Faking Delays

75. Not That Hard

Lian Shan

  

DAMN IT. I shut my laptop close and took in a deep breath. God, this is so messed up and I think it might have been because of me. News about what happened last night has spread like wildfire across the internet. I haven't opened the tv since last night, but I know it's all over the news too.

Inaamin ko, I was being a bitch, but I was just trying to lighten the mood!

I groaned and buried my head on the pillow. Last night was a blur. Basta alam ko na lang ay biglang nawala si Harris and I was left alone at the bar, surrounded by strangers. Hindi ko na nga alam paano ako nakauwi e.

Bahagya akong tumagilid, still hugging the pillow. I wasn't mad at him for loosing his cool like that. What irritates me is that I did not react and just stood there like an idiot!

I mean, I could've explained to the people that it was fine. Hindi sana magkakaganito ang sitwasyon.

I squeezed the pillow forcefully. Now I'm just mad at myself.

Naiangat ko ang tingin nang may kumatok.

"Lian," anito sa kabilang parte ng pinto. "I made breakfast, hon. Let's eat?"

I sighed and fixed my self. I can't let her see me like this. I opened the door and gave her a big smile. "Mmm, that smell so nice! What'd you cook this time?" Inakbayan ko siya as we head to the kitchen.

Humawak naman siya sa bewang ko. "The usual, of course. You need to make sure that you eat a lot this time, Lian. Namamayat ka na."

"Opo," magalang kong sagot. She smiled. Her age didn't change the way she looked when she was young. Aside from some wrinkles here and there, anyone would look at her and still take a second look.

"Now wash your hands so we could eat." Bumitaw na siya at dumiretso na ko sa lababo.

---

Okay, this is cool. I'm sure no one would recognize who I am. With my fool-proof glasses and hoodie, no one would suspect a thing!

But I spoke too soon.

I was on my home from a convience store when someone suddenly approached me.

"Um, excuse me?" Lumingon ako. What I saw was a short guy in thick glasses holding a microphone. Behind him, a guy with a camera. "Hello, miss, good day. I'm a reporter from Channel A2B. I would just like to know if you could give us—"

"I don't know anything." Tumalikod ako and continued walking. Shit! How did they find me so fast??

"Um, it would only take a moment, miss Lee. We asure you—"

"You got the wrong person. Please, leave me alone." Shit, now I'm regretting leaving my car.

"We wouldn't take much of your time, miss Lee. Actually a lot—"

At hindi ko na inintindi pa ang mga susunod niyang sinabi. In an instant, strangers were following me, all holding microphones and recorders.

I ran. I'm not sporty and would always come last in races but tonight, even my P.E. instructor from college would be proud.

Huffing, I turned into a corner.

"Miss Lee, can you please tell us what—!"

Oh, please, just stop already! I pushed my self and kept going. A little bit more! C'mon, Li, onti na lang!

I ran in circles, doing my best to loose them.

Hindi ako pwedeng umuwi kaagad. I can't let them know where I live.