Fridays With You

Chaper 52

Deanna ---

"Arki? Hi.. How are you? Can we talk please?"

I sent a text message to Arki. Hindi ako mapakali. I need to know who Julius Andrei is sa buhay nila ni Jema. Or maybe sa buhay lang ni Jema.

Dumiretso ako sa isang restaurant malapit sa condo ni Jema. They might go straight to her condo since gabi na. I stayed there for almost an hour na din at wala pa ring reply si Arki.

Shit.

"Hey, Deanns. I'm good. Ikaw, kumusta? Talk? About what?" Finally, she replied.

"Where are you? Usap tayo please? Puntahan kita."

"I'll be staying with Jema dito sa condo niya. Is that urgent? Late na e."

"Please Arki. I have a few questions. Nandito ako sa Food Traffic. Meet me please?"

"Bakit ka nandiyan? Sige puntahan ka namin ni Jema diyan after namin nagdinner. Okay?"

"No! Please, don't let Jema know na nandito ako. Please.."

"Weird. Okay. Okay.

"Thanks. Dito lang ako. Tell me if patapos ka na, ako pupunta diyan."

"Okay Okay."

I left the restaurant at pumunta na ako sa condo ni Jema. Pagdating ko sa parking ay palabas na rin si Arki ng lift.

"Hey, sorry to bother you. Saan tayo pwedeng mag-usap?" Bungad ko sa kanya.

"Dito na lang. Di ako pwedeng magtagal. Hahanapin ako ni Jema." Sagot nito.

"Okay, I have a few questions." I said.

"Simulan mo na." Sagot naman nito at sumandal sa sasakyan ko and crossed his arms.

"Who is Julius Andrei Salazar?" Tanong ko. I think she didn't see that question coming. She was surprised.

"Ha? Ah. Sino yun? Di ko siya kilala." Palusot niya.

"Arki, look. Sinundan ko kayo kanina ni Jema. After we talked sa coffee shop, sinundan ko kayo hanggang Loyola. I was there when you guys were crying. I know there is something about Julius Andrei. Sino siya? Please, tell me." Tuloy-tuloy kong kwento.

"Ahmm.. Si Andrei. Uhm. He's just a friend." Tipid nitong sagot.

"Friend? Please Arki. I'm begging you. Sabihin mo sa akin lahat ng tungkol sa kanya." I plead to her habang hinahawakan ko ang kamay niya.

"Okay. Kumalma ka please? Uhm. Parte si Andrei ng nakaraan ni Jema." She started.

"Tapos?" Segunda ko. Napabuntong hininga naman siya.

"Deanns, hindi ako yung tamang tao na pwedeng magsabi sa'yo ng lahat. I know maiintindihan mo kung bakit. Kaibigan ako ni Jema and she trusts me. Ayokong sirain yun. Just ask her." Sagot niya and she tapped my shoulder.

"I can't. I can't ask her." Malungkot kong sagot.

"Sorry ha. But I know you'll understand. Hayaan mo na lang muna. Don't stress yourself too much, okay? Come here." She said and she hugged me.

"Thanks Arki. Sorry sa abala. Mauna na ako." Pagpapaalam ko sa kanya.

"Ayaw mo bang makita muna si Jema?" Tanong nito.

Nginitian ko lang siya at umiling ng bahagya.

"Just hug her for me. I miss her so much. But it seems ayaw niya na akong makita. I got to go. Thanks Arki." Sagot ko at pumasok na ako sa kotse.