I Would Hate To Be You

[special chapter: sbb]

Author's Note:

Advance happy birthday [on March 30] to our sexy bassist babe, Japheth Ephraim Bautista.

Here's my early birthday gift. <3

****

One month.

It has been a month since the last time I saw her. Well, no, if I were to be exact, it's actually been thirty-five days. Thirty-five dreadful days since the last time my eyes caught sight of her face and my ears heard the sound of her laughter.

I breathed in and catechized myself for counting. I must be crazy for numbering the days.

"Miss mo na?" the devil beside me asked. He's smirking at me, as if he knows exactly what's going on in my mind.

I chose to remain quiet. Honestly, I couldn't even identify what exactly I'm feeling. All I know is I want to see her again. And if I could talk to her, that would be great, too.

But how am I supposed to do that? I don't know if she already came back from Sitio Pantol. I couldn't text her either because I don't want my message to come across differently. We're not exactly on texting terms. Sure, we've had conversations in the past because of Jonas, but that was it.

It would be weird if she receives a message from me out of nowhere this time. And who knows if it might send her mixed signals, right? What if it confuses her? What if she starts avoiding me because of that?

The idea of her drifting away scared me for a second there.

I could live with not seeing her for a few more days. So long as she doesn't avoid me forever.

"What are you talking about?" I asked, pretending like I didn't get what he was trying to say.

I stood up and took the pitcher out of the refrigerator. Guian went to our house unannounced this morning. And this thick-faced person even asked Dad to cook breakfast for him. Of course, Dad gladly humored him. He likes having G around, especially because my brother enjoys his presence very much. He becomes a little less sad when he's around. And that, for my father, is already a win. That's why everything that Guian asks of him becomes no big deal.

"Unggoy. Deny pa, sige," he mocked while snatching the glass out of my hand.

I sat down beside him and stayed quiet. Dad already ate and Jonas is still sleeping. That leaves me with just the two of us.

When I woke up earlier, I was famished. But when I saw his face, I lost my appetite altogether.

He shamelessly continued eating.

He held the glass and drank from it. After putting it down, he wiped the corners of his mouth and looked at me.

"Pwede ka naman kasing mag-text. May number ka naman niya, 'di ba? Sabihin mo lang na 'Hi, Atom. Miss na kita. Pwede ba tayong magkita? As a friend.'" He let out a diabolic laugh after.

I shook my head and sighed. There are times, really, when I sincerely wonder why we're friends.

Dismissing him, I said, "I'll pretend I didn't hear you say that."

"Takot na takot naman ang isang 'to. Mangungumusta ka lang, brad. Hindi ka magpo-propose, okay?" he countered, sounding more condescending this time.

I really hate him sometimes. He's so annoying.

"Ako na nga ang gagawa ng paraan." He tsked and fished for his phone. Soon enough, he was already typing something. "Hi, Atom. Miss you. Nakauwi ka na ba mula Sitio Pantol?" he said while simultaneously writing on his phone. "Sent!"