I Heard You

Chapter 15: That's me

"I'm sorry." She murmured when we entered my car. Inangat niya ang tingin sa akin at maliit na ngumiti, "I ruined the night."

Umiling ako at inayos ang buhok niya. She wouldn't let go of my right hand so I used the other one to fix her hair.

"They concluded I was deaf." She stated quietly. I sighed and looked at her intently.

I know this is really hard for her. Damn those girls.

"I'm sorry." Bulong niya ulit. Why is she saying sorry, it's not her fault.

Umiling-iling ako at niyakap siya, I want her to feel better. Sumubsob lang siya sa dibdib ko at nagpahinga doon. I caressed her hair to make her feel protected and comfortable.

We stayed like that for awhile, nang gumaan ang pakiramdam niya ay lumayo siya at ngumiti, "You should go back. Hindi pa tapos ang prom."

I pouted and picked up my phone. Using my left hand, I typed, You want me gone?

"No but this is your night. Pwede naman akong magtricycle lang. Tsaka nandoon si Ate Kiana."

Cryd: And you think I'll leave you? No.

"But..."

Cryd: If you want me to go back there, you'd come with me.

Bumuntong-hininga siya at umiling, "I don't want to go back. It's suffocating..."

I don't want to go back either. Especially now that she's here with me.

Cryd: What really happened there?

"I don't really know." She shook her head, "One moment they were talking about God knows what. Tapos they began laughing, and pointing at me. And then I felt really intimidated by them. I assume they were telling me I don't belong to that place because...I'm deaf."

Tinitigan ko siya. Her eyes were already filled with tears, she was just trying her best not to cry.

Parang pinipiga ang puso ko sa nakikita. I hate seeing her in tears that's why I hate Dwight. I hate anyone that'd make my Angel cry.

Those two girls will face me after this. I won't let them insult Savanna again especially in front of me. Yes, she can't hear their insults but others can, I can. And I won't let that pass easily.

"Lovely's wise. Matagal na talaga siyang kuryoso sa akin dahil hindi ako nakikihalubilo sa klase. She keeps on talking to me. And tonight, she concluded I have hearing deficiency." She added, "Gusto kong lumaban pero ang daming tao. I almost cried in front of them. Thankfully, you came."

Yes, thankfully.

Cryd: Hindi ka naman nila nasaktan physically?

Because I'll never forgive them if they did.

"Nope." She smiled. Na-stretch ang mukha niya kaya dumausdos ang kanyang mga luha. Nagulat siya doon kaya mabilis niyang binitawan ang kamay ko para punasan ang luha niya.

I immediately caught her hands and wiped her tears myself. I want to do it for her. I'd do anything for her. That's what friends do...

"I'm sorry!" Bulong niya saka pinirmi ang kamay niya sa kanyang binti. Matagal siyang nakatitig sa akin habang pinupunasan ko ang luha niya. I tried my best not to ruin her make-up. It was just simple, like her.

When I met her gaze, she looked away and said another sorry.

Ngumuso ako at lumayo sa kanya. Pinaglaruan niya ang daliri niya habang ako nama'y tinawagan si Nico. Mabilis nitong sinagot ang tawag ko, "Dude! Saan ka? May away dito sa loob, nagaaya ng umuwi si Reina."