When Blue Descends

CHAPTER 16

“Khatalina! Alam mo ba, nag-research ako tungkol sa hypnosis!” bating bungad niya sa akin pagkapasok ko pa lamang ng silid-aralan namin.

Napatawa naman ako nang marahan sa bungad niya saka naupo sa upuan ko at inilapag ang bag ko.

“Oh, anong sabi?” tanong ko naman sa kaniya.

“Ang sabi, malalaman mong na-hypnotize iyong tao kapag medyo hindi na maayos iyong rhythm ng pag-blink niya at medyo bumabagal ang paggalaw!” saad niya saka tumayo sa harap ko at ni-act pa iyong ine-explain niya.

Hindi ko naman mapigilang mapatawa dahil sa itsura ni Pauline na umaarte na parang na-hypnotize siya at patuloy lang sa pag-explain niya.

“Is that how Olivia moves in the CCTV footage?” Jaxen asked.

“I guess? I don’t know, but she kind of moves slower in the video—I don’t know if she is just being careful but she said that she was instructed to act hypnotized, right? So, she must be?” I said feeling stupid.

“Hmm, it’s stupid. If she really is behind all this, it is just stupid—sorry, but that’s true,” Jaxen said making me scratch my cheek.

“You hurt?” he asks and felt his hand on my back.

“Just a little,” I answered honestly as I slowly shake my head.

“Because it’s stupid,” I continued and titter.

We then walk out of the rooftop and went directly in the stairs.

“Do you want me to go with you?” he asks as if he’s worried that I might bawl my eyes out if I confront her.

I then smiled at him and slowly nod my head saying, “Please”. He then smiled back at me and nods.

To be honest, I don’t know why I remain calm besides all this. I guess it is because I am accompanied and somehow don’t feel alone especially with my problem with my mom. If Jax is not here with me, I am probably a million times hurt by now.

I took a deep breath. God damn it, when will I find a real friend?

“There she is,” I heard Jaxen uttered making me look at him who’s now looking at the bleachers beside the field.

I then let my eyes roam through the bleachers until it stops to the only person sitting on the bleachers busy watching one of the varsity players who are currently running around the field.

Napatingin naman ako sa kamay ni Jaxen na ngayon ay hawak-hawak iyong kamay ko saka ako hinila nang dahan-dahan papunta sa bleachers. Nang makalapit kami ng bleachers ay napatingin na sa direksiyon namin si Pauline at nang dumako ang tingin niya sa akin ay mukhang walang pagdadalawang-isip siyang ngumiti sa akin dahil para makaramdam ako ng bahagyang pagkairita sa kaniya ngunit agad ko na lamang itong hindi pinansin at huminga nang malalim.

“Hi, bakit hindi kayo pumasok?” tanong na bungad niya sa amin saka marahang kinapa iyong bleacher para maupo kami.

Si Jax naman ang naupo sa tabi niya na laking pasasalamat ko at naupo ako sa kabilang side ni Jax.

“May iniimbistigahan kasi kami, Pauline,” seryosong sagot sa kaniya ni Pauline.

Napatingin naman sa akin si Pauline na parang may gulat nang kaunti iyong mukha niyo pero agad din naman niyang pinalis.

“T-tungkol saan?” nautal niyang tanong kaya naman lalong lumakas ang pakiramdam ko na siya iyon.

“Someone’s been trying to make Khatalina and I look like we’re in a relationship,” saad ni Jaxen.

Nanlaki naman iyong mata ni Pauline at muling napatingin sa akin saka itinuro pa kami nang salit-salitan ni Jaxen. Mas lalo lamang tumitindi ang kutob ko na siya iyon dahil ganiyan ang itsura niya kapag umaarte siya at nagsisinungaling. The way her expression seems so forced is just annoying me making my hands curled into fists.

I then look at the varsity players who are now finished running around the field and now sitting in the field while conversing. My eyes immediately darted to Renzial, Pauline’s crush.

"Mauna kana muna sa room, mag banyo lang ako," sabi ko kay Pauline habang nakaturo sa banyo sa may dulo ng hallway nang makalabas kami ng room na tinanguan niya lang saka nagpaalam na sa akin.

Naglakad naman na ako papunta roon sa may banyo pero agad ding napahinto nang makarinig ako nang humahabol sa akin at kalaunang paghawak sa wrist ko.

"K-Khatalina..."

Napapikit ako naman ako nang mariin at hindi siya hinarap.

"U-uhm, I know you're busy but do you have any f-free time this week?" He asked.

C'mon, don't do this to me…

"Why?" I asked.

"D-do you want to go out with--"

"Aray!!" sigaw ko saka hinawakan ang puson ko.

"B-bakit, anong nangyari?!" Nagpa-panic na tanong ni Renzial.

Nagpatuloy lang ako sa pag-arte at sinenyasan siya na okay lang ako kahit nakahawak parin ako sa puson ko saka tumakbo na sa banyo.

"Are you okay?! Do you want me to get you something?!" sigaw niya mula sa labas ng banyo.

"No, thank you! Mauna kana. Don't worry!" sigaw ko sa kaniya.

"Are you sure? Do you want me to wait for you here? Dalhin ba kita sa clinic?" sunod-sunod at tila nag-panic parin na tanong niya.

"No, no, it is fine! Mauna kana-- aray! Mauna kana! Girl thing! Masakit puson ko!" palusot ko pa at inartehan ang boses ko na para bang nahihirapan.

"S-sige..." sagot niya saka ko naman narinig iyong hakbang niya palayo sa banyo.

Napabuntong hininga naman ako at napasandal sa may lababo.

I then look at my reflection in the mirror. My long pin-straight black hair is a little messy as well as some beads of sweat started forming around my forehead.

I hurriedly tied my hair with a hair tie then splash my face with water. I then bit my thin lips as I shut my eyes closed.

"Not again..."

She must have noticed that Renzial might be interested in me and if so, she is trying to make me look like I have a thing with Jaxen. Even though I can just pretend to be with Jaxen so that Renxial would back off, that doesn’t necessarily mean that she’ll be getting Renzial because clearly, she is not the only one who likes the varsity player. Also, I don’t want to fool anyone. She should just focus on loving herself and look for a guy that sees her the way she is and not forcing herself to someone.

“T-teka, sandali! W-wala naman kayong patunay na ako iyon, ah?!” snauutal na singhal ni Pauline kaya muling nabaling ang atensyon ko sa kaniya.

Napatingin din naman siya sa akin.

“Khatalina, seriously? Out of all people, bakit naman kita gaganiyanin?” baling niya sa akin.

“Huwag na tayo maglokohan, Pauline. Please lang, we both know na ikaw lang naman ang mahilig sa hypnosis sa ating dalawa—other than that, wala naman akong nakakaaway rito sa school at ibang taong may dahilan para siraan ako,” sabi ko sa kaniya.

“Tsk, oh eh ano ngayon? Bakit? Hindi ba kayo naglalandian?” naiinis na saad niya na sabay pa naming ikinakunot ni Jaxen.

“Ano ba pinagsasabi mong babaita ka?” singit ni Jaxen na mukhang naiirita na at tumayo na.

“We’re not, Pauline. You know me, I don’t flirt—”

“No, hindi kita kilala. I can’t even recognize what you feel dahil hindi mo pinapakita kahit sa akin man lang. hindi ko alam kung nagpapanggap ka nalang na ayos lang sa iyo ang lahat o talagang manhid ka na e!” sigaw niya saka biglang tumakbo papalayo sa amin ni Jaxen.

Sinundan ko lang naman siya ng tingin saka tumayo na rin at inaya na si Jaxen na umalis.

“Salamat sa pagsama sa akin. Nadawit ka pa sa problema namin ni Pauline,” pasasalamat at hinging tawad ko kay Jaxen.

Nginitian niya naman ako nang marahan at sinabing ayos lang sa kaniya.

“So, what do we do now—”

Hindi ko na naman natuloy iyong sasabihin ko nang maputol na naman iyong sasabihin ko dahil hinila ako bigla ni Jaxen papunta sa tapat ng building namin kung saan niya ipinarada iyong sasakyan niya saka pilit akong pinasakay sa sasakyan niya. Agad naman siyang umikot ng sasakyan niya saka naupo ulit sa driver seat saka inabot iyong susi niya sa bulsa ng slacks niya.

“My car’s here, you know?” paalala ko sa kaniya.

“Yeah, but I am going to take you somewhere that I think might cheer you up!” he said smiling while putting on his seatbelt making me smile genuine at him as I feel that my face becomes warm.

I then reaches out to my seatbelt and buckle it as I noticed that my smile stays on and saw Jaxen just looking at me.

“What?” I asked.

“You excited?” he asked as if he’s talking to a little girl making me titter and shook my head. He then laughs and started the engine.

I then look out through the window and watch the view changes from the school view to the neighborhood.

I then took a silent sigh as I am still trying to calm my nerves. Even though I might be too cool of what just happened—just another betrayal from someone I thought of a friend. But I guess growing up in the business world just trained me to live with some people betraying me almost every time.

Although Pauline is a friend compare to the other businesspeople I have worked with and treated me like s**t.

“Do you have any idea with what to call our party?” he asked talking about the name of the party as we are to run for the student council.

To be honest, I don’t know how will I be able to have time for that since I have to get ready for my proposal to the CLAW as I really want to have a project with the biggest company I am looking up to ever since I was younger.

“Not yet, ikaw ba?” sagot at balik na tanong ko sa kaniya. Tumawa lang naman siya at hindi nagsalita ng kahit ano pa habang nakatingin lang sa daan na sa palagay ko na ang sagot niya ay wala rin.

Napatingin naman ako sa itsura ni Jaxen. Magandang lalaki siya at gaya ng palagi kong sinasabi ay puwedeng maging model. May kaya pa at matalino.

“Jaxen,” tawag ko sa kaniya.

Itinaas naman niya ang kilay niya at hindi ako tinapunan ng tingin.

“Hmm?”

“Would you mind if I ask you what are your parents’ job?” I asked.

He then snickers and look for a bit at me and look back at the highway.

“Well, my dad owns the top company in his industry,” he answered.

I then nod my head in agreement of his answer. “Makes sense,” I uttered still nodding.

“Khatalina, now that you ask me about my parents…” panimula naman niya na nahihinuha ko na iyong itutuloy niyang tanong.

“What now?” tanong ko sa kaniya kahit pa may kutob na ako sa itatanong niya.

“When I went to your house, I noticed that there’s only one car which is your car and… so quiet. And according to my research, you have siblings—well, that is what the internet says about you. So, aren’t they just not there at that time or you’re also living by yourself like me—you don’t have to answer if it is something personal though,” tuloy-tuloy at paputol-putol niyang saad as he mind his words.

Napatingin namna na ako sa harap saka ni-relax ang katawan ko sa upuan nang sumandal ako at hayaang yakapin ako ng lamig na nagmumula sa aircon ng sasakyan niya.

“It’s fine. Nasa Cebu parin sila, that is where I grew up and they decided to stay there dahil doon gusto mag-aral ng mga kapatid ko at nai-intimidate raw sila sa mga tagarito sa atin,” sagot ko sa kaniya at marahang napatawa saka napahalukipkip at marahang minasahe iyong magkabilang braso ko dahil medyo nilalamig ako.

“I see… you seem mature though… I bet you can take care of yourself naman and you know, panganay, usually talaga madalas magparaya…” kumento niya saka may itinuro sa likod kaya naman napatingin ako sa backseat niya kung saan napadako ang tingin ko sa isang burnt sienna corduroy jacket na nakalapag lang doon.

“Gamitin mo muna iyon, I know nilalamig ka na. Medyo malayo pa tayo so, you can take a rest,” saad niya.

Sa kabila ng pagiging mabait niya ay hindi ko na ikiniwestyon pa ito dahil baka he’s just trying to be nice since he know what just happened to me earlier. Inabot ko naman na iyong jacket niya saka ito ipinatong sa akin para gawing kumot. Agad naman ako nakaramdam na dapat ko munang magpahinga at hindi ko naman maiwasang maamoy iyong mabangong amoy niya sa jacket.

I find it somehow comforting—weird but I like it…