The Other Half

CHAPTER 27

ALLIE

Sobrang mainit ang ulo ko. Almost the whole day na akong naghahanap pero hindi ko makita si Cecil. It's like she's hiding from me dahil kapag ayaw ko naman siyang makita, she can be easily seen spreading herself around.

I don't understand kung paanong nalaman ni Cecil ang tungkol sa amin ni Rodel at kung saan niya pupuntahan si Rodel. The only people who know about these things ay yung mga kasama ko sa bahay. So again, just like my parents, somebody must have informed Cecil.

It's getting dark and most students are already done with their classes kaya naman medyo marami na ang nakatambay sa park ng university at maingay na nagkwekwentuhan at nagtatawanan.

And there, in the midst of the crowd, ang kanina ko pa hinahanap. Sobrang ingay niya habang bumabangka ng kwento sa mga kasama niya. Kung kumilos siya, para bang wala siyang ibang taong natapakan at nainsulto.

Lumapit ako sa kanya and without a word, I dragged her by the arm, away from her stupid friends.

Nalaglag ang mga dalang gamit ni Cecil dahil nagulat siya sa ginawa ko.

"Allie! What the hell are you doing? Nasasaktan ako!"

I stopped walking and I forced her to turn and face me. Hindi ko alam kung gaano kasama ang tingin ko but I am certain na sobra sobra ang nafifeel kong galit at the moment. "Did you just say hell? Who the hell do you think you are para puntahan si Rodel at insultuhin?" I gripped her arm more tightly.

She raised an eyebrow kahit obvious ang takot sa mukha niya. "Huh? Ikaw pa ang galit? Why? What did he tell you? Did you also know what your lowly loverboy did to me? He pushed me into the sea! Muntik na 'kong malunod. Sa kanya ka dapat nagagalit, hindi sa akin."

"YOU DESERVED IT!" I shouted. "He wouldn't do that to you if you did not provoke him. Who told you about me and Rodel and where to find him?"

She tried to struggle from my grip but it was in vain. "I'm not telling you if that's what you want me to do. I won't give you the satisfaction."

"Then better make it your last crime and make sure na hindi ko talaga malalaman kung sino." Kulang na lang yata, magbuga ako ng fire dahil sa sobrang galit. "Dahil kapag nalaman ko, I'll kill you both, kayong dalawa ng kung sino mang accomplice mo."

"What is your problem? Bakit ka ba nagkakaganyan? Just because of that poor, stinky boy? Did you really lose all your senses, Allie?"

"I should be asking you that! Anong problema mo? Why can't you just let me go and let me live my life? Why follow me? Why stick your nose on things you're supposed to be staying out of? Isang taon nang mahigit mula nang makipaghiwalay ako sa'yo. Why can't you get over it? Dahil ba wala sa kanila ang kasing galing ko, ha? Is this what you want?"

I pulled her in and I kissed her neck. It was harsh, and disrespectful, and angry. Nagsigawan ang mga students around us. Doon ko narealize na marami na palang nanonood sa amin. "Is this what you want? That's why you can't leave me alone?" I tried to kiss her again.

I didn't see it coming. Sinampal ako ni Cecil nang sobrang lakas. "How dare you! Nakakadiri ka, Allie. I won't go for you anymore. Magsama kayo ng amoy isda at hampaslupang 'yun. Mga bakla!"

Because of that, nabitawan ko siya. She then picked her things up and walked away. I heard muffled laughters and whispers. That's when I realized the scene I made and as people stared maliciously, kulang na lang, kainin ako ng lupa sa sobrang hiya na naramdaman ko.

*

"Good evening po, Sir Allie." Rhea said as soon as I came home. She tried to take my bag, tulad ng lagi niyang ginagawa.