Reverso

Chapter 23

"Why did you want to see me?" Hinipan ng malumanay na hangin ang buhok nya habang naglalakad s'ya papalapit sa akin.

"How do you manage to always keep your choices practical?" tanong ko sa kanya habang sinisindihan ang isang stick ng sigarilyo.

Kinuha nya iyon sa akin at tinapon sa lapag tsaka tinapakan. Sinimangutan ko sya.

"7 pesos din yon." sabi ko sa kanya kahit may isang kaha ako sa bag ko.

"Not all practical choices lead to where you should be." 

"But, it makes you farther to misery." giit ko sa kanya.

"Yes, but that can only be applied to certain people. You're very stubborn, Theresa. If you choose to take the path you don't like, you'll crumble your way back." 

Kinuha nya ang backpack nya at naglagay ng cloth sa lapag ng rooftop. Umupo sya doon at sinignalan ako na umupo sa tabi nya.

"There's nothing wrong with you, Theresa. If there is, it's that you worry too much. Don't worry, it will all work out in the end. Ikaw pa ba?" nginitian nya ako. Doon lang ako nagkaroon ng pagkakataon na pagmasdan nang masinsinan si Jess. Bakit kaya hindi ko napansin na gwapo s'ya ni minsan? I wonder why he is still single. He looks like a charmer to me.

"Why are you staring?" nakakunot na tanong nya sa akin.

"Nothing. I just barely look at people because I am so busy that when I look at them it's as if I am meeting a new person. But at least I found new information."

"Na gwapo ako?" ngisi nyang sabi. Mahangin din pala ang gago.

"That you're a conscious person." napanguso s'ya na parang bata.

"So, that's why you looked for me? To give you advice? I mean, di naman ako nagrereklamo, but where are your friends?" 

Nalungkot ako nang maalala ko si Riley.

"It's a long story. They're one of the people that was affected by me being a dumb head, kaya ayon. Di ko rin sila malapitan." 

"Hindi ka naman nila matitiis." Triny nya akong i-reassure.

"Sana." sabi ko habang tinitignan ang paglubog ng araw.

"I like sunrises better." pagkomento naman nya.

"Bakit naman? Most people like sunsets better." 

"I think it's because I am poetic. I associate people with certain things. Trust me, people look best when they glow because of hope than the afterglow of a downfall." 

I smiled at what he said, it's true though. 

"Kaya ikaw, I hope I see you glow. This time, not because of downfall sana." he gave me a sweet smile. Pagkangiti nya, naisip ko agad ang sinabi sa akin ni Melody.

"Do you like me, Jess?" diretsahang tanong ko sa kanya.

"I do." He didn't hesitate, he didn't even flinch, he was just there all calm and composed. 

"Pero, hindi ako tanga to get between someone's relationship. I am not like that. I am here if you need a friend but I won't take advantage of that to be closer to you and get my chance of an intimate relationship. In short, hindi ako kupal." napatawa kami ng bahagya.

"Thank you." 

"You're always welcome, Theresa." 

Alam ko na walang balak si Prima na hindi magugustuhan ni Adi. Though, I didn't say it directly, alam kong alam nya na I am having problems with Adi, pero hindi nya binadmouth si Adi nor suggested a breakup. He was just there to be a listening ear. 

"Theresa." Adi called out.

"Andyan ka na pala." sabi ko, cold pa rin pero hindi ko sya aawayin sa harap ni Prima.

"I'll get going." sabi ni Prima. 

"Thank you." sabi ko ulit sa kanya, he gave me a smile.

Paalis na si Prima nang biglang magsalita si Adi.

"See you at dinner, Kuya."