A Lousy Geek

Chapter 53

Chapter 53

"So all set? We're going to have a party!"  masiglang sabi ni Beth.

Nasa kwarto ko sila at doon sila nagplano ni Laura tungkol sa Christmas party namin. Wala namang kaso iyon kina papa, pero sa akin meron.

"Do we really need that? For the past two years ay okay naman tayo sa simple celebration." sabi ko sa kanila.

Binalingan ako ni Beth bago umirap.

"This is different cous. You're finally back. Double celebration to!"

Nag-iwas ako ng tingin. I don't know why they're making this a big deal.

"I-Im just having a vacation here Beth." I said almost stuttering.

"Ang kj mo." aniya nanunuya.

Naramdaman ko si Laura sa tabi ko at niyakap ako patagilid. Siniksik nya ang sarili nya sa akin.

"I'm sorry Avi." she said.

"It's not your fault. Tapos na iyon." sabi ko at ngumiti.

It's been three days though. At hindi na ulit naulit ang tagpong iyon. Hindi ko na ulit sya nakita.

Yes, I break down. Siguro nga, normal na reaksyon ko lang yun sa muling pagkikita namin ng taong naging parte ng nakaraan ko.

Yes, nilamon na naman ako ng pagsisisi pero tapos na yun. I just realized that I can't move on if I wouldn't let myself. Our world is too small for us not to meet. At hindi sa lahat ng oras ay makakapagtago ako.

Everything is normal for them. Sa akin lang naman hindi. Papa is cool with Drice and tita Lorena is so fond of him. Laura and Rem are still friends with him and Beth seems to be interested on what's going on with his life.

Sa kanilang lahat, ako lang ang hindi okay. At aaminin ko, it would take a lot of time for me to be okay.

"Sigurado ka ba Avi?"  tanong sa akin ni Laura.

Tumango ako at inayos ang ayos ng buhok ko. I'll be going to buy gifts for Christmas.

"Yes."

"You want us to come with you?" tanong ni Laura. Umiling ako sa kanya.

"Wag na. Ayokong maging third wheel." biro ko. Ang alam ko kasi ay may date sila ni Rem ngayon. Ihahatid nila ako sa mall at magpapaiwan ako doon. Ayoko din namang kasama sila para hindi nila malaman ang bibilhin ko.

Beth is also busy. Kaya hindi ko sya maisasama. And besides it's been a long time since I went out alone. They always treat me like a fragile girl that need company. I just want to prove them that I can handle myself now.

"Are you gonna call us?" Rem asked while they're dropping me in the mall.

Inihatid lang naman nila ako dito pagkatapos ay aalis na sila. They hesitated at first. Gusto pa nila akong samahan kung hindi ko lang sila tinarayan.

Umirap ako kay Rem.

"Fine. I'll text you when I'm done."

"Are you sure you want to stroll alone?"

"I am Lau." I said. Ofcourse I didn't tell them that I'd buy gifts. Knowing Laura, she'll be excited and will just spoil the moment.

Nanliit ang mata sa akin ni Laura. Kumunot ang noo ko.

"You sure you're not meeting someone?" she accused.

Mas lalong kumunot ang noo ko.

"Someone like who?"