Hook, Line & Sinker

Chapter 26

Chapter 26: "Imagine how heartbreaking it must be to suddenly stop talking to the person you thought you'd marry."

Suddenly we're strangers again: that's how I feel. It's like we never had a relationship. It's like we were never special to each other. Isn't it ironic that I don't even know how to pick up a conversation with him?

Lakas loob akong umupo sa tabi niya pero ni hindi siya tumingin sa gawi ko. It didn't bother me in the past since we were not really close. But this time, it's different. It hurts to be ignored by him for I've already experienced how to be loved by him.

If only I was stronger. If only I fought harder. If only I had more faith in him.. in us.

I cleared my throat. "Uhm, S-shin." He just gave me a sideway glance. "Do you wanna have lunch with me?"

"Can't. Too busy," he said above whisper. 

I bit my lower lip and just nodded. "Uhm.. can we t-"

"Tamara! Back to practice!" 

I almost groaned in frustration. I wanted to ask for a few more minutes break just so I could talk more to Shin, but the latter had stood up and gone out of the court. Nahabol ko na lang siya ng tingin. 

Ilang beses akong nasita ni Duke dahil nahuli niya akong tingin ng tingin sa orasan. As soon as the clock hit six, I ran out of the court and went to the locker room to change. Hindi ko na pinansin ang pagtawag ni Duke sa akin. Afterwards, I went looking for Shin. 

Luckily, I bumped into one of his blockmates. Nasabi niyang umalis na si Shin kay nagmamadali akong nagtungo sa parking lot. I was huffing when I got there, but I had a big smile on my face because I saw Shin leaning against his car. 

"Shin-" I shrieked when someone suddenly pulled me back. 

"Bakit mo ako tinakbuhan, Tamara? Kanina pa kita tinatawag." I shut my eyes in annoyance. "You're coming with us. You're not allowed to say 'no'."

"Huh? Wait! T-teka!" Tumingin ako kay Shin na nakatingin na sa amin.

"Kenshin!" Kumaway siya kay Shin. The latter looked at us. "It's David's birthday today. Manlilibre siya. karaoke night! Arat na!"

"I can't. I need to go back to the lab," he said then turned his back to leave.

"T-teka! M-"

"Habol ka na lang, Kenshin!"

He just raised his hand without looking. I missed my chance again because of Duke! Strike two na siya sa akin!

"That's enough," Ally said. 

"No! I'm really pissed! That was my chance to talk to him. Andun na eh! I was so close kaso umepal pa si Duke! Sarap saktan!" I exclaimed glaring at Duke who was singing in front. Gigil na kinuha ko ang bote ng alak at tinungga. 

Ally glanced briefly at Duke. "Tone down your voice. He might hear you."

"Nakakainis siya!"

I gulped down my beer. Hindi ko alam kung nakailan na ako pero hilong-hilo na talaga ako kaya sumubsob na lang ako sa mesa. I just woke up with someone tapping my shoulder. 

"Tamara, kaya mo pa ba?" tanong ni Duke.

Naningkit ang mga mata ko ng makita siya. Bigla akong tumayo pero dahil lasing na ako ay muntik na akong natumba. Naalalayan lang ako ni Ally.