Evanesce

Chapter 33

"So, Liro, how's your study in Manila? I'll visit you there during my free time. Usap naman tayo minsan."

"Oh, you want to talk to me and not with Kuya?"

Napatigil ako sa paglalakad at mabilis pa sa kidlat ang pagbaling ng mga mata ko sa puwesto ni Icarius. Wala naman akong mabakas na reaksiyon sa kanya. He's just quietly sitting on his usual seat while looking at the food on the table. Nagpatuloy na lang ulit ako sa paglalakad. I noticed on my peripheral vision that I caught his attention until I sat on the chair.

"Nahuli mo ako," she let out a low chuckle. "It's my way to get close to your Kuya again. He's being cold and rude to me since I came here, eh. Akala ko pa naman ay masosorpresa siya't matutuwa, but it's the opposite and I'm wondering why." When I looked at Karianna, she's already looking at me. She gave me a smile which I refused to believe that it was real and genuine. Pagkatapos ay kay Icarius naman siya mabilis na tumingin bago ibinalik kay Liro ang buong atensyon niya. "Kaya hayaan mo na ako, Liro, okay? I want to get close to you to get your brother back and that's why I'm here."

Is she provoking me or Icarius? Either way, it's not a good topic to talk about during lunch time. Hindi na siya nahiya sa mga magulang ni Icarus at sa mga kapatid nito.

"Aray naman!"

Lahat kami ay biglang napatingin kay Liro dahil sa biglaang sigaw nito. Nakahinga naman ako ng maluwag nang makitang tumawa siya pagkatapos. Akala ko kung ano na ang nangyari sa kanya.

"You're just going to use me to get my brother's heart once again. Ang sakit naman niyan, Ate Karianna. Isa pa, hindi mo na naman iyon kailangang gawin dahil kung talagang gusto ni Kuya ay hindi ka naman mahihirapan pa, hindi ba, Kuya?" Liro gave Icarius a look while smiling widely, trying to get his attention or help him to make Karianna shut up.

Lahat kami ay naghintay ng sagot kay Icarius pero lahat din kami nadismaya nang tanging tango lang ang ginawa niya bago ulit nagpatuloy sa pag-kain. What does he mean by that? Pinapahiwatig niya rin ba na mahal niya pa si Karianna? Is he just trying to challenge her? Is he playing hard to get? What, Icarius? What is it?

"Or... puwede mo namang gawin ang gusto mong gawin ngayon habang nandito ka at may oras ka para bumisita rito, Ate Karianna?" dagdag ni Liro.

Liro's right. Why need someone else's help for your own desires? It's just a sign that you can't do anything on your own even in claiming one's heart. She has a sheltered life, that's why. Maybe love has a different meaning to her. Besides, what Liro said about Icarius wanting her too is kind of... easy, right? Hindi ko lang talaga maintindihan ang mga pinapahiwatig ni Icarius. Or maybe he wants to keep it secret and private?

Karianna laughed. "Oh, I'm sorry if it meant something bad to you, Liro. Wala naman akong masamang balak. I just want your family's blessings. Icarius is just playing hard to get."

Yup, Karianna. Maybe we're right. Pero kung ito lang din naman pala ang maaabutan ko ay sana pala hindi na lang muna ako bumaba sa kuwarto ko. Mas lalo lang umiinit ang loob ko kasabay ng panahon. It's uncomfortable.

"Ah, 'yon lang naman pala." Tumawa si Liro at nakisabay na rin sina Mama Encarnacion at Papa Narcissus, sinusubukang pagaanin ang mood.

"Huwag kang mag-alala, anak, dahil kuhang-kuha mo na kami. Si Jaimar na lang talaga ang may problema. Ano, anak? Maganda, mabait at matalino si Karianna. Isa pa, mayaman-"

"Naku, Karianna, anak, hindi ka naman namin tinututulan sa gusto mo. Ang akin lang, hindi mo na siguro kami kailangang isama sa kung ano man ang problema niyo ni Jaimar."

Mama Encarnacion really is my savior without her knowing. Gustong-gusto ko kapag isinasatinig niya na ang gusto niyang sabihin dahil talaga namang may impact ito. If I were in Karianna's shoes, Mama Encarnacion's words slapped me so hard, causing an embarrassment to myself and to this family. But then again, I'm not her and I will never be.