Play Pretend

Chapter 37

#OLAPlayPretend

Chapter 37
Pasta

Ilang sandali akong napatitig sa text ni Macy. Should I accept her invitation and meet with her, or just ignore everything? Pero kilala ko ang sarili ko. If I chose the latter, I would only get anxious. Hindi ako mapapakali hangga't hindi ko nalalaman ang gusto niyang sabihin.

Now, I'm just waiting for Xaiver to come. Gusto kong pag-usapan namin ang tungkol dito bago ako sumagot. I'd like to know his opinion. We could talk about it dahil sigurado akong tungkol din sa kanya ang kung ano man ang gustong pag-usapan ni Macy.

It didn't take long for Xaiver to arrive after reading Macy's text. Mukhang madaling-madali pa siya sa pagpasok sa opisina. He smiled as soon as he spotted me.

He closed the door and walked as fast as he could. Para bang kahit nagkita na kami kanina ay nananabik pa rin siya.

Wala sa sarili kong kinumpara kung paano siya noon at ngayon. He had changed so much. He was no longer that cruel, ruthless, and stoic Xaiver Dela Vega... at least to me. The changes in him are only mine to see and feel. The clingy and sweet Xaiver Dela Vega is exclusively mine.

Kaya bakit ko kailangang matakot? Bakit ako mangangamba?

When he noticed even the slightest change in my mood, his smile slowly faded, and his lips turned into a grim line. He looked so ready to avenge me from anyone who made me upset.

"What happened?" agad niyang tanong, siguradong-sigurado na mayroong nagpapabagabag ng aking loob.

Naupo siya sa tabi ko. Pinatong ko ang isang kamay sa kanyang hita saka ipinakita ang text galing kay Macy.

"Macy?" Xaiver held my hand steady to read properly. His eyes narrowed as lines formed on his forehead. "Bakit gusto niyang makipagkita sa 'yo?"

I shrugged my shoulders. Syempre, hindi ko pa alam.

"I have to go and meet her to find out," nakangiting sabi ko.

Mas lalong sumama ang mukha niya. "You'll meet her?"

Ibinaba ko ang cellphone sa lamesa upang hawakan nang maayos ang kamay ni Xaiver. I stared at him straight in the eyes, smiled, and nodded.

"Gusto ko ring makausap siya," sabi ko.

I had already made my decision. I just wanted to inform Xaiver about my decision before I replied to Macy. I was open for discussion. If ever he managed to change my mind with plausible reasons, I was ready to welcome them.

"Are you sure?" paninigurado ni Xaiver.

Muli akong ngumiti saka tumango. "Gusto kong malaman ang mga sasabihin niya. Baka hindi pa ako makatulog kakaisip."

Natahimik si Xaiver habang titig na titig sa akin. Pakiramdam ko'y tinitimbang niya kung gaano katotoo ang sinasabi ko.

"And besides... she's your friend." I squeezed his hand to reassure him.

Bumuntonghininga si Xaiver. He was conflicted, and I could feel his restraint by squeezing my hand back. Mas mahigpit 'yon kaysa sa pagkakahawak ko sa kanya.

"She confessed to me on the night of our wedding," he said, reminding me. "I'm sure you know that. You heard us talking. Napag-usapan na rin natin ang tungkol doon. I told you everything you want and need to know."

"Alam ko, Xavi..." marahan kong sabi. "And let's face it, sigurado akong hindi lang siya ang sumubok na magpahayag ng nararamdaman sa 'yo. Madami pang iba."

"Anong madami pang iba?" Muling kumunot ang noo ni Xaiver. "Wala ng ibang babae, Chantal."

Nagtaas ako ng kilay. "Really?"