War of Love (La Suena Series 3)

Kabanata 19

Kabanata 19

"Rosealie, is it true that Damiel always fetch you after the school hours?"

Linggo ng umaga iyon at sabay kaming kumakain ng almusal. Minsan lang mangyari iyon dahil madalas akong gumigising nang tanghali kapag walang pasok. Kaya kapag bababa na ako para kumain, hindi ko na siya naaabutan dahil maagang umaalis para sa trabaho.

Tumango ako saka tinusok ang hotdog. "Yes, tita,"

Pinanood ko siyang tumango-tango habang may naiisip. "Magkaibigan na kayo?"

Natigil ako sa pagnguya ng pagkain at nag-angat ng tingin sa kanya. Are we really friends? Perhaps. Palagi niya akong nililigtas sa kapahamakan.

I nodded at her slowly. "Sort of. Why are you asking, tita?"

Binaba niya ang kutsara at nilingon ako. Her brows were a bit creased while her red lips protruded. "I'm just wondering, Rose. Damiel is a busy person. Paanong nasusundo ka niya araw-araw?"

Sumubo ako sa pagkain at nagkibit lang ng balikat. "I had asked him last time about his schedule. Sabi niya hindi naman masyado,"

Tita Esme shook his head. "Soldiers are busy. Bukod sa physical training nila sa umaga, may mga ibang tinatrabaho pa 'yan. Kaya paanong nagkakaroon siya ng oras para sunduin ka?"

Ngumuso ako. "Why are you thinking about him? Is that a big deal?"

She grabbed her glass and sipped on it. "Rose, something bad might happen if a soldier goes out of their base. Lalo na kapag sobrang importante ng dapat nilang gawin at nakuha nilang tumakas,"

Naibaba ko ang tinidor na may hotdog sa gulat ko. Is it true? Nanlamig ang katawan ko sa narinig. This can't be. This is impossible. I must ask him about this issue. Alam kong may parteng malulungkot sa akin kapag hindi ko na siya maaabutan sa labas ng school na nakahilig sa sasakyan niya at naghihintay sa akin. Pero hindi ko yata kakayanin kung may parusang ibigay sa kanya dahil sa akin. I would rather be sad than see him punished for something he's not obliged to do.

"You're very persistent, huh?"

I was eating alone in the school's cafeteria when Mariah Ocampo sat in front of me. Her long black hair, deep-set eyes, thin lips, tanned skin and slim body is telling me that she could pass as a model. With simple make up and a branded bag on her arm, she looked sophisticated.

"I heard from the students that Damiel always come here to pick you up after your class. Is it true, Alcantara? Gusto ko lang kumpirmahin,"

Dahan-dahan akong nag-angat ng tingin sa kanya. I raised a brow at her. Her bitch face remained.

"Don't you know that it's rude if you disturb someone who's eating peacefully?" marahan kong tanong.

The side of her lips rose and then she barked a laughter. "Oh? I'm sorry. I wasn't informed,"

Sarkastiko akong ngumiti. "Now, you know. You can leave,"

Mas lalo siyang nangiti. "You didn't answer my question. Bakit? Natatakot kang masabihang kabit?"

I was about to drink but after hearing her last sentence made me drop the glass on the table.

"Are you sure, Mariah? Natanong ko siya noong nakaraan tungkol sa pakikipagrelasyon at wala naman siyang sinabi sa aking may girlfriend siya. Tell me, are you crazy?"

Ipinatong niya ang mga kamay niya sa mesa at pinagsalikop. "Ang mga sundalong katulad ni Damiel ay posibleng walang girlfriend o 'di kaya'y tago ang relasyon-"

"Damiel has no girlfriend,"

"He has. I am his girlfriend," pilit niya.

I chuckled and shook my head. "If you're his girlfriend, why is he picking me up instead of you?"