Faded (Published Under TDP Publishing House)

Chapter Three

I slapped Rufilyn on the shoulder. I almost lost my breathing earlier because of fear. After she picked up all the fake cockroaches todo hingi siya ng tawad. How come she made a mistake in giving. She said that what she gave me was for her sister. Coincidentally, the two paper bags are just the same.

I was even more nervous and embarrassed when I saw Sir Eric
was the one I hit earlier. I was leaning on his shoulder like were closed. I was really stupid for haven't even looked at his face since then.

And in this event I wanted to feed on the ground even more, my life was full of shame in
front of Sir Eric. I looked behind me where I left him after apologizing. He was already inside in his Merc Benz. Hindi ko man kita pero ramdam ko ang pamumula ng aking mukha dahil sa magkahalong kilig at hiya.

He was confuse, I knew that. But I was amazed because he was able to attend me quickly even
though people looked up to him. He's really kind. He was still able to do that.

Bella gave me her evil smile. Pati na ang isang 'to rinig ko pa ang tawa niya kanina ng inatake na ako ng takot. The rest of the four burst out their laugh loudly when they can't stop it. Kung natatanggal nga lang ang bibig sa pagkakagat tiyak na mauuna sila kanina pa. Tsk.

"Sorry talaga! Nagkamali nga lang ako ng bigay." She said in pleading voice. She poke me para mapansin ko. Hindi naman sa nagtatampo ako, I'm still catching my breath kaya hindi ko siya natapunan ng tingin.

I would have been happy earlier that they would donate as well but the fear I feel is more than the equal. It was as if my soul had left my body.

"Ang epic talaga ng reaksyon niya. Sana pala'y nag-video ako!" I throw a dark glare to Rose. Magkahalong ngisi at tukso ang iginawad niya pabalik.

"Maayos na ba ang pakiramdam mo?" Diana asked me sincerely. Hinagod niya ang likod ko pagkatapos kong tumango, ipinahilig rin niya ang ulo ko sa kanyang balikat.

"But admit that in other part of your body you like what happened because you were given the opportunity na maka-tsansing kay sir. Crush mo 'yon eh!" Bulalas ni Bella.

Mas lalong pumula ang mukha ko sa sinabi niya. Napaayos tuloy ako ng lakad. Pakiramdam ko nabawasan ako ng isang katago-tagong sekreto. She hits it bulls-eye. Sana naman ay matikom niya ang kanyang bibig at hindi niya iyon masabi kay Sir Eric.

As if I had done something illegal when they shot me with strange looks. Naiilang tuloy ako. I continued looking straight.

"Bagay nga kayo!" Puna ni Michelle. "If I hadn't known you I would have mistaken you two are had a thing earlier. May something sa inyong dalawa na nakakakilig talaga!"

Napakamot ako sa aking ulo. Tama ba 'tong pinasok ko? At kung sa oras man na may maglalantad sa sekretong iyon tiyak na taob ako. But Bella is right that there is a part of me that is happy because of what happened, in just a few minutes I got closer to Eric.  And I had the chance to hugged him. And on that bad time I can say I was lucky.

Hindi sila tumigil kaka-tukso at pagma-match sa aming dalawa ni Eric hanggang sa makarating kami ng Nascar. They acted like a real match-maker. Rufilyn handed me the bag na dapat na ibibigay niya sa akin kanina. When I saw what's inside it easen my feelings. It melted my heart.

It was a cartoon toy of myself, smiling. At hindi lang pala ako ang may regalo galing sa kanya kundi kaming lahat na naging kaibigan niya. I stood up and gave her a hug. She didn't know how happy I am by her gift. I've recieve a lot of gift from my collegues and business friends but this one is my favorite.

I know she is guilty of what happened earlier. Maybe it was just really a coincidence that the paper bag she gave me and for her sister were the same. I also feel guilty for keeping quiet
earlier on her.