Single Lady Series

Chapter 21

Hindi ko na lamang pinansin ang sinabi ni Lorry sa akin. Why should I congratulate Ivan? Did he win or something?

Pumasok na lamang ako sa loob ng room at dire-diretsong pinuntahan si Ivan.

Good morning Love…bati ko sakanya.

Good morning boss. Sabi niya sa akin bago halikan ang pisnge. Kumain ka na ba? I have bread and juice here.

Okay lang love, nakakain na ako kanina sa bahay.

Matapos batiin si Ivan ay pumunta na ako sa upuan ko katabi ng mga kaibigan ko.

Ang aga niyong humarot! Naiinis na sabi sa akin ni Jai.

Tumawa lamang kami nila Jess at Pyok dahil sinabi ni Jai sa amin. Angg bitter niya pagdating sa amin ni Ivan.

By the way guys…have you heard the news? Tanong ni Jess sa amin.

Ano yon?

May boyfriend na daw si Lorry…pinagkalat niya yung sa buong campus.

Actually kanina lang nilapitan niya ako…she look so happy that she have a boyfriend. Ani ko sakanila.

Parang ngayong lang siya nagkaroon ng boyfriend at kailangan niya pang ipangalandakan sa buong school. Natatawang sabi ni Jai.

It is not a big deal for my friends to know that Lorry has a boyfriend already. Baka nga ipagdasal pa nila kung sino man ang lalaking naging nobyo ni Lorry.

What caught my attention is her last words. Does that mean something? Lorry will not be that happy if it doesn’t include Ivan.

Lorry said something to me before we part ways. I said to them. Pare-parehas naman silang tumigil sa pagtawa at tumingin sa akin.

I congratulate her for having a boyfriend but her last words caught my attention. Seryoso kong sabi sakanila. Seryoso naman akong pinapakinggan ng mga kaibigan ko. She said that I should congratulate Ivan too…what does that mean? I asked them.

Everyone look so clueless when they’ve heard about it. Pare-parehas silang nag-iisip ng rason kung bakit yon sasabihin ni Lorry sakin. In fact, Lorry should not talk to me at the first place. For months that we’ve been together as a classmate, she never show me that she likes me. She’s always competing me. And if I won, she always get mad at me.  

I think I know the reason…Everyone looked at Khris that is now serious. What she said means only one thing…Lorry will not be that happy if it isn’t Ivan who will be her boyfriend.

What! That’s impossible. Pyok, sa tagal ng pagsasama namin ni Ivan, ni minsan hindi ko na nakita ko nalaman na nambabae siya. He changed a lot and you saw it with your own two eyes! I shouted at Khris.

I can’t believe them…Why would Khris think that Ivan will cheat on me? Ivan is taking our relationship seriously. If I’m still mad at him maybe I’ll think that he’s still a playboy but, It’s been passed months since we’ve been together. And I never saw him with another women kung hindi ako lang.

Khris is right Krisha…we can’t still change the fact that Ivan is once a playboy. Maybe he keep secrets from you that’s why up until now, you can’t see him hurting you. Pagpapaliwanag sa akin ni Jess.

No! That’s impossible. Nakakainis na pinagtutulungan nila si Ivan!

Ivan won’t cheat in me. Alam ko yun sa sarili ko. If they’re right then wala na akong magagawa. Maybe I can’t accept that fact because I love him but still, may puwang pa rin sa utak ko na sinasabing maaari nga niyang gawin sakin yon. Pero kahit naiisip ko yun, I still love him. I accepted him at the first place and that includes all his flaws.

He loves me. I know that for sure. But if cheat on me, I don’t know what will I do. I said to them bago itungo ang ulo.

I looked at Ivan who’s sitting in his chair. He’s still the Ivan I’ve known since the day we talked in the old building. He cares for me and he always show how much he love me.

Ivan looked at me then smiled. I smiled back at him. It will very hurtful if he hurt me. He’s my first in everything.  He’s my first boyfriend, first kiss, first hug, first I love you and first touch.

I gave him everything I have and I can’t fix myself is he hurt me. I don’t know what to do if he chose to break my heart.

Matapos ang klase ay pumunta na kami ng canteen. Ivan also joined us together with JD. JD is always with us. I don’t know what the real score between him and Khris is. But I can see that JD is pursuing Khris.

Habang kumakain ay dumating si Lorry sa lamesa namin. Jai even glared at her pero muka siyang walang pakealam. She just show us her smile while looking in our face.

What are you doing in our table? Naiinis na tanong ni Jai sakanya.

Decery…I raised the white flag already. Ceasefire na dapat tayo. Right Krisha? Nakangiting tanong niya sa akin. Can I join you guys? You’re group seems to cool to be with.

We’re cool but you’re not so it’s a no Lorry… You’re not belong here. Ani jai kay Lorry.

Lorry looked at Ivan then to me.  Krisha…I bet you’re the leader in this group so can I ask your permission to let me eat with you?

Wag mo ng ipagpilitan pa Lorry. Pantay pantay lang kami dito kaya kahit na magsabi ka pa kay Krisha, kung hindi kami papaya! Jai shouted at her. Tumayo naman si Khris at pinuntahan si Jai para pigilan ito at patahimikin.

Lorry, you better go. As you can see you’re not welcome here. Seryosong sabi ni Khris sakanya.

Lorry touched her belly. She acted like she’s hurt because of what Khris said to her.

Nakita ko naman kung paano tignan ni Ivan si Lorry. He looked so worried.

Lorry looked at Ivan. Tinignan niya ito ng may muka ng pag-papaawa.

Ivan? She said to Ivan.

Ivan looked at me. Mukang gusto niyang hingin ang permiso ko. When I decided to not let her, Ivan said something that made us looked at him.

You can join us.

Gulat kaming lahat sa sinabi ni Ivan. We didn’t expect it to him. He doesn’t like Lorry’s presence that’ why we never thought that he will allow Lorry.

Thank you Ivan! Lorry exclaimed with excitement in her tone.

Pinalayo niya si JD na katabi ni Ivan at siniksik niya ang sarili sa boyfriend ko. I can see that my friend lost their appetites because of Lorry’s presence in our table. Even me, I doesn’t like her presence.

Shall we no start? I’m famished you know…she said then giggled. Wala namang nakitawa sakanya. Napansin ko na lahat kami ay pare-parehong seryoso ang muka.

Jai stand up as well as Khris and jai. We lost our appetite. Sa ibang table na lang kami kakain…Di namin masikmurang kumain sa iisang lamesa kasama ang isang linta. She then looked at me. Ikaw Krisha? Sasama ka?

Napatingin naman ako kay Ivan ng hawakan nito ang kamay ko. Umiling siya sa akin. Mukang ayaw niya akong pasamahin kanila Khris.

Oh come on Krisha! Harap-harapan ka na ngang niloloko pero nagpapauto ka pa din! Sigaw sa akin ni Jai.

I looked at Ivan Who’s now looking at me, then I looked at Lorry that is now smiling from ear-to-ear.

I feel like they are making me choose between my friend and my boyfriend. If I chose Ivan, my friend will get mad at me, if I chose my friend then Ivan will also be mad at me.

I looked at my friends and shook my head. Jai look so frustrated and Khris look so serious. The’re both mad at me.

Sorry guys. Kung nasan si Ivan, doon din ako. I said to them.

I can’t choose my friend because I love Ivan. Hindi sa hindi ko mahal ang kaibigan ko but, what should I do? If I choose neither the both of them, they will be both get mad at me.

Kaya kong magbulag-bulagan para kay Ivan I love him even though it hurt me so much to see him with Lorry beside him.

Wala namang nagawa si JD at sumunod na lamang kay Khris. Hindi niya kayang iwan si Khris kaya mas pinili niyang sundan ito.

Now it’s just the three of us. Lorry, Ivan and me. Para kaming nasa isang teleserye, isa ay ang original at ang isa naman ay ang kabit. I don’t know kung sino sa amin ang kabit but, I’m claiming that I’m the original.

Hayaan mo na yung mga kaibigan mo Krisha. The all look so immature. I already announce my ceasefire between us and yet, they chose to leave you because they still mad at me! What an immature creatures! Sunod-sunod na sabi ni Lorry.

Nag-init naman ang ulo ko dahil sa sinabi niya sa mga kaibigan ko. I never heard anyone insulted my friends in front of me. Pinapahalagahan ko ang friendship na meron kami kaya naman kung makakarinig ako ng masasamang bagay sakanila ay magagalit talaga ako.

They are not immature, Lorry. They chose to move away dahil hindi nila masikmura ang presensya mo. Have you forgotten what have you done to Khris, years ago? If you think na kaya ka nila pakisamahan then I suggest that you should stop, dahil hindi yun mangyayari kahit kailan! I shouted at her.

Sino ba siya para pagsabihan ng ganon ang mga kaibigan ko. She inflicted the pain to my friends and yet and lakas ng loob niyang sabihin sa harap ko?

Shocked was plastered in Lorry’s face. Mukang hindi niya inaasahan ang pag-sigaw ko sakanya.

What the? Pumunta ako dito para makipag-ayos Krisha tapos….

Lorry stop! You too Krisha…Just eat your food. Ivan stopped Lorry.

I just glared at Lorry who’s glaring at me also. Pumagitna naman si Ivan sa amin at naputil din ang titigan naming dalawa.

I can’t believe you Ivan manicio. Nawala lang ako ng ilang lingo tapos may nagbago na sayo?

After the lunch ay sumabay na ako kanila Jess sa paglalakad papunta ng room. I can’t stand seeing Lorry luring around Ivan. At ang nakakainis pa ay mukang hindi napansin ni Ivan na wala na ako sa tabi niya dahil busy siya sa pag-alalay kay Lorry.

Ano ba ang meron si Lorry at para siyang babasaging plato kung ituring ni Ivan? Para pa silang magkarelasyon sa itsura nila ngayon.

Krisha I’m sorry about what happened kanina…Alam mo naman si jai, hindi niya talaga kayang makasalamuha si Lorry. Paghingi ng tawad sa akin ni Jess.

I understand them about what happened kanina. I can’t stand also Lorry’s appearance when we were eating our lunch.

Pagpasok namin sa room ay kita ko pa rin kung paano iligkis ni Lorry ang braso niya kay Ivan. Is this the sign that Ivan is Lorry’s boyfriend?

I told you Krisha, something is going on between them! Kung hindi mo yun Makita, bulag ka na. ani Jai sa akin.

I thought he changed because of you Krisha but, seeing him with Lorry. I don’t know what to say. Seryosong sabi sa akin ni Pyok.

Hindi ko na lamang pinansin ang sinabi nila sa akin. I know what they’re saying. I saw what happened earlier. I thought I can see him with another girl. Pinagtanggol ko pa siya sa mga kaibigan ko tapos in the end lumalabas na tama sila.

Pagkatapos ng klase ay dumiretso na ako ng uwi. Hindi ko na inantay si Ivan dahil mukang busy pa ito sa pakikipag-usap kay Lorry. I even texted him na mauuna na ako dahil kailangan ako sa bahay.

Pag-uwi ko sa bahay ay text message kaagad ni Ivan ang nakita ko. I turned off my phone and didn’t reply him. Masakit Makita kung paano niya kausapin ngayon si Lorry. I guess he didn’t really change. Hobbies never die that easily.

Kinabukasan ay bumungad kaagad sa akin ang bulung-bulungan ng mga  estudyante. They are looking at me and laughing at the same time.

Anong meron ngayong araw? I went into our room and I noticed that even my classmates are looking at me while whispering something to their friends.

Krisha! Sigaw ni Jai sa akin. Come here! We need to talk.

Lumapit ako sa mga kaibigan ko at umupo sa upuan ko. Ano ba ang meron? Bakit parang ang chismosa ng mga tao ngayon sa campus?

Hindi pa ba kayo break ni Ivan? Tanong ni Jess sa akin.

Kinakabahang tumawa naman ako sakanya. Hindi naman kami magbe-break ni Ivan, nu ba kayo!

Tumingin ang tatlo sa isa’t isa bago muling tumingin sa akin. The look so worried.

Hoy ano ba yun? Kayo naman pinapakaba niyo kamo ako! I said to them while laughing.

Muka lang akong natatawa pero deep inside kinakabahan na ako.

Before Khris open her mouth, my phone beep and sa Ivan’s message on me. Binuksan ko ito at binasa ang nakasulat.

Ivan:

Krisha mag break na tayo…..

My mind stopped from functioning. I cannot think properly and just focus on reading the five words, Ivan texted me.

A tear escaped from my eye and I saw my friends start to panic when they saw my reaction.

Krisha…Krisha…Krisha!

I can hear them calling my name but I can’t look at them and I just stared at my phone. I feel like my surroundings fast forward and I am not moving.

I saw my classmates looking at me. They are talking about me. Hindi ko alam kung anong sasabihin at gagawing kilos. The words that Ivan texted me is like a sharp knife that pierce straight into my heart.

I can feel that someone touch my face. It’s Antony!

Krisha…Hey look at me. Breathe in and breathe out. He instructed to me. Stop thinking too much. Let your feeling subside before talking to him okay? He said to me.

Jess gave a bottle of water so I can calm myself. I can’t process everything right now. I need to talk to him.

Antony I need to talk to him… I said to him.

Oo kakausapin mo siya pero hindi ngayon. You look so weak and if you tried to talk to him baka hindi mo kayanin. He seriously said to me.

Antony please, let me talk to him! I said to him, pleading to allow me to talk to Ivan.

Not now Krisha…not now. He said his final word.

Buong klase akong tahimik at sumusulyap lamang kay Ivan at kay Lorry na ngayon ay magka-usap.

Kanina noon pumasok sila ay muli akong umiyak. Seeing him with her hurt me so much. I can even saw my classmates and Lorry’s friends looking at me.

Nang matapos ang klase ay agad akong tumayo at dirediretsong naglakad kay Ivan. I can even hear my friends calling my name and stopping me from what I am going to do.

Love…sabay tayong kakain? I asked him.

He just stared at me then walked away. Lorry on his side smirked at me and followed him. Bago pa sila makalayo ay muling lumingon sa akin si Lorry.

Did you congratulate Ivan? Aww mukang hindi ko kaya dear…Bye Krisha…I need to follow my boyfriend, kakain pa kasi kami ng lunch. She said to me and winked before she followed Ivan.

Para naman akong naestatwa dahil sa narinig ko sakanila. So it make sense now. Lorry’s boyfriend is Ivan and the girl that Ivan’s friend saw is none other than Lorry.

Unti-unti na namang tumulo ang luha sa aking mga mata. Bakit ganon na lang kabili sakanya na bitawan ako? Walang pasabi, senyales o abiso na hihiwalayan ako? What did I do to feel this pain because of him?

I just love him and give the best of me pero sa isang pitik lang nawala na lahat.

He promised me that he will make me happy, that he will do his best to love me as long as he could. Ganito ba dapat kasakit ang una kong pag-ibig? Do I really need to feel this pain?