Every Reason Why

ERW38

ERW38

Ang tangi ko lang magawa ay magpabalik-balik ang tingin sa kanilang dalawa. I felt Theo's hold of my hand loosen up. Hindi pa rin niya inaalis ang tingin niya sa babaeng nasa unahan namin.

My stomach churned up. I don't know what's happening but I felt uncomfortable... like I don't belong in the world they are currently lost in.

"You're back..." Theo breathlessly whispered, still stunned with the woman's presence in front of him. Tuluyan na niyang binitawan ang kamay ko. I followed the movement of my hand, falling on my side because of him, letting it go.

Natulala ako.

"Yeah! Kahapon lang! I was about to contact you na nga eh!" masaya ang tinig ng babae na tinawag ni Theo na Thallia, puno ng galak. "What is this? I think fate brought you to me..."

Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko at unti-unti kong tinaas muli ang tingin ko papunta sa babae.

The tension... this girl... Theo's eyes... him, suddenly letting go of me... everything... parang gusto kong tanungin ang sarili ko, ano bang ginagawa ko pa dito?

It's making me wanna stay away from them because I felt like I'm ruining their moment.

Do something to what I am feeling, Theo.

"Maniniwala ba ako don?"

"Ah, ako kasi palaging naniniwala doon. From the start, we are destined?" tunog biro iyon dahil tumawa ang babae ngunit mas lalo noong pinabigat ang pakiramdaman ko.

"Thallia..." he chuckled and shook his head.

"Wow, I missed you calling my name."

Sa mahigit isang taon naming relasyon ni Theo, I never once felt jealous of other girls. I thought I would somehow undergo that phase as well especially the time where we are just starting off... but no. Theo didn't allow me to feel that way. O siguro dahil hindi ko naman talaga siya nakikitang nasa paligid ng ibang babae bukod kay Tita Tania at kay Ate Rin.

Pero ngayon, gusto ko na lang umalis dito. Total parang hindi naman nila nararamdaman ang presensya ko.

"What are you doing here anyway? Di ka ba busy?"

"Well..."

Theo looked at my direction, finally noticing me once again. His lips parted a little and I stared at him with nothing... because I'm feeling like nothing, too.

"Oh..." parehas kaming lumingon kung nasaan ang babae. "May kasama ka pala!"

Humakbang siya papunta sa harap ko at ngumiti saakin. She has those bright smiles too. Ang ganda niya. I don't know but I suddenly imagined him being beside Theo. They look good.

"Hi! I'm Thallia. Ikaw? Are you Theo's sister? Younger cousin?"

Inabot niya ang sa akin ang kanyang kamay. Tinitigan ko iyon. Her hand is well-polished. Matutulis ito at makulay, halatang alaga ng mga manicure. While mine is just plainly like a pale hand connected on a wrist that has too many scars.

Huminga ako ng malalim. I waited for Theo to speak but he just stared at the person in front of me. Gusto kong ipakilala niya ako katulad ng palagi niyang ginagawa ngunit ngayon ay nakatayo lang siya sa tabi ko, ni hindi lumilihis saakin ang tingin.

Why are you making me feel like this, Theo?

"Girlfriend... I'm his girlfriend." I tried my best to hold my head up and for my voice not to shake. "I'm Sey Castellano..." pakilala ko at inabot ang kanyang kamay.

I shook our hand for two times and immediately let go. Hindi ko inalis ang tingin ko sa kanya dahil kahit tinanong niya kung sino ako kanina para may ideya na siya dahil hindi man lang siya nagulat sa sinabi ko.