Winning Hurricane

XXV- Acetaminophen

I grew up perfecting the art of controlling myself. My grandmother used to tell us that among her grandchildren, I am the most controlled and disciplined.

I always handle things calmly and perfectly. I remembered the first time I got so disappointed ng hindi dumating sila Mommy noong birthday ko because they forgot and were so busy that time, Lola consoled me but I didn't cry or throw tantrums. Nakinig lamang ako sa excuse ni Lola after that nakipag-laro nalang ako kay Peter. Because that's the only choice I had.

But now.. I cannot even control the jealousy. Parang virus na paunti-unting kumakalat. Gusto kong magalit na hindi siya sakin sumabay, hindi man lamang siya nag-reply pero ano bang laban ko kung best friend niya ang kasama niya dba?

Hindi ko alam kung gaano kalalim ang samahan nila, pero isa ang alam ko, hinding hindi niya ipagpapalit si Barb sa kahit na sino.. because she was there ever since. He made it clear nong date namin, Barb will always be in his present. No matter who his future will be, she will always be there.

Hindi ko naman gustong layuan niya or iwasan niya si Barb.. ayos lang sakin na lagi silang mag-kasama.. alam ko naman kasi at the end of the day, ako ang girlfriend niya.. I have faith in him..

Pero sana.. sana binibigyan niya ako ng heads up, hindi yong lagi nalang ako masu surpresa na mag-kasama sila o may plano sila para hindi na ako nagpa plano ng para sa aming dalawa..

"Chandy.." rinig kong tawag niya. "Babe.."

I collected myself before looking up to him, agad siyang bumitaw kay Barb at yumuko to give me a kiss. My reflex was too fast, agad akong umiwas kaya hindi natuloy ang balak niya.

I can feel all their eyes on me.. the tension building up, I wanted to play it cool but my body has its own mind and movement.

"People are looking." was my only excuse, ayoko na sanang gawing big deal pa at gawing awkward para sa aming apat na nandito.

"Oh, right. Sorry." He gently squeezed my shoulder before sitting beside me. Barb followed, sitting beside him.

She smiled at me, "Hi, Chandy."

I only gave her a nod, ramdam kong nakatingin lamang sakin si Hurricane.. sinusukat ang reaction at kilos ko. It's a good thing I rarely smile, kaya hindi ko kailangan mag-peke ng ngiti.

No one can decipher what I truly feel.. and maybe, that was my greatest advantage.

"Kanina ka pa ba dumating?" he asked.

"You'll know kung sinabayan mo siya." Cyclone sarcastically answered just when I was about to open my mouth. Agad kong tinapunan ng mapag bantang tingin si Cy. "Just saying, man."

I closed my eyes for a moment as I heaved a sigh. When I opened it and calmed myself tinignan ko kaagad si Hurricane. Nakikipagsukatan ng tingin kay Cy. The last thing I want ay magkapikonan pa sila ngayon.

"Kakadating ko lang din." I answered, trying to get Cane's attention.

Napatingin siya sakin bago tumango tango at maliit na ngumiti. Wala nang umimik sa amin pagkatapos. Hindi ko alam kung ako ba ang naka-sira ng atmosphere, gusto ko tuloy humingi ng sorry.. hindi ko alam kung kanino at para saan.. but in the end I also remained silent.

Para kaming nagpapakiramdaman lamang apat habang patuloy ang dating ng mga bisita hanggang sa may dumating na dalawa pang tao sa table. Si Amanda at isang lalaki, pinsan nila Cy si Amanda and I assumed boyfriend niya ang kasama niya. Nag-kikita na kami sa ilang occasions. She's always jolly.. and very talkative.

"Omg! Hurricane, you came!" the girl squealed before hugging him then her eyes travelled to Barb. "And Barb! I missed you guys!"

Cyclone cleared his throat kaya napatingin sa amin ang couple. "Oh! Cy, we always see each other sa occasions, but I missed you too!" then he kissed Cy on the cheeks before looking at me. "Chandy girl! I missed you where's Ansel?" she asked before giving me a beso.