Behind Curtains

Kabanata 15

Kabanata 15

Dry

Hindi naging mahirap para sa akin ang mag-desisyong lumayas.

Keith had all the cards I needed to come through. Siya ang talagang dumala sa akin. Sinanay ako sa matatayog na mga gusali ng Metro, at panay ako pinagbibigyan sa tuwing gustuhin niya rin.

We may have chosen Universities from two different poles of the country, but our chatboxes were online 24/7.

Nagsimula sa group chats, singling each other out on private messages, on insides jokes; hanggang sa, nahulog na ang lahat sa palihim na pagkikita, cryptic instagram posts and secret travel itineraries.

Kung hindi ako nag-hahanap ng rason para pumunta ng Metro, siya 'yong magbo-book ng flight pauwi. If he wanted a new situation for the two of us, he'd book flights to meet half-way.

And Iloilo was one of our main half-way destinations.

Which honestly started out as a gamely option, dahil pareho kaming may pinagtataguan sa tuwing napapadpad kami rito.

For him, his direct uncle and his aunt-in-law's family.

While mine was really, most—if not all—of my paternal relatives.

I also know we own properties here, somewhere... which was mainly why... I feel a bit on edge.

"I don't understand why you still feel uncomfortable eating in front of me, when we've already eaten together before," masungit niyang utas nang pinaliwanag ko na ang pag-lipat ng upuan.

"Correction," pagtatama ko. "Kinakabag ako sa tuwing nangyayari 'yon. Now, I do not have plans to get sick, lalo na't mukhang magtatagal tayo rito. This city's my food haven pa naman..."

"What made you conclude that?"

"Conclude what?" wala sa sariling tanong ko, nagsisimula nang maglaway sa mga nilalapag na ulam. "Na Iloilo ang food haven ko?"

"No... that we're going to stay here long..."

The heavy demand on his tone made me turn my head to look at him, as he sat beside me in one of his bad moods again. Napakagat ako sa aking labi at napaisip sa sinabi.

"Sorry..." was my automatic response, dahil mukhang na-offend ko talaga siya doon.

His eyes were now a shade darker, as he looked through me. Hindi naman ako umiwas ng tingin, to show him I was willing to accept any punishment. Pakainin niya lang ako ng matiwasay!

He was the first one to look away, at tahimik nalang na sumandok na noong ulam. Napakamot ako sa aking ulo, when I felt that sinking feeling at the pit of my stomach. Alam na sa sariling hindi na ako makakakain ng mabuti sa lagay niyang ito.

"Sorry na po, Sir," subok ko ulit, leaning a bit to his side. "Sorry..."

"Eat, Layla," malamig niyang utos. "The food will get cold."

I felt my cheeks numbing. Lumipas ang ilang minutong hindi niya ako pinansin. I had to fight the urge to tug on his long-sleeved button-down at lambingin siya. Napapikit nalang ako ng mariin sa ideyang 'yon at napayuko.

Sorry's and being here just brought back old scenarios, kaya't nagkandahalu-halo na yata 'yong paraan ko ng pag-iisip. Hindi nga kami magka-harap ni Sir Killian na kumain, but I suddenly had no appetite to eat rice. Pinapak ko nalang tuloy 'yong isang buong plato ng talaba.

I mean, I was starting to feel gassy from being ignored, but it is by choice that I do not skip out on good food. Pero hindi ko naman alam na gagabihin pala 'yong pananakot ni Sir Killian!