Loving You For No Reason

Chapter 13

Chapter 13 | Friends

Xamuel did his best to recover during the weekend. Klassey flooded him with messages, but he never replied to any of them. His decision to break up with Klassey last Friday was final, no matter what. Wala na rin naman silang pagtutunguhan kahit pa pilitin ni Xamuel ang sariling maghintay, lalo na kung kabaliktaran lahat ng pinapakita ni Klassey sa mga salita nito.

Magaan na ang loob ni Xamuel pagdating ng Lunes. Nakapasok siya nang buo sa paaralan at hindi na mukhang nalugi sa buhay tulad noon. Nakasabay na rin siya sa mga klase at hindi na madalang matulala sa kawalan. Suddenly, he no longer had to walk on eggshells or constantly worry about being misunderstood. The chaos was replaced with calmness and tranquility that he hadn't experienced in a while. Of course, there were moments of sadness and nostalgia for what once was, but overall, the breakup gave him immense relief.

Sinamahan ni Xamuel si Lion dalhin ang mga notebook nila sa faculty nang nag-bell para sa recess. Nauna naman sina South at Frost sa cafeteria para bilhan na rin sila ng pagkain. Ito yata ang unang beses muling sumama ni Xamuel kumain sa mga kaibigan. Sumagi rin sa isip ni Muel kung kumusta si Yara habang paakyat sila sa faculty room. Hindi na kasi muling nagparamdam ang dalaga matapos siyang mag-reply.

"Lion, mauna ka na sa cafeteria. May dadaanan lang ako," Muel said as they left the faculty.

Lion was skeptical but didn't argue. "Bilisan mo lang, ah. Alam mo naman si Frost, hindi pa rin niya matanggap mga sinabi ni Klassey. Baka lumaki ang tampo."

Muel chuckled. "Ako bahala."

They then parted ways. Xamuel had no idea where to find Yara. Alam niya kung saan ang room ni Yara pero naisip niya ring baka nasa cafeteria dahil break time. Tinahak ni Xamuel ang corridor pababa ng admin building. Dahil may isang floor na maraming gamit na nakakalat sa lapag, sa ibang hagdan bumaba si Muel para tumawid sa katabing building.

He heard faint notes of a piano nearby, and his mind already knew where it came from. Nandito sa building na ito ang music room. Ayaw ni Xamuel mag-expect na si Yara ang tumutugtog pero siya lang ang naisip niyang maaaring tumugtog sa music room.

Halos tumakbo na si Xamuel para lang maabutan ang taong nasa music room. Hindi nakasara nang mabuti ang pinto kaya narinig niya ang piano. Dahan-dahan niyang binukas ang pinto at pumasok.

"And I'll still be a fool; I'm a fool for you."

Xamuel's expectations didn't disappoint. Tama ang kutob niyang si Yara ang maaaring tumutugtog sa music room. Sa silid lamang rinig ang boses ng dalaga at halos nalimutan na ni Xamuel ang oras habang pinapanood si Yara.

Even though Xamuel didn't want to interrupt, he needed to speak. "Yara," he called.

Yara, lost in her world of music and lyrics, abruptly stopped playing and singing as Xamuel's voice pierced through the air. Startled, she remained motionless, almost like time had frozen for her. Her wide eyes captured a mix of confusion and curiosity as she looked in Xamuel's direction, searching for an explanation or reason for his call.

"Anong ginagawa mo rito? Break na," Xamuel asked.

"Sinoli ko ung gitarang hiniram. Ikaw? Bakit ka nandito?" sabi ni Yara habang nakatingin sa sahig.

Naramdaman agad ni Xamuel na parang ayaw siyang makausap ni Yara. Hindi naman maintindihan ni Xamuel kung bakit. "I heard someone playing."

"Ah, sorry. Aalis na rin naman ako," Yara said and stood up.

Wala siyang ibang dala kaya mabilis siyang nakalakad patungo sa pinto, kung saan naghihintay si Xamuel. Nang naramdaman ni Xamuel na hindi titigil si Yara sa pag-alis, hinarang niya ang daan.