Tell Me Your Story

Chapter 18

It was our picture.

Noong gumala kami. Pinicturan niya 'yung galing sa photobooth. Nasa background ng 'yon ay blurred na mukha ko.

Fuck. I don't know what to say. I can't move. It all started to make sense. From Jayvyn and Ada's reaction when they saw the wallpaper, to him being off whenever he gets mentioned.

How can I be so dense?

I felt tears pool in my eyes.

"I'm sorry." That was the first thing that came out my mouth. "I'm so sorry." Dali-dali kong pinunasan ang luha sa mata ko.

"Don't be. Please. I just happen to fall for someone who fell for someone else." He finally looked at me.

I felt even worse.

"But it's not your fault. I said I wanted you to be happy, so I won't interfere." He stepped forward, and I couldn't move.

"You seem so happy just looking at him. Who was I to make you stop? It hurts, like hell, but I can manage."

"I'm sorry," sabi ko ulit. He smiled, but his eyes said otherwise.

"It's 11:59, so this is still valid." He leaned over and kissed me on the cheek. "Happy birthday, Luna."

He then turned around and walked away, leaving me there, still holding the rose, and still dumbfounded with his sudden revelation.

We were close friends for at least two years now. I saw him like a sibling. And he treated me like it! I didn't expect this to happen.

"Fuck, Eleena Luna, how can you be so stupid?" I whispered to myself.

Totoo nga 'yung sinasabi nila, na 'pag sobrang saya mo may kapalit lagi.

--

"Elee?" Natauhan ako. I felt my heart skip a beat. Napahigpit ang kapit sa rose.

I don't know how long I'd been standing here.

"Hanap ka sa baba, 'di ka pa raw nakakakain nang maayos ngayong gabi." Napatango na lang ako at naglakad na. Nilagpasan ko siya at 'di pinansin 'yung nagtatakang tingin niya.

"Sa'n galing 'yan?" Napatigil ako sa paglalakad.

I was still unable to process what just happened. He really did that.

"Umalis si Theo nang biglaan, nagkausap ba kayo?" Nanikip na naman 'yung dibdib ko kaya napahawak ako doon.

Wala sa sarili na lang akong napatango at dire-diretsong naglakad sa baba.

Pagbaba ko ay bumungad sa 'kin ang 'paglilinis' nila. Maglilinis daw pero halos magkalat ulit ang mga siraulo, nadamay pa kapatid ko.

Sinalubong ako ni Mama at sinabi na kumain muna raw ako. Sumunod na lang ako sa kanya sa isang table at may plato doon na puno ng pagkain. I could really have some food right now.

No worries, kanina pa naman ako 'di kumakain.

"Patay-gutom ka?" Sinamaan ko ng tingin si Kale na biglang sumulpot sa harap ko. Umupo siya sa upuan sa harap ko.

"Kanina pa 'ko 'di kumakain, duh."

"Sa'n pala galing 'yan?" Tinuro niya 'yung rose na nasa tabi ng plato. Nilapag ko muna doon. "Sa'n pala pumunta si Kuya Theo? Nagkausap kayo? Bigla na lang umalis."

"Pangalawa ka na na nagtanong n'yan."

"Sino 'yung una? 'Yung boyfriend mo?" Halos mabulunan naman ako.