Perfectly Strangers | KaoRhys

Chapter 31

Kaori's POV

Kasama ko ngayon si Missy papuntang infirmary. Di parin mawala sa isipan ko kung bakit ganun nalang katakot si Achi kay Rhys. Knowing Rhys nung mga panahong nasa Japan pa kami. Yes, he's so preserved and dominant. Pero mabuti siyang tao and he really cares. But what I saw at the gym was not the same Rhys I saw when I was with him.

"Kaori, are you sure you're fine? May masakit ba sa'yo?" Tanong sa akin ni Missy.

"Okay lang ako." Ngiting sagot ko. "Ah... Missy, pwede ba magtanong sa'yo?"

"Sure, what is it?"

"So totoo lang, ang daming katanungan na nasa isip ko ngayon eh. Di ko alam kung saan magsimula." Ani ko.

"It's okay, Kaori. You can ask me anything." Sabi niya habang hinawakan ang dalawang kamay ko. Hindi lang siya maganda, ang bait bait niya pa.

"Tungkol sana kay ano... kay--"

"Tungkol kay Rhys?" Ngiting tanong niya. Nagulat naman ako dahil alam niya kung anong nasa isip ko. "I've known Rhys since Junior High School. Since cousin niya 'yung boyfriend ko. That chinito guy na kasama natin kanina, siya si Gian. And believe it or not, Achi was belong in our circle of friends."

"Achilles?!" Gulat na tanong ko.

"Yes, that troublemaker was our friend. He was Rhys' best friend." Di ako makapaniwala sa nalaman ko ngayon kay Missy.

"Tama ba 'yung narinig ko? Best friend 'yung dalawang 'yon?"

"They have always been so solid. Gian, Aljon, Rhys and Achi. Those four were really inseparable since elementary. But then, everyone always talking about Achi becoming the shadow of Rhys. Always being the number two. But Achi on the other hand, was so humble, kind and a dedicated friend of Rhys. Achi idolizes  him. For him, Rhys was his hero. So he doesn't care all the critics around him." Kwento niya habang papasok kami ng infirmary.

"Paano sila nahantong sa ganun?" Tanong ko.

"It was during High School, there was a girl that Achi liked. But it turns out, that girl liked Rhys." Naudlot ang pagkwento ni Missy nang makarating na kami kina Belle at Dalia.

"Kaori." Dinig kong tawag ni Belle. "Mabuti at okay ka lang."

"Kaori, sorry talaga. Kasalanan ko kung bakit nangyari to." Naiiyak na sambit ni Dalia.

"Okay lang ako. At hindi mo 'yun kasalanan. Kamusta na 'yung paa mo?" Tanong ko.

"Na-sprained 'yung left foot niya. Pero sabi ng nurse hindi naman daw grabe." Sagot ni Belle. "Siya nga pala, nireport ko 'yung nangyari sa Dean kaya huwag kang mag-alala. Excused na rin tayo doon sa next subject natin dahil nga sa nangyari." Paliwanag nito.

"Talaga? Mabuti naman kung ganun." Ani ko.

"Dean? Don't tell me si Dyogi yang tinutukoy niyo." Singhal ni Missy.

"Ayy muntik ko nang makalimutan. Eto nga pala sina Belle at Dalia, classmates ko. Belle, Dalia, eto si--"

"Miss Missy!" Nagulat ako sa tili ni Dalia. "OMG! Di mo naman sinabing kaibigan mo pala ang Ms. SAM 2019! Nice to meet you po!" Nagagalak na sabi ni Dalia.