Strings and Arrows

Chapter 33

Panay ang sulyap ko kina Carlo at Maris.

They're still close but not that close. Of course! Mas lalo lang masasaktan si Carlo kapag bumalik pa sila sa dati. Mabuti naman at hindi na siya pinilit ni Maris. Mangingialam na talaga 'ko. Masyado na siyang selfish.

Mabuti nga at walang teacher ngayon. Mukhang may hang over pa sila sa Foundation Week last week. Hindi ko na rin nagawang panoorin ang laro nila Zeal dahil naging busy kami sa booth namin. We were selling souvenirs kaya bentang-benta. Wala kasi kaming katulad ng binebenta eh.

"May I have a penny for your thoughts?"

Napatingin naman agad ako kay Zeal na bigla-bigla na lang sumusulpot out of nowhere.

"Wala. Iniisip ko lang si Carlo."

"You know what? I'm starting to get jealous about Carlo. He's always occupying your thoughts. Ako ba kahit minsan iniisip mo rin ng gano'n?" Tanong niya na may mapaglaro pang mga ngiti sa kaniyang labi.

Oh Come on kung alam mo lang! But of course I wouldn't tell him that.

"What? Ano ba 'yang mga tinatanong mo? I was just worried about him kasi nga nabasted siya plus he's been saving me consecutively."

"Oh. That. Siya nga pala 'yong nagdala sa 'yo sa Infirmary. Hindi ko pa siya napapasalamatan dahil do'n."

I raised an eyebrow at his remarks.

"And why? There's no need for you to feel grateful to Carlo. Nagpasalamat na rin naman ako sa kaniya."

"Of course I had to Thank him. For saving the love of my life."

I rolled my eyes at him at sinulyapan ulit sina Carlo.

Hindi niya na kausap si Maris. She's nowhere to be found.

But it's a good sign. Lesser presence of Maris, lesser pain for him. Kahit papaano ay kailangan niya rin ng pahinga mula sa presensya ni Maris.

I galnced at their direction once again and to my surprise, It was Clara whom he was talking to just now. He was laughing and smiling. His emotions are very genuine. Mabuti naman at nandiyan si Clara. He really needs someone to comfort him though. Clara's the right person.

"Clara and Carlo's getting close now. You think that's fine?" Tanong ni Zeal sa 'kin na nakatingin rin pala sa kinaroroonan nila Carlo.

"Yes. I think it's more than fine. He needs a friend that could ease his pain right now. Good thing Clara's there."

"Yeah. It should be Clara. Not anyone else."

Nagsalubong naman ang kilay ko nang sabihin niya iyon.

"And what do you mean by that?"

"Nothing."

Pinanliitan ko siya ng mata. Still being skeptical about his answer.

"What? It's nothing, really. You gotta stop minding other people's problems. Marami ka ng problema on your own. You don't need more burdens. A'right? Stop stressing yourself."

"Well, yes. Of course."

"Good girl."

Ugh. Shut up.

I rolled my eyes at him at tinuon na lang ang pansin sa hawak kong libro.

Bigla namang pumasok si Grey at mukhang Bad trip ito.

Sinundan ko siya ng tingin hanggang sa makarating siya sa upuan niya. Why is he cutting classes again? Wala siya kanina sa previous subject namin.

"What do you think is wrong with Grey?"

"Just the usual probably. Alam mo naman ang isang 'yan, mahilig sa fist fights. Just don't mind him."

Tinanguan ko na lang si Zeal at muling tinignan ang nakabusangot na si Grey.

"Excuse Me." Rinig kong sabi ng isang babae.

Tinignan ko ang babaeng nagsalita kanina and it was Clotho.

"Clotho." tawag sa kaniya ni Zeal.

Humakbang ito palapit sa direksyon namin.

I looked at her and then a fact hit me. She really is pretty. Her eyes are twinkling at ang makinis at maputi niyang balat ay binagayan naman ng ginto niyang buhok. She has those natural red lips and rosy cheeks. Wow. I couldn't help but feel insecure.

"Erozeal, Can I talk to you for a moment?"

"Sure." Sagot naman sa kaniya ni Zeal nang walang pagdadalawang isip.

Binalingan niya ako ng tingin at nginitian ko naman siya.

"Mag-uusap lang kami."

"Oh of course. Hindi mo naman kailangang magpaalam."

Napabuntong hininga muna siya bago tuluyan nang tumayo at naglakad palabas kasama si Clotho.

Maya-maya lang ay tumayo rin si Grey at naglakad din papalabas.

What is their problem? Magkasama kaya silang tatlo? Ano kaya ang pag-uusapan nila?

My attention was disturbed nang tumili si Clara.

Napabaling ang ilang atensyon sa kaniya at nginitian niya lang kami ng para bang nahihiya at nag-peace sign. Bumalik naman ang iba sa kaniya-kaniya nilang mga ginagawa.

Pa-simple akong tumayo at lumapit ng bahagya sa kinaroroonan nila. Naintriga kasi ako dahil sa pag-tili ni Clara. Pasensya naman. Wala dito si Cupid eh.

"You know what, Clara? Tama 'yang gagawin mo." rinig kong sabi ni Carlo sa kaibigan nito.

"You think so too?"

"Yep. Mabuti na rin at hindi mo na patatagalin 'yan. You never know what might happen."

"But I'm afraid it won't turn out the way I want it to."

"Don't be afraid. That's how it works. It's a gamble and we should not be afraid to risk."

Ano kaya ang pinag-uusapan ng dalawang 'to? Mukhang seryoso silang dalawa pero wala naman silang nababanggit kung ano 'yong gagawin ni Clara.

"That's it! You're right Carlo. Thanks for the advice. Mas lalo tuloy akong nagkaroon ng lakas ng loob. I promise mamaya, aamin na 'ko kay Christian na gusto ko siya."

What?! S-So ito pala 'yong ibig sabihin nila kanina pa!? Holy shit. Another heartbreak.

Kailangan kong malaman kung saan siya aamin mamaya kay Christian. Could it be at the court? Sa may bakanteng lote? Sa library? O baka naman sa Parking Area!? Holy shit.

"That's the spirit, Clara! You can do it. I hope it turns out well. Although Everything happens for a reason. Alam ko namang magiging masaya pa rin tayo at the end kapag wala tayong pagsisisihan. You can confess at him kahit ano man ang maging resulta. Kesa naman manatili tayong nakakulong sa mga 'what-ifs' natin 'di ba?"

"True Carlo."

I saw the both of them smiled. Shit. I can't afford to take away those smiles. Hindi ko na naiintindihan ang mga nangyayari. At mas lalong hindi ko na maintindihan ang sarili ko kung bakit pati problema ng iba ay pinoproblema ko na rin.

Later, I have to stick around Clara. I have to follow her. Alam ko namang wala akong magagawa pero masama bang gusto ko lang malaman? At isa pa, I could comfort her later. Kunwari napadaan lang ako tapos nakita ko siyang umiiyak. Gano'n. I have to somehow try to ease her pain. I know how it feels at ayaw ko namang may mawalan ng tiwala sa love. It's magical and we should believe in it.

Love is very powerful. It could destroy you or it could build you. The choice is yours to make.