The Art Of Letting Go

Kabanata 8

Kabanata 8

Alibi

Hindi ko alam kung paano ko mapapaamin si Kristen. I can't just force her to speak. At mas lalong hindi ko rin pwedeng sabihin na nahuli ko siyang nakikipag halikan sa parking lot.

Tahimik akong umupo sa upuan ko. Pagdating ko sa classroom ay nandoon na rin sina Kharlah at Ericka. I was late for our first subject in the afternoon. Since its my first time to be late at Ma'am Conception's time, pinalampas niya muna ito.

A few minutes later, pumasok si Kristen sa classroom. She looked flushed. My eyes darted to her lips. Namumula ito. Hindi na ako mag tataka kung bakit. Kharlah and the others gave me a questioning look but I just ignored it. Alam kong nag tataka sila kung bakit parehas kaming na-late ni Kristen. At halos mag kasabay lang kaming pumasok.

I saw her sat down.

"Ba't ka na-late? Sigurado ka bang sa CR ang pinunta mo?" Bulong ni Kharlah.

Siniko ako nito nang hindi ako sumagot. Naiinis ko siyang tinignan.

"Ano?"

"Kita mo ba 'yung hitsura ni Kris? Parang..."

"Siya ang tanungin mo, 'wag ako."

Natahimik na si Kharlah. Binalik ko ang tingin ko sa pisara at sinubukang makinig sa leksyon. Isinantabi ko muna ang mga bumabagabag sa'kin.

"Alright class, I'll see you tomorrow."

When the class is finally dismissed, agad kong inilabas ang phone ko at nag padala ng mensahe kay Alston sa IG.

@maria_bianna: Hey, are you busy?

@alydevilla: ?

I pursed my lips when I saw his reply.

@maria_bianna: Kilala mo ba si Kristen?

@alydevilla: Obviously.

@maria_bianna: Great. Pwede humingi ng favor?

@alydevilla: Depends.

@maria_bianna: Can you date her? Just for one night. Bukas sana, if you're free?

@alydevilla: Why?

@maria_bianna: Well, I'm sure you saw the pictures she tagged you. She wants to be close with you. Actually, she has a crush on you. So, ano? Pwede ba?

@alydevilla: I don't date kids.

I chuckled on his reply.

"Hoy, ano 'yan?" Biglang sumilip si Kharlah sa screen ng phone ko pero agad ko itong tinago.

"Privacy." Paalala ko sa kanya at inirapan niya lang ako.

@maria_bianna: Then don't consider it as a date. Think of it as a...treat. Tutal malapit na ang Halloween.

@alydevilla: What, I'll buy her a candy?

@maria_bianna: Ikaw bahala. Just take her out for one night. Please?

@alydevilla: Fine. Details?

@maria_bianna: Bukas, 7PM sharp. Sa J&J sweets store.

@alydevilla: K.

Tinago ko ang phone ko at palihim na ngumisi. Lumingon ako sa kinaroroonan nila Kristen at lumapit sakanila.

"Anong pinag uusapan niyo?" Tanong ko.

"Tinatanong namin si Kristen kung ba't siya na-late. Ayaw niyang sumagot." Ani Kharlah.

"Hayaan niyo na kasi," saad ko.