Behind The Pain (COMPLETED)

Kabanata 15

BTP KABANATA 15

"Are you here already?" I looked around, still holding my phone, to look for Mina.

She told me she was already her, but she got lost. Masyado raw kasing malaki ang UST kaya nalilito siya kung saan pupunta. I told her to go to the main building since it's like the main event of our school.

"Hindi mo naman sinabi na kailangan ko pa lang kabisaduhin ang buong UST," pagbibiro niya. Halata sa boses niya na kanina pa siya naglalakad dahil medyo hinihingal na siya.

"Basta if you see a big building that looks like a painting, then that's my location." Tumingin ako sa paligid ko. Pagabi na at malapit nang magsimula ang fireworks display.

"Nandito na ako," sabi ng nasa kabilang linya.

I roamed around to look for her, and thankfully I found her when I turned my back. She was panting, but when she saw me, she smiled and waved.

Kumaway ako pabalik at naglakad papunta sa kanya. "Thank you for accompanying me," I said and hugged her.

She hugged back. "Gusto ko rin naman makita ang UST," aniya. "Baka sakaling magmukha akong mayaman," tumawa siya at inikot ang tingin.

"People are right when they tell me UST Main Building looks like a painting," she said in awe. Her eyes were twinkling, and her lips were parted.

"It does," I agreed. "Dami ring multo..."

Sabay kaming natawa sa sinabi ko.

"Bakit? May nang-ghost ba sayo?" tanong niya. "Akala ko pa naman exemption mga Thomasians sa ghost na mga yan," she added.

"A med student Thomasian ghosted me a few weeks ago," sabi ko. Napangiwi ako. Ang pangit naman pakinggan.

"Aba malupet!" humalukiplip siya. "E, 'yung kasama mo dati. Kamusta na kayo?"

"He was the one who ghosted me," I casually said.

Her lips parted. "Payag ka nun? He looked whipped with you when I first saw both of you! Anong nakain at bigla kang iniwan?"

Nagkibit-balikat ako. Hindi ko rin alam ang dahilan niya. Everyone our paths cross, I always turn my back. I'm too afraid to listen to his reasons... if there's any. Takot ako na baka wala lang talaga siyang dahilan at trip lang talaga niya.

"I don't know. Baka he got bored," matamlay na sabi ko.

"Hilig mo naman ata sa gago. May gago kink ka ba?" walang hiyang sabi niya.

Nanlaki ang mata ko dahil madaming nakarinig. Tinakpan ko ang bibig niya at hinila siya papalayo sa main building. Baka kung ano ang masabi niya at magising na lang ako sa mga susunod na araw may issue na ako.

"Ang bibig mo grabe!" sermon ko sa kanya. She giggled and gave me a peace sign.

"Sorry na. Nature ko 'to, e. Hindi ako maka-keep up sa mga mayayaman." Tumakbo siya nang kaunti para magsabay kami sa paglalakad. "Saan ba mangyayari 'yung fireworks! 'Yun lang naman ang pinunta ko rito"

"That will start later, so let's roam around first. I'll introduce you to my friends!" I was enthusiastic. I grabbed her wrist and pulled her with me.

We were both gasping when we stopped. I took out my phone from my bag to text Kev.

To: Kev
We're here near the main building. Kasama mo ba si Cloud? Bring him with you, ah. I'm with Mina.

Kev replied quickly.

From: Kev
Papunta na ako riyan. Cloud isn't with me. He excused himself a while ago when he saw someone. Nag-panic siya, girl! Mukhang may tea!