Behind This Name (UNEDITED)

41

CHAPTER 41 — MAN IN BLACK CLOAK

FIVE hours... that's how long I've been staying inside our bedroom.

Nakaya ko talaga 'yon, alang-alang na lang sa pagtatago ko kina Matthew.

The sun had already set. And that means, it's nearly dinner. I hadn't eaten snacks since lunch and I felt so hungry, that's why I had this urge to create an illusion where I was eating. Pero pinigilan ko ang sarili ko, pakiramdam ko kasi magmumukha akong baliw kung sakali mang gawin ko 'yon.

Maya-maya'y bumukas ang pinto at pumasok si Lexi. There's this awkwardness entered the room when she stepped inside. She quietly walked past me while I was sitting on the lower part of the double-deck bed. She gave me quick and subtle glances as she headed towards her desk. Sige, kunwari hindi ko na lang napapansin 'yong patingin-tingin niya sa akin nang gano'n.

I ignored her and put my focus back on the painting I'm currently working on. She doesn't want to interact, then don't.

Wala pa rin akong balak lumabas nang biglang tumayo si Lexi at naglakad papunta sa pinto. Lalabas na yata ulit siya. But before she could even open the door, she talked.

"Naghahanda na sila para sa hapunan. Hindi ka pa bababa?"

For the first time, she talked to me.

Damn. Should I call it a privilege?

With my forehead forming little creases, I replied, "Susunod ako."

Tipid niya lang akong tinanguan saka binuksan ang pinto. At bago pa man ulit siya tuluyang makalabas, may pahabol siyang sinabi, "Sabi ni Vienne, bumaba ka na raw."

The next thing I heard is the soft sound of the door closing. Oh-kay. She talked to me just because Vienne told her to.

I wonder how she can last without talking. I stayed inside until my stomach can't take it anymore. It was growling like a hungry beast. I mean, I am really hungry. So, I ended up having no choice but leave the room.

I went downstairs and headed to the dining room. Kaya pala wala akong nasasalubong na mga tao sa pagpunta ko rito dahil nandito na silang lahat, kumakain. I immediately roamed my eyes around, trying to find those three idiots I am hiding from. Kunwari sina Vienne ang hinahanap ko pero ang totoo 'yong tatlo ang sinusubukan ng mata ko na makita. My eyes didn't fail me.

I spotted Kevin, sitting and busy eating the roasted chicken. Hindi parehong table 'yong inookupa niya sa inookupa ni Vienne kaya medyo nakahinga ako ng maluwag doon. The dining room was too occupied for him to notice me, right?

Right.

I walked towards Vienne’s direction, acting so casually. The people mightn’t have been notice me or probably they just chose to completely ignore me. Saka lang may nakapansin sa akin nang makalapit na ako sa pwesto nina Vienne. Vienne smiled at me as she moved aside, giving me space to sit on. Nang makaupo ako, doon ko lang napagtanto na wala pa pala akong pagkain.

The cooks only put empty plates on each long table but we’re the one who supposed to get our food on the counter. I stared at my empty plate and at the food counter. If I just have the same ability as Vienne, I can move without being seen.

“Masama ba pakiramdam mo?” Vienne asked, her forehead was creased in confusion.

I gave her a confused look. Mukha bang masama pakiramdam ko? Bakit? Because I’m too quiet? Or because I went here late? Oh wait, that’s a good excuse, though.

Magsasalita na sana ako nang bigla niyang hawakan ‘yong noo ko. “Hindi ka naman mainit ah.”

I could have used the ‘masama ang pakiramdam ko’ card, not until she said that. I had the urge to roll my eyes.