My Handsome Katipunero

KABANATA 13

"Mabuti naman. Matagal ko ng iniibig si Antonio."

I hitched my breath. It felt like everything went silent. All I could hear was the beating of my heart and the whistling of the wind.

My mind could not process what the girl said. Para bang ayaw nitong tanggapin ang sinabi ni Burandai. It's like my mind went blank and I don't know what to say and how to react.

"I did not.. see that coming." Karlos whispered under his breath.

I was just staring at her. I opened my mouth but it seems like no words were coming out. Did I lost my voice?

"Kristin?" I shook my head nang muling nagsalita si Burandai.

I composed myself bago tumayo, "Ganun ba? P-pasok na ko."

Eh ano naman ngayon kung matagal mo ng gusto si Antonio? Pakialam ko ba? Go ahead! Love him, love him forever. I don't give a fuck.

But.. Why am I annoyed?

I picked up the basket of vegetables and was about to go inside the house nang biglang may tumawag kay Burandai.

Slowly and apprehensively, I held my breath as I lifted my eyes and stared directly at the guy who just arrived.

"Bernarda?" I could see the amusement in his eyes as he repeated her name.

"Antonio!" inilapag ni Burandai ang hawak na basket saka nagmamadaling lumapit kay Antonio.

My eyes widened when Burandai hugged him. But shocked me the most was when Antonio returned the hug.

What is this feeling? Seeing them hugging each other like they're long lost childhood-sweetheart, was somewhat, irritating. But I couldn't remove my gaze from them. Gusto kong iiwas ang tingin ko but I can't. I was rooted to the ground.

Antonio must've noticed me. He smiled. It made me blush. Dropping my gaze, I felt my heart pound. It made me uncomfortable. Mabilis akong naglakad papasok ng bahay. Inilagay ko sa kusina ang dalang basket at nagmamadaling pumasok sa kwarto.

Pagkasara ng pipnto ay agad akong napasandal at napahawak sa dibdib. I breathed in and out. Feeling ko mauubusan na ako ng hininga.

"Jelly?" halos mapatalon ako sa gulat nang biglang lumitaw na parang kabute sa harap ko si Karlos.

"Stop popping out like that, you stupid kid!" Nagmula ata ang batang 'to sa angkan ng mga kabute. Can't he do a proper entrance? Something na normal at hindi beyond ordinary.

He chuckled, "You're jealous, right?"

I raised a brow, "What?"

"Nagseselos ka."

Something swirled in my stomach. I faked a cough, "W-why would I be? I-it's not like I like him or anything-"

He stifled a laugh, "Did I already tell you that you're denseness is overwhelming? If I did, I'll tell you one more time." bigla siyang sumeryoso pero nandiyan parin ang ngisi sa mga labi nito. "You're denseness is overwhelming."

Inirapan ko lang siya saka naglakad palapit sa kama, "I'm not dense."

"To be honest, wala namang rule na nagsasabing 'bawal ma-inlove'." I stopped on my tracks but I didn't bother to look back. "Kahit na sa anong sitwasyon, once na tumibok ang puso mo para sa isang tao, 'di mo na 'to mapipigilan."

I gulped. My heart thumped, "W-why are you telling me this?"

I heard him sigh and the place went silent. Nakahinga ako ng maluwag ng mapansing umalis na ito. Napaupo ako sa kama. Bakit ba palagi niyang pinagpipilitan na gusto ko si Antonio? And he keeps on calling me dense. I don't like Antonio. And I won't fall for him. 'Di naman ako mababaw na babae. I won't fall for someone I just met. He doesn't have any effect on me.