Wretched Choices

Chapter 32

#WretchedChoicesWP

Chapter 32
Swing

Absentmindedly, I found myself nodding as an approval for his request.

He smiled. "Thank you."

Bumagsak ang tingin ko sa aking inumin na malapit nang maubos. Iyon ang pinagtuunan ko ng pansin. After I finish my drink, I would excuse myself and leave.

Every table in this milk tea shop have something trivial to talk about. They were all enjoying their spare time except for me and Archer. Silence was reigning in between us, but I could hear how loud my heart beat while Archer was staring at me. It felt even more awkward because of his serious stares. I was struggling to act normal and unaffected.

Hindi ko na pinansin pa ang pangingilo ng ngipin ko dahil sa lamig ng iniinom habang walang tigil ko itong sinisipsip para maubos na. But in the first place, why was I even trying to finish my drink? I could just leave it here. Pero siguro ay naisip ko ang mga bata na walang mainom at makain para lamang sayangin ang inumin ko. Oo, tama, ganoon nga!

I let out a deep sigh after I finished my drink. Ilang sandali pa akong natulala habang nararamdaman ang bigat sa tiyan dahil sa ininom. Baliw ka talaga, Keiandra!

Nang medyo mahimasmasan ay mabilis at natural akong sumulyap kay Archer na hanggang ngayon ay nakatingin pa rin sa akin. I didn't waste any more time and smiled at him when I found my long lost confidence.

"I should go now. Thanks for the company," I told him and grabbed my bag.

Kahit na gusto kong magmadali palabas ay hindi ko ginawa. I remained calm and collected not until he finally spoke and broke his silence.

"I heard that Jerome confessed to you earlier."

Ibinalik ko ang tingin ko kay Archer. Kung kanina, siya ang titig na titig sa akin, ngayon naman ay siya ang hindi makatingin. He avoided meeting my eyes as if looking at me would burn him.

I was right. He heard what Sharry said earlier. There was no point in lying. Not that I was planning to lie. Pero kung papipiliin ako, sana ay hindi niya na lang nalaman ang tungkol sa pag-amin ni Jerome sa akin.

Biting my lip, I nodded. "Uh... Oo."

His jaw clenched a bit and nodded as well. "So, he's already courting you?"

Creases appeared on my forehead when he arrived at the same conclusion as Sharry.

"No."

Nakakunot din ang noo ni Archer nang tumingin ulit sa akin. He looked confused.

"But he did confess, right?" I could sense his slight hesitation.

"Oo nga," pagkukumpirma ko. "But he's not courting me. Bakit ninyo ba iniisip na nililigawan na niya ako dahil lang inamin niya sa akin ang nararamdaman niya?"

He shook his head lightly. "Nothing..."

Bumuntong hininga na lamang ako at saka tuluyan nang tumayo para ipagpatuloy ang naudlot na pag-alis. "Mauuna na akong umalis."

I spun around to walk away and leave the premises when I came face-to-face with a familiar woman. Her eyes resembled Archer's eyes. When her gaze darted on me, that was how I confirmed her identity—she's Archer's mother.

I couldn't help but to admire her ethereal beauty. She was still looking so simple yet very beautiful even when she aged.

"Oh!" Her eyes widened and came closer. "Hindi ba't ikaw si Keiandra?"

Nahihiya akong tumango. Sino ang mag-aakalang natatandaan niya pa ako? Hindi naman ganoon kalaki ang pagbabago sa itsura ko matapos grumaduate ng elementary, but I wouldn't be surprised if she couldn't remember me.