Monasterio Series #5: Risks and Chances

Kabanata 20

Kabanata 20

Hole

I tried to avoid Alas. No, I didn’t try. I really did it. It’s been a week since I slept in his condo. A week after I told to myself that I would never win the deal. A week since I realized that I’m already falling for him.

Madali lang siyang iwasan — iyon ang palagi kong isinasaksak sa kukote ko. Kahit na ang totoo ay nahihirapan ako lalo pa at sa loob ng isang linggo na 'yon ay palagi siyang nagpaparamdam. He calls and texts, even went to my office only to asked my secretary to tell him that I wasn't there. Hindi ko alam kung paano ko siya nalulusutan, o baka talagang hindi lang rin siya ganoon kapursigido na hagilapin ako.

Hmm. Why look for me when he has Trish, right?

Naiinis ako sa sarili ko dahil sa tuwing maalala ko ang eksenang nakita ko bago lisanin ang building niya, nakakaramdam pa rin ako ng kirot sa puso ko na hindi naman dapat. I keep on wondering why Trish was there. Tapos na sila, hindi ba? Alas is already trying to move on from her. Bakit nagpakita pa siya ulit?

Or maybe, they're already back to each other again. Maaaring ganoon. Malaki ang tsansa lalo pa at sabay silang pumasok pabalik sa condo ni Alas.

Habang tumatakbo sa Ayala Triangle, hindi ko mapigilan ang matawa bago dahan-dahan huminto. Habol ang aking hininga, nagbuga ako ng hangin at muling napatawa saka dismayadong umiling.

"Tanga mo talaga, Alas." mahinang bulong ko sa sarili.

"One more round, Zeph?"

Lumingon ako sa gilid at nakita si Brent na kakahinto lang sa tabi ko. I've known him since we're college. We're not friends, just civil with each other. He tried to court me before but failed. I wasn't into relationships before. Even now. Si Kris lang talaga ang nakalusot. Naloko pa.

"Kaya mo pa?" Ngumisi ako.

Natawa siya. "As long as it's you I'm running with."

I scoffed inwardly. Sa tingin niya ba ay magagawa niya akong daanin sa mga ganiyan niya? He just accidentally saw me as soon as I got off my car. Kabababa lang rin niya ng kotse niya at sigurado akong hindi pa siya nakakapagsimula tumakbo. He asked if he could jog with me. Pumayag lang ako, kung umasta ay akala mong may karapatan na siyang landiin ako.

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay at tumakbo nang walang pasabi. I heard him call me, telling me to wait for him but I intend to ignore him. I managed to take two more rounds before I decided to rest on the bench where I remember Alas and I used to rest.

Stop thinking about him, Ania. Put in mind that he's just a stranger. Nagkaroon lang ng kaunting kuneksyon pero agad rin natapos. Hindi mo kinalimutan si Kris para lang mahulog sa iba na magagawa ka saktan ng higit pa sa ginawa ng dati mong nobyo.

"I heard that your Dad ruined your ex boyfrend's business." It's Brent who sat down beside me.

Pasimpleng umikot ang mga mata ko dahil hindi ko akalaing tatabihan niya pa ako rito. I am jusr resting for a little bit before I go home and prepare for work. I want to do it by sitting alone and smell the fresh air. Hindi iyong makipag-tsismisan sa taong ito.

"He tried to ruin me first. He only deserves what is right for him."

He chuckled. "Zion Monasterio is really everyone's nightmare."

I saw him staring at me through my peripheral vision. Sinadya kong itagilid ang ulo ko para ipakita ang leeg na namamawis. I wiped it with my white mini towel through a very slow and sensual way, trying to make him drool over me.

"He is," I whispered and looked at him all of a sudden. I found him gawking at my neck, lips a bit parted. My lips twitched playfully. "And so am I."