He Broke Me First

Chapter 31

My brows met because of his question.

"What?" Naguluhan ako.

Was he referring to Raien? 'Yon lang naman kasi ang nakausap ko bago siya umakto ng ganito.

I knew this side of him but I wasn't really paying attention to the feeling. Ayoko ng ganito. Ayokong masanay na naman.

I inhaled an air when he just looked at me for seconds, not answering my question. Malinaw ko naman talagang narinig ang sinabi niya pero baka mali ang pagkakaintindi ko.

Mabuti nang nakakasigurado. Madalas pa naman siyang mambara ngayon. Naiinis ako don pero ugali naman na ni Joaquin yon dati pa lang. 

I scoffed mentally. Natiis ko yon dati?

"Ang sabi ko gusto ka ba non?" Masungit na tanong niya.

"What? Who?" Inulit ko ulit ang sagot ko dahil inulit lang din naman niya ang tanong niya kanina.

I would give what I received, of course. I wanted to be sure but he just repeated what he said earlier! Nakakainis naman.

"Wala. Puro ka what." He rolled his eyes then continued on walking.

Ha! Bakit kasalanan ko? He was the one who's asking like it was my responsibility to give him response. He's always good at making me frustrated even before!

"Bat kasi tanong ka nang tanong? You look so curious as if you're really interested about my life," I told him with a little frustration on my voice.

Huminto ulit siya. "E'di wag mong sagutin."

"Talaga." I rolled my eyes. Hindi naman sa'kin kawalan. "Next time, wag ka nang nagtatanong. Baka isipin kong interesado at may pakialam ka sak-" I was cut off.

"May pakialam naman talaga ako."

Natahimik ako sa sinabi niya. He cares for what? For my answer or for me? Peke akong umubo at inirapan siya, takot na baka mahalata niyang naapektuhan ako sa sinabi niya.

"You don't need to. Hindi naman tayo close," maldita kong sabi.

Totoo naman. Bakit siya magkakaroon ng paki sa'kin? Ano ba kami? Bukod sa trabaho, wala naman na kaming koneksyon sa isat-isat. Ang gulo niya. Hindi ko alam kung anong gustong mangyari.

"But you introduced me as your friend earlier?" He said bitterly, almost rolling his eyes.

"Bakit, anong gusto mong sabihin ko? Ex? That would be awkward." I crossed my arms. Hindi ba niya iniisip yon?

"Why would it be awkward? Hindi ka pa ba nakaka-move on?" paghahamon niya.

Umawang ang labi ko dahil doon, hindi makapaniwalang napasok niya pa yon sa usapan.

"Huh? Who told you? Baka ikaw." Hindi ako nagpatalo.

I couldn't believe we were arguing in the middle of this mall. Mabuti na lang at gabi na kaya wala ng gaanong tao dahil kung meron, magmumukha kaming tanga dito.

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay nang hindi siya makasagot. Tumahimik na lang siya at kinuha ang cellphone sa bulsa ng slacks niya para sumagot ng tawag.

"I'm here at SM Manila, why?" Dinig kong sagot niya sa kausap. His voice was soft.

Sino naman yon? Pag ako ang kausap hindi naman siya ganon.

"You're here, too? Yes. I'm with a friend." He glanced at me.

I arched a brow at him. Tahimik lang akong nakikinig habang nakikipag-usap siya roon.

"Did you already eat dinner?"