CHAPTER 39

  There's nothing wrong if I like her.

  "... puso mo yan eh, alam ko namang hindi mo ginusto at sinubukan mong pigilan, pero sabi nga nila, wala kang laban kapag puso mo na ang kalaban mo. And besides, Joshua told me na hindi ka naman umaasa na masusuklian ko yang feelings mo. So, I think everything is fine? We can do something about it, say compromise."

  Compromise.

  I take a deep breath and moved, pero hindi ko tinanggal ang kumot na nakabalot sa ibabang bahagi ng katawan ko dahil siguradong makikita nya ang mga pasa rito. People seeing my skin with marks is the least thing I wanted to happen, kahit pa sya na best friend ko, ayokong makita nya.

  "Pwede naman." I said. "But hear me out first, will you?"

  When she nodded, I motioned her to sit on the chair beside my bed, kung saan madalas umupo si Joshua kung hindi sya sa gilid ng kama ko naka-upo. Once she's