Haplos ng Hangin (Yutang Bulahan Series #3)

HNH - 34

THE REASON.

One thing I learned about this industry I’m in is to be silent until the rumors die-down on its own. Let them talk about it because you don’t owe them an explanation. Besides, it’s your personal life, dapat sa ‘yo lang umiikot ang issue’ng iyon. Other people shouldn’t made it a big deal. Hindi naman kasi ka-big deal big deal ‘yon. Walang ka-big deal big deal sa pamba-busted. What now if I did it? I did it for our own good, me and Mikan.

I stroll around London and successfully arrived at where Kiara’s staying before someone notice me. Mabuti na lang at forte ko na ang pagtatago, walang nakapansin sa akin.

“Oh, my God! I missed you so much, Sandreanna!”

Mahigpit kong niyakap si Kiara habang tinatanggal ang hoodie at baseball cap na pinangtakip ko sa buong mukha ko. I hugged her tighter. I missed you too, Kiki.

“Oh, my God! Sit down, sit down! How was your trip going here? Hindi ka ba dinumog ng fans mo? You look… exhausted.” She looks at me from head to foot, analyzing every bit of my body. Like the psychology major in her.

I am really exhausted, Kiara! I am exhausted from all these shits that circulating around me. But I didn’t let her hear my thoughts. I know she’ll get worried.

“I’m fine, Ki. Ikaw? Kumusta ka na? You look… fantastic! Never seen you that sexy, Kiki!” Isinantabi ko ang ball cap na suot ko at umupo sa designated seat na itinuro ni Kiara kanina. She also seated and never let go of my hand since I broke our embrace.

“Pumayat nga ako, e,” she said, pouting cutely.

“Why? Are you kind of losing weight ba? Getting into shape?”

Umiling siya. “Nah, I’m into problems kaya pumayat ako ng ganito.”

Tumabi na rin siya sa akin pero napangiwi ako sa huling sinabi niya. “Ikaw? Magkakaroon ng problema? Not that I could think of. The last time you had a problem, na sh-in-are mo sa akin, ay ‘yong problem ng parents mo. And that happened maybe more than a decade ago.”

She chuckled and rolled her eyes. Kinuha niya ang wine glass with obviously wine inside. Sa tantiya ko, kanina pa niyang in-enjoy ang wine na ito since it’s half empty already. Ibinigay niya sa akin ang wine glass na iyon, which I happily received.

“Problems, my dear Sandi, are inevitable. Take it from Kiki.” She clanked our glasses together and smiles in a simper manner. Sumandal na rin siya sa couch at tumingala sa well-crafted ceiling of the suite.

I silently laugh and nodded to her remarks, quite agreeing with it. Sinunod ko ang ginawa niya, sumandal din ako sa back rest ng couch at tiningnan ng mabuti ang kisame ng kuwartong ito.

It’s relaxing but ain’t peaceful enough to give my heart contentment. Pero natutuwa na rin ako. Minsan ginagawa namin ni Kiara ‘to, especially when we’re heavenly intoxicated sa puder ng mga Osmeña and Mikan’s not around for awhile to entertain his cousins. Pero this time, we’re sober enough to stare at the dead air.

“Ngayon na nga lang tayong nagkita, pag-uusapan pa natin ang problema,” sabi ko.

“That’s what friends should do. Talk about problems. And speaking of problems, are you fine? Are you coping well? Are you ready to talk about what really happened between you and Mikan?”

Pareho kaming napalingon sa isa’t-isa. Nakataas ang dalawang eyebrow niya habang sa akin ay magkasalubong dahil sa pagtataka. How is she calm asking those questions?

“Kapatid ka ba ni Tito Boy? Dami mong tanong. Isa-isa lang.”

Umayos na lang ako sa pagkakaupo at iniharap ang katawan ko sa direksiyon niya. Isinandal ko ang isa kong braso sa back rest ng couch habang sinisimsim ang wine na hawak ko. She remained on her position but still looking at me, smirking.