NEVER DID I EXPECT THAT HAJI would annoy the hell out of me until I gave in. He wasn't taking no for an answer. Umabot na 'ko sa punto na kinailangan ko pa siyang ipagtaboy nang marahas pero—in some, and very Haji-like way—he managed to stop his car in front of me, refusing to move unless I hop in.
"You are the most hardheaded person I know," I grunted as soon as I entered the passenger's seat.
He moved the gear swiftly before starting the car. "Better have you insulting me than die because of worry."
"Wow." I feigned shock. Hinaplos ko pa ang dibdib ko para may drama effect. "Hindi ko naman alam na ganiyan pala ako ka-importante para sa'yo."
He let out a small chuckle before shaking his head ever so slightly, eyes still focused on the road. "You don't know how much." I thought I heard him say but it was so low to be heard. Hindi na lang ako sumagot dahil baka iba pala ang sinabi niya.
Sa totoo lang, halos mamatay na 'ko sa kahihiyan. I was so ashamed when I found out Haji has a sister, parang nakagawa ako ng krimen o ano. Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit okay lang kay Haji na pinagsabihan ko siya ng mga ganoon. I thought he was going to be offended of what I insinuated but he actually found amusement in my misery.
Nagpahatid na lang ako kay Haji pauwi. Maliban sa namimilit siya, parang paraan ko na rin 'yon na humingi ng tawad. He asked me directions and I immediately panicked.
Hindi ko rin alam ang daan dito.
"I..." It seems like the words were caught in my throat. Pabalik-balik ang tingin ko sa dalawang rota na nasa harapan namin. Haji gave me a side glance, waiting for my answer, but I didn't have one.
Reluctantly, I took my phone out of my pocket to use Google Maps.
Fuck, walang data.
Running out of options, I slowly looked at Haji. Nanatili sa'kin ang tingin niya, medyo kunot pa ang noo, mistulang nagtatanong kung bakit ang tagal ko magbigay ng direksyon. When I smiled sheepishly, he sighed before resting his head on the backrest, as if he already knew about the disappointments I could make but still pushed his luck anyway.
"Are you serious right now?" I could sense the tiredness in his voice but I willed myself to be jolly. Nagui-guilty ako pero anong masasabi ko? I failed my driving test thrice. Wala siyang maaasahan sa'kin.
I tried easing him with my soft and persuasive voice. "Can I borrow your phone?"
He sighed again before getting his phone out of his back pocket. Nilahad niya 'yon sa'kin at tinitigan ko lang naman 'yon.
He raised a brow. "Here." He handed me the phone again.
"Wala kang password?" tanong ko.
"No."
"As in, wala?"
He sighed again. I grinned before taking the phone from his hand. "Ang dali mo sigurong nakawan," saad ko habang tinitingnan ang Waze app niya. Gusto kong mairita dahil sa sitwasyon pero wala naman akong pwesto para maramdaman 'yon. Daan ko 'to pauwi kaya malamang dapat alam ko kung saan dadaan. Siguro akala ni Haji wala akong kwentang tao.
There was a winning smile on my face when I finally controlled the situation. I started indicating directions while he followed me.
"Take a right," sabi ko. "Then left, and—" Kumunot ang noo ko. "Teka, nasaan tayo?"
Hindi ko natatandaan ang daan na 'to. Sigurado akong hindi pa kami dumaan ni Manong Alex dito.
Another exasperated sigh left his lips before he leaned back on the backrest of his seat, obviously trying his best to contain the curse words he has in mind. Tiningnan ko ang phone niya bago 'yon inayos sa kamay ko. Now, it was facing upward. Kanina pa 'ko naguguluhan kung bakit nasa ibaba ang date and time.
BINABASA MO ANG
Ace The Wager (TO BE PUBLISHED)
Genel Kurgu[DECK OF CARDS # 1] Defending him meant signing her death certificate. Siobhan Thiago never wanted to be involved in anything that doesn't concern her. She was never socially active nor woke. Politics and business did not concern her since she was...
