Unforgotten Tale

CHAPTER 17

YOU

After we had our dinner Melissa was nowhere to be found. She said she'll just use the comfort room but it has been twenty minutes and she hasn't come back. Saan na naman kaya nagpunta ang babaeng 'yun?

She's always been Mia these past few days. I decided to take a walk before I'll go back to our dorm. I sit at the bench and look up at the night sky. Napabuntong hininga na naman ako. It feels like I can't go back anymore. I don't know why I'm feeling this kind of emotion. I'm feeling down these past few days.

Maybe because the only person I think that can help me is nowhere to be found. After that so called date I haven't seen him. Well, technically I saw him at the dorm's receiving area and that's it.

I'm having my moment when I saw two people talking. No, more like arguing. I'm sure it's Archer, hindi ko nga lang mamukhaan 'yung isa dahil medyo malayo sila. Tinitignan ko lang sila, basing on Archer's body language it seems like he's mad.

Iniwan na siya nung babae at napasabunot nalang si Archer sa sarili niyang buhok. The girl is heading on my way now. My jaw dropped when I saw who she was. What's with her? I mean the last time she's with Juaquin and now I just saw her arguing with Archer.

Bago pa siya tumingin sa gawi ko ay iniwas ko na ang paningnin ko at tinakpan ang aking mukha gamit ang aking mga kamay. After some seconds I felt her stop in front of me and I heard her 'tssed'.

Okay? Mainit talaga ang dugo niya sa akin. Lumapit naman si Archer sa akin.

"Kanina ka pa ba dyan?" I just shrugged my shoulders. Tumabi naman siya ng upo.

"You look stressed." I pointed out. Hindi naman siya sumagot at mukhang nag iisip lang ng malalim. I think he's composing himself.

"She's always stressing me out." Natawa naman ako. That's a first. I never saw him in this state. He's always composed and cheerful. Sumimangot naman siya. He's back to his old self again, like nothing happened.

"Don't laugh." He said seriously that made me laugh more. Tumahimik lang kami at ini-enjoy ang paligid.

"Who is she?" Maya maya ay tanong ko. Hindi rin napigilan ang sarili.

"Who? That woman?" Tumango ako. He leaned his back on the bench.

"Harriet." Maikling sagot niya. So Harriet is her name.

"Juaquin's cousin." Pagpapatuloy niya na ikinabigla ko. Tumingin naman ako sa kanya.

"You mean cousins like their parents are siblings?" Tumango tango siya at nagkibit balikat. Really? I thought...nevermind.

"I heard him chuckled." Nangunot ang noo ko. What is it again?

"You look so shocked. If you could just see your face." He said. Hindi ko naman kasi alam na magpinsan sila, at ano ang alam ko dun? Tumayo na ako at iniwan siya. Sumonod rin naman siya at tumatawa parin. Baliw.

"Go ahead, I have to meet someone." Paalam niya ng nasa tapat na kami ng dorm. I bid my goodbye and walked inside.

Pasara na ang elevator ng may kamay na biglang pumigil sa pagsara nito. When the elevator's door opened I saw Juaquin standing outside. What is he doing here. Magsasalita palang ako kaso hinila na niya ako agad palabas. Hila-hila niya parin ako hanggang sa makalabas kami ng building.

"Will you please stop doing that?" I told him. Pero mukhang wala siyang pakialam sa sinasabi ko.

"I told you to not go near Archer." I rolled my eyes. Lalapitan ko kung sino ang gusto kong lapitan.

"You're friends, what's the matter?" Tumingin lang siya sa akin at umiling. Ang oa niya, magkaibigan nga sila.

"We're not friends." Whatever you say Juaquin. Naghanap ako ng mauupuan at nangangawit ako.