Chapter Twenty
Naikwento ko kay Athena ang lahat ng nangyari sa New York. After I told her the story, she just looked at me as if she couldn't believe what happened.
" Oh my god! Nakipag-sex ka kay Adam?" napalakas ang boses niya. Napatampal ako sa aking noo dahil may mga napalingon sa aming pwesto.
" Sa dami ng kwento ko iyon lang ang nakuha mo?" I asked her.
She pouted her lips." That caught my attention! At saka hindi ka na virgin!" natatawa niyang sabi.
" But seriously I don't really know the deal between Adam and Stephanie. Alam mo namang wala na akong koneksyon sa pamilya nila simula ng magkahiwalay kami ni Ashton. That was like eleven years ago."
" I don't think that they're just friends." Saad ko at uminom sa bote. Tumango-tango si Athena at parang nag-iisip.
" But come to think of it, ang sabi ko naghalikan sila while you were away? And that's just what? After the night that you gave yourself to him?"
" Hmm-mm..."
Kumunot ang noo ni Athena. " That's strange. If Adam's an asshole, he'll definitely be dead by now. Pero hindi naman sa kinakampihan ko siya pero baka naman talagang gusto ka niya? And that he pushed Stephanie away when she kissed him. Ang sabi mo ay hindi mo alam ang sunod na nangyari kasi nga umalis ka kaagad."
I sighed. " I don't want to thini about it anymore, Athena. Hindi na ako babalik sa kaniya. If he likes me and he wanted to be honest with me, sasabihin niya sa akin ang nangyari."
" You have a point." she tipped the bottle. Sabay kaming napabuntong-hininga na para bang mabigat ang problema naming dalawa.
We drank a few bottles before she gave me a ride home. Bago pa man kami mag-inuman ni Athena ay nagtext na sa akin si Ate Judith na maagang namahinga si Mama sa kaniyang kwarto kaya pag-uwi ko, ang ilaw na lang sa labas ng bahay ang bukas.
I changed my clothes and decided to open my phone while I was brushing my hair. Saktomg bumungad sa akin ang pangalan ni Adam at tumatawag siya.
I contemplated whether I should answer it or not. Nakatitig lamang ako sa screen hanggang sa mawala ang tawag. I continued brushing my hair but then I stopped when he started calling again.
What does he want from me?
Malalim ang aking ginawang buntong-hininga bago ibinaba ang suklay at sinagot ang kaniyang tawag. At first there was silence. I think he's inside his room or his office. I don't know. He usually spends his time inside his office at minsan hindi nga umuuwi. That's how hardworking he was.
" Hello?" I called because no one spoke on the other line.
" Kitten..." nahigit ko ang aking hininga sa kaniyang malalim na boses. I remember the endearment and I didn't know why he always calls me that.
Tumikhim ako. " Adam."
" Were you busy? I've been trying to call your for a few times. I figured you're still at work."
" Nasa bahay na ako."
" But you weren't answering your phone?"
" I turned it off." I told him as a matter of fact. Narinig ko ang pagbuntong-hininga niya.
" What do you want from me, Adam?" I asked afterwards because I know he only calls when it comes to business. Palaging ganoon. He always has his purpose whenever he calls. Hindi na bago iyon sa akin.
" Are you free tomorrow?" he asked. Kinagat ko ang aking labi at napatingin sa kisame.
" I have work, sorry."
