Let's Play Pretend

LPP 12

Victory's POV

“ It's nice to see you again my dear Victory!” Tito Calim lively entered the room together with Gin, Light and the girl yesterday.

I quickly shift my gaze to my food when our eyes met. My heart is pounding and heavy at the same time. It's not the usual beating cause this time I know I'm nervous. Nervous to what he'll say after the question.

Light sat in front of me while the girl is beside Gin. I won't look to him!

“ Let's start.” My father gave me a reassuring smile.

I can't eat my food. They look at me as if asking if I have a problem. Ramdam ko ang kaba na bumabalot sakin. My hands are shaking but I tried to hold the utensils.

“ I'll just go to the bathroom.” Mababakas ang pagka taranta ko sa aking boses.

Tumayo ako at mabilis na nagtungo sa comfort room. I can't think clearly right now!!

Diba gusto ko din namang matapos na to? Then I need to make this stop!

Muli akong nagtungo sa pwesto namin at naupo sa aking silya. I'm a little bit nervous but not like before.

“ So.... About the deal.” My mother started to open the topic after having her wine.

She look so elegant the way she moves and talk. It's her talent. To make herself look what she want to be.

“ What about that?” Tito Calim asked innocently.

Light stiffened a little. His eyes are full of question. He looked at me and our eyes met.

My heart beat starts to race crazily. It feels like we're the only human in this world. The same feeling when I am with him all the time. I bit my lower lip to prevent myself from crying.

“ Let's en--”

“ Let's end this.” I was about to say it but he steal my words.

All of them are now looking at him with a curious look but I can't. I looked down and gasped for air.

“ That's what I'm about to say.” I said then gave him a weak look.

“ I don't want to make this hard for you so I'll close the deal.” His jaw clenched and I can see raging fire from his eyes.

“ So you're thinking that this is not hard for me?!” He started to raise his voice.

“ You didn't even try to listen to me!” He stood up and so I looked at him only to see his judging eyes.

“ Ikaw ang nagsabi na magpangap tayo na may relasyon tapos gaganyan ka ngayon?! I'm doing everything because I want to! All the things we've done together is in my heart but you keep on telling me that we're just faking this bullshit!” His hurting eyes met mine and I don't know what to say.

“ I can remember everything in here.” Saad nya sabay turo sa puso.

“ And you think ikaw lang ang ganyan?” Aniko at tiningnan sya sa mata.

“ If you're thinking that I don't give importance to what we did together then fuck you! All this time I'm keeping my composure para lang hindi mo makitang gusto kita! You have your girl right? That's why I'm keeping it to myself! Kasi kahit anong gusto ko sayo babalik at babalik ka sa girlfriend mo!” Tears burst out from my eyes as I started to complain my things.

“ Nadadala kalang noon dahil hindi mo kaharap ang girlfriend mo pero I know na once you see her again things will change.”

“ She's not my girlfriend she's just a friend!” He exclaimed while pointing at the girl beside Gin. I bitterly smiled.

“ I know.” I said then give him my smile.“ I saw her too last Sunday. Your face changed and you just left me in there hanging!” I said pertaining to the girl with the long hair.

His face softened and I noticed how he was stunned when I mentioned his girl.

“ It's not about you anymore Bright. It's about me letting you go.” I gave him my weak but contented smile then leave the room.

Naglakad ako ng mabilis paalis sa lugar na iyon. People are looking at me with pity as if they know what happened.

Hindi ko na namalayan kung saan ako nagpunta. Naglakad lang ako ng tuloy tuloy upang makalayo sa kanila at dito ako napadpad sa tambayan namin nila Loured dati.

It's was an abandoned playground before but when we discovered this place we tried to renovate it and make it look good.

I suddenly remember my first heart break. This is where I go when I experienced it and I cried here all day until my friends bought me some ice cream.

Naupo ako sa swing at tumingin sa kawalan. My phone rang and saw Cleo's name in it. I accept the call but I can't utter a word.

“ Ces where are you?” She asked panicking. I even heard her say bilisan nyong i-track.

“ Hide out.” I said then hang up.

Hinayaan kong tumulo ang luha ko hoping that it will end soon. Makalipas ang isang oras ay dumating nadin sila.

Cleo hugged me tightly while hushing me. Air and Loured also hugged me saying everything will be fine.

“ Guys tapos na ko umiyak kanina pa.” Pambasag ko sa kanila kayat binatukan ako ni Air.

“ Panira ka ng moment eh!” Aniya at naupo sa madamong sahig katabi si Cleo.

“ Pinabili ko na ng ice cream ang boyfriend ko kaya hintay hintay nalang muna.” Nanlaki ang mata namin sa aming narig.

Did he just said boyfriend?!

“ Kingina ka! Boyfriend!” Ani Cleo at napatayo pa.

Ikinuwento samin ni Loured ang nangyari at dahil mga chismosa kami ay pinakinggan namin sya. Somehow I forgot all my worries and enjoyed being with my friends.

Dumating ang isang matangkad na lalake dala ang brown bag na siguro ay ice cream. Loured kissed the guy in front of us then make him sit in the grass.

Binati namin ito at nakipagkilala nadin. Si Cleo ay todo interview kay Chadwick kesyo pano nangyaring magjowa ang dalawa.

Ibinigay sakin ang isang pint size container ng ice cream kayat nilantakan ko kaagad ito. Iniiwas ko ang tingin sa kanila dahil muli nanamang nagbadya ang aking mga luha.

Habang kumakain ng ice cream ay hindi ko naiwasang humikbi kayat napansin nila na umiiyak nanaman akong muli.

I never knew that I can be this vulnerable. I used to be so strong before but after meeting Light everything has changed. My preference and my action changed.

Nang umayos na ang pakiramdam ko ay nagpasya akong uuwi na sa condo ko. I can't afford to see my parents now.

Pagkadating ko palang sa unit ay ibinagsak ko na kaagad ang katawan ko sa sofa. Pakiramdam ko ay sobrang napagod ako kahit na ang totoo ay umiyak lang naman ako ng umiyak.

Napabalikwas ako nang may magdoor bell bigla dito. Nagtungo ako sa pinto at binuksan iyon only to find out Light's girl.

“ Nandyan ba si Light? I texted him that I'll see him.” Aniya nya.

Aba bakit sakin nito hinahanap? Mukha ba akong lost and found? Shet ang bitter ko!!!

I was about to tell her that Light is not with me nang biglang dumating naman ang loko.

“ Chesa why are you here?!” Asik nya dito sabay kapit sa braso ng girlfriend nya.

I don't know what to do and seeing them together makes my heart ache. They are a perfect couple and I can see that.

“ Excuse me pero pwede ba kami magusap sa loob?” Hinarap ako ng babae at hinawakan ang kamay ko kayat kahit labag sa loob ay pinapasok ko sila.