Kabanata 202

“Sino raw?” kunot-noong tanong ko kay Venus.

“Hindi nagpakilala. Makipagkita raw ako sa kaniya ngayon. Maghihintay siya sa West View...”

I stopped from chewing my food, intently looking at her. Nakatingin pa rin siya sa screen ng kaniyang cellphone, nagtataka sa kung sino ang tumawag. I didn't hear the voice of the person on the other line but their conversation lasted for at least 25 seconds in my calculation.

“Lalaki?” sunod kong tanong.

She slowly nodded. Nagpapalitan kami ng makahulugang tingin, parehong nag-iisip nang malalim. Hindi normal ang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko dahil sa kung ano-anong iniisip. I may not know who was the caller, I can relate to Venus as her face showed a mixture of worry and nervousness. I was exactly like this when Theo invaded my life. Just exactly as this.

“Hindi ko rin makilala ang boses. It's different. Too deep. It cringes the shit out of me,” mariing anas niya. “Pero may kutob akong kalaban siya.”

“What's the plan? I mean, ngayon ka pinapupunta. Ano