Free From The Cage

Chapter 19

Someone tap my cheeks softly kaya gumising na lang ako.

"Oh. Dinner time?"

"Yes, kanina pa kita ginigising kaya pumasok na lang ako."

"Thanks. Sige. I'll just prepare and then bababa na ako."

"Okay. Don't be too long."

"Yes sir!" Then ginulo nya ang buhok ko before lumabas.

"What's for dinner?"

"Kare-kare, do you like it?"

"Of course, that's my favorite, did you cook it?"

"Yes."

"Wow. Alam mo bihira lang sa lalaki ang marunong magluto. I'm sorry nga pala. I should be the one cooking dapat."

" No it's fine."

We ate silently because both of us are already famished. Then, our silence is disturbed by the ring of phone.

Rav calling...

He looked at me signalling me not to answer the call.
The call ended. My phone ring again and it's Rav again.

"Don't answer it, or let me answer it."

"I'm fine, no worries. I'll take it."

" Ice, are you okay? You haven't replied to my text messages."

"I'm sorry, kakagising ko lang."

" I see. Can we meet?"

"Where are you? Ang ingay ata. Don't tell me you're in a bar?"

" Your guess it right. Can you come?"

" Where?"

" Cali's bar, remember? Please keep safe."

"Don't tell me you're going there?" Pierce said angrily at me.

"Yes, he's my friend, of course."

" But you love him. "

"But he's still my friend, baka may problema yung tao."

"That's the reason why you're hurting, can you not go there and ask someone to be there?"

" I want to see him." I walked out and go to my room and prepare.

I go down and see him waiting in our living room.

"Let's go."

"But"

"I'll meet my friends there."

" Oh okay."

"Let me know if you want to go home, then  we'll go home."

"Okay. Thank you."

At Cali's bar...

I saw Rav sitting in the side and a girl is trying to flirt at him.

"Rav" I called him. Umakbay siya sakin at tumingin sa babae.

"I told you, I'm with someone." Then the girl walked out angrily.

"Why you're alone? May problema ba?"

"I'm okay, I just want to hang out only."

"What happened?"

" Her ex came back."

" Then where's Mady?"

"She's with their friends and his ex was also there."

"Is that the reason bakit mo nilulunod ang sarili mo sa alak ngayon?" He didn't answer me. He continue to be silent hanggang maubos ang alak na nasa kanyang kamay and ask again another one from the bartender.

"I know how Mady loves him before, I'm afraid that she'll back to him." I tap his shoulder to comfort him.

"Did you tell her about it?" He nod

"Then what did she said?"

"She said that I'm not trusting her."

"Because you're not really trusting her. If I'm Mady, I will feel the same thing. You're doubting the love I have for you. You're the one she loves right now, you're the one who she have with when her ex leave him, even if this ex would want to be back with her, I assure that Mady will still choose you, she loves you so much. I can see and feel it. "

" Thanks Ice, I love youuu, you're always the best."

"We love you too, Rav. Just finish that one and we'll go home. "

"Aye aye captain."

"Tsk. Lasing ka na nga. "

- - - - - -

" Archer? Are you listening?" Ava said.

" Ava how many times we told you that Archer would not want that idea."

"But why? He's single so he can be my date tomorrow in that charity."

" I already have a fiancee. She would not like it if I go out with another girl." Ava walked out in front of me and sit beside her friends which is with us.

" Archer, is it the woman we saw on the restaurant before?" Drick asked

"Where?" Tom asked.

" The one with a guy wearing black crop top and ripped jeans." Both of them whistle, I know that Ice really has a good body, and you can really see the curves even in that simple outfit.

"Kaya naman pare pumayag na pumunta dito eh may binabantayan naman pala." Drick teasingly looked at me.

" Eh if ako din naman, babantayan ko yan, look how hot she is, kahit ang mga ibang lalaki sa kanya nakatingin," Tom said. I looked at them irritated already.

"Don't look at her."

"Possesive Archer" Drick commented and both of them laugh hard.

" Hey who are you looking at?"

"Nothing." I answered Ava.

"Rav, finish it already para makauwi ka na"

" Don't you want to stay longer? I missed you Ice. It's been a long time since we hang out just the two of us."

"Yeah, I missed it as well, but I also need to respect Mady, it's actually not good if we go out together while you have a girlfriend."

"Thank you, you're the best talaga." Then he hugged me, he whispered something to me that make me want to cry before he release me from his hug.

"Kei."

"Pierce."

"Oh hi pare. Please don't make her cry. "

"I will." Seryosong tugon ni Pierce sa kanya.

Nakatulog na si Rav and Pierce was looking angrily at him.

"Why do you let him hug you?" Did he saw it? Why do I feel guilty all of a sudden.

"It's an act of gratitude only."

"But you look hurt, did he said something."

"Nothing" I coldly reply

"Ice! Thank you so much for looking at him." Mady already came. I texted her the address because I know he's not answering Mady's call and messages.

"No worries, it's fine."

"Thank you talagaaaa. Nothing to worry, sesermunan ko to bukas." Napatawa ko sa sinabi ni Mady.

"He loves you so much and I know that you love him as well, so don't give up to him."

"I will Ice. " She smiled at me sincerely. We help Mady to get Rav into the car before we decided to go home.

I'm only silent during the ride and remembering what Rav said to me.

"I love you before I met Mady, I don't want you to choose and hurt in the process. During that time I met Mady and I admit I used her to forgot you, and it worked, and I didn't expect that I will fall for her this hard. Thank you Ice. I don't want you to hurt as well, so please be happy always. "