The Broken Soundtrack

Track 13: I Think I Might

Kahit na may bandaids sa magkabilang sakong ng paa ko, masakit pa rin.

I knew being at the party last night was a mistake. After everything I went through, baka 'yon na ang una at huling beses akong pupunta sa isang party.

Walang nakakaalam na muntik na akong magahasa ng Jordan na yun. Well, may isang tao lang naman na nakakita at tumulong sa akin...

"Jannah!"

Fiona's voice snapped me back to my senses as I watched her walk towards me near the coffee machine. Siya ang papalit sa akin sa shift ko ngayon sa store.

Frankly, I was surprised myself that I managed to stand up for eight hours straight here. Sure akong balot sa dugo ang mga paa ko mamaya kapag tinanggal ko ang mga sapatos ko.

Niyakap ako ni Fiona nang makarating siya sa akin. "Hinanap kita kagabi sa party. Tinatawagan rin kita pero wala kang sagot. Paano ka nakauwi?" She fired me with a question, which I didn't want to answer.

Shrugging, I gripped the inventory folder in my hand, making my way towards the counter. Naramdaman ko ang pagkiskis ng sugat sa loob ng sapatos ko pero huminga ako ng malalim at pinilit na huwag sumigaw sa sakit.

"Oh my God!" Fiona shrieked, walking past me and stopping me by the shoulders. "Napano ka?"

"Okay lang ako. Wala 'to," I answered.

"May nangyari ba sayo kagabi na hindi ko alam?"

"Wala, nahulog lang ako kanina sa hagdan." I tried to convince her, but she raised a brow at me.

"Pero, hindi ka naman galit sa akin?" Fiona asked again, hands crossed over her chest.

I looked at her, shaking my head. "Pagod lang ako, Fiona." Hindi ako galit sa kanya. Wala naman akong dapat sisihin kung hindi ang sarili ko.

"Bakit feeling ko galit ka?" She whimpered, moving closer to me. "Sorry na, Jannah. Alam kong iniwan kita kagabi sa party."

"Okay lang talaga, Fiona." I reached for her hand, tapping it lightly just to assure her that I was not mad.

She heaved a sigh, pouting her lips. "Promise next time hindi na kita iiwan." She raised her hand as if that would change my mind about not ever going to parties again.

"Huwag kang mag-alala kasi hindi na ulit ako pupunta sa party." I flashed her a small smile, bending down to get my backpack.

"Ha? Bakit naman?" She exclaimed, catching the attention of the only customer inside the store.

I clutched my bag, taking a step towards her. "Fiona, uwi na ako. Ingat ka."

"Teka!" She stopped me by the arm, confusing me. "Bago ka umuwi, may sasabihin ako sayo."

Naging seryoso ang mukha niya kaya bigla akong nag-worry. "Bakit? Buntis ka na ba?"

She let out a chuckle. "Ha? Hindi ah! Ano gusto mo? Good news o bad news muna?"

Sino ba naman ang may gusto ng bad news?

"Kahit ano."

"Okay, good news first." She looked at me, her pink cheeks rising up. "Kami na ni Benj!"

I gaped, eyes widened. Wow, ang bilis naman.

"Kahapon lang." Her ginger hair flipped on the side as she tilted her face in excitement.

"Uh..." I struggled to find the words to say.

Hindi naman sa ayaw ko si Benjamin para sa kanya. Mukha namang kumportable sila sa isa't isa and they clearly knew each other way before. Wala akong karapatan para i-judge kung sino man ang gusto ni Fiona, so I just had to support her decision.