His Regret

CHAPTER 5

I'm slowly walking at the corridor when I heard loud thud and something falls in front of me. Shocked from the sudden sound, he slowly stands up with mangoes in his both hands.

"Want some?" his cold and baritone voice pull me to reality.

"I - - -" can't utter something! Damn it! He stood  there watching me while waiting for my answer. Hinila nya ang isa kong kamay at nilagay ang mga mangga  na nasa maliit na sanga. Befor I can utter my "thank you", he turn his back on me and walk away. It's been a while after I saw him.

I continue walking until I reach my destination. I plan to go to cafeteria because I'm hungry and papabalatan ko na rin tong mangga.

"Good morning ma'am" maligayang bati ng tindera na nakaassign sa counter. I greet her back and smile widely when she talk to me.

"Lalo ka pong gumaganda ma'am. Bakit po pala wala kayo last week? Alam mo po bang araw-araw kitang inaabangan na bumili? Feeling ko po kasi ikaw ang lucky charm ko eh" humalakhak pa ito na parang kaming dalawa lang ang tao sa canteen. Natatawa kong ginala ang paningin ko sa loob at nakitang medyo madami na rin ang narito.

"May inasikaso lang po ako ate last week. I want ginger rice po and chicken pasamahan na rin po ng hotdog." masiglang kinuha nito ang order ko.

"Pasuyo din po ate, pwede pong pabalat nito?"tukoy ko sa manggang hawak ko pa rin.

"Naku ma'am! Ki aga-aga kakain na nyan! Bawal po yang kainin sa ganitong kaaga. Kumain ka muna po at babalatan ko tio pagkatapos mong kumain para sigurado." 

"Salamat po" natatawa kong kinuha ang tray at umupo sa pinakamalapit na upuan. I'm hungry!

I started eating when my phone started to ring. Dali-daling kong kinha sa bag at sinagot without looking sa name ng caller.

"Thank's God at sinagot mo rin! Where are you Nathalie Dianne !!!? inis na tanong ni kuya habang umiiyak na boses ni Gab ang nasa background.

"What happened to Gab kuya? Why is he crying?" nag-aalalang tanong ko at tinigil ang pagpapak sa fried chicken.

"Why don't you ask yourself Nadia?" Where the hell are you? We're going to get you to where - ever -  you - are! Wala ka ba talagang  balak umuwi? Maglalayas ka ba ng tuluyan?" hysterical na tanong ni Kuya na nakapagpatawa sakin.

"Stop laughing woman! Damn it!I'm so worried! Get your ass off from where - ever - you - are and go home now!! Pronto Nadia!!" galit pa rin ito habang iyak pa rin ng iyak si Gab. Nagbuntong hininga ako at muling dinikit sa tainga ko ang cellphone.

"Relax your ass kuya! I'm fine and by the way  thank you for your concern but I can't go home pronto. Nandito pa ako sa school so don't worry. Aryt? I'll go home later. I promise. Send my I love you to Gab, Love you Kuya Gino!" I ended the call and continue eating.

"Nadiaaa!!" malakas na sigaw ang nakapagpatigil sa pagkain ko. Pati aya yung mga tao sa buong cafeteria ay natigil sa mga ginagawa at napatingin sa tatlong amazona na nasa pinto. With their messy hair and falling tears they run towards me and stop in front of my table to look at me. As if examining me if I'm really here or I am just an apparition in front of them.

"Where have you been? I am so worried!" umiiyak na si Aira ang unang nagsalita.

"Gaga! I'm worried din kay Nadia! Where have you been ba kasi? And you didn't bother telling us kung saan ka pupunta? Are we really your bestfriends?" humihikbi si Kira naman na akala mo hindi nakabili ng super sale sa mall.

"And don't you dare smile in front of us ! I swear to God I will hurt you! Whole week kaya nawala! You told us na may pupuntahan ka and here you are! Kakabalik palang! My Ghaad Nadiaa! It's a fucking week! Tito and Tita told us that you are going somewhere but we didn't expected that you will be away that long and worst! We can't contact you!" dinuro duro pa ako ni Nat habang humihikbi. I rolled my eyes heavenward and stood up.