With All Might

Kabanata 18

Won

"I said, I'm not ignoring you." pumiglas ako at binitawan niya naman ako. Nag lakad ako patungo sa bench at doon umupo. Sumunod naman siya at umupo sa tabi ko.

"Look, I'm sorry okay? I know I over reacted. What I did that day was beyond my control. I'm sorry for misjudging you and that punk. I'm sorry for yelling at you. I couldn't just control my anger that day." umusog siya palapit kaya umusog din ako palayo.

Kunot noo ko siyang tiningnan. Dumagdag pa sa inis ko nang maalala ang sinabi kanina ni Tita Mariella na magkasama sila ni Ate Gwyne.

"Kaya ka ba umuwi dito para mag sorry?" marahan kong tanong.

He nod and faintly smile at me. "And because you keep on ignoring me since.... that day."

My cheeks slowly heat. The memory of our accidental kissed flash and it squish my heart. I averted my gaze and try to focus on their clean and blue swimming pool. It only took seconds to control myself to look at him again. Uhh..

"Iyon lang?"

He slowly shook his head. "I wanted to punish your bullies too-"

"I told you don't do that-"

"Hindi na... but if they'll try to hurt you again. I won't let that happen." dugtong niya.

"Still, don't do that." tumango nalang siya bilang pagsuko. "Iyon lang lahat ang dahilan? Wala ng iba?"

Lumalim ang gitla ng noo niya. Ngumuso ako't nag iwas ng tingin. "What else do you want to hear?"

"Ayaw pa sabihin na dahil talaga kay Ate Gwyne e." bulong-bulong ko.

"What?"

I shook my head irritatedly and cross my arms. "Wala!"

"You look mad again. What is it?" he tried to hold my chin but I averted my face from him. He sigh and slowly put his hand on my shoulder. Napatingin ako roon, tumaas ang kilay ko.

"Ano?"

"I know you, Zaccary. Why are you still mad? I thought that you already forgive me?"

"Hmm..." kumibot ang labi ko, gustong ipagsigawan ang tanong kong magkasama ba sila ni Ate Gwyne kanina pero masyadong mataas ang pride ko para doon.

"Tell me... Come on, baby girl... I'll be going back to Manila next day." he said.

"Babalik ka na agad?"

"It's our finals. But I'll contact you everyday. We'll communicate everyday." he said gently, trying to make me understand his responsibilities and obligations.

Bumuntong-hininga ako. Mas lalo tuloy akong naiinis. Hindi ko alam anong magpapakalma sa'kin. All I want is his time. Pero hindi ba't ito dapat ang iniiwasan ko kasi nga ayaw kong lumala pa 'tong nararamdaman ko sa kanya? Pero magugulo naman ang isip ko kapag aalis siya. At mas lalong hindi ako kakalma hangga't hindi ko malaman kung talagang magkasama ba sila ni Ate Gwyne kanina! Rinig ko pa naman din na pupunta din si Ate Gwyne ng Manila kasi bibisita ito sa company nila.

"I could almost hear your thoughts you know?" he said slowly like a whisper near my ear. He chuckled when I tried to move away.

"Babalik na nga ako sa loob!" pa bulyaw ko pero mariin niya lang akong inakbayan.

"I wouldn't let you slip away until you tell me what's troubling your mind." he said.

I took a deep breath and tried to compose myself. "Akala ko lang kasi umuwi ka dito for me... That's what you said."