Somewhere in the Avenue (Velez Cousins Series #1)

Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Confessions

"Einra? Deonell? Anong nangyayari dito?" I heard Yaya's voice from behind but it's the least of my concerns now.

His words keep on ringing in my ears at hindi ko ata ma-proseso iyon. My lips parted. I was holding my breath after hearing him utter those words at me. He was eyeing me as if he was waiting for my reaction but I remain stoic. Wala akong masabi at wala akong maipakitang reaksyon. I am stunned by his sudden revelation that I don't even know how to react.

I heard Yaya's nearing footsteps from behind. Narinig niya ata ang mga sigaw ko kanina. Nagsisi naman ako kaagad kung bakit ko iyon ginawa. Nahihiya ako.

Mariin pa rin ang tingin sa'kin ni Deonell. He was carefully examining me. There's this bothered look in his face due to my silence. I wasn't able to answer nor to react. I was just stunned and frozen right on my spot. Nang tuluyang makalapit si Yaya ay doon lang ako guminhawa ng maluwag.

"Anong nangyayari dito? Narinig daw ng hardinero ang mga sigaw mo?" Yaya rushed in my aid.

I eyed Deonell and he was still eyeing me. Lumunok ako at tinignan si Yaya na nagaalala na sa'kin. She was quick to grab my hands and caress it.

"I-I'm fine, Ya. Really..." I whispered.

Bigla akong nawalan ng boses. Lumalambot ang binti ko at parang matumba ako dahil sa mga titig ng lalaking 'to sa harap ko. Parang sasabog na ako sa loob at hindi ako handa. The emotions inside me is too much to contain right now. I can feel my cheeks turning red kaya yumuko ako.

"Einra,"  narinig ko ang pagtawag niya sa pangalan ko.

Hindi ko 'yon pinansin at binalingan nalang si Yaya. She was still eyeing me with concern. Pabalik-balik ang tingin niya sa aming dalawa ni Deonell. Umiling ako sa kaniya.

"I'm fine, Yaya. May m-misunderstanding lang. R-Right, Deonell?" I gave him a side-eye.

His face softened as he eyed me. Hindi siya sumagot at nanatiling tahimik, nakatingin pa rin sa'kin nang mariin. Napalunok nalang tuloy ako at nag-iwas ng tingin. From the corner of my eye, I saw how he shifted his weight and tilted his head.

"Misunderstanding," he muttered under his breath. Ako lang ata ang nakarinig dahil hindi nag-react si Yaya.

"Aba, h'wag mong sigawan itong si Deonell. Mahiya ka naman, Einradelle. Ginagawan ka ng pabor nang makisig na binatang 'to tapos sisigawan mo lang. O'siya, mag-ingat kayo sa byahe. Magbati na kayo!" pangangaral sa'kin ni Yaya at inutusan pa ako.

Napatingin tuloy ako kay Deonell para tignan ang reaksyon niya. He was looking away because he couldn't stop himself from smiling widely. I inwardly scoffed. This brute! At talagang tuwang-tuwa pa siya, ha! Habang ako dito ay halos malusaw na dahil sa mga salitang binabato niya! Halata naman na nagbibiro lang siya!

He chuckled and bit his lower lip while still looking away. Napalitan naman ng inis ang nararamdaman ko ngayon. Is he seriously just joking right now? Did he really meant what he said?!

This is so unfair! How can his words affect me this much?!

I exhaled sharply and faked a smile towards Yaya. "Don't worry, Ya. Okay na kami. May mga salita lang siyang binato na hindi ko nagustuhan kasi puro kasinungalingan lang naman ang lahat. You can go now, Ya. Sorry for the trouble."

I felt Deonell's alarmed stares right at that moment pero wala akong pakielam. Gone was his playful face awhile ago. From my peripheral vision, I saw how his forehead creased. His brows furrowed as he clicked his tongue in a slow manner. It bothered me but my attention was focused on showing him that I am not affected at all. That I am not swayed by his words that are lies.