The Heart of a Soul

Chapter 9

We were excused that day and I had to go out to give my classmates their comfort.

Alam ng lahat ang pinagdaanan ko at ng pamilya ko at sa nangyaring pag-iyak ko kahapon, iyon kaagad ang narating nilang konklusyon. Amanda too, thought that it was like that. Hindi na ako nag-abalang magaliwanag pa. Amanda was consoling me outside while I never spoke to her about what truly was the reason behind my tears. Si Noah naman ay pinalabas din kasama namin dahil naabutang pinapatahan niya ako sa pag-iyak.

Iyon ang iniisip nila.

The truth was… the reasons behind my tears were with me at the very moment and I have to cry even more for how helpless I was. I can't even tell the people around me that if Amanda and Noah feel uncomfortable about my presence, I also feel the same. I even feel worse of how they had to compliment the two, give them credit and make them look good while despite the pity they had for me, I am still under the bad light.

At noong iniisip nilang tinatahan niya ako, sumama lang lalo ang pakiramdam ko.

Just look at how people create version of their stories without even conferring to the person affected. Kapag marinig naman siguro nila ang kuwento ko ay magiging lalo lang masama ang tingin nila sa akin. I can't even bother to confront my friend because I felt anxious about the result of doing so.

Knowing Amanda, she wouldn't be mad at me but feel pity towards me. While she won't tell me that, whenever I am at disadvantage, the consideration would never leave her even when she tries to treat me like the ordinary days.

She would probably even give way for me because she thinks I needed it and she don't. She's that selfless while I am here, secretly feeling envious towards her to the point where I had to cry after hearing him call her nickname.

I am shameful.

"May nangyari ba sa pamilya mo? Your Mom? Your Dad?" She tried again after she was dismissed by the silence.

Umiling lang ako at halos hindi na matignan si Amanda. Gumilid ang tingin ko at kung minamalas nga naman ay kay Noah pa nagtagpo ang mga mata. The eyes of which wouldn't allow me to look away because like an anchor, he had me on place.

Nakatitig lang ito sa akin na tila ba kuryuso at hindi maunawaan ang mga nangyayari. His eyes were brighter than it had been under the light. It glows like a newly harvested honey from the beehives under the heat of the sun.

In contrast to his glowing orbs were the dire expressions on his face. Even when his face were evident of curiosity, the furrow on his eyebrows never left. His lips were in a grim line. Parang permanente na ang ekspresyon na 'yan sa mukha niya at hindi mawala-wala sa kahit na anong emosyon.

Hindi natapos ang task namin dahil sa nangyari at hindi naman sakto sa oras kaya binigyan kami ng pagkakataon.

Kaya sa weekend ay kailangan naming makita ang isa't-isa.

Wala naman akong masyadong ginagawa sa bahay bukod sa maglinis sa mga kalat na hindi ko nailigpit at gawin ang mga hindi nagawa noong weekdays. Sa tuwing walang masyadong naiiwang tasks, projects o assignment ay libre ang oras ko kapag biyernes lalo na sa sabado at linggo kaya sinusulit ko iyon sa mga responsibilidad ko.

Papa even once mentioned getting a maid for me. He do not have any more financial obligation to his lover because just like him, she was working and providing for herself. Kaya nga malaki rin ang perang ipinapadala sa akin dahil bukod sa ina ko at kay papa ay nagbibigay rin ito sa akin. Getting a servant for me wouldn't be a big deal.

However, I rejected the idea. I do not know if I'd feel comfortable having another person touching and cleaning my mess especially that I am living alone. Hindi ko rin naman iyon kailangan dahil sa tuwing bakante ang oras ay iyon na lamang ang pinagkakaabalahan ko. Mahirap sa tuwing may pasok ngunit alam ko namang makakaya ko pa.

It was also my switch to get away from dangerous thoughts and feelings. I would be drowning in loneliness and feel helpless despite being around someone. Mas mainam na may ginagawa ako at mawaglit ang isipan ko sa mga bagay na ayaw kong abalahin ang sarili.

Nang natapos ako sa mga ginagawa ay may dalawang oras pa. Ang sabi naman ni Amanda ay malapit lang ang bahay nila Noah at hindi ko na kailangang magsuot ng magara lalo pa't gagawa lang naman ng proyekto.

I rested for a little while and busied myself with surfing the internet. Nang malapit na ang oras ay saka ako tumayo at naghanda. I ate beforehand because it would be embarrassing to visit other people's houses while you were hungry.

Naghintay na lamang ako sa convenience store na madalas kong pagtambayan kapag gabi. Amanda said that we could easily find each other if we met there. Sinabi rin naman ni Noah na alam niya kung saan ang lugar. Nakahinga ako nang maluwag dahil hindi niya nabanggit na roon niya rin ako unang nakilala.

I still held that secret of ours as a precious memory and I don't want anyone other than us knowing it.

The place feels different in broad daylight but I am certain I was not dreaming about my little secret of him. Napangiti ako at naupo sa upuan sa labas habang pinagmamasdan ang lugar.

Ilang saglit din akong mag-isa bago nakarating si Amanda na kalmado sa paglalakad. Nang makita akong mag-isa ay sumilip siya sa wrist watch.

"Ikaw pa lang mag-isa?"

"Ah…" Tumango ako at nahihiyang ngumisi. Baka napaaga ang oras ko sa oras nila? "Mga fifteen minutes lang naman…" Pampalubag loob ko kay Amanda kahit kalahating oras na ako rito.

"Pasensiya na natagalan ako. Mukhang nainitan ka pa ata. Hindi ka pumasok?"

"Hindi na." Sumulyap ako sa loob ng convenience store. Hindi pamilyar na mukha ng mga tao ang nasa loob at mukhang gaya namin ay dito napagpasyahang magkita para sa school project. Wala rin naman ang kakilala kong mga cashier dahil panggabi ang mga ito.

"Nasaan si Oliver?"

I shook my head and smiled apologetically. She tsked and shook her head, her face showing an irritated expression.

"Mukhang kailangan ko pang turuan ng hospitality ang gagong iyon."

Inilabas niya ang cellphone at may pinindot ng kung anu-ano bago inilapit sa tenga ang cellphone. It looks like she's calling him.

They have each other's numbers… Nakagat ko ang ibabang labi at pinilit na iwasan ng tingin si Amanda. I felt guilty how I could envy my friend while she didn't know what was going on. It's not her fault that I was feeling this way. It's not her obligation to make me feel better about myself either.

Kaya habang makakaya kong ikontrol ang mga nararamdaman, gagawin ko iyon. Amanda has done things for my sake. She was even trying to be considerate when that wasn't her forte.

"Ayaw sumagot! Dumiretso na lang tayo roon."

"Huh?" gulantang kong sagot at hindi sang-ayon sa sinabi nito. She thought I was not listening when I was extra attentive to what she was doing because it was about Noah, she knocked my head slightly.

Bago pa ako makaangal lalo ay nahila na ako ni Amanda at nagsimula na kaming maglakad. We were walking to the opposite direction of my house. Kung ganoon magkabilaan lang pala ang bahay namin ni Noah.

Dumaan kami ng ilang pagitan ng mga bahay. I counted it and added the distance to our house. Pitong bahay ang pagitan namin.

He lived in a two-storey house… or apartment?

May lumabas na babae sa ibabang palapag. I smiled, doubting whether to greet the woman or not. Hinihintay ko lang ang magiging reaksyon ni Amanda rito dahil malapit naman siya kay Noah kaya paniguradong alam niya kung sino ang mga magulang nito. However, Amanda did not even spare a glance to the woman and walked passed her.

Natuod ako sa kinatatayuan at binalikan ng tingin ang babaeng kakalagpas lamang sa akin. Mukha rin namang hindi niya kilala si Amanda at wala lamang siyang kibo.

May mga bata pa na may dalang ice cream na sumabay sa amin paakyat. Doon ko napagtanto na apartment nga ito nang makapasok na sa loob.

The place was accesible by everyone but separated by rooms. Kaya kapag nasa labas ka ay aakalain mong malaking bahay ngunit magkakaiba pala ng kwarto sa loob. May tanggapan naman sa ibabang palapag at may center table at magazines. The second floor were just pure hallways.

Dumaan kami ng dalawang pintuan bago kinatok ang pangatlo.

"Oliver! Nandito na kami. Tulog ka pa ba?"

Napalakas ang boses ni Amanda at ang katok nito ay umabot sa kabilang kwarto. Bumukas ang pangalawang pintuan at nang mapagtanto na sa kabilang kwarto ang kumakatok ay napailing at ibinagsak ang pinto.

"What? Can you please shut up, Mandy?"

Bumukas ang pintuan at iyon ang bungad ni Noah sa amin.

Magulo pa ang buhok niya nang magbukas ng pintuan at papungas-pungas pa. He was rubbing his right eye with his fist. He yawned and moved for us to get in.

"Ah… g-good morning, Noah…" My lips trembled and my words were jumbled in anxiety. Halos maputol ang paghinga ko nang magtama ang tingin namin.

Bumaba ang kamay niya at naitikom niya ang labi. I saw his jaws moved ruthlessly that my heart leaped in jeopardy.

Hindi pa ako tuluyang nakakapasok ay isinara na niya ang pintuan kaya binilisan ko ang hakbang. I bit my lip, scared for my little chance. May iritasyong dumaan sa mga mata niya nang magtama ulit ang paningin namin. Mabilis siyang naglakad palayo at pumasok sa isang pintuan.

My rapid and painful heartbeats resonated to my being that I didn't even noticed Amanda fixing Noah's messy bed. Nang mabigyan ko iyon ng mapansin ay hiniling ko na lang na sana nagpatuloy ako sa mga iniisip.

Makakaya ko pang isipin ang iritasyon niya sa akin na hindi naman ako siguro kaysa sa katotohanang paulit-ulit kong hinaharap.

Amanda and Noah, without a doubt, have a deep connection between them for him to be this comfortable around her. His face was relaxed and comfortable with her but when he realized I was there, his expression immediately changed. Narito na naman ang pakiramdam na hindi dapat ako nandidito at ang mundong kinatatayuan ko sa ngayon ay para sa kanila lamang.

Lumabas si Noah mula sa pintuan at iba na ang damit na suot niya. Basa rin ang buhok niya at may tuwalyang nakasabit sa leeg niya.

Eksaktong natapos na sa pagliligpit si Amanda at naghahanda na sa mga materials na gagamitin namin sa activity.

"Kanina pa naghihintay si Gia sa meet-up place natin! Mag-isa lang siya dahil natagalan ako at hindi ka dumating!" Kinaltukan niya ang ulo ni Noah. Noah did not budged and glanced at me.

I smiled shyly and waved my hand a little. "Ayos lang. Hindi naman ako matagal naghintay."

"Oliver, paupuin mo nga 'yan. Kanina pa 'yan nakatayo." Itinuro ni Amanda ang upuan gamit ang nguso. "Kayo na gumamit sa upuan. Maggugupit ako rito. Tulungan mo 'yan sa ibang gagawin." Amanda had a meaningful look on her face which I understood even when it was not for me.

Iniisip niya marahil ang nangyari noong nakaraan. Hindi nga naman kami nagkaroon ng pagkakataon na pag-usapan ang gagawin. Baka nag-usap na sila tungkol sa gagawin dahil may number naman sila sa isa't-isa.

No. I should stop thinking about it. I already told myself that I have to be considerate of other people too. Parati na lang sila ang tumutulong sa nararamdaman ko. Even when they were not aware of my real feelings, reacting the opposite way of how I feel shouldn't be their mistake. Hindi ko rin naman ipinagpaalam kaya paano nila iyon malalaman? People couldn't act accordingly if they were clueless.

Naghila si Noah ng upuan at umupo sa isa pa. Dalawa lamang ang upuan niya sa loob ng apartment room. May lababo at may sariling banyo. Hindi naman kalakihan ang kwarto ngunit hindi rin mukhang mumurahin. Eksakto lang para sa isang tao.

"Hindi ka ba uupo, Georgina? Ibibigay ko ang upuan kay Amanda," he asked but it sounded like a threat in my ears. Mabilis akong napaupo sa takot na manginig ang tuhod at bumagsak sa sahig ng kwarto niya. Nakakahiya iyon at baka mabunyag pa ang sikretong pagtingin ko sa kaniya!

Nagsimula na siyang magbigay ng instructions sa akin. Tumatango-tango ako habang pinapakinggan siya sa takot na baka mairita siya kapag wala akong sagot sa mga salita niya. I also don't want to utter one word because I fear I'd tremble under pressure.

"Naiintindihan mo ba?" matigas na bigkas niya ng Tagalog. Nilubayan niya ng tingin ang libro at napadpad sa akin ang mga mata.

Napalunok ako at mabilis na tumango. His eyes darken but the golden streaks on his orbs were as magical as they were under the light. I thought people with colored eyes were less scary but his eyes brought me tremors or it was more like the way he gazed at me. It was sending silent threats.

Hindi ko akalain na makakaramdam ulit ako ng takot dahil sa sitwasyong kinaroroonan ko. At lalo na sa pinakamaliit na dahilan. Sa paraan ng titig nito sa akin. I thought I was too empty to even feel fear against people. Akala ko ay tatanggapin ko na kung anumang nakalaan sa akin.

If I die by the hands of other people, at least I tried living. At least I tried looking for ways to feel alive before I died.

Nang makuha ko na ang mga instructions niya ay nagsimula na akong gumawa ng summary sa isang page ng libro. Noah was doing the other one.

May papasagutan lang naman sana ang guro namin ngunit dahil hindi kami nakapagpasa ay binigyan kami ng mas mahirap na task. We have to report in front of the class the topic that our teacher gave us. Dinidisenyo ni Amanda ngayon ang visual aid namin dahil siya naman ang magaling diyan samantalang nagtutulungan kami ni Noah sa topic. Si Amanda rin ang magsusulat dahil hindi ako kumportableng ipakita sa lahat ang sulat kamay ko.

"Hindi mo ba kami pakakainin, Oliver? Baka nagugutom na 'yang si Gia," ani Amanda habang nagdidisenyo sa huling kartolina.

"K-Kumain ako sa bahay…" I said slowly, confusing whether it was right to say those words. Sa huli ay nahiya rin ako sa sariling sinabi kahit mukhang hindi naman iyon pinakinggan masyado nila Amanda at Noah!

"Nagugutom na rin ako. Hindi ako kumain."

Kumunot ang noo ni Noah habang nagpatuloy siya sa pagsusulat sa papel. "Tita did not cook for you?"

"May lakad sila ni Papa ngayon. Si Ariel lang ang nasa bahay. Pareho lang naman ng skills si Gia at Ariel sa pagluluto."

Natawa ako dahil alam ko naman ang tinutukoy niyang skills pero hindi ko kilala ang tinutukoy nitong Ariel. Maybe her brother? Malapit kami ni Amanda ngunit hindi naman sa puntong nakakapunta na ako sa bahay nila at nakilala ang pamilya niya. We just spend our time at school with each other most of the time.

"Ariel is a better cook than your friend." Sumulyap si Noah sa akin pagkasabi noon.

I gasped in surprise and halted. Nahuli niya ang gulat ko at kumunot ang noo.

Naiirita na naman siguro siya sa akin! At hindi ko na naririnig pa na sumagot si Amanda sa sinabi niya. Para bang hinayaan na akong malunod sa titig ni Noah! He's like the black hole sucking my soul into the empty and dangerous abyss. Hindi ko alam kung saan ako pupulutin ng kaba ko.

Amanda grunted, it was like a cue to break the silent staring between us.

Nag-inat ng mga braso si Amanda. Mukhang napapagod na siya sa ginagawang pag-upo sa sahig kaya tumayo ako. Bago ko pa nagawang ilahad ang upuan ay napaigting ako sa gulat nang may humawak sa palapulsuhan ko.

"What are you doing?" tanong nito sa akin na may madilim na ekspresyon. Para bang alam na nito ang binabalak kong gawin.

"Baka kasi pagod na si Amamda at nangangalay. Magpapalit lang kami ng puwesto."

His grip on my wrist tightened. Napaigting ako at bumaba ang tingin doon ngunit hindi man lang naputol ang matalim na titig niya sa akin.

"I offered you that seat. You offended me."

My lips parted. Marahan akong tumango at naupong muli sa upuan.

"G-Ganoon ba… Pasensiya na."

Tumayo siya nang manahimik na ako sa puwesto at inilahad ang upuan kay Amanda. Amanda rejected the offer and sat on his bed inside. Doon siya nagsimulang magkalat sa mga pinagugupit niya. Wala lang namang reaksyon si Noah sa kalat sa kama niya at nagsimulang maghila ng mga lulutuin.

He cooked noodles for the three of us. Nang makita ni Amanda ang niluto nito ay ngiwi kaagad ang naging laman ng ekspresyon niya ngunit kumain din naman sa gutom.

I suddenly remembered the name he made up. Miss cup noodles… Noodles…

"Are you not eating?"

"Uh…" I glanced at the bowl of noodles. "Can I?" I wanted to taste his cooking. It was just an instant noodles but still, he cooked it.

"That's why I am asking," he said in an annoyed voice. Nanginig ako at parang nagdadalawang isip na tuloy kung kakain.

I bit my lower lip feeling the strings of my heart being cut into pieces. Nanatili lang akong nakaupo at hawak-hawak ang ballpen nang mahigpit.

I felt a dominating presence beside me that made me look up. May dala na siyang bowl at itinabi na ang mga gamit na nasa mesang gamit namin.

"Oliver, hindi pa ako tapos kumain! Kinuha mo naman kaagad!" ngiwi ni Amanda na nakatayo sa may sink kung nasaan ang pinaglutuan din kanina.

Noah tilted his head a bit, there was an annoyed expression on his face while he was still holding on to the little bowl.

"Oh, hindi ka pa kumakain…" Tanto ni Amanda nang makita akong natatakpan sa katawan ni Noah.

Noah tsked, it was enough to sent shivers to my spine. Lalo na at sa sobrang lapit namin ay ramdam ko ang init ng katawan nito. He leaned down to place the bowl.

"Here. You should tell me if you want it."

"I…" Lumingon ako kay Amanda na mukhang nakuntento na at umiinom na ngayon ng tubig. "I want it."

He nodded and left. Bumalik din naman pagkatapos na may dalang kutsara. Doon ko lang napansin na wala pala akong kutsara. Hindi ko rin naman kaagad sinimulang kainin at nakipagtitigan lang sa noodles. Nagsimula lang akong kumain nang maupo na siya sa parehong mesa at ipinagpatuloy ang ginagawa. Baka mapagalitan naman ako at hindi ko agad kinain ang luto niya.

"Georgina," he called.

Napakurap-kurao ako. Naninibago pa rin ako ngayong tinatawag na niya ako sa pangalan ko. He never used my name when addressing me before.

"W-What is it?"

"Come here."

"Oh, okay…" I nervously dragged my chair beside him. Tumunog pa iyon, mabuti na lang at hindi niya iyon minasama at tutok lang sa tinitignang pahina.

"Explain this to me. This is the page you summarizes, right?"

I gasped when I realize I never encountered what was written on the page. Bumaba ang paningin ko sa pahina. I did not summarized this one yet!

"Uhm… hindi ko pa na-summarize." I said slowly afraid that it might tick him. It will tick him but I was probably thinking his anger would also go slower.

"Summarize it."

Tumango ako.

"I'm sorry. I'll be quick."

I held on my chair to drag it back again but he pinned it with his arms. Sa bigat nito ay bumalik lang ako sa pagkakaupo.

Napalingon ako sa kaniya. Nakatitig lang siya sa notebook niya samantalang mabigat ang braso niyang nakadantay sa sandalan ng upuan ko.

"Your arms, Noah…"

"No. Do it here. I need your summary, quick. Also, give me your paper. I will be adding up quick explanations we can use in case."

I nodded and stood up a little to get my notebook. Umangat ang tingin ni Noah sa akin at hinila pababa ang damit ko. I flinched in surprise but he did not touched my skin.

"Your clothes are short. Makikitaan ka."

"Oh, sorry. That must've made you uncomfortable."

Hindi siya sumagot at ibinalik ang pagkakadantay ng braso sa upuan ko. I heard Amanda's loud hem just when my mind was floating out of nowhere.

"Shut up, Mandy." Noah responded like it was for him. Nakita ko pa ang iritado niyang pag-irap.

"What? My throat hurts. May gamot ka ba?"

"No. And I don't care, Mandy."

"Really?" Bumaling na si Amanda sa akin. "Ikaw Gia, 'di ba masakit ang lalamunan mo?"

"Huh?" I asked in confusion. Pabalik-balik pa ang tingin ko sa kanilang dalawa dahil mukhang sila lang ang nagkakaintindihan. Is this some kind of an inside joke an outsider like me won't understand?

Nakatitig lang din sa akin si Noah at parang naghihintay ng sagot.

Do I need to make a joke? Why is this a joke?

Frustrated, but I still tried to laugh along with my stupid answer.

"Maybe I am, maybe I'm not. It depends on how much I sing in the bathroom."

Tumawa ako ngunit hindi sila tumawa at parang lito pa! Was it not funny? Well it wasn't for me but I was hoping it would be funny for them!

Ngumisi lang si Amanda kalaunan, siguro nakukuha na ang sinabi ko samantalang nakakunot na ang noo ni Noah.

"Why are you laughing? If you are sick, you should take a medicine and not laugh about it."

Huh?

Amanda started laughing and shaking her head. Hindi ko nakukuha ang dalawa. Why is he suddenly mad? It was a silly joke.

"Calm down, Oliver. It's just a joke. Ang seryoso mo sa buhay."

He averted his gaze, still grumpy and went back to writing.

Madilim na sa labas nang napagpasyahan naming umuwi. Natapos na rin lahat ng gawain namin kaya wala ng gagawin. Kahit ang isang assignment namin ay nagawa namin sa apartment ni Noah. I just wrote mine on a piece of paper. Ililipat ko na lang pagkauwi. Namakopya nga ako ng sagot nilang dalawa. Mabuti na lang at hindk nagalit si Noah doon. Wala namang problema kay Amanda dahil nagpapakopya naman 'yon sa akin.

"Are you going alone? O may susundo sa'yo? tanong ni Noah kay Amanda pagkalabas namin.

"Kukunin ako ni Ariel."

"Oh, you're leaving then?"

Tumango si Amanda at itinuro ang daang salungat sa dadaanan ko.

"You'll have to walk there and--"

"Oo. Matatagalan pa naman si Ariel at baka mahirapang pumasok lalo na't gabi. Doon na lang ako sa labasan."

"Do you want me to send you?"

Nag-uusap pa sila habang dahan-dahan naman akong pumuslit sa kabilang daan. It was disrespectful but I felt so out of place. I am starting to feel the surge of feelings inside me again and I felt like crying. While I can still control these feelings, I would stay away from things that would boil it.

I was dragging my foot while I was going home. Mabigat ang katawan ko sa kakaupo at nananakit pa ang binti at braso ko. Kapag nakauwi ako ay hihilata kaagad ako sa kama. Hindi naman kailangang sa tamang oras kumain. If I'm hungry, I will eat.

"Stoo dragging you feet and walk properly. Your feet would hurt even more if you do that."

"Putang ina!"

Napatalon ako sa gulat nang magsalita sa likod ang boses ni Noah. I turned around in haste and found out Noah following closely behind me. Nakapamulsa pa ito at parang kanina pa nakasunod sa akin.

"What…" he looked at me in disbelief.

Nakahinga ako nang maluwag at napatapik sa dibdib ko.

"You surprised me! I'm sorry for screaming."

"Yeah… you surprised me too." He was still looking at me with his lips parted, more like in awe and amusement.

"Yes. That's why I'm sorry for screaming."

"No, not that. You cussed…"

"Oh, I did? I'm sorry for cursing at you then."

"No. I mean… you can cuss?"

"Huh?" Nangunot ang noo ko. "Oo naman."

"I was thinking you can't. You have another image inside my head. A golden girl." He said those with a serious expression.

"Who do you think am I?" Natawa ako at napailing. I don't know what he meant by golden girl but the way he said those with a serious expression was very funny.

"What's funny?"

Umiling lang ako at humupa na sa pagtawa.

The silemce between us dominated again but it was a comfortable silence joined by the comfortable breeze. Napangiti ako at niyakap ang sariling braso.

"I'm sorry," he said out of nowhere.

Napalingon ako sa kaniya at lito sa sinabi niya. He sighed and looked at me.

"I let you went ahead when it's this dark."

I chuckled humorlessly.

"I was born amd raised in this neighborhood. There's nothing dangerous in that."

"We can't tell. It is also my responsibility to send you home when I can."

"Si Amanda? Inihatid mo ba?"

Natahimik siya at nag-iwas ng tingin. I did not pushed further. Hahayaan ko na lang siyang magsalita kung anong gusto niyang sabihin at kung kailan niya gusto. Or else he would be in a bad mood.

"I… I am here with you, right?" he muttered slowly. It was a very gentle voice that I refused to believe it came from him. Napalingon ako sa kaniya at nakatitig lang siya sa daan.

"Hindi mo hinatid si Amanda?"

"I have to send you home."

Pinilit ba siya ni Amanda na ihatid ako? I smiled bitterly and just busied myself with the lamppost we were passing by.

"Her brother would be taking her home. I am certain she is safe but I… I have to see you off."

"Okay…" I sighed and smiled, neverminding the unusual stutter from him.