Reforming the Villainess (Reincarnation #1)

Chapter 12

Short update.

#RTVillainess12

"I'LL GO AHEAD," ani ko at umayos ng upo. Niligpit ko ang mga gamit na nasa mesa at sinukbit ang bag ko.

"Is it possible for us to have lunch?" North asked before I had the chance to stand up. My mouth gaped open, and I was at a loss for words since he seemed hopeful.

I would love to eat with you but . . .

And as soon as that thought crossed my mind, I saw Jamila and her friends passed by. I suddenly felt guilty. I feel like I am betraying her by not being fully committed in fulfilling her favor to me.

Hindi nila kami nakita dahil mabilis lang silang dumaan at nakatalikod sila sa amin. Ibinalik ko ang tingin ko kay North na naghihintay pa rin ng sagot ko. "I didn't eat breakfast today because I found out that the chicken wing place you wanted to visit only offers unli wings," he added.

"I would love to have lunch with you . . ." I trailed off, ". . . but I still have a lot to do at the council," I finished my sentence.

"Okay."

"Bye." I gave him a small smile then I left.

I glanced at him sideways and saw him watching me as I walked away.

Lumiko ako papunta sa CR nang may mabangga ako.

"Sorry," I quickly said.

"Tumingin ka naman sa dinadaanan mo," asik ng babae sa harap ko.

"Ara, hindi naman niya sinasadya."

Nakita ko si Jamila na pinipigilan ang babae. Hinawakan niya ang braso nito. She looked like she'll cry any minute. Kabaliktaran naman no'n ang ekspresyon ng mga kasama niya. Lahat sila ay masama ang tingin sa akin at para bang may masabi lang ako ay susugurin na nila ako agad.

Kung nakakamatay lang ang titig, kanina pa siguro ako nakabulagta dito at pinaglalamayan.

They are like tigers who's preying on a cute bunny silently hopping around.

"Are you hurt somewhere?" I asked and check her from head to toe.

I am genuinely concerned. It's also my fault din naman kasi hindi ako nakatingin sa dinadaanan ko. I held her arm to check but then she grabbed her arm back forcefully and glared at me.

I stepped back. I'm not scared. I'm just confused at her reaction. If she's not hurt then why is she angry at me?

"Mukhang okay ka naman. Again, I'm sorry. I'll go ahead," wika ko. Binigyan ko ng maliit na ngiti si Jamila at akmang lalagpasan na sila pero hinarang ako ng isang kasama nila.

"Just because you're a Padua and you have a higher status than us doesn't mean that you are entitled to have everything. My family is also rich pero ni minsan hindi ako nang-agaw ng hindi akin."

My forehead creased. "What are you talking about?"

"Huwag kang magmaang-maangan," singit ng isa.

"Amie, Tina," saway ni Jamila sa kanilang dalawa.

"No, Jamila! Kaya ka nilalamangan ng iba, eh! Masyado kang mabait!" saway sa kanya ng babaeng tinawag niyang Amie.

"Wala namang kasalanan si Brielle, eh," naiiyak na sambit ni Jamila.

"Alam namin na natatakot lang magsalita si Jamila sa'yo dahil buong pamilya niya ang nagtatrabaho sa inyo pero huwag mo naman sirain ang relasyon nila ni North," masungit na singit ng nabangga ko kanina.

"Ano?"

"Oh. Don't play dumb, you bitch!"

Nagulat ako sa nagsalita sa likod nila. Lily Bautista. Tinignan ko si Jamila pero nag-iwas lang siya ng tingin sa akin.

What is happening? Nakalimutan na ba niya 'yung ginawa ng kambal sa kanya? Sa amin?

But then, wala roon ang atensyon ko. Mas gusto kong pagtuunan ng pansin ang mga sinasabi ng mga kaibigan niya patungkol sa akin.

"You keep on approaching North kahit na alam mo naman na may something na sa kanila ni Jamila. Sinabi sa amin ni Jamila ang pag-uusap niyo. Nilinaw mo naman pala na wala kang gusto kay North pero bakit lapit ka pa rin ng lapit? Pinamumukha mo 'yung sarili mo na malungkot ka at nakakaawa para iwan ni North si Jamila kasi naiinggit ka sa kanila 'di ba?"

Doon ako tuluyang natigilan. Bullshit! Saan nila nakukuha 'tong mga pinagsasabi nila? Hindi na nga ako nagpapakita kay North, eh. Iniiwasan ko na siya. I'm even ignoring all of his text messages kahit school stuffs para walang masabi si Jamila pero ano 'to?

"Nasabi naman na pala ni Jamila ang pag-uusap namin 'di ba? Tinutupad ko na nga 'yung pabor ni-"

"Brielle, kakausapin ko na lang sila," putol ni Jamila. Namumutla siya ngayon. "Akala lang nila 'yung mga sinasabi nila. Ako na 'yung humihingi ng sorry para doon," napapalunok na aniya.

"No, Jamila-"

"Jamila, Brielle. What is happening?"

Nakahinga ako nang maluwag dahil biglang dumating si Austin, pero saglit lang 'yon dahil nakita ko si North sa likod niya. Great. Mukhang lalala pa ang sitwasyon.

But since, I don't want to make the situation worse than it already is . . .

"Nothing," ako na ang sumagot.

"Tara na, Austin. Pinatatawag ka sa student council 'di ba?" baling ko kay Austin. Walang lingon-lingon akong nagsimulang naglakad papaalis habang nakasunod sa likod ko si Austin.

"You used me to escape, right?"

Tumigil ako sa paglalakad. Pumunta siya sa harap ko at napahinto siya nang makita ako.

"Why are you crying, Brielle?" mahinang usal niya. Doon ko lang din napagtanto na umiiyak pala ako.

"Oh . . ." was all I could say.

Before I could wipe my own tears, Austin went ahead already. He cupped my face using both of his hands and wiped my tears with his thumb.

"Do you want to talk about it?" he almost whispered asking that.

Then, I was also shocked with myself.

Just because of that question.

I suddenly hugged him and bawled my eyes out. I was sobbing non-stop and he just stood there. Listening to my sobs and lending his shoulder. He didn't stop caressing my back until I stopped crying.

Austin was patient. Mabuti na lang nasa klase halos lahat ng mga estudyante sa building na 'to. Pinagpalit din niya ang posisyon namin. Nakasandal siya sa pader habang yakap-yakap niya ako.

I heard some murmurs that made me raise my head and I removed my arms around his waist. He was still silent as he glanced at my crying face.

"I'm sorry. I must've disturbed you. You have a class yata," I mumbled.

"I'm sure one absent won't drag my overall performance in that subject, and besides, elective class ko lang naman 'yon." He is looking straight into my eyes, as if he could see my problem in there. Napaatras ako nang hubarin niya ang hoodie na suot niya. "Here. Wear this."

Hindi ako nakaalma nang bigla niyang isuot 'yon sa akin. Nagtataka ko siyang tinignan dahil hindi siya umiimik habang busy niyang isinusuot 'yon sa akin. Nagmukhang dress sa akin 'yung hoodie niya. Strangely, it suited my white tennis skirt and white shoes.

"What for-"

I am still confused as he lifted the hood and covered my face. My eyes widened when he carefully grabbed my head then placed it on top of his shoulder.

"You don't have to worry about other people looking at you," he whispered. "Cry, Brielle."