That's What They Told Me

Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Engagement

How did I end up here? Somebody please tell me. I held my breath inside for a moment before letting it go nervously.

Kailanman, hindi naging magandang kombinasyon ang klase-klaseng kaganapan at mabilis na takbo ng oras. Ito tuloy ang kinalabasan, tila hindi na maalala kung paano nauwi sa ganto bigla ang lahat.

With Kobe and Azalea on each side, I walked across the quadrangle with a horrified and uneasy gait, head down low. Hindi rin makakalagpas sa akin ang gulat at pagkagimbal sa hitsura ng mga tao kada mapapagawi ang tingin dito.

I knew this would happen. It was the kind of scene that would stop everybody in their tracks. The sudden pause in a person's utterance when they glanced this way, followed by a negative expression in their faces as soon as they began to recognize me. Those expressions that I wasn't certain of.

Terrified? Shocked? Disgusted? Alarmed? I didn't know. Maybe all of the above. It's possible, though.

"Don't mind them. From now on, they won't dare to lay a finger on you," ani Azalea.

Dinungaw ko siya at nakitang diretso lang ang kanyang mga mata sa daan.

By that, I suddenly remembered what occurred last week. When they barged in the mansion without a notice.

Bakas sa kanilang hitsura ang gulat nang nadinig ang tinig ni Senyor Danilo, mukhang hindi rin nila inasahan ang presensiya nito gaya ng kawalan ko ng ideya sa kanilang pagdating.

"Well, well. What brought you here, my boy Kobe?" nakangiting wika ni Senyor pagkatigil sa gitna, animo'y matagal na talagang kilala ang panauhin.

Kobe sighed before walking towards Senyor, bowing his head a bit and showing his palm.

"Tito," he uttered politely then Senyor gave his hand for a mano, like it's been their usual routine every time they see each other before.

I saw how Senyorita Victoria raised her brow amusingly. Azalea only sighed and looked away. Nanatili naman ang kambal sa aking likod samantalang ako, heto at hindi makapaniwala sa natutunghayan.

Aside from being caught off guard, I also found it weird, though. Kobe treated Senyor Danilo his elder when in fact, based on their physiques, they looked like they're of the same age. He's even taller.

Kung sa bagay, bakit nga ba hindi na ako nasanay sa trato ni Zaro sa sariling tiyo?

"Ngayon ka na lang ulit nakabisita, hijo. Sayang at kaaalis lang ni Victor. Ni hindi ka na niya nababanggit pa sa akin. Sandali, may alitan ba kayo?"

Kobe swallowed hard and shook his head. Magsasalita na sana siya nang muli siyang naunahan ni Senyor.

"Or maybe, you just became too busy with your new girlfriend?" mapaglarong tanong sa kanya sabay kiling ng ulo upang tanawin si Azalea.

The latter's eyes widened a fraction. Bahagyang umawang ang kanyang mga labi. Para siguro tuluyan nang makisali sa usapan, ngunit biglang tumawa si Kobe at pinagsalikop ang kanilang kamay.

"Tito, you know me too well," he said wearing his usual playful grin.

"Too well..." Humalakhak din ang ginoo bago tuluyang bumaling kay Azalea. "Aw. What's the problem, hija?"

Hindi ko matukoy ang ibig-sabihin ng tonong iyon ni Senyor, ngunit napatingin na rin ako kay Azalea.

She seemed uncomfortable and uneasy, especially with her hand. Tinaasan siya ng kilay ni Kobe. Ngunit hindi naglaon ay nagawa na ring magsalita.