I went to every room na posibleng andun si Lucas pero hindi ko siya mahanap. Napagod na rin ako dahil kanina pa ako ikot ng ikot dito sa campus. Naupo ako sa bench tapos kasabay nito ang pagring ng phone ko. I immediately answered the call kahit unregiestered number ito.
"Hello?" I asked.
"Venice Del Valle... How have you been?" I looked at my phone para siguraduhin kung sino yung tumawag pero ibang number talaga.
"Who's this?"
"Easy. I see you're tired. Been looking for someone?" Nanlaki ang mata ko at napahigpit ang hawak ko sa phone ko. I also tried looking around kung may tao ba sa paligid pero wala. Madilim na din dahil gabi na.
"Who are you and what do you want?" I asked with gritted teeth.
"Nothing. I just enjoy watching you and your every move." He said.
"Where are you? Bakit ka nagtatago? Duwag ka ba?!" I shouted with anger.
"Oh no. Don't worry, I'll show up when its the perfect time. Nag-eenjoy lang akong makita ka ngayon na takot na takot? Trying to look brave? You can't fool me." He said and ended the call.
My hands were trembling with fear and my knees were weak to even walk. Hindi pa ako nakakauwi kaya hindi ko pa napapalitan ang phone ko, my head was spinning dahil sa takot at confusion kung ano ba ang dapat kong gawin. The man used a different number this time! Paano niya nagagawa ang mga bagay na iyon?
With shaking hands I dialed Mickey's number. I needed to call him. Gusto ko nang umuwi pero nanghihina ako. I am scared. Unfortunately hindi sumasagot si Mickey. Sinubukan ko ding tawagan si Gelo at Lav pero bakit ngayon pa sila 'cannot be reached'?!
Sinubukan kong tumayo kahit natatakot akong gumalaw, dahan dahan akong lumalakad sa madilim na corridor papunta sa quarters nila Lucas. Galing na ako doon kanina at nakalock ang pinto, pero maybe this time bukas na. Luckily it was open. I entered slowly at nakahinga ako ng maluwag nung maisara ko ang pinto. I'm safe. It is the only place in school that I know I'll be safe.
"Stop calling me Ellie, we're over." I heard someone saying, and I am sure na kay Lucas ang boses na yon.
"I don't care kung uuwi ka dito, hindi na kita mahal." He said and I stood there watching him walk back an forth.
Bigla niyang ibinaba yung tawag at nagtama ang tingin namin. Ibinaba niya ang phone niya sa lamesa at naupo sa sofa.
"What do you want?" He asked.
"Gusto kitang makausap about what happened earlier." I said.
"Why do you care? It's not like we're friends!" Bigla siyang tumayo at pumunta sa harapan ko.
"Lucas, kaibigan ka ng pinsan ko, ni Laverne at ni Gelo. Hindi ba kita pwedeng maging kaibigan din?" I asked pero hindi siya sumasagot. "I have my own issues and I am bothered by you. Ginugulo mo ko, I don't know what to feel kapag nandiyan ka. Should I feel awkward, comfortable, or should I just ignore you, na parang wala ka doon? Minsan mabait ka minsan ang sungit mo."
"Then ignore me." He said then walked away. Pero tinawag ko siya bago pa siya makaalis.
"Lucas, what happened between you and Greg?" There, I finally asked.
"None of your business." Then he left.
I sat there, confused. I knew I never should've asked. Hindi na dapat ako naging curious. Hindi ko na dapat sinubukang alamin. Maybe, this is where I should stop meddling with other's problems.
"Ven? What are you doing here?" I looked up and saw Gelo closing the door. May bitbit din siyang groceries.
"Napadaan lang." I reasoned out.
"Kumain ka na ba? I'll cook." Sabi niya sakin habang inilalabas yung laman ng plastic na dala niya.
"Hindi pa eh. May ginawa kami kanina and something came up." I said and sat down on the counter para panuorin siyang magluto.
He's really good with knives. He sliced comfortably. Ang linis din ng pagkakagawa niya. I watched him do everything pero iba ang pinupuntahan ng mata ko. I was clearly mesmerized by his beautiful face. Ang seryoso niya sa ginagawa niya and I was staring at him. My gahd.
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"Hey, baka pasukan ng lamok yang bibig mo." Oh gawd. Did I just?!
"M-mukhang masarap eh." I said. Totoo naman kasi, yung amoy palang nung niluluto niya and bango na.
Pagkatapos niya ay tinulungan ko siyang maglagay ng plato at utensils para makakain na kami. Naitanong niya rin kung nasaan si Lucas kasi si Lucas daw ang nagpabili ng mga niluto niya.
"Ah, lumabas siya eh." I said.
We decided on setting aside one dish for him. Masaya akong kumain kasabay si Gelo. We talked about things and told funny stories to each other. I was happy that he made me feel like I have no problems at all. Parang walang nangyari kanina? I felt safe. He just, makes me feel that way.
"Thank you, I enjoyed the food." Sabi ko bago sumakay sa sasakyan.
"Thank you din sa time." He smiled at me.
Madali na akong sumakay sa kotse at umalis dahil gabi na rin. It's almost 10 pm dahil napasarap ang kwentuhan namin ni Gelo. He is such a funny guy!
Hindi pa ako nakakalayo ng school ay nagvibrate ang phone ko tapos isang bagong unregistered number ang nagtext.
From: Unknown
Had fun eating dinner? I'm not having fun when you're smiling.
Once again, I felt chills. My hands were trembling with fear as I format my phone and remove its parts one by one. Pinutol ko din yung sim card at sd card. I opened the car window and one by one I threw them out. Tinignan ko din yung phone ko bago ko itinapon sa labas. Nakita ko pang madurog yun bago nawala sa paningin ko.
Makukuha ko na rin naman ang bagong phone ko kaya okay lang.
Pagkadating ko sa bahay, tulog na si Mickey pati si Lolo, kaya dumiretso na lang ako sa kwarto ko para matulog na. Pero ang tagal ko nang nakatunganga sa ceiling dilat pa rin ako. Hindi ko kasi maalis sa isip ko yung mga nangyari ngayong araw.
I am so curious about Lucas and Greg. Lucas wanted me to ignore him. That guy called me and it scared the hell out of me. Gelo made me feel safe. Hindi ko alam kung ano ba itong pinasok ko, na kung bakit bumalik na sa ayos ang pamilya ko ay may problema namang dumating sa akin.
Gulong gulo ako sa dapat kong maramdaman dahil halo halo na ang iniisp ko. I am scared at the same time naiinis ako. Pero minsan masaya ako. Pero siguro naman wala nang manggugulo dahil tinapon ko na yung phone ko dati, I have a new one. Its over. Its just some petty stalker.
And Lucas? I'll ignore him like what he said. I'll stop meddling with his business and I'll stop pushing myself to be friends with him. Ayaw niya eh, bakit ko pa ipipilit ang sarili ko?
