Behind The Bars

Chapter 5

End

I put my tongue on the insides of my cheek while eyeing him seriously. I was kind of waiting for him to say he was only joking but a minute passed and he was still standing in front of me, waiting for an answer.

Risky, V. So I hope you won't see him again. My God.

Bigla ko na namang naalala ang mga sinabi ni Pia.

"I'm not really sure. Why?" Tanong ko nalang.

I didn't want to sound like I am rejecting him, which is very unusual for me because I was always blunt and honest.

"Well, my cousins from UK arrived last night and we'll be having a mini reunion in Batangas. It's only for a day though. I would like to invite you—if you're free." He said, the last phrase somehow fading.

It was hard to say no especially that he had those pair of hopeful eyes, but Pia's words linger like poison.

He gave me a small smile when he realized I was hesitating.

"But it's okay if you can't---"

"Alright. I'm in."

I didn't know what get into me that I said that. For heaven's sake, I didn't even know if we were friends already.

"Cool. I'll pick you up here tomorrow then." Siya, sa masiglang boses.

"Sure. Uhm, I have to excuse myself now." Tipid kong saad habang nakaturo ang hinalalaki sa kalapit na elevator.

Napatingin naman siya doon at tumango.

I gave him a small smile before finally walking away. Tsaka ko lang na realize na hindi ko pala alam kung anong oras o ano ang dadalhin bukas nang magsara ang lift. I sighed.

Bahala na nga.

Kinuha ko ang mga natira sa kotse at umakyat na agad. Pakiramdam ko ang dami kong nagawa kahit hindi pa naman tapos ang araw, mag a-alas dos pa lang ng hapon.

I was bored so I took out my books and read. Wala pa akong planong mag review ulit. I am still trying to think things over, ayoko ng magkamali, nakakatakot magkamali. Nagbasa at nanood lang ako ng mga medical videos sa youtube buong kalahati ng araw. Nakatulog pa nga ako at nagising lang ng mag ring ang phone sa tabi ng nakabuklat kong libro. I took a quick glance on the caller ID and sighed before tapping the answer button.

"Let's eat dinner." He said on the other line.

Tinanaw ko ang aking wall clock sa harapan at nakitang alas sais na pala ng gabi at hindi pa ako nakakapagluto ng haponan.

"Just order take out, let's eat here." Suhestiyon ko.

"Alright. I'll be there in 10." He excitedly said. I even heard a honk from the other line. I guess he was stuck in traffic.

"Ingat, Alonzo." Saad ko bago ibinaba ang tawag.

I am contented with how things are working right now.

My dad isn't reaching out to me about Caleb since last week, unlike before where he would keep reminding me about him almost everyday. Caleb doesn't really tell our parents what happens everytime we have dinner or what so they always assume everything's going on just fine. I didn't know where Dad got the information that I broke up with him pero sigurado akong hindi si Caleb ang nagsabi sa kanya noon. And besides, we weren't really in that kind of girlfriend-boyfriend relationship, we just hang out before because we were asked to.

I don't like Caleb, I don't like the guy but I know him and he doesn't allow his parents or whoever, meddle with his affairs.

Kaya hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit pumapayag siyang ipagkasundo sa akin.