchange of my grades. I sighed upon that thought. Hindi ko na dapat iniisip ang bagay na yun.

“Oh, but i heard you transferred here in manila. Bakit? Maganda naman ang school ni papa sa cavite.” natigilan ako sa tanong ni Tito Zhan. Napatingin ako kay Risse na nasa tabi ni Lilianne. She looks worried. But lilianne, kept her calm look. She's just looking at me.

“Ahm, about that....” naputol ang sasabihin ko. To be honest, i can't tell them the real reason. I'm not... ready.

“She just wants to know what does it feels when studying here. Wala naman siyang malalim na rason.” dad said. Right. That's what they think.

I want to laugh with a sign of disbelief because of my parents. They know nothing. Thus they can't even sustain what a daughter needs. We only need to be perfect. That's what they taught us. But on top of that, dad still has his soft side. He knows when to be silent or to shout. While mom? Ha. I don't think she has hers.

I shooked my head a little. Kung ano ano nang iniisip ko. Dala siguro ng gutom. I should just start eating.

“What? Edi iniwan mo si Aleah dun? Is that okay with you, Aleah-girl?” tanong ni Domilieve sakanya. Nagkatinginan kami ni Lilianne. Pero nauna siyang umiwas ng tingin sakin.