We Said Never (City Series #3)

Chapter 26

"Wala naman tayong pag-uusapan," malamig na salita ni Ezra. "Please leave."

Kinagat ko ang loob ng pisngi ko. Ganito pala ang pakiramdam ipagtabuyan.

"Ayoko."

"Ang kulit." He laughed to himself and looked away.

Alam kong masakit na tinataboy niya ako, pero may kung anong tuwa na dumaloy sa sistema ko. It feels like it's been forever since I heard his laugh.

"Bakit ba ayaw mo akong kausapin?"

Anim na taon, Ezra. Anim na taong pinapanuod ko lang ang buhay mo sa mga litrato, eh dati pinapanuod lang kitang umiiglip habang nakayakap ka sa akin.

Sana naman humupa na yung galit mo sa akin. Sana naman kausapin mo na ako nang maayos. Sana hindi lang katahimikan ang maibalik mo sa akin.

"Selena," he firmly said.

His eyes said everything I needed to hear. He was desperate for me to get out of his sight.

Ayaw niya talaga.

He hates me that much.

"Bro, kung pumunta dito si Ena—"

Lumingon ako kay Chino na nasa pintuan na ngayon. Napaawang ang labi niya nang makita ako at ang mga namumuo kong luha. Parang naawa na si Chino sa akin.

At this point, ka-awa awa naman talaga ako. Tama na, Selena.

"Ez, sabihin mo na lang kaya?"

Kumunot ang noo ko kay Chino. Ano? Anong sasabihin ni Ezra?

I looked over at Ezra and there was an exasperated look on his face. "Chino, kunin mo na kliyente mo."

"Bro, anim na taon na rin naman—"

"Chino."

"What are you talking about?" tanong ko kay Chino. Binalik ko ang tingin ko kay Ezra na hindi na makatingin sa akin. "Anong kailangan mong sabihin? May tinatago ka ba? Ano ba tayo, high school? Galit ka ba sa akin? Sabihin mo! Ilabas mo, Ezra! Hindi yung ginaganito mo ako!"

"Ena, just leave," ani Ezra.

Umiling ako. "No. Tell me what's going on."

"Nung naaksidente kayo—"

"Chino!" Ezra's voice was intense. I blinked a couple of times in disbelief. Not because of the tone of his voice.. but because tears were welling up in his eyes.

Bumalikas siya at naglakad patungo sa bintana.

"The chances of you waking up were.. very low, Ena." Nagbuntong hininga si Chino. "Mag-usap na nga lang kayo."

Bago pa ako makapag-salita ay umalis na si Chino. It took everything in me to walk towards Ezra who was still quiet. I grabbed his hand, and for the first time in forever, he looked at me the same way that he did before.

"Ez.." mahina kong saad.

Binawi niya ang kamay niya at naglakad patungo sa sofa. I bit my lip and followed him. Umupo niya at naghilamos ng mukha niya. I don't know why I'm scared. Not of him. Never of him. But of the truth. It's been six years, and I've been answering for him in my head. Gumagawa na lang ako ng mga posibleng rason niya para lang magkaroon ako ng kapayapaan.

"I made a promise." His voice broke.

Umiling ako. Hindi ko maintindihan.

"Kanino?"

"I made a promise to God that I'd leave you alone."

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Bakit naman?"

"Because you were dying, Ena." Huminga siya nang malalim at tumingin sa akin. "I already lost.. one. I couldn't lose you, too. Ako may kasalanan kung bakit nawala anak natin. Ako yung nagd-drive. Ako nandamay sa'yo sa buhay na 'yon. It was all me. Your life got all messed up when I joined it."