Sunrise Series #4: Moonlit Night

kabanata 9

Kabanata 9

"She said that?"

Mahina akong tumango bilang tugon sa tanong saakin ni Giovanni. Annoyance is clearly visible in his question. It's already one in the morning yet we're still stuck beside each other.

Kanina pa kami nakaupo at tahimik na dinadama ang malamig na hampas ng pang madaling araw na hangin. All we could see is the pitch black background with small city lights that glitter in the breathtaking scenery. It is cold, but we're comforted with each other's warmth.

Matiyagang naghintay saakin si Giovanni na kulmalma. I was too confused to where to start with. It took hours before I came out with an explanation. At hindi ako pinwersa ng lalaki na magsalita. He patiently waited for my explanation.

"Did you clear that to them? Kina Tita at Tito?"

Umiling ako ulit. Napako lang ang tingin ko sa paanan ko na hindi umabot sa lupa. Dahil mas matangkad saakin si Gio ay may pagkakataon syang makaapak sa lupa kahit na pareho kaming nakaupo sa hood ng sasakyan nya.

Inilihis ko ang tingin at sumagot.

"I tried telling them that Juanita isn't my girlfriend. Pero hindi ko natapos ang dapat na sasabihin. I don't know what to do anymore. I'm too stunned, confused and lost."

Naramdaman ko ang pagkatigil ni Giovanni dahil sa sinabi ko. I tried looking at his eyes but he just avoided my gaze. Nasa malayong kawalan ang mga mata nya. Pero kahit na ganoon ay nagpatuloy pa rin sya sa sasabihin.

"You doesn't like her, right? You didn't show any affection towards her when you were together, diba?"

"Sino? Si Juanita?"

He look down to take a quick look at my face. Tumango rin sya.

"Tell me you didn't, West."

The hope in his eyes were visible. Hinihintay nya na kumpirmahin ko ang sinabi nyang iyon. Pero hindi ko napigilan ang sarili na bahagyang ilihis ang usapan para hindi nya makuha ang sagot ng deritso. Mabilis naman na gumunaw ang pag-asa sa mga mata nya nang marinig ang sagot ko.

"Maybe I like her..." I said in my confused and trembling voice.

Mas lalong natigilan si Giovanni. Hindi na nya halos iniwaksi ang mariin na tingin saakin. His piercing eyes is waiting for me to finish my sentence. He is telling me to finish my words just like how he wanted it to sound.

I pursed my lips. Hindi ko kayang tignan ang mukha nya lalo na dahil sa reaksyon nyang iyon. I played with my hands a little before answering.

"... I like her as a friend. Iyon lang naman ang tingin ko sakanya."

"Good." tipid at mabilis nyang tugon sa sinabi ko sabay sandal sa windshield ng sasakyan na para bang nawalan sya ng tinik sa lalamunan.

Since I was sitting beside him, he successfully grabbed me along with him. Pareho kaming napasandal sa sasakyan nya. Ang madilim naman na kalangitan ang sumalubong saakin.

"May iba pa ba syang ginawa sayo?" usal naman ni Giovanni nang mamayani ang katahimikan saamin.

"Nothing. I was just disappointed, Gio. Siguro nagbibiro lang sya nang sabihin nya iyon. I can talk to her again and ask her politely."

He was stunned.

"Don't. She's rotten and she's not kidding, West. She just claimed you as her boyfriend infront of your parents. That woman likes you. Hindi mo ba iyon napagtanto?"

Umiling ako. Napakuyom rin ako sa sariling kamao nang maalala ang sinabi ni Juanita kanina. Galit ako sa sinabi nya pero kahit papaano, nagawa nya pa rin na tulungan kami.