Intimidation

fourteen

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Chapter Fourteen
the day after

The day after the party, Sunday, I spent my time completing my projects. Nagising ako ng maaga upang magsimula kaagad. My ass was glued to a chair for the whole morning.

  I began my essay sa isa 'kong class. My phone was on the table's corner—away from my reach. I promised myself na hindi ako magpapa-distract.

  Pero hindi, eh. My phone rang and I immediately picked it up without viewing the name of the caller.

  "Hello?"

  "Salacia?" Si Benj iyon.

  I relaxed a little bit at tumigil sa pagt-type.

  "Ano'ng kailangan mo?" I asked hurriedly.

  "Do you have freetime today?" Tinanong niya ako.

  Kahit hindi niya ako nakikita ngayon, I tilted my head and made facial expressions. "Gumagawa ako ng projects tapos mamayang hapon.. magsisimba kami ni Mama."

  "Really?" He asked in disbelief.

  What does he want from me? He's not the type of person to call me—or anyone at all.

  "Why?" I asked again, wanting to cut to the chase.

  "I need to talk to you," His voice darkened, "Sure ka ba na wala kang time today?"

  "Wala nga." Napakamot ako ng ulo. "Unless gusto mo sumama saakin mamaya—na magsimba."

  At first, there was a long silence between us. That was when I realised my mistake. Did I just ask him to go with me to Church? Ang awkward naman 'nun.

  I wanted to take it back.

  "Sige." Sagot niya kaagad bago ko bawiin ang sinabi ko.

  "Ha? Sure ka? My mom is coming too."

  "Okay lang." He replied.

  "Uy—ano? Talaga ba?" I asked. Hindi ako nakapaniwala na nag-agree siya doon! It was just a careless suggestion.

  "Oo nga." He replied impatiently.

  His impatience made me impatient as well. "Teka, ano ba kasi ang kailangan mo, o ang kailangan 'mong sabihin? Why can't you just tell me over the phone?"

  "It has to be in person, Salacia." He stated. Once he said my name, my body shivered.

  "Okay, mamayang alas-dos. Magpakita ka sa harap ng bahay namin. Ayusin mo 'yung pananamit mo, ha."

  "Okay. Ako na mag-ddrive sa inyo. Tell your mom that."

  I ended the call without waiting for a response. Kapag sinabihan ko si Mama tungkol dito—I mean, hindi naman siya ma-issue. Familiar naman si Mama kay Benj dahil magkaibigan sila ng mga magulang niya.

  I scratched my head and hastily left the study table. Hinanap ko kaagad si Mama at pumasok sa kwarto niya.

  "O, anak? Bakit?" She asked habang nakahiga sa kama. She was reading a book.