Speaking Heartbeats

Heartbeat 9

Heartbeat 9

"She's Andrei's first girlfriend?" I asked Michael for the second time.

Tumango siya at kunot-noong tinitigan ako. "Don't tell me Andrei did not tell you about her?"

Nang makita ang kalituhan sa aking mukha ay bigla siyang natatarantang napatayo.

"Oh shit! I think I just made a mistake!" he exclaimed in total terror.

Umiling ako sa kaniya. "No, Michael. I'm grateful, actually. Malay ba natin kung ayaw lang talagang sabihin ni Andrei sa akin ang bagay na 'yan," I bitterly spat.

I could feel the intensity of their stares, but I did not mind. I fixed my gaze on the stairs, waiting for Andrei to come down and explain himself.

"Oh my.. I smell trouble," a small retort from Dolores when the person we have been waiting for arrived wearing a plain white polo and black fitted jeans.

Napataas ang kilay ko nang salubungin niya ako ng mahigpit na yakap at marahang hinalikan ang tungki ng ilong ko.

"What's wrong, miss?" he whispered while hugging me.

Inirapan ko lamang siya at kumalas sa kaniyang yakap.

"The program will start soon. Let's go," aya ko sa kanilang lahat at nauna nang tinungo ang backyard.

Buong gabi kong hindi pinansin si Andrei. Kabaliktaran nito ang hindi mapirming mga mata ng lalaki na kanina pa nakatutok sa akin.

"Hey.. Do we have a problem, miss?" he asked when everyone was busy giving their inspiring messages to him.

Nagsasalita ang kaniyang papa ngunit nakatoon sa akin ang kaniyang buong atensiyon. Marahan niyang hinaplos ang aking braso ngunit dahil sa inis at pagtatampo ay iniwas ko na lamang ito at patuloy siyang inignora.

Malungkot ang mga matang ibinaling ni Andrei ang pansin sa harapan kasabay ng isang pilit na ngiti. I guiltily sighed. Today is his birthday, but I am making it hard for him. Imbes na maging masaya siya ay nalulungkot siya dahil sa akin.

Nang dumating na ang kainan, saglit niya akong hinarap. "Anong gusto mo, miss? I'll get your food."

Nagpakawala ako ng malalim na hininga at ginagap ang kaniyang kamay.

"Let's talk," I said as I pulled him inside the house. Ngunit nagulat ako nang manguna siya at hinila ako paakyat. Now, we are inside his room.

Inilibot ko ang paningin sa kabuuan ng kaniyang kuwarto. Dark brown and cream shades are painted all over the walls. Sa gitna nakapuwesto ang kama katapat ang isang malaking bintana na nakaharap sa kanilang backyard.

"Why did you not tell me that Jinny is your first girlfriend?" I broke the silence.

He stared at me as he remained tight-lipped.

"All I thought was she's just your childhood friend. Iyon pala, she was your ex! Andrei, you lied to me when you told me you never had a girlfriend.."

He struggled for words. "She was.. not my first girlfriend. She never became one, miss."

Mapait akong napangisi. "Anong ibig mong sabihin? She was just your fling, is that it?"

"For goodness sake, Andrei! You told me she's just a friend na kailangan mong samahan dahil pinaki-usapan ka lang. I was relieved because I know she's nothing compared to what we have, that she's not a threat, but hearing the truth from other people hurts. It pains me knowing you hid the truth from me.. that you lied to me!"