Ineffable Euphoria

Kabanata 13

Wala s'ya kanina sa kanilang practice game, at base sa suot nito, tila galing sa isang pormal na meeting.

"P're!" Ngiting-ngiting bati nito kay Alessandro, bago ako binalingan. "Sayang hindi ako nakapaglaro kanina! Nanood ka pala, Marjorie? Magkasama kayo?"

If it isn't obvious?

Ngumiti ako at maliit na tumango.

"Hindi ka hinanap ni coach kanina. Anong pinaalam mo?"

He winked and held Alessandro by the shoulder. "May nilakad lang na importante,"

Alessandro only raised his brow and smirked at Kevin. Halos iwan ko na sila roon habang pinag-uusapan ang naging laro kanina, buti't napigilan ko ang sarili ko.

"Tumawag nga sa'kin kanina, sabi'y masyado raw yata seryoso ang naging laro kanina,"

"Yeah, it was quite of a tensed game earlier." I smiled at Kevin, no longer restraining my short patience. "I think you're about to eat na, right? Alessandro and I doesn't want to disturb you naman,"

Kevin chuckled. "Hindi pa naman ako gutom na gutom,"

"No! Dapat ay kumain ka na, hindi ka dapat nagpapagutom!"

Kunot ang noo ni Alessandro nang nagkatinginan kami, bago s'ya bumaling kay Kevin na nakatingin din sa kan'ya.

Awkward na tumawa si Kevin bago nai-pat ni Alessandro ang kan'yang balikat.

"Sige na p're, una na kami."

It wasn't that long that before I had to drag Alessandro outside before we bid our goodbye to Kevin, thank Gods.

"I didn't know Kevin was that talkative," pairap kong ani nang makapasok sa sasakyan.

"Oh, akala ko friends kayo?"

"Nah, I revoke that statement. We just know each other now,"

Alessandro sneered at me as he buckles his seat belt. Few minutes and we're already on the road on our way to our house.

Tahimik kami at tanging ang kan'yang stereo lamang ang gumagaw ang ingay. Ako habang nakabaling ang mga mata sa bintana, pinagmamasdan ang bawat establisyimento at mga taong nadaraanan, habang s'ya na pawang tutok sa pagmamaneho.

I often fall into slumber on the road with him, and I expected to do so this time as well, only right now, sleepiness was mysteriously absent.

Something was bothering me. That I am certain of.

Is it because I made Alessandro late that I'm to blame? Or that I didn't really appreciate my friends' company earlier, even if they were probably just checking in on me? Or perhaps, is it because I was seen with Alessandro by a number of our family's well-known friends?

Nakikita na naman kaming magkasama noon, pero malakas ang palagay kong hindi na ganoon ang kaso ngayon.

But what is it really that frightens me to be seen with him, right now?

That I'm oblivious about.

Or maybe I know, but just don't want to acknowledge it enough...

"Hey..."

My words were cut short as I caught a glimpse of the familiar red and blue blinking lights as a mob surrounded a tiny space with yellow police tape.

"Marjorie?"

Someone from that crowed move sideways, and I immediately felt my world crumble as my hand tremble in both fear and remorse. Tears clouded my eyes as my palm carelessly rushed to my slightly parted mouth.