Breathe (ONGOING)

Chapter 35

MAUREEN's POV

It almost an hour since we start talking about random things here in the garden like reminiscing our past when we we're still a kid. We also talk about our life, how are we doing, how we survive each day, and what is our favorite foods, places, brand of t-shirs, shoes, and etc.

It's like this is the first time we meet each other. Tila ba nagsimula kami ulit sa umpisa kung paano kami nagkakilala noong mga bata pa kami.

But there's a huge difference between past and present. The past is full of happy memories while the present is full of hidden agendas and betrayal.

"Do you still remember the memory where we we're still a kid and Maureen got stumbled pretty hard?" Excited na tanong ni Nadine kay Kenji.

Pasimple ko naman itong inirapan at pagkuwa'y ngumiti ako sakanya nang tumingin siya sa aking pwesto ng may malawak na ngiti sa kanyang labi.

"Yeah, I still remember that! Sobrang lakas ng pagkakatilapon ni Maureen pagkatapos niyang mapatid." Nakangiting tugon ni Kenji sa sinabi ni Nadine.

"I want to laugh at her that time because her face is so epic! Pero nung nakita ko na dumudugo yung labi at kilay niya, I pity her because of her situation that time so I called her yaya at their mansion." Malungkot na sabi nito kay Kenji. Samantalang ako ay napangisi naman sa kanyang sinabi.

"I also remember na binugbog ko din yung pumatid sakanya that time and guess what! Nayakap ko lang naman ang kapatid niya matapos yung scene na iyon hihihi!" Kinikilig na sabi ni Kenji. Pinangunutan ko ito ng noo at tinaasan siya ng kilay.

"Does that mean na you're fully aware on what you are doing that time?" Nagtatakang tanong ko sakanya. Nakita ko ang unti-unting pagbabago ng ekspresyon ng mukha niya.

"Did you get mad to the boy who made me stumbled and punch his face like there's no tomorrow for a purpose?" Seryosong tanong ko sakanya.

Napangiti naman siya ng hilaw sa akin at nakita ko ang unti-unting paggalaw ng braso nito papunta sa kamay ni Nadine. Hindi ko pinahalata na inoobserbahan ko ang kilos niya at tinitigan ko lang siya sa kanyang mata.

"Your way of thinking is kinda rude, Mau. Kenji is your bestfriend. Why are you asking him that question?" Tanong sa akin ni Nadine habang nakataas ang kanyang kilay. Nginisian ko naman siya at taas noong tumingin sakanya.

"I'm asking that kind of question because there is  something wrong with what he said." Bumuntong hininga ito at pagkuwa'y pinanliitan ako ng tingin.

"Are you doubting me? Hindi ba't dapat magpasalamat ka dahil ipinaghiganti kita doon sa pumatid sayo?" May bahid na pagkagalit na tanong sa akin ni Kenji kaya't napatingin ako sakanya.

"Why would I doubt you in the first place? You are my best friend, Kenji. I just want to clear my thoughts with what you say awhile ago." Bumuntong hininga ito at pagkuwa'y tinignan ako ng malamlam.

"I didn't do that for a purpose. I did it because I want to protect you and pay for what he did to you. That's all. Did I answer your question now?" Ngumiti ako sa kanya at tumango. Tumingin ako sa pwesto ni Nadine at nakangiti na din ito sa akin ngayon.

"Ayan, mabuti na ang nagkakalinawan tayong tatlo. Masama ang mag-isip ng masamang bagay sa kapwa mo lalo na sa matalik mong kaibigan. Let's build our trust." Nadine said while staring at me intently with smile in her face.