Glimpse of an Aching Heart (Novelette)

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

I tried so hard to convince myself that exaggerating things won't do any help for him. Kahit na saulo ko kung paano ito tumingin sa mga bagay na maganda sa kanyang paningin. I shook my head to avoid overthinking and check what's our relationship status to begin with.

The hell I care if he likes her? The reason I am here is to help and support his well-being. Malinaw pa sa tubig at langis ang usapan naming magkaibigan lang kaming dalawa at dapat lang talaga.

"What section are you from? Bakit hindi mo suot ang school uniform natin?"

Punyemas, nakalimutan ko palang sabihin kay Ms. Lianne na huminto siya sa pag-aaral.

Narinig kong malalim siyang huminga, bago inilapit ang bibig niya sa mikropono. 

"Someone close to me invited me here, at hindi po ako alumni at hindi talaga ako student sa school na ito."

Tumingin sa akin si Ms. Lianne at tumitig nang nakakaloko. "Interesting!"

Pakiramdam ko talaga ay mang-aasar siya. Hindi ako natutuwa.

"I'm just curious who that someone is? Is she special to you?" nanunudyong tanong nito.

Namula ako nang marinig ko ang mga malalakas nitong hiyawan at pangaasar ng mga estudyante sa akin.

"Yes."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at lalong naghiyawan ang mga estudyante sa kilig. 

"She proudly said that she will be one of the program's emcees and I can not afford to ignore and take away the enthusiasm she felt yesterday."

Ano bang pinagsasabi niya sa harapan ng mga tao?

"Now here I am, standing in front of b-bunch of people just to see her."

I startled and my eyes widened. Ni hindi ko magalaw ang mga tuhod ko sa pangambang nararamdaman ko ngayon. Pinaghalong pangamba at isang libong– this can't be, really!

 "Unfortunately, I was not able to arrived on time and didn't get to see her speaking confidently in front of everyone." 

Why are you like that?

They awed. Aubren look at my direction and painted a genuine smile. 

"I'm sorry, I just came late."

Bakit napaka-likable ng taong ito? No wonder that Abby fallen in love with him! Aubren is kind and gentle, I must say. Nakakahiya!

"Si Isaiah Castillo ba ang tinutukoy mo?" 

Nakangising wika ni Ms. Lianne at palipat-lipat ang tingin sa aming dalawa. Napipilitan akong ngumiti dahil sa kahihiyang hatid ng eksenang labas sa plano at usapan namin ni Ms. Lianne. 

Lupa, kainin mo na ako! Ngayon na!

Nanigas ako sa aking kinatatayuan nang lumingon sa aking direksyon si Aubren.  I don't want to hear any noises from them! A-Ayokong marinig ang sagot at hiyawan ng mga estudyante! I will never forget this day, I swear! Damn it, this is so embarrassing!

"Yes, it's Isaiah."

M-Me? T-Teka, bakit ba ako nagkakaganito?!

"What makes her special to me. . . is that. . ."

Don't tell me he will admit his feelings in front of my school mates?! Tuwang-tuwa na siguro itong pinagmamasdan ang reaksyon ng mukha ko! But why am I waiting for him to say something and let the people know that he likes me?