Serendipitous Encounter

Kabanata 8

Kabanata 8...
Manifesting

Both Kai and Olivia went with me home. I wasn't able to refuse them because I'm too preoccupied on what's on my mind. I was ready to ask Mommy or Daddy why they haven't told me that the hearing will be held tomorrow, but when we arrive at our house, they were nowhere to be found.

Doon ko lang nakita na Mom texted me na she will just buy groceries at the mall nearby, and Dad's probably out because of the trial.

Hindi ko alam ang iisipin ko, hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko. I know myself that I'm panicking too much, but I can't control it!

"Inom ka muna," abot sa akin ni Oliv ng isang basong tubig.

Isang pilit na ngiti lamang ang naibigay ko bago kinuha ang inalok nitong tubig.

"Just saw this," ani Kai at lumapit sa aming dalawa ni Oliv para ipakita ang isang article na sinasabi ang katulad ng sinabi nina Camila kanina. Hearing will really be held tomorrow.

"Bakit may mga gan'yan pa?"

"Maraming tutok sa kaso kasi madaming involved na victims, also the fact that the culprit is a teacher, and also a famous volleyball coach. Pero mas dumami ang nakatutok sa tingin ko dahil nga madaming nag uusap-usap about sa case sa social media platforms."

Those three should've been sensitive. Asking something about it, randomly, really? They didn't even ask kung pwede ba akong kausapin para kuhaan ng panayam tungkol doom, basta na lang nila ako pinag babato ng mga tanong. What are they thinking? That's it's just easy to talk about something so traumatic?

Do they really sympathize us- victims, or they're just doing those insensitive stunts for publicity? I can't with those news makers. They should know more.

"Natuwa pa ako noong una kong nakita na marami kaming kasama sa laban na 'to, but now... are they really sympathizing us? With all of these? Do they have to pry that much?"

"That's social media for you," nakataas pa ang kilay na sabi ni Oliv. Bumuntong hininga na lamang ako at bahagyang sumandal sa kan'ya.

"Tigilan mo nga 'yan." Suway ko kay Kai na hanggang ngayon nagtitingin-tingin pa rin ng mga post. "Ayaw ko nang pansinin. Mas nakaka-stress lang tignan ang mga 'yan."

"Ano sa tingin mo?"

"Huh?"

"Gagawin mo bukas."

"I don't know..." I sigh. "Probably answer all their questions, obey them, try not to break down." I shrug my shoulder.

"Kaya mo 'yan." Ani Kai na sinangayunan naman ni Oliv. Ngumiti lamang ako sa kanila at muling kinuha ang basong may lamang inumin.

They both actually want to stay until my parents arrive, but masyado ng gabi at delikado sa daan. Besides, babae si Oliv at ito namang si Kai, wala, baka hinahanap na sa kanila. Kaya naman pinauwi ko na rin ang mga iyon. But also, one of the reasons is para hindi na sila madamay pa sa probably stressful na pag uusapan mamaya.

Hindi rin naman nag tagal matapos kong pauwiin si Kai at Oliv, dumating si Mommy dala-dala ang pinamili nito at ilang minuto lang rin, dumating si Daddy kasama ang dalawang lawyer nitong kasama kahapon dito sa bahay.

"Hindi ko rin alam anak," si Mommy habang marahang hinahaplos ang buhok ko.

"Kanina ko lang namin nalaman. We're all surprised they didn't announce it earlier. Ang sabi noong tumawag ako ay may pagkakamali daw ang isang tao sa court kaya nagkaganoon. Such unprofessional," Daddy shook his head.

Muli na lamang ako tumango sa mga ito at bahagyang ngumiti.

I knew they have a reason. The thing is... now, we're kind of troubled.