Stray Heart (SC, #5)

Kabanata 9

Kabanata 9

To Come Here

"Maybe, I should get my switch to kuya-"

"No!" It's the only word I could afford to Callie. My heart is beating wildly against my chest. It felt like my lungs expanding, needing more air. Hirap na hirap akong igalaw ang ulo para makita kung nakarating na 'tong girlfriend ni Rush sa sasakyan. I am gripping Callie's arm tightly. "A-ano? Let's go inside! Baka naghihintay na sina Sab and Raina? Okay?"

Please, don't look back.

Don't turn around, Callie.

I pushed her back lightly. Pinauna 'ko siya sa paglalakad. Hindi 'ko siya binigyang pagkakataon na lumingon pa. We're just really moving toward to the main door of the bar. My hands are terribly shaking. I don't want fuck this up. Iilang araw palang kami ni Rush. Ayoko namang magba-bye Philippines kaagad.

"Hurry, Callie! I'm...hungry." I bit my tongue. For the lie.

"O-okay. Okay, Mara," maliit niyang sabi. Callie never looked back. I'm really glad about it. Hindi na rin ako lumingon hanggang sa makapasok kaming Restobar. The time we stepped our foot inside the establishment, Sab and Raina are already waving lively in our reserved table. Madali kong nilagay ang katawan sa pintuan na hindi nila nakikita ang labas. Minadali ko rin ang pagpasok namin ni Callie hanggang sa makarating kami sa puwesto nila. "Are you really that hungry?" she shyly followed.

I bit my tongue. "Yeah, kinda. Sorry about the push."

"Don't worry. Ganyan din me if gutom."

I took a deep breath when she looked over her shoulder. She blushed tremendously. Callie is really innocent and cute. She's really shy. Walang-wala sa kapatid niyang may sira ang ulo minsan. I mean, th great daredevil Rush Henson. Ibang usapan naman si Wes. Rush is probably the problematic in my eyes.

"Girls, come here na!" si Sab.

I only nodded. Then, Callie and I continued to walk to their place. Umupo kami at kinuha 'ko kaagad ang menu para magampanan ang kasinungalingan na sinabi 'ko. You know, I usually lie for my sake. But this lie felt heavy. It's hard to spit lie on good people.

"Uhm...Is the serving fast here?" Callie is still concerned for my lying stomach. I can't even protest. Kailangan sumakay pa 'ko rito...

"Callie...it's okay. I can wait," agap 'ko.

"Wait...bakit? You're hungry na ba, Mara?" Concern's palpable on Raina's words.

Maagap na tumayo si Sab upang tawagin ang waiter. But my reaction is faster than her. I let her sit down for a while. "Don't worry. I can wait. Don't worry about me, okay?" I'm not really comfortable with people's kindness.

"Sure?" si Sab, brows furrowing.

"Yep. Please. It's okay," sabi 'ko. I tried to smile.

"Let's go with appetizer na," si Raina. She called out and ordered some fries and nachos.

Kagat-kagat 'ko ang labi habang pinagmamasdan ang menu. I'm not really hungry. Sanay na ang sikmura 'ko na hindi kumakain ng dinner. I'm used to it. What I am not used is to be with them anymore. Awkwardness roaming inside my stomach. Uncomfortable feeling settling over my shoulders. Being mean is the only thing I know...right now. Si Kelsey na lang ang may alam kung good mood or wala ako sa mood...minsan. No one could even get right in my mood.

Now, all I could do is to feign everything.

"What's your order, Mara? I'll let them know quickyly," Sab muttered.