The Jerk Coefficient

Chapter 60

Drop the Call

"I can handle. Please don't worry."

"Are you sure?"

"Uhuh."

"Okay, then." I ended the call and forced my eyes close pero hindi pa rin ako makatulog. Para pa rin akong nakalutang. Parang hindi pa rin totoo ang mga narinig ko kani-kanina lang.

Minutes passed and I heard a door bell at napakunot ang noo ko. Anong oras na ah? Sila Alyssa na naman ata to. Bumangon ako at lumabas para tingnan kung sino. I opened the gate and...

"Blake."

"Oh my gosh. Anong meron?" Napansin ko ang pagtagal ng pagtitig niya sa mga mata ko. Bumaba ang tingin ko sa plastic na hawak niya. Grocery ang laman.

Ngayon na lang ulit siya dumayo dito after what happened exactly in this apartment.

"I bought you food."

"Hala, bakit?" Nanuyo ang lalamunan ko. "Papasok ka?" I should ask him that, right? After all, he bought food and drove all the way here.

"I... I think I shouldn't."

"Oh, right. Oo nga pala." Napasampal ako nang saglit sa noo ko.

"I just wanted to check in on you. Are you okay?" Inabot niya sakin ang plastic na nasilip ko kaninang naglalaman ng isang tub ng chocolate ice cream.

"Uh, oo naman. Nagpi-PMS lang ata ako. Salamat dito ha. You didn't have to do it, honestly." He watched me pretend.

"You're not okay, Blake." I forced a chuckle.

"Ano naman? It's a part of life. Keri pa rin naman. Anyways, kamusta kayo ni Kali?" I changed the subject.

"We're doing good." He inserted both of his hands in his pockets.

"That's good to hear." I smiled at him and he smiled back at me.

"I think I should get going."

"Yes, yes. Drive safe." I expected him to walk out but he didn't. Ilang minuto siyang nakatayo lang at ganun din ako. Nagulat ako sa bigla niyang pagyakap sakin.

"I'm here," mahinahon niyang pagkakasabi at nakahinga ako nang konti. "You don't have to always do it on your own." It took seconds before I could reply and push him gently.

"Thank you... pero okay lang talaga ako. Ano ka ba?"

"Magpahinga ka rin minsan, Blake."

Kaso nasa US ang pahinga ko.

"I will... take a rest. Maraming salamat ulit dito. Nag-abala ka pa." Nagpaalam siya sa akin at pinanood ko ang pag-alis ng kotse niya, at muling bumaba ang tingin ko sa mga pagkaing binili niya para sakin. Comfort food.

Leo would wait until I get back to the apartment and lock everything bago niya paandarin ang kotse niya, pero hindi si Leo ang nandito ngayon. Hindi siya ang nagdala ng ice cream, yogurt, orange juice, chicharon, at chips para sakin. Si Gareth yung nandito.