playful fate

Chapter 2

ZARRAH NICCOLE'S POV

"Huwag muna ngayon..." Inip na sabi ko.

"Zar-"

"Matutulog ako. I need to take a rest." Malamig na sabi ko at pinikit ang mga mata. I don't want to talk about what she wanted to spill out. Narinig ko ang buntong hininga niya at sunod na lang na narinig ko ay ang pagsarado ng pinto.

Nang makabalik na si Braide ay may dala na itong ekstrang mga damit.

"Babe... Mamaya na muna yung food okay? Pinaluto ko pa kay Manang Nelly." Aniya, tinutukoy ang kasambahay. Tumango na lang ako at ngumiti.

Hindi ako nakatulog kanina ngunit sa tuwing papasok si Gail ay pipikit ako at magkukunwaring tulog.

Even I got hospitalized, I think I had fun last night. It's just overwhelming to know na marami palang taong concerned sa'kin.

"Couz... I think you should go home for now. Malamang hinahanap ka na rin nila tita, don't worry about me. Braide is here naman." I told her, because she looks very tired and sleepy. Konting konti nalang makakatulog na s'ya dyan sa sofa.

"Zarrah, can we talk?" she asked me seriously at inayos n'ya rin ang pagkakaupo niya. Sa isang iglap nawala yung antok na nakikita ko sa mga mata niya kanina. Kanina pa niya akong pinipilit na mag-usap kami ngunit wala siyang nakukuhang tugon mula sa akin.

"Of course, so what about it?" nakangiti ko namang tugon. Agad niyang nilingon ang nakaupong si Braide sa tabi ko, he's holding my hands.

"Just the two of us." Aniya at mas diniinan niya pa ang pagkakatitig kay Braide, para siguro makahalata ito. I stare at him too, dahan dahan n'ya namang binitawan ang kamay ko at parang walang ganang tumayo.

"Okay, okay. I'll just get our food. Daanan ko na sa bahay." at tuluyan na nga nitong nilisan ang aking k'warto.

"So what do you want to talk about Graciela? Will you get mad of me because I didn't listen to you and followed you to the Bar?" nakangisi kong tanong sa kaniya.

"No, it's not about that." seryosong sagot niya habang papalapit sa'kin. Umupo siya sa inuupuang silya ni Braide kanina.

I don't understand why she looks so serious right now. Is she upset dahil mapapagalitan s'ya because of my stubbornness?

"When did you plan to tell him all of this?" she asked and I can't sense any joke in her tone.

"Sorry, but what do you mean by this?" bahagya pa 'kong tumawa to lighten up the mood.

"Fvck! Stop playing numb!" she cursed. "You know what I'm talking about Zarrah. Could you please take it seriously!?"

I don't understand why she's being like this. Masyado na yata s'yang OA.

"Sorry but to answer your question. Wala akong balak sabihin sa kanya okay? I don't want to look pathetic. I answered your questions so please respect my decision, will you?" naiirita na ring sagot ko.

"How come na ang isang napaka talinong si Zarrah Niccole Fuentes ay gagawa ng isang napaka walang kuwentang decision. You're being so illogical! Zarrah!" Inis na aniya.

"Graciela you're not in my shoe that's why you don't understand me. It's just very easy for you na magdecide dahil wala ka naman sa situation! At isa pa... It's none of your business! Wala kana dun! I want to keep my sickness very confidential! I'm the sick person here! It's not you so you better stop meddling with us!" Inis na rin na sagot ko kan'ya.

Kahit ano pang sabihin niya, walang mga salita ang makakapag pabago ng desisyon ko. I don't want to inform him about how sick I am. Ayokong dumating ang araw na piliin niya ako dahil naaawa nalang siya sa'kin. Ayokong maging dagdag pa sa mga isipin ni Braide, I want him to just live normally.