Unleashed in February (Behind The Month #1)

30

30, For generalizing

"Sis, anyare sa'yo? Huy!"

"Wala..." sabi ko at pinakunot ang noo para hindi na ako guluhin.

"Ang showbiz ha!"

"Baks, hayaan mo na..." ani Anika kay Dyorda.

My eyes, nose, together with my cheeks are showing what I just did because of their reddish appearance. Bakas sa itsura ko ang ginawang pag-iyak pero ayokong pag-usapan, lalo na kung sina Dyorda ang nagtatanong. They don't know anything about how my connection with Hope goes, or if they do have, it's just very limited.

Ang alam lang nila marahil ay ang pagbibigay ng bulaklak sa'kin ni Hope noong birthday ko. I'm sure it won't be taken so seriously by them because they are aware that he's just my best friend.

"Si Philippe huling kasama niyan ah..."

They whispered about the possible thing that happened with Hope and I during lunchtime. Ang katabi ko ngayon sa magkabilang gilid ay sina Chelsea at Iona.

Chelsea leaned closer to me and tried to comb my hair softly as if it is the best way to comfort me. May iilan pang luhang pumatak na agad ko namang pinunasan.

"Girl, ano ba talaga? Napa'no?" Chelsea asked me in a gentle way.

I shook my head and chuckled a bit. I would never tell them the answer.

My head ached upon laying my body on my bed when I went home. I feel too tired even when I wasn't that active during our classes. Nasa upuan lang ako at lumilipad ang isip.

I heard it's unhealthy to sleep when your head aches but that's what I did. I don't care anymore just as long as I'd be able to have a mind, free from any bothersome things even just for a short while.

Nagising ako sa pagtawag sa pangalan ko at sa pagkatok sa pintuan. I thought it was just a dream but when I opened my eyes, it pierced through me that I actually had a blank, dreamless nap.

"Erin, kakain na." si papa sa istriktong tono.

"Opo..."

I got up and changed into my comfy clothes. Ni hindi na ako nakapagbihis kaninang pagka-uwi ko. Wearing just my plain black leggings and oversized white T-shirt, I went downstairs to join my parents for dinner. Kahit na sa totoo lang ay wala talaga akong gana.

My eyes automatically gone wide at the sight of Hope who's also on the dining table. He's still on his uniform as he stared at me blankly. Si mama ang pumuna sa'kin at itinuro ang pitsel sa counter. Kumurap ako at sumunod na sa tahimik na utos.

Mama was putting the bowl of our beef stew on the table when I placed the pitcher too. Umupo ako sa tabi ni Hope dahil ayaw kong magkatapat kami, hindi palagay na makita nang matagal ang kanyang mukha.

Tumikhim si mama at inumpisahan na ang maikling dasal.

I tried to concentrate on the prayer because my mind and heart are throbbing a little.

"Let's eat," ani mama pagkatapos ng panalangin.

"Kumusta naman, Hope? Si Luis, dito na ba 'yon mag-i-stay muna?" tanong ni papa habang sumasandok na ng pagkain.

If his queries started like that, that only means Hope just arrived. Kung kanina pa siya nakarating sa bahay, malamang ay iba na ang pinag-uusapan nila ngayon.

"Ayos naman po, tito... Baka ganoon nga po. After a few days or weeks, aalis na rin si dad para sa negosyo." Hope answered clearly.

Tahimik akong kumain. Gusto kong magmadali para makaakyat na ulit at doon na lang sa kwarto magmukmok.