Chapter 29

Kahit malapit na kami sa building, iniisip ko pa rin ang nangyari kanina. I didn't really know why I confessed to Sir Yves.. at sa ganoon pang sitwasyon. Maybe he was thinking that I'm crazy and delusional a while ago. Iniisip niya rin siguro kung bakit ganoon ako kanina.

And damn it! I just cried just because of that incident! I'm so weak! Ang hina-hina ko pagdating sa lalaking 'yon!

Ano bang mayro'n sa kaniya at nagkakaganito ako?!

I'm thinking if I should just avoid him when I see him at the university or in the building. Pero kung iiwas naman ako — iisipin niyang mahina ako! I should act like nothing happened! I should act like I don't care about the rejection last time!

“Ano bang nangyari kanina?”

Nawala naman ako sa iniisip ko nang biglang magtanong si Lexy sa tabi ko. We're still both wearing our gym outfits. Mas maayos na nga lang ang itsura niya ngayon kaysa sa akin.

“I already told you, Lex.” I sighed.

“Hindi eh. I saw you. Sinundan mo si Willa at 'yong guy kanina sa locker room,” she's maybe referring to Sir Yves and the gym instructor.

Tumingin naman ako sa kaniya nang diretso. “Just to clear things up, i didn't follow them. Pumasok talaga ako ro'n dahil may kukuhanin ako..”

“But you looked spaced out.”

“It's nothing, alright. Marami lang akong iniisip...”

Thankfully, Lexy finally stopped from asking questions at natahimik na rin ako. Baka masabi ko pa sa kaniya ang totoo.

The next few days are normal not until I started receiving congratulations from friends and some batchmates. I have no idea why they're smiling and congratulating me. Halos katulad ng ngiti ni Erica kapag inaasar ako.

“Hey, Alindra! Congrats!”

Tumigil ako sa field ng university nang may madaanang kakilala.

“Why? Ano bang mayro'n?” This time, I bothered to ask what is really happening.

She giggled. “Kunwari ka pa! Alam na namin! Rylan already posted it on his social media accounts! Look oh!”

Kumunot naman ang noo ko nang pinakita niya sa akin ang post ni Rylan. It's a black and white picture of my hand. I'm wearing the ring that he gave me on my finger. Walang nakalagay sa caption but I saw a lot of comments. They are all congratulating us! At kahit isa, walang ni-reply-an si Rylan para mag-explain.

“I even sent him a DM para mag-ask kung totoo ba 'to but he isn't replying so nag-assume na lang kami na engaged na nga talaga kayo.” Tumawa pa si Lianne. “But in fairness, may taste siya ah? Ang ganda ng ring!”

I stared blankly at the post. Bigla akong nairita na hindi ko maintindihan ang mga sinasabi ni Lianne. Hindi ko na rin namalayan na umalis na pala siya.

Kunot ang noo kong dumiretso sa cafeteria at um-order ng cold drink. I immediately called Rylan as I sat down but he isn't picking up the phone! Mas lalo akong naiinis!

The heck! I understand why he posted that but he didn't even explain something or, he should've at least put a caption just to make it clear that we're not engaged yet! At ang tanga-tanga kong hindi ko man lang napansin na kinuhanan pala niya ng picture ang kamay ko!

“Come on, Rylan! Answer me!”

I got pissed off so I didn't try to call him anymore. Nakita ko naman si Erica na papalapit sa table kung nasaan ako.

“Oh ba't ka nakasimangot, 'te?” nakangising bungad niya sa akin at nilapag ang juice drink sa table.

“Where's Milan?” I ignored her question.

“Pinasa 'yong handouts — wait, iniiba mo usapan!” Lumayo naman ako kaagad kay Erica dahil sa lakas ng boses niya. “Ay wait! Engaged na kayo ng kuya ni Rachel, 'di ba?”

Umirap naman ako. “We're not! Binigay lang niya 'yong ring na 'yon no'ng monthsary namin! I didn't know that he took a picture of my hand and he even posted it! Akala ng iba, engaged na kami!”

My forehead creased when Erica laughed loudly. “Totoo ba? Akala ko engaged na talaga kayo! Sa bagay, pa'no nga naman pala si Hottie professor kapag nagpakasal na kayo ni Kuya Ry---”

“Stop it, Erica! Nakakairita!”

Bigla ko tuloy naalala si Sir Yves. I didn't see him today 'cause we don't have classes in Ethics. I think it's much better kaysa naman maiilang ako at mag-iisip kung ano ang gagawin sa harapan niya kung makita ko siya.

“Sandali nga. Nagwawala na mga alaga ko sa tiyan! Order muna ako!” Tatawa-tawang umalis si Erica at pumila sa counter.

I sighed. I don't really know why we became friends.

Nagulat naman ako nang biglang mag-ring ang phone ko at nag-re-request for video call si Rachel. I immediately answered her call. I want to ask her something.

“Rachel..”

“Hey! Engaged na raw kayo ni Kuya?” She looks excited and happy. I suddenly don't want to ask her anymore. I don't want to ruin her happiness now.

Napansin ko namang nasa isang restaurant siya at may kasama. I think it's her co-model.

“Actually.. hindi,” I told her honestly. Her smile immediately faded. “Binigay lang niya sa akin 'yong ring as a gift last time. I didn't know that he posted it. Those people who saw his post thought that we're already engaged. Hindi naman kasi siya nag-explain or something..”

Kumunot bigla ang noo niya. “H-Hindi ko rin alam. Nagtaka nga ako no'ng nakita ko 'yong post that's why I immediately called you kahit gabi na here. Nag-usap na kayo ni Kuya?”

Umiling naman ako. “No. I tried to call him earlier but he wasn't answering. Please try to call him also. Baka sumagot sa ‘yo.”

Hindi naman siya nakasagot kaagad dahil kinakausap ng katabi. I sighed as I sipped on my drink. Nakita ko namang mahaba pa ang pila sa counter at wala pa sa unahan si Erica. Makakapag-usap pa kami nang maayos ni Rachel.

“Yeah. Sure. After naming mag-dinner, tatawag kaagad ako kay Kuya Rylan.” She smiled a bit. Nakita ko namang lumayo siya nang kaunti sa mga kasama. “But if ever, are you willing to marry him? Mahal ka naman ni Kuya. I've seen it in his eyes---”

“God, Rachel! I know that! Pero wala pa ako sa right age para pakasalan ang Kuya mo! You know my plans!”

I'm getting frustrated!

My forehead crinkled when she suddenly chuckled after that. “I know. I know. Relax! I'm just asking you! Ano ka ba? Ayan naman ang na-mi-miss ko sa ‘yo eh. Mabilis uminit ang ulo mo.” Muntik na akong umirap sa sinabi niya. “Sige na, Lindra. I'm gonna eat my dinner. Ingat kayo diyan! Love you! Bye!”

I just smiled a bit when she waved her hand and blew me a kiss. The video call has already ended when Erica sat down beside me with her foods. Napangiwi naman ako nang mapansin ang outfit niya. She's only wearing a black oversized graphic shirt and a baggy ripped jeans. She looks like a boy now especially with her new haircut.

“Hindi ka ba na-su-suspend sa mga suot mo?” I asked her out of curiosity.

“Hindi. Maayos naman ah?” Umiling-iling na lang ako sa kaniya. “Kausap mo kanina si Rachel, ‘no?”

“Yeah. How did you know?”

“Si Rachel lang naman ka-video call mo, gaga ka!”

I smirked and grabbed her chips. “Siya lang? Are you sure? Pwede naman din 'yong sinasabi mong hottie professor..”

She's overreacting when her eyes widened like an owl. She even tapped the table loudly! “Weh? Seryoso? Nag-vi-video call kayo ni Sir Hottie mo? Tangina, sinasabi ko na nga ba!”

“Ano ba? Your mouth!” Pinanlakihan ko siya ng mata saka tumingin sa paligid. Kay Erica talaga ako mapapahamak! “Hindi. I'm just kidding you and I was right when I told you that he's not interested. Nagkita kami sa gym.. do'n niya sinabi.”

Lumapit pa lalo siya sa akin. I pushed her face lightly when our faces are almost near to each other.

“Pakipot lang 'yon,” bulong niya sa akin.

“Hindi ko na talaga alam, Erica kung bakit---”

“Alindra, can you give this to Sir Yves? Close naman daw kayo sabi ni Becca. Hindi ko kasi na-pass 'yong handouts ko last Monday eh.”

Erica and I both looked at each other when someone approached me. Nakilala kong kaibigan siya ni Becca na blockmate din namin.

“Bigay mo raw kay Sir Hottie — ay Sir Yves, hoy!”

“Shut up!” mariin kong sabi kay Erica saka bumaling sa blockmate kong babae. “Can't you do it by yourself? Malapit lang ang office ni Sir Yves dito and we're not close. 'Wag kang maniwala kay Becca..”

I got my bag and my drink immediately after I said that. I'm about to walk away when Becca's friend held my arm to stop me from doing so. Pagod ko naman siyang tiningnan.

“Please?”

Gusto kong umirap nang makitang nakanguso pa siya! Becca and her friend are really crazy! She even said that Sir Yves and I are close! Really?!

Umirap naman ako at kinuha ang handouts sa kamay niya. “Fine!”

“Woah! Thank you! Treat kita next time!”

Napairap ako nang umalis na siya. She almost even jumped! Tumingin naman ako kay Erica na ngingisi-ngisi habang kumakain. I realized that I didn't tell her the whole details about what happened last time at the gym. But I guess it's not really necessary to tell her everything. She'll just say it to Rachel for sure at hindi na naman matatapos ang pang-aasar niya sa akin kapag nalaman niyang umamin ako sa professor na ‘yon.

And I'm sure that she will freak out if she figures out about how I really feel towards Sir Yves.

"Landiin mo ah? Good luck.” I rolled my eyes at Erica when she said that and winked at me.

Bumuntong-hininga ako bago umalis sa cafeteria para pumunta sa office ni Sir Yves. I'm kinda nervous. I'm thinking of how I'll face him now especially that he knows the truth.

Of course, I should act natural! 'Yong parang walang nangyari!

I cleared my throat when I saw Sir Psalm at the front door of the office. "Sir Psalm, si Sir Yves po?”

“Ay, he's not here,” nakangisi niyang sabi nang mapansin ako. “Ilagay mo na lang sa table niya ‘yan. Pasok ka na lang sa loob..”

I just nodded at him and entered Sir Yves' office. Wala nga roon ang professor saka si Sir Jameson. I'm about to leave when I put the handouts on the table when a woman suddenly came out of the restroom beside the professors' office. She accidentally hit me when she closed the door.

Pansin ko namang nagulat siya nang makita ako.

“Uh, I just put the handouts here. Pakisabi na lang kay Sir Yves kapag dumating.” I smiled a bit.

It's weird that she's just staring at me like I'm a ghost in front of her. I also noticed that she's about to shed tears. Morena ang babae. I can say that she's beautiful with her wavy hair. I realized that she's the wife of Sir Yves! Or girlfriend! Kung ano man ang relasyon nila!

I suddenly don't know how to act right now..

“Alindra..”

“Y-You know me?” She must be also a worker in this university. O baka nakuwento ng professor?

“Alindra, patawarin mo ako. Sorry,” she even added and almost hugged me.

Kumunot naman ang noo ko nang umiyak na siya sa harapan ko. She's crying so hard that I became confused while looking at her.

“Wait.. anong mayro'n? Why are you sorry?”

“Si Yves.. kayo ni Yves! Patawarin niyo ako! Malaki ang kasalanan ko sa inyo! Kaya ngayong nakita kita ulit, gusto kong humingi ng tawad!”

Kaagad ko naman siyang nilapitan nang mapaupo na siya sa sahig ng office. “Malaki ang kasalanan mo? Sa amin? What is it, then? I don't know you personally. Hindi ko matandaan kung may nagawa kang---”

“What's going on?”

Sabay naman kaming napatingin sa pintuan nang biglang may dumating. I'm not surprised when I saw Sir Yves. His brows are furrowed while looking at us especially at the woman beside me. She's still crying!

“Regina, anong sinasabi mo sa kaniya?” Lumapit kaagad si Sir Yves at inalalayang tumayo ang babae. I heard that her name is Regina.

Familiar.. very familiar.

They're talking something that I don't really understand that's why I just stared at them and still confused. I became curious after what that Regina told me a few moments ago.

“I'm sorry, Miss Rivera. Kung ano man ang sinabi niya sa ‘yo, 'wag mo na lang intindihin. Please..”

Kunot ang noo kong tiningnan siya. “I'm curious about what she told me but alright.”

I can't explain the way he looks at me now.

“Yves, sabihin mo!” narinig ko pang sabi no'ng Regina. “Please! Para hindi na ako nakokonsensya araw-araw!”

Hindi ko na sila pinansin at umalis na sa office ni Sir Yves nang hilahin niya ang babae palayo sa akin. Ang gulo nila. I don't know what they're talking about. I'm now really curious. I'm curious because I've never seen Sir Yves like that before. I can't figure out if he's mad or frustrated because of that woman. And I'm also curious because of that Regina again. Sa mga sinasabi niya kanina.

Does it even make sense?

Hindi naman siguro siya magkakagano'n kung wala lang 'yon. Not unless she's crazy. Right?

I deeply sighed and just decided to go straight to the building of Rylan's family when I tried again to call him but he didn't answer.

“Where's Rylan?" tanong ko kaagad sa secretary niya nang makapasok ako sa building.

“He's inside po. Katatapos lang ng meeting nila with the President,” she replied with a smile.

Pinagbuksan naman kaagad niya ako ng pinto ng office ni Rylan. I saw that he's removing his necktie so I immediately went in front of him to help him.

“Busy ka ah?” I said while forcefully removing his necktie.

Nagulat naman siya nang makita ako. “H-Hey, you're here. Dapat tumawag ka para um-order kaagad ako ng foods..”

Napansin kong nasakal siya nang hilahin ko pa ang necktie.

I crossed my arms. "Check your phone.”

“Huh?”

“Just check your phone..”

Kahit nagtataka, sinunod naman niya ako. “You have a lot of missed calls. Bakit? I'm sorry, love. May urgent meeting kasi kanina.”

Nagkibit-balikat lang ako saka kinuha ang phone sa bag. I searched for his post and gave him my phone.

“What is this, Rylan?”

Nakita ko namang nagsalubong ang kilay niya. “This is my post ah. I posted this last time.. no'ng monthsary natin.”

“I know that it's your post but you should've at least explained to everyone that the ring is just your present on our monthsary!” I frustratedly told him. “Look at the comments! They're assuming that we're engaged because of that freaking ring!”

“I-I'm sorry, hindi ko alam na---”

He stopped from talking when we suddenly heard noises outside his office. Malakas 'yon at palapit dito. Nalipat naman doon ang atensyon ko.

“Si Rylan! Nasa'n si Rylan?! Ilabas niyo siya! Sabihin niyo magpakita sa akin!”

“Who's that?” I asked him as I opened the door. Bumungad naman sa akin ang isang babae. She's wearing a bold red lipstick and a mini black dress. I raised my brow at her.

“Nasaan ba si Rylan? Sabihin niyo sa kaniya, panagutan niya ako! Buntis ako!”

My eyes widened after what she told me. She looks so serious while she's saying that so I know that she's not joking around. Tumingin naman ako kay Rylan na papalapit sa amin.

I guess I have a reason now to finally break up with him.

Ngumiti naman ako sa babae. “Come in. He's here..”

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