In Time (Twist of Fate Series #1)

Twenty-four

I opened and watched the video in doubt.

Little did I know the bridge that we built together started to crack. Leona and Matmat kissed. They fucking kissed! The text was from Leona!

The noise background and lights made me realized that they were at the bar. Matmat was on the couch, sitting, while Leona were on his laps and started to kiss him. I knew that she took this video intentionally to send it to me.

Kita ang mukha ni Matmat sa camera dahil sa pagkakaanggulo nito. Naka-white uniform pa siya, nangangahulugan na galing pa sa klase. Si Leona naman ay naka red dress.

Hindi ako makapaniwala at hindi na tinapos ang video. Napaupo ako sa kama at patuloy ang paghinga nang mabilis. Napasabunot ako sa buhok at hindi alam ang gagawin. Lakad ako nang lakad sa loob ng aking kwarto at balisa. After a while, I decided to call Matmat.

"Please answer," pakisuap ko, pabulong. Please sabihin mo na hindi 'yon totoo.

Agad akong nagtungo sa bahay nila Matmat nang hindi ko siya matawagan. Triny rin ni Eleazar na tawagan siya ngunit wala lang nangyari. Nagtaka pa si Eleazar dahil mukha akong nag-aalala at nagtaka rin siya na wala pa ang pinsan. Akala nga niya ay kasama ako.

I tried calling the number that Leona used as I went home. She answered it after five rings.

"Galing mo naman. Sa susunod kuha ka ng editor mo!" I sarcastically uttered even though I know that the wasn't edited. It was true. Naghahanap lang ako ng rason para hindi siya paniwalaan.

[Oh...] It was Leona's voice-- A moan?! [Ah, Matmat...] I gasped and covered my mouth.

I ended the call quickly. What the hell?!

Wala si Matmat sa kanilang bahay. Hindi siya sumagot sa mga tawag. Hindi siya mahagilap.

Totoo nga... Magkasama silang dalawa...

Matmat, bakit?

Nagtungo ako sa banyo at binuksan ang gripo. Patuloy lang ako sa paghilamos ng mukha. Hindi ko na namalayan na umiiyak na pala ako. Nag-angat ako ng tingin sa salamin. I could see my reflection. My eyes were tired and my face was pale. "Anong nangyari sa atin?" I whispered as if I was asking Matmat.

I laid myself down on my bed. I felt empty. I stared at the ceiling for a long time, hopimg that he will call me and explain everything. Para na akong mababaliw kakaantay.

Pero wala.

I heard my phone beeped and I checked on it immediately. It was another message again. No other than that girl. Lakas-loob ko iyong binuksan kahit nag-aalangan ko. Kahit na alam kong mas masasaktan ako. I inhaled deeply before opening it.

I clenched my fist upon clicking the video file she sent me.

Mas lalong nanikip ang aking dibdib sa video na ito. They were naked. They were having a sexual intercourse. Leona... was moving on his top... slamming herself aggressively. Hindi ko gaanong makita ang reaksiyon ni Matmat sa ginagawa ng babae pero ang tanging alam ko... He betrayed me.

My eyes were swollen. I cried for hours... and begged that a miracle will happen... na sana umuwi na si Matmat... na sana panaginip lang ito. Masamang panaginip. Gusto kong ibalik 'yung dating kami.

Masaya naman kami sa isa't isa, ah? Bakit ganito? Bakit siya naghanap ng iba? Pangit na ba ako sa paningin niya? Or, naaawa lang siya sa akin kaya napilitan siyang ligawan ako? Tanga ba ako para sa kanya? Mahal ba talaga niya si Leona? Ano ba ako sa kanya?

Lumubog at sumikat na ang araw pero wala pa rin. Nawawalan na ako ng pag-asa.

The day after, my eyes were very red and puffy. I couldn't face my sister nor my friends. I don't want them to be worried.