His Imperfect Halo (COMPLETED)

Chapter 2

SOME say, I became the most evil in the university ever since my boyfriend left me. Bitterness surpassed me, they say. I would receive whispers and gossip, na ni-minsan ay hindi ko naririnig at naaabutan na pinag-uusapan na pala ako. Only Ashley and Avery were the ones telling me. Sila na rin ang kumakawawa.

But there were also people who were bold enough that even though they knew you were in front of them, mas lalakasan pa ang bulungan tungkol sa'yo.

And that's one thing I couldn't and wouldn't tolerate. If I heard you ruthlessly whispering and clearly heard my name, I would make sure that you couldn't get away with it.

Halo-halo ang aking nararamdaman nang paulanan ko ng sampal ang babaeng nasa harapan ko ngayon. Napatingin ako kina Ashley at Avery na nileleksyunan na rin ang dalawang kasamahan pa nito. I tightly grabbed this witch's hair and dragged her towards the front of the cafeteria.

For all to see that when I hear you talking behind my back, this is what you'll get.

"Ano?! Wala na ba kayong magawa sa buhay at pati ako pinagtsi-tsismisan niyo?!"

I could no longer control myself and grabbed her again and made her stand up. Ngayon, nakatingin kami sa isa't-isa, mata sa mata. She looked like a tired clown because of her over-the-top lipstick and make-up.

But I was taken aback when she suddenly grinned.

"Tsismis? Ang tsismis, walang bahid ng katotohanan, Francine. As far as I know, totoo namang nagsawa na sa'yo si Lance at iniwan ka na lang nang walang paalam, 'di ba?"

I could immediately hear whispers from the students surrounding us. And I didn't know why... I felt like all my strength and courage vanished in an instant when I heard her speak the truth.

I suddenly felt sorry for myself. And once again, the unanswerable questions flooded my mind.

Bakit ako iniwan - bakit hindi na lang nagparamdam bigla? Bakit wala man lang pasabi? Bakit sa tatlong taon naming pagsasama, nagawa pa rin niyang bumitaw?

Pinilit kong umiling. "That's not what happ—"

"Oh, come on! Huwag mo ngang gawing mas bobo pa ang sarili mo! You know that to yourself! Wanna know why he left you? Kasi nga..." Nakaramdam na ako ng inis nang nilapit niya sa akin ang mukha niya at pinandilatan ako ng mata. "...pipityugin ka. You don't deserve Lance, you don't deserve the university's gem. And luckily, nakita na ni Lance na hindi siya para lang sa isang tulad mo. Kaya ka nga iniwan e. Huwag mo nang lokohin ang sarili mo, dahil hinding-hindi na siya babalik—"

Suddenly, she was not able to continue what she was going to say when Ashley's hand landed on her face. Ramdam ko ang paghawak niya sa magkabila kong balikat.

"Hoy, babaeng McDonald's! Ano bang ginawa sa'yo ng kaibigan ko at ang dami mong hanash tungkol sa personal niyang buhay?! You look so desperate for sympathy. Huwag ganiyan, please. Nakakaawa ka."

I could see the anger in the girl's face, and she was about to slap Ashley when Avery suddenly appeared and pushed her, making her sit down on the floor.

"Okay, we get it. You have feelings for Lance, but stop spreading Francine's personal life just to gain friends, okay? If that's your way of making friends, make sure they stick with you even after this issue is gone, alright? Hindi 'yung kaibigan mo lang sila dahil may bagong issue kang ibibida sa kanila."

Unti-unting napapababa ng tingin ang babae habang habol ang hininga, na parang ayaw na niyang makita ng lahat ang mukha niya. I could feel Avery's hand on my back, gently caressing it.

"Let's get out of here, girls," ani Avery at tatalikod na sana nang magsalita na naman si Ashley.

"Oh, and by the way, gusto ko 'yung efforts mo para makahanap ng infos about sa isang issue. Pwede ka na sa SOCO, you're so good at it!" She chuckled.