BORROWED TIME

21

I was almost done packing my things when I heard my phone ringing.

I grabbed it from the bedside table and it registered on the screen that Jaja is calling me through messenger video call.

I wiped my face first using my hands to cover that I cried and breathed heavily before I answered her call.

"Oh, Ja!" I tried to sound as jolly as I can but I guess it's not effective to my sister who knew me too well.

"Tsk. Ate, don't hide it. Umiyak ka, right?" she said raising her right eyebrow.

I smiled a little. "Napuwing lang." I explained as I tried to wipe my face again.

"Luh. Si ate magsisinungaling pa sa akin. Is that because of kuya Nico?"

Kunot-noo ko naman siyang tinitigan. It's not exactly the reason why I cried but how did she knew na Nico was a part of the reason why I am crying?

"Teka... Pano mo nalamang nag-usap kami ni Nico?" I asked her then her face suddenly turned pale.

"Ah... Eh..." she seems to not find the words to say kaya napataas na ako ng kilay.

"Ja, sayo niya ba nalaman lahat ng nangyayari sa akin dito?" naiinis kong tanong dito kasi kahit hindi ko itanong, alam kong siya nga.

"A-ano... Ate kasi..." napakamot na lang ito sa noo niya.

"Nasabi ko sa kanya accidentally eh..."

Laglag-balikat kong tinitigan si Jaja.

Ito na nga bang sinasabi ko eh. "Hay, Jaja..."

"Pero ate! Hindi ko naman talaga sinabi yon! Pinilit kasi ako ni kuya Nico na tanungin kung kumusta ka. He asked me to tell him everything na kinukwento mo sakin kasi hindi na raw kayo madalas magkausap."

I raised my eyebrow higher. "Ahhh... So naawa ka na naman sa kanya and you told him everything?"

"Oo!-- este ano-- hindi ah! Hmm m-medyo?"

Tinitigan ko siya ng mataray. Kahit kelan talaga tong si Jaja madaling maawa eh😑

"Ehhhh. Sorry na ateeee. Wala naman talaga akong balak sabihin sa kanya yon eh. Kasi nga diba, sikreto natin yon. Kaso kasi mapilit si kuya Nico eh. Edi sinabi ko na para tumigil siya." she explained it ng mabilis pa sa alas-kwatro.

"Sorry na ateee. Pleaseee. Di ko talaga sinasadya yon. Promise, cross my heart." she even raised her right hand and literally crossed the part of her left chest.

I sighed defeatedly. "Ano pa nga bang magagawa ko? Eh nasabi mo na. Sige na. You're forgiven." I said in a losing tone.

"Talaga ate? Yey! Love you ateeee." she said joyfully.

Napa-iling na lang ako. Kahit kelan talaga hindi ko rin magawang matiis itong si Janel. Pano, nag-iisa ko lang siyang kapatid eh.

"Okay lang naman na nasabi mo yung nangyayari sa akin dito pero Ja, sana naman hindi mo na sinabi ang background ni Bea kay Nico." I explained.

"Ha? Anong tungkol kay Bea? Yung pasyente mo? Eh hindi ko nga siya masyadong kilala, ano namang ikukwento ko kay kuya Nico tungkol sa kanya?"

I creased my forehead when Jaja answered innocently.

"H-hindi galing sa-sayo yung nakuhang information ni Nico tungkol kay Bea?"

Umiling naman ito. "Ate naman, hindi ko nga kilala yang pasyente mo. Pangalan lang niya ang alam ko. Pero yung sinasabi mong nalamang information ni kuya Nico about her? Wala akong sinabing ganon sa kanya."