Way Back Home

04

I heavily sighed and stopped myself cursing him. Ayaw ko na siyang mabulyawan pa, I should be more sociable this year and be less rude.

Napakahirap rin minsan ng walang koneksyon. Tapos, sawa na rin akong sabihan ng maldita, kahit wala naman akong pakialam doon.

"Yes?" kaunti na lang talaga masusungitan ko na ulit ito. Malaki-laki na ang ginawa kong pagpi-pigil sa kanya.

"Just give me the number. Please?" he even pleaded and I can't help but laugh.

Marunong na man pala itong maki-usap. He could have said it earlier in his kindest way. O 'di kaya ay alukin niya akong hatiin iyong perang matatanggap niya o kahit iyong limang daan na lang. I glanced at Calista who is looking at this guy intently. Bet niya siguro itong lalaki sa harap namin.

He looks charming rin naman.

"Phone," I instructed him so I could type the number.

He took his phone out from his hoodie pocket and gave it to me. Napatingin ako sa kaniya ulit nang makita iyong cellphone niya.

Who would believe that he is needing the money?

From his Jordan shoes, Gucci hoodie to his brand new iPhone?

Sinong niloloko niya?

Dahan dahan kong kinuha iyong cellphone sa kamay niya kahit kinakabahan ako na baka mahulog ko iyon ay hindi ko pinahalata. Inilabas ko rin iyong sa akin na bigay lang rin ng isang shop kapalit ng isang endorsement.

I opened my phone and look for the number in my contacts. Hindi ko talaga kasi memoryado iyong numero ni Calista. Malay mo nang dahil sa akin, magkakanobyo na itong kaibigan ko. Sa isang gwapo pa na masungit.

Ibinalik ko sa kanya iyong cellphone niya at binigyan siya ng matamis na ngiti.

"Puwede na ba akong umalis?" tanong ko na puno ng pangunguya.

"Just answer the call, they might never trust me." That was his last word and he turned his back to me. But I stopped him.

"You can't just ask my name and number without anything in return, Mister."

Akala niya ganoon lang iyon kadali? If he needs the money, so am I.

Gulat siyang napatingin sa akin habang may ngiti pang nakaukit sa kaniyang mga labi.

"If you think you could, then you are wrong."

"What do you want then?" tanong niya sa isang matigas niyang, Ingles.

"Drive us to our University, it's hot outside and I do not feeling like riding a tricycle today."

"I'll just talk to my brother for a second."

"Just make sure or else." I didn't mean to say it like a threat but I bet it sounded like one.

I drag my friend with me when we left that guy.  We took more than ten steps then I asked for her phone. Mahirap na at baka mabisto pa, buti na lang din na hindi pa nagtanong iyong kaibigan ko. Or maybe, she doesn't have a hint? O baka gusto niya rin itong ginagawa ka. Who knows?

I grinned when her phone rang. She looked at me with her wide eyes but she didn't ask for it, instead, she laughed at me too.
Tiningnan kong muli iyong grupo nila at bahagyang itinaas ang cellphone upang mapakita na totoo. I answered the call and said.

"Hey? This is Bella, we'll wait for you at the gate. Bye, baby!" I said it with my playful tone.

I might be single but I know what they are doing. I wasn't born yesterday.