Tranquility In Havoc

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Three: Master

Napailing ako habang sinusuot ang seatbelt nang maalala ang panunukso ng tingin ni Nay Carol nang magpaalam si James kanina at sabay kaming lumapit sa kinaroroonan ng sasakyan ni James.

Pinaandar na ang sasakyan. I looked at James' way and caught him smiling while driving.

"Why are you smiling?" Sumandal ako sa upuan at tumingin sa harap.

He chuckled, napailing naman ako. "May crush ka siguro sa'kin. Isusumbong kita kay Ginger, we're good friends lagot ka."

He chuckled more, natawa rin ako.

"Not scared really. She knew that I admired you back then." Confident na sagot nito at nginisihan ako nang lingunin ko.

I scoffed. "Please assure me that you'll marry the girl."

"I love her and I'll make her an Avren. Don't worry bout that. I'm really sure that we are for each other."

Napangiti ako at pumikit. I never imagined I'll feel peace while I'm with James and be convinced that he's not really a jerk like the jerk I once loathed. Hearing him say those things made me realize that human indeed deserve second chances especially when they're determined to be better.

Sa mga nagdaang pag-uusap namin, since the talk at the beach is repeated for a couple of times especially when his son, Zion, loves swimming and since the sea and me are friends again, then my addiction resurfaced once more. I'm a sucker of the sea, and the nature in general. Sa mga ganoong pagkakataon kami nagkakaroon ng catch up ni James that's why I now knew what's the status behind him and Ginger.

They're in an on and off relationship due to the complications of their personal lives. Di na ako nagtanong kung ano ang mga yon. I respect their privacy. All I know, they love each other. At ngayon nga ay okay na ulit sila ni Ginger.

"Assure me too." Dagdag nito.

I hummed. "Assure you what?" Tanong ko habang nanatiling nakapikit. Sabi pa naman ni James na medyo mahaba ang byahe pero di ko naman siya tutulugan.

"That you'll be with someone at my wedding."

Napadilat ako pero di gumalaw sa pagkakasandal. "I'm sure na dadalo kami ng pamilya ko. I'll bring Nay Carol too, of cou—"

"Nah. I meant, someone like how I have Ginger, Angelie. Wala ka naman sigurong balak maging madre?" Tumawa ito.

Pagak naman ang pagtawa ko at umupo na ng tuwid at sinandal ang ulo sa bintana ng kotse. I watched the shadows of the trees that faded as we passed by. "Minamadali mo ba ako? Pini-pressure?" Pabirong tanong ko.

I suddenly feel down thinking of that 'someone' he is referring to. Honestly, a face automatically appeared in my mind when he mentioned about 'someone', and I hate how my mind formulate a clear image of the person I want to be with.

Dadating kaya ang araw kung saan wala na akong katiting na mararamdaman para kay Tyler? Parang hindi naging sapat ang sakit na pinagdaanan ko para itakuwil siya ng sistema ko. Kahit nasasaktan sa mga ala-alalang nagsusulputan ay may emosyong pilit na sumisiksik. How lucky could he be na naging faithful ang sistema ko para lang sa kaniya?

My heart is really a foolish organ and my brain is a poor interpreter.

I'm not into that jerk anymore.

"Hindi naman. But expect a wedding invitation in this year. Maybe you'll find him later at the event? Who knows right?"

I shook my head. "How's Zion?" Diverting the topic and I hope he will take the bait.