Calmness of Sorrows

Chapter 9

"What the hell was that?!" dumagundong ang boses ni Zithea nang tanungin ako.

Napataas ang kilay ni Yuno at tila naingayan sa kaibigan ko kaya bahagya kong sinamaan ng tingin si Zie. Kasalukuyan kaming nasa table nila Saru dahil nang umaklas ako sa pagkakayakap sakanya kanina ay hindi nagdalawang isip sila Zaneerah, Zithea, Wine at Ixchel na sumama sa table namin. Now our table became quite crowded.

Napuno ang cafeteria ng bulungan at tila hindi pa rin sila naka recover sa eksenang nakita kanina.

The look on their faces was full of accusations. Parang handang-handa silang litisin ako sa isang kasalanang nilihim ko sakanila. Hindi ko naman ine-expect na sa ganitong paraan nila malalaman ang tungkol sa'min ni Saru! Nawala rin kasi sa isip ko kanina dahil sa panic. Hindi na ako nakapag-isip pa nang maayos bago sumugod dito. It's like I tend to forget everything when it comes to him. Motherfucking of luck.

I sighed heavily while shifting my gaze between them. Si Wine at Yuno lang ang walang pakialam base sa mga itsura nila. Habang si Ixchel, Zithea at Zaneerah ay halatang-halata ang pagkaintriga sa mga mukha.

Saru heaved a deep sigh beside me. Kanina pa sya tahimik. Umuulan pa rin kaya hindi pa rin nawala ang pag-aalala ko. Mas lalo lang atang tumindi iyon.

I glanced at him apologetically. I didn't intend to shine the spotlight on him because I know how much he hates it. Hindi ko maiwasang ma guilty.

He looked at me calmly. I felt his left hand resting on my right leg, which made my cheeks heat up.

"What's with the two of you?" mariing usisa ni Zithea.

Kung sa ibang pagkakataon ay kalmado ito ngunit iba ngayon. Tila nagulantang talaga sya sa nasaksihan kanina. She's usually reserved, so it's surprising to see her losing her cool because of my situation. I can't believe it.

Ixchel smiled at me and nodded, encouraging me to speak up. She knows Zie won't stop asking until she's satisfied with the answer.

Humawak ako sa nakapatong na kamay ni Saru sa aking hita. Napansin ko ang bahagyang panginginig noon kaya marahan ko iyong hinaplos para pakalmahin. Is he uncomfortable with my friends?

"He's my friend," I emphasized the word "friend".

Zaneerah, who was suppressing her smirk, laughed at what I said, as if she wasn't buying it, so I shot her a warning glare. Sa kanilang tatlo na kasama ko ngayon... sya lang ang may kaunting kaalaman tungkol kay Saru. Siguradong alam na nya kung ano ang nangyayari. Zaneerah is sharp; she's just pretending so our friends won't suspect her.

Wine didn't bother us and just continued eating her pasta. She looks tired and lacks sleep napansin kong panay ang hikab nya. Habang si Ixchel ay abala sa pagubos ng fruit shake nya.

"Friend your ass! Stop lying to our faces, Villones," may banta sa tono ni Zie.

Napangiwi ako.

Punyeta! Paano ko i-e-explain sakanila na hindi naman kami? I'm just someone who knows Saru's trauma, and I'm just trying to make sure he's okay! But, of course, I can't say that. Hindi ko ilalaglag si Saru! It's not my story to tell after all.

Yuno scoffed, his eyes filled with irritation as he glanced at my friend.

"Will you stop being nosy?" masungit nyang turan kay Zie.

Zithea's lips parted in shock. Uh-oh mukhang ngayon lang nakahanap ng katapat nya. Zithea is usually quite bossy, but she was completely taken aback by the way Yuno spoke to her. It's no wonder she was surprised; it's the first time anyone has ever talked to her like that in history.