Feigning Perfection

Chapter 6

I tried calming my nerves, but the shaking won't stop. Inilagay ko sa ilalim ng lamesa ang mga kamay ko para hindi niya iyon makita. I can't stop my trembling hands, I can't calm my erratically beating heart. Bakit ganito parin ang epekto niya?

"This fcking asshole." 

He didn't hear my whisper, even if I wanted to, it wasn't loud enough for him to hear. Ganun parin kalawak ang ngiti niya na para bang dapat akong matuwa na nandito siya ngayon. I tried to not adjust my vision, to prevent myself from seeing him, but my damn useless eyes won't cooperate. Seconds later, I could clearly see the smirk on his face, the sparkle in his eyes. I hate it. He wore a gray suit with a white button down polo. His hair was clean cut, he looked like an accomplished man. He tried to look like one. 

"What are you doing here, Steve?" I called and his name made my tongue sting. Para iyong sugat sa dila ko. "I already declined your company's request for meeting."

"Hindi ako naparito para doon, Desdemona."

Desdemona. He called my name...and at that moment, muntik nanamang umikot ang mundo ko sa kanya. Ang tanga ko lang kung gagawin ko iyon ulit.

He shrugged, his smirk started to fade. "I just wanted to see the Snob Queen. Plus, I'm here to fetch you." ngumiti siya.

"Fetch me?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Come on, Dee. We haven't seen you for a decade, the whole class missed you. You should attend the reunion. You were the Class President, we need you to lead tonight's event. Your presence is a must."

I clenched my fist. "As far as I can remember, I never had attachments to any of you."

It was his turn to raise an eyebrow. "Really?" yung ngiti niyang nakakapang insulto ang naging dahilan ng pag iwas ng mga mata ko sa kanya.

It is true, I never had any attachments to them. Hindi ako ganun kaclose sa mga naging kaklase ko noon. I was the snob nerd witch, I have that resting bitch face. They don't talk to me, I don't like to mingle with them. Masyado silang maiingay at pasaway sa klase. But they were happy, I could hear the way they used to giggle during class hours, I could hear it in my ears. 

I stood up and fixed my things, ready to leave. "No, I'm not joining that stupid reunion. Umalis ka na dito."

I was about to head to the door when he grabbed my arm. "Hanggang kailan ako sayo hihingi ng tawad?" he said. I stared at the way he held my arm. 

"Get your hands off of me, Steve." I stated each word with gravity. Matalim ang tingin ko sa kamay niyang nakahawak sa akin. He ignored my plea and continued to bring back what happened years ago.

"I already asked for your forgiveness, Desdemona. For more than a hundred time, I begged you. Hindi mo parin ba ako mapapatawad? Hindi mo parin ba iyon kinakalimutan?" 

Marahas kong inalis ang pagkakahawak niya sakin bago ibinalik ang mga mata ko sa kanya. "I don't know what you're talking about, Mr. Palmero." I denied.

He smirked and scoffed at me. "Really? Then why are you dodging me? " he slid his hands in his pocket and stared with arrogance on his face. "I saw you following me around, few days ago when I was with Layla. Ganon ba ako kahirap kalimutan? My god, Desdemona. We were just kids, we were so young back then and it's been years, move on. Please."

I could only clench my fist. Gustuhin ko mang sampalin siya ay hindi ko magawa. Nanginginig parin ang mga kamay ko. I was about to speak when David came in.