Behind This Name (UNEDITED)

32

CHAPTER 32 — SECRETS WE KEEP

"TELL me, how can I protect my own thoughts from telepaths?" I folded my arms over my chest as I leaned my back on the wall of Gail's room, while she's busy doing something on the floor. A bread on my hand was still unfinished.

Her brows snapped together due to confusion. "At bakit mo naman kailangang protektahan?" she asked back.

Napamaang naman ako sa sagot niya. "Seriously? A question can't be answer by another question."

Instead of saying something, she slowly put the papers down and stared into my eyes. Silence had occurred between us. And one thing I am sure, she's reading my mind. Probably confused why I'm eager to know how can I protect my mind from intruders, and when I say intruders I mean telepaths.

The conversation Gio and I had the other day stuck inside my head. That particular moment when he mentioned that he's a freaking telepath. It left my mind bothered. Kahit na mukhang wala naman siyang pakialam at kahit na mukhang hindi naman niya binabasa kung anong iniisip ko ng mga panahong 'yon, hindi ko pa rin maiwasan na mabahala. Pagkatapos pa naming kumain noon, talagang sinamahan niya ako sumakay papunta rito sa compound. Hanggang gate nga lang siya.

I kept telling myself that meditation is the best way to keep my thoughts safe and sealed. But then, how?! How can I meditate while having a casual conversation with someone? You can't do that.

Gail sighed in disappointment, completely catching my attention. She then shook her head and massaged her temple, looking slightly stressed. Yup, she did really read my mind.

"Nakalimutan mo na kung anong sinabi ni Sir Trent? Trust no one."

"That doesn't really answer my question. And I know what Trent Cabrera meant by that. It's not like I'm telling all my secrets to someone. I'm just making friends because we both know a human won't survive if he's alone."

"Wala akong kontra sa pakikipagkaibigan mo. Mas maganda nga 'yon e. Pero makipagkaibigan ka na sa lahat, 'wag lang sa isang telepath." Halata na ang inis sa boses niya pero pinipigilan niya lang.

I rolled my eyes and looked away in annoyance. Really? E 'di dapat hindi rin ako makipagkaibigan sa kanya?

"That's different, Fenella! Alam mong from the start alam ko na 'yang sikreto mo," she reacted to my thought. "Tingnan mo ha. Fenella ang tinatawag ko sa'yo, 'di ba? Kahit ilang beses kong banggit-banggitin 'yang pangalang Fenella at kahit itatak ko pa sa isip ko na 'yan ang pangalan mo, deep inside my mind alam kong hindi 'yon totoo. At imagine ha, kapag isang telepath ang nakabasa sa iniisip ko, malalaman at malalaman niya pa rin 'yon."

"Okay, so to answer my question, you're telling me that there's no any other way to protect my thoughts from him? I know you can protect your own from other telepaths because you're a telepath, too. But how about you protecting other people's thoughts? Can't you do that?"

"Kung kaya ko, e 'di sana sa simula pa lang ginawa ko na," pakikipagtalo pa niya. "Iwasan mo na lang siya. That's the best solution I can give you. Bad influence rin 'yang taong 'yan sa'yo."

"Oh really? Have you met him?" I responded with so much sarcasm. "I don't even remember you having a conversation with him. And if ever he really is a bad influence, then it's just fair. We can influence each other. Come on, Gail. Even if no one's telling me, I know you all think of me as the black sheep. I always am." I shrugged, casually biting on my unfinished bread, and looked at her with so much calmness.

That left her in silence. For a second, I was conscious of how my voice sounded. I felt like I sounded a bitter person. There's a thought inside me saying that she might misunderstand it, she might think of me as someone who's just filled with jealousy and keep on holding grudges. Pero noong una lang 'yon, kinalaunan lumipas din.