The Third Side of a Love Story

Chapter 6

"W-Who's this?..."

My heart beats as if it's going to explode anytime.

Sa aking kaba, parang gusto ko nalang sigawan ang nasa kabilang linya upang ipakilala ang sarili niya. But I was stunned when the call suddenly dropped.

I tried to call Justin's number again but this time, his phone is already off. Tila sinadya itong patayin ng kung sino man ang may hawak nito.

Kung anong saya ang naramdaman ko kanina habang iniisip na magkikita ulit kami ni Justin, napalitan na ito ng magkahalong lungkot at namumuong pagseselos.

With whom Justin might be with this time?

Bakit sa dinami dami ng pwedeng sumagot sa phone niya ay babae pa?

So many what ifs enter my peaceful mind.

What if he's with someone else? What if he lied being in his class? What if he's making out with a girl?

I don't like how dirty my mind could get but I badly want to know.

Kahit masama na ang loob ko, I still contained the emotions I'm feeling inside. Mom shouldn't see how devastated I am because of Justin.

See? Kahit ganitong nasasaktan na niya ako, siya at siya pa rin ang iniisip ko. Iniisip ko pa din how to maintain his image in front of my parents. Ayokong isipin nila na Justin is not good enough for me because they might cancel what they had planned for us.

Ayokong ireto nila ako sa iba maliban kay Justin. Dahil siya lamang ang gusto ko. These tears I kept inside are the witnesses. Kung gaano kadaming luha na ang naiiyak ko at tiniis ko just because of I love him.

I have sacrifice a lot for him at hindi ako papayag na ibang babae lamang ang makinabang sa lalaking binuo ko. I made Justin as a someone who can fulfill my standards. Until one day, I already made him one. I made him THE STANDARD.

The pain of jealousy I felt a while ago turns into deep rages.

Who could that girl be? How dare her to step into my territory?

Hanggang sa biyahe pauwi, hindi na ako nagsalita. Mom offers to go somewhere else since I still have enough time before the choreographer arrive at our house but I refuse to do so.

Napapagod ako.

I'm tired both physically and mentally.

I'm tired physically on fixing the things I needed for my debut celebration plus the exhaustion I had on my study. On the other hand, I'm tired mentally thinking a possible way handle the pain Justin keep on making me feel.

"You look tired, hija." Mom touches the side of my face. I'm looking outside and distracting myself just to  refrain myself from crying.

Hindi ako umimik kay mom.

"Sige na nga umuwi na tayo. Just rest for a bit while waiting for your friends and cousins. You guys need to memorize the dance. You only have more a week to prepare." She said as she gives up on me. "Manong, ideretso mo na sa bahay. We're going home, Ven is tired already. We'll just hang out next time."

My mind goes blank on our way home. Nawala sa isip ko ang lahat. Maging ang mga nadadaan namin na nakikita ko mula sa bintana ng sasakyan ay tila naglalaho. Mom kept on telling her stories but it just goes straight out of my ear.

I lost my mood already when I received a message from Justin.

Justin:

I'm busy a while ago. I'm on my way already.

I don't bother replying to him. I'm mad at the moment and by just seeing his name on my phone makes me want to throw it.