That's What They Told Me

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Crush

 

Zaro looked stunned for a second like he didn't see that coming. Later on, he licked his lower lip and clenched his jaw, back to his rigorous disposition.

"How did you know Lascano?" satinig niya sa wakas.

I was taken aback. Was it the actual problem or was he deflecting the topic?

Tumikhim ako at litong umiling, dahan-dahan dahil hindi mawari ang tamang sagot doon.

"Sikat siya sa school... kaya ko siya nakilala," I admitted uncertainly.

His lips set in a hard line and grimaced. "That's not what I meant, Lumien."

Lumien... He's serious right now. I pursed my lips and heaved a deep sigh.

"E... ano pala?"

"When I saw you earlier with your friends, you weren't linked to him for nothing."

Napakurap-kurap ako. Inaasahan ko nang nakita at narinig niya iyon pero ang kumpirmahin niya mismo sa harap ko ay ibang usapan pa rin.

"And for the first time since you studied, you were late and you're with him?" he said in addition as if it was the most ridiculous thing he had ever known.

Umawang ang mga labi ko, unti-unting nanlulumo sa munting pagtatalong umuusbong.

"Ngayong araw ko lang siya nakilala-"

"And you're already entertaining him?"

"H-Hindi!" agap ko, muntik nang malaglag ang panga. "Binati niya lang ako kanina. Nalaman niyang Top 3 ako kaya nagawa niya 'yon. Narinig ng mga kaklase ko kaya tinukso nila ako pagkaalis niya. T-Tsaka 'yung isa pa, nahiya lang ako dahil nadamay pa siya sa pang-aasar ng mga kaklase kaya pumayag akong... ihatid niya. Sa sasakyan."

This familiar feeling. Why does it feel so wrong now that I'm explaining it? Like if I had the chance to repeat it over with and if I had known this would happen sooner or later, I wouldn't accept Kobe Lascano's offer anymore because it doesn't feel right. Even if he's treated me fine.

With guilt dripping all over my system, I waited for his response in sorrow.

"I told you to be careful around people," he pointed out with a hint of disappointment.

Tumango akong puno ng pagsisisi, handang tanggapin lahat ng pagkakamali ko sa bahaging iyon.

Rinig ko ang malalim niyang buntong-hininga. Mayamaya pa, kita ko ang paglapit niya lalo sa akin.

"Why did you do that then?" he then followed my eyes. "Do you... like him?"

"H-Huh?!" Napaharap ako sa kanya at saka umiling! "Hindi! W-Wala pa iyon sa isip ko!"

His lips parted in awe and perplexity.

"Are you sure?"

Natigilan ako, saka lang natanto nang tuluyan ang topic. Especially when our scarce proximity registered to my senses. My throat had a vestige of quiver and a hot flush crept out from my collar to cover my face.

"O-Oo..." iwas ko ng tingin.

"Hmm?" He touched my chin and moved it to him in order to have a better view of me. "Is that a promise?"

Nakaharap man sa kanya ang mukha, sinikap kong ituon ang mga mata sa ibang dako.

"H-Hindi..."

"It's not a promise," he figured, providing clarification at my sudden change of heart.