Kabanata 11
"Terrence!" napabaling ako ng sumigaw ang isa sa mga trabahador namin. Nang mapatingin ito saakin ay kaagad ako nitong nginitian, nginitian ko rin naman ito pabalik.
"Aling Nenita, kamusta po?" ani Scud.
"Ay Iho, maayos naman. Napakabuti ng pagtrato nitong si Trisha saaming mga trabahador at napapasweldo ng tama kahit wala na dito si Ma'am Rein, naisalba niya parin itong lupain nila." ani Aling Nenita.
Mahina akong napatikhim nang marinig ang pangalan ni Mama.
"Buti't nakadalaw ka ulit," pambawi nito.
Napakunot ang noo ko nang malamang totoo pala talaga yung inamin saakin ni Scud.
"Matagal na po ba siyang nagpupunta rito simula dati?" tanong ko.
"Hindi pa ba niya nababanggit sayo? Lagi siyang pumupunta rito para silayan ka." aniya habang nangingiti.
Napatingin naman ako kay Scud na nakangising nagkakamot ng batok.
___
"What are you still doing here? Anong oras na, umuwi kana." saway ko kay Scud na prenteng nakaupo sa sofa namin.
"What? It's just nine in the evening." angil nito.
I frowned.
"Leave. Or else," I stopped in a moment waiting for an idea to struck in my head.
He looked at me unsure then ended up sighing.
"Okay, I'll leave." pagsuko niya.
I smiled then he smiled back.
My heart suddenly burst for his action.
I furrowed my brows, disappointed to myself.
"I'll see you tomorrow,"
Umiling ako.
"We should not meet everyday,"
"You're just my suitor so, act like one." that words suddenly slipped from my mouth.
"And you're not my boyfriend to begin with." I spat, continuing my rant.
I rushed looking to his reaction when guiltiness runs through my veins but have the eagerness not to take what I've said.
"I know," he smiles gently like he's not giving me any pressure nor harm.
"Never been hurt, eh?" he said in an amusement tone.
"What do you mean?" I confusedly asked.
"Are you even fully awared for the hurtful words you've just said to me?" aniya habang nakangiting pinanliliitan ako ng mata.
"What? Of course!" I defended.
"Easy to say right?" he said.
"Yeah, as long as it's the truth. I don't mind others you know, hurting." I said.
"Heartless." nangungutya nitong angil.
"You could call me that, I don't mind. Like I've said, as long as it's the truth." nakangisi kong sambit.
"You are really something else, Kassandra." he spat.
"Oh, I'm bad can't you see?" I chuckled.
"You still have the chance to turn back yourself against me, you know." I said.
"That's the lamest thing you've ever said to me. Leaving you is the lamest thing I'd ever do." he seriously said.
"So, keep those words to yourself 'cause you're making me cringe." he laughed, lighting the situation.
I smiled. "I'll hurt you."
"I don't mind being hurt as long as you're the reason why I'm hurting, "
"I'll break the high walls you've built to yourself because possitively in the end, you'll be the one who's hurting for not letting yourself be happy." he said those like he mean it.
I caught off guard. "No, that won't ever happen. For sure." I managed to smile just to cover my real emotion.
"Why, why are you saying those words like I'm numb for not knowing. For your information, I know what I'm doing. I don't need a remark or so," I spat.
"Sorry not sorry," he said.
"I'm leaving now,"
When he turned himself back at me and starts walking, I found myself running towards him. Without thinking, I hugged him from the back.
"Why are you making me feel this way! I hate you so much," I cried.
When I felt him move just to face me, I tightened my hold to his body.
"D–Don't move, stay still. I'd feel embarassed." I said.
He chuckled.
"I still don't have a chance, right?" he playfully said.
"For once, I want to try. I want to slightly disregard my limit and let myself climb to the high walls I've built just to fall and set myself free."
