Strings of Regret

Chapter 36

Hilaw na tumawa si Marie habang nakatutop sa kanyang bibig si MJ.

  "A-Ah... allergic pala si Ria," wika ni Marie ng matauhan.

Nginitian niya si Reese na nasa likod ko at ng magtama ang tingin namin ay pinandilatan niya ako.

Ramdam na ramdam ko ang kagustuhan ng dalawa na sampalin ako para magkwento ngunit hindi magawa nang dalawa dahil sa presensya ni Reese. I thought he would now leave since my friends are back but he stayed and talked with them. Kaya naaliw naman ang dalawa at pansamantalang nakalimutan ang insidente kanina.

Minsan nahihinto sa pag-uusap si Reese dahil inaabutan siya nang shot ng mga kaibigan niya. 

  "Hindi pa tapos ang training niyo fafa Reese?" usisa ni MJ.

Nakangiting tumango naman ang nauna. Bahagya ng gumagalaw ang malambot niyang buhok kasama ang hangin. My friends didn't give him a chance to take a dip again and engaged him in an animated talk.

  "So papi, wala ka bang girlfriend?" tila nahihiyang tanong ni Marie.

Nandidiring tinignan ko siya ng inipit niya pa ang hibla nang kanyang buhok sa likod ng kanyang taenga at malanding tinitigan si Reese.

  "No."

Napalitan ng inis ang titig ko at ibinaling kay Reese ang paningin. He was smiling innocently to my two friends.

  "Sinungaling," akusa ko.

He raised his brow in confusion.

  "May girlfriend ka oy," dagdag ko.

  "I don't have one." His forehead creased. "Not unless hindi ko alam at may nagpapantasya pala sa 'kin," nakangising sabi niya.

  "Pantasya talaga?" I scoffed in disbelief.

From leaning to the side of the pool, Reese turned his whole body in my direction in attempts of giving me his full attention.

  "Well, I don't have a girlfriend. Not that I don't know of."

   "Oh, is it a secret?" I feigned shock. "Sorry, hindi pala dapat ipagpaalam 'no?"

  "I don't like secrets so why would I keep one? Wala talaga akong girlfriend Bri."

  "E, paano si Tiana?"

Kumunot ulit ang noo niya. "What about her?"

  "Isn't she your girlfriend?" giit ko.

Bakit hindi nalang niya aminin? Or it is really true but they are just being lowkey yet here I am forcing Reese to admit that they are in a relationship. Damn, what's wrong with me?

Instead of seeing annoyance, Reese's lips gradually lifted up to form a smirk. Shit! I'm doomed. Ang obvious mo kasi Bri! Ano nang nangyari sa move on? Tangina, ang rupok ko.

  "And where did you receive such news?"

Napalunok ako ng wala sa oras. Ba't parang natatawa siya na ewan? Fake news pa ata ako sa lagay na 'to.

  "M-Maraming nagsabi... noong reunion..." hindi na ako makatingin sakanya ngayon.

He laughed out loud, amusement is printed all over his face. Uminit ang pisngi ko sa kahihiyan. H-Hindi ba totoo naman?

  "Tiana's a friend, Bri. You could've asked me straight up for a fact check," mayabang niyang sabi.

Umirap lamang ako para itago ang matinding hiya na naramdaman. As if I have the guts to ask him that! Wala nga akong karapatan na mangealam, e. I even had a hard time striking a conversation with him because of the cold air he emitts.