Among The Stars

Chapter 29

Chapter 29
Shut Up

"You're awake.."

Mas lalo akong napamulat nang marinig ko ang boses na 'yon at nakita si Isaac na nakahalukipkip habang nakatingin sa akin.

"Are you feeling dizzy or something?" marahan niyang tanong sa akin. "Anong nararamdaman mo?"

"Anong ginagawa mo dito?"

He was taken aback by my question at bahagyang napalayo sa akin upang tumayo ng maayos.

"You're sick.." sabi niya. "My dad and tita, your mom, called me."

"Ano naman ngayon kung may sakit ako?" I fired.

"Of course I'm concerned, Lorraine." simpleng sabi niya. "We were bestfriends. Hindi pa ba yun sapat para pumunta ako dito't bisitahin ka to know if you're okay?"

"Thank you for your concern pero hindi ko kailangan niyan lalo na kung galing lang sa'yo." sabi ko't umiwas ng tingin sa kaniya. "Why don't you save your concern to someone else? Maybe, Lyrae. I think she needs it more than I do."

Napatahimik si Isaac sa aking sinabi't I just can't keep my self from talking and bursting my bitterness out.

"Speaking of Lyrae.. bakit ka nga pala nandito? You should be with her right?" nagtaas ako ng kilay sa kaniya.

"She's in Manila right now.." nag-aalangang sabi niya.

Mas lalong napataas ang kilay ko. "You're in Manila with her too diba? Martin told me. Sinabi sa kaniya ni Rona." sabi ko. "So you came all the way here just to visit me?" I tried to sound like I'm touched.

"Yes.. I did." sabi niya.

I laughed. But I made sure that it was a sarcastic laugh.

"Wow!" I even clapped. "Thank you for that effort, Isaac. But you don't have to.. really. Maybe you should just go back now cause I'm already fine."

"This isn't you, El.." he uttered.

Pakiramdam ko'y mas lalong umuusbong ang galit ko nang dahil sa sinasabi niya.

This isn't me?

"This is me, Isaac. You turned me into this the moment you left me and broke my heart." mariin kong sabi. "And please.. kung gusto mong may matira pa sa akin na kahit kunting malasakit sa'yo bilang kababata't ex-bestfriend ko just.. just leave. Now.."

"Lorraine."

Napalingon naman ako sa pintuan ng aking condo't nakitang nandoon si mommy na may dala-dalang tray.

"Let Cole stay for a while.." mahinahon niyang sabi saka nilagay sa aking study table ang tray.

"Mommy!" I objected.

"Siya ang nag-alaga sa'yo magmula kahapon habang wala ka pang malay. He helped me in taking care of you." paliwanag ni mommy.

"I already thanked him, mom." sabi ko. "Isn't that enough? Do I really have to endure seeing him here?"

"I'll leave."

Sabay kaming napalingon ni mommy kay Isaac na nakatingin sa akin ng diretso.

"I'll leave if that's what you want." mariin niyang sabi bago nilingon si mommy. "I'll go now, Tita.."

Napabuntong hininga si mommy. "Okay.. thank you for helping me out, Cole." pasasalamat ni mommy.

"You're welcome po.." he kissed my mom on her cheek saka tuluyang lumabas ng kwarto ko si Isaac without looking back at me.