War in Katipunan

Kabanata 5

KABANATA 5.

Stalk.

NATULALA ako nang marinig ang boses niya. His voice was different. Siguro dahil iba talaga ang boses niya sa phone o paos lang talaga siya. I am still in shock. Did he really called me? But why? At saka madaling araw na kaya, ano bang trip ng lalaking ‘to?

“Hello? You still there?” Natauhan ako nang magsalita ulit siya. Hesitation is obvious in his voice. Even so, it sent a different chill in my body. ‘Di ko rin maintindihan kung bakit ko ‘to nararamdaman. He’s just calling me, what’s the big deal? He’s calling you at midnight, you dimwit!

“Y-Yeah.” I stuttered. What the hell is wrong with me? It’s just a phone call for goodness’ sake! Maybe because you didn’t expect him to call you even if he has your number. The other side of my brain was attacking me and I can’t help but to agree!

“Nagising ba kita?” He chuckled. “I’m sorry for calling.”

I guess that was the last thing that I want to hear. Him, saying that he’s sorry for… calling me. It means that he really don’t want to call me, right? Is this another dare?

Masyado ata akong praning para maisip ko pa ‘to. I mean, I shouldn’t overthink, ‘di ba? Baka naman may itatanong lang or what. Tama, baka nga gano’n.

“I was about to go to bed when you called.” I heard him sigh. “So… what’s up?” Alam kong sinabi ko na hindi ako makikipag-usap ng matagal. But this is Luthor we’re talking about.

“I just called because…”

“Because?” I asked, anticipating. Masyado na ata akong nagiging assuming. Juscolored huhu masamang umasa pero kung kay Luthor aasa, okay lang naman. Charot!

“I… don’t know. I just want to.” He just want to? Anong klaseng sagot ba ‘yan? Sure na ba siya sa sagot niya? Final na? Jusko naman. Akala ko kung anong dahilan kung ba’t siya tumawag. Nag-overthink pa ‘kong lahat-lahat tapos sasabihin niya na he just want to?

“Okay?” I heard him chuckled again. Hilig niya ba talagang tumawa? Kahit kapag nag-uusap kami sa personal, puro tawa ang ambag niya eh.

“You should sleep.”

“Yeah, I should.” Wala sa sarili kong sabi.

“Good night, Spica.”

“Good night.” Mahina kong sabi. I heard him chuckled before ending the call. Napatitig ako sa screen ng phone ko. I let out a heavy sigh. I just realized that I was holding my breath all this time! Did he just called me? Luthor de Leon called me? Oh my gosh.

Ilang minuto pa ay napagisip-isip ko na mukha na akong tanga na nakatitig sa screen ng phone ko kaya naman pumasok na ulit ako sa loob. Nakita ko agad sina Fita at Rafa tulog na. Adi was sitting on the sofa, obviously waiting for me.

“Adi,” I called her. Mabilis naman siyang tumingin sa gawi ako. I sat beside her, sa sofa.

Tinignan niya ‘ko, waiting for me to spill the beans. Chikang-chika na ‘to eh. Halata naman. Alam kong nagtataka rin siya kung bakit may tumawag sa’kin ng madaling araw. That rarely happens. Ang lagi lang naman may katawagan sa’min ay si Rafa dahil ang dami niyang kaibigan at kalandian.

“It was Luthor.” I said on a low voice. I saw how Adi’s eyes widen. And her facial expression is really funny. Parang sinasabi niya sa’kin na, what the hell, are you kidding me?!

“What the… totoo?!” sigaw niya na medyo pabulong dahil baka magising ‘yong dalawang tulog. Natawa pa ‘ko nang hampas-hampasin ako ni Adi. Para bang siya pa ang kinilig inbes na ako.