CHAPTER 16: Pretty Little Liar
EVANGELYN FORBES
I told myself I wouldn't let this any further. Kailangan naming mag-usap ni Maru. Wala akong kai-ide-idea kung ano na ang nangyayari sa buhay niya? He had been the same. He rarely returns any of my calls or texts. Napapansin na rin nina Mommy and Daddy na hindi na pumupunta si Maru sa bahay namin. They asked why and I told them the safest answer I could think of—na busy si Maru sa kanilang practice. Even Eyrene, Stacey and Bridget. They'd been wondering as well why was Maru treating me like shit.
I asked John where the hell was Maru. Ang sabi nito ay nasa bakery shop daw and told me the directions to go there. And so I went there. I pushed the door open. I glanced at the people inside the bakery shop and finally saw him on the line, almost close to the counter.
I saw a familiar face—Blair Wadson, our little Miss President. She looked like she hadn't been doing well ever since Sabrina died. And no, wala akong particular reason na magalit sa kanya, well, maybe meron. I always wanted to prove something to my parents. And having a position in your class says a lot in my family. At isa pa, magandang tingnan sa application mo na may position ka sa class mo. That would definitely help you a lot in looking for colleges. And I wanted to be the President of our class. Tumakbo ako kasabay ni Blair but of course, the slut won against me. There had to be some discrepancy or whatever. My friends told me I should have won. They made sure I got most of my classmates' vote. I wanted to bribe them but I didn't. That would mean I'd stooped down to their level. Kaya hinayaan kong manalo si Blair.
She was about to turn around when she saw me. Mabilis niyang ibinalik ang atensyon sa counter and took her orders and quickly went out of the shop. Nakangiti si Maru habang nakasunod ng tingin kay Blair which made me furious. What did Blair do to make him smile like that? Nasaktan ako nang kaunti sa isiping iyon. I only saw him smile like that once. Every time he wins their Basketball game. I always strived to make him smile the way he was smiling now. Pero mabilis na naglaho ang ngiti ni Maru nang makita akong nakatayo malapit sa likuran niya. Nagbago ang expression ng kanyang mukha. But I did my best to smile sweetly at him.
"Can we talk?" I asked him.
I didn't wait for him to answer. He knows I won't take no for an answer.
Instead of being clingy to him, naghanap ako ng mauupuan. Umupo ako sa bandang corner where no one can probably hear us. Ang cute ng design ng shop. The owner surely made it look like it came from somewhere between 80's and 90's. Vintage designs lined the walls even the carvings on the wood table were old-ish.
Napalunok ako nang makitang papalapit na si Maru, holding one huge paper bag and phone that he quickly put inside his pocket. It wasn't his phone, I was sure of that. Hindi ganoon ang case ng phone niya. But I quickly dismissed the thought. Maybe he changed his case or whatever.
Again, I plastered on my best smile and said, "Hey, babe," I said as sweetly as I could. Sinubukan kong abutin ang kamay niya but he quickly took it away.
"What now, Evangelyn?" walang ganang tanong niya at sinipat ang kanyang relo.
I took a deep breath before speaking. "What's up with you, babe? You still haven't been returning any of my calls—"
He quickly cut me off. "What's up with me? As if you care," he scoffed. "'Yon lang ba? Aalis na 'ko."
May parte ng sarili ko ang nasaktan dahil sa tinuran niya. But I quickly dismissed it. Hindi importante ang nararamdaman ko ngayon. What's important was for me to fix what we still have. Pero hindi ko napigilan ang sarili kong hindi magalit.
"Maru, what are you saying?" umiiling na tanong ko. "Of course, I care!" naihampas ko ang dalawa kong kamay sa mesa at marahas siyang hinila paupo.
I didn't care about the heads that turned to our direction. Inihilamos niya ang kanyang mukha gamit ang mga palad niya.
He heaved a deep sigh. "Naririnig ko 'yong mga rumor about sa 'yo and kay Samuel," sabi niya. "How long have you two been fucking behind my back?"
I looked at him if he was serious. And he was. I didnt know there was a rumor about Samuel and I. Kami lang dalawa ang nakakaalam kung ano namamagitan sa amin. I'd have to talk to that guy later.
"What the fuck are you saying, Maru? Don't tell me you believe them?"
If there's something I'm good at, it's perfectly weaving my own web of lies.
"I don't know. Should I?"
"Do you really think I'm that stupid? Na gano'n ako bababa ng level para lang makapag-cheat sa 'yo? Do you really think that low of me?" I made sure I sounded I was in pain. Right now, I'm playing the pity card. And I know Maru's already falling for it. "Maru, answer me."
He started shaking his head. "I don't really know you anymore, Evangelyn," he said, tiredly.
"What happened to us?" balik-tanong ko sa kanya. Masuyo kong inabot ang kanyang kamay sa kabilang bahagi ng mesa but this time, hindi na niya 'yon iniwas sa 'kin. I gently squeezed it and put it on my cheek. I wanted him to know that I really do love him. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang mangyayari sa 'kin if he leaves me. "Bumalik na tayo sa dati, babe, please. Ayoko nang patagalin 'to."
Pinanood niya ako habang nakalagay ang isa niyang kamay sa pisngi ko. He had this pained expression. And I know that I got him. He had already forgiven me. I let the tears escaped from my eyes—the finale of my drama to make sure everything really worked. Mabilis niya akong hinawakan sa pisngi at pinunasan ang mga luha ko.
I looked up at him. He planted a soft kiss on my forehead. Ang sarap sa pakiramdam. I know he's back. And I suddenly felt regret for what I did. For what I did with Samuel. Maru's a sweet guy. Sa lahat ng mga naka-relasyon kong lalaki, he was different. Masuyo, malambing. He's not the jock everyone thought he was. He's different when he's with me. Inabot ko ang kanyang buhok at hinaplos iyon.
"I miss you," he whispered.
"I love you, babe." I replied.
Bigla ay napalingon ako sa labas ng shop. And there I saw Samuel standing. May bahid ng galit ang nakapinta sa kanyang mukha. I watched him as he walked away. Mabilis kong ibinalik kay Maru ang tingin ko at ngumiti.
I'll deal with Samuel later, I told myself.