Greed

5

Lia

Days have passed and Kyle wasn't coming to my apartment. Papa's birthday was also coming up, I already made a leave for that day so it was all settled.

"Lia, punta kang lib?" Aaron asked when I went outside my unit.

I found out he's also renting an apartment in the same neighborhood. The apartments in the area was nice and cheap anyway.

"Oo, sabay na tayo?" I asked, locking the doors.

"Tara,"

Naglakad lang kami papuntang library kasi malapit lang naman. At maaga pa naman, marami pang oras.

Pagdating namin sa library, pumunta na kami sa pwesto namin ni Aaron, siya sa tables at ako sa counter.

Time went by fast, marami rin kasing napunta ngayon ng library, siguro kasi malapit na entrance exams.

Sabay kaming umuwi ni Aaron kasi ginabi na rin siya sa library. He's really taking MCAT seriously, I'm not even kidding. The amount of effort he's putting just for an exam, I can never imagine myself doing that.

When we got to my apartment, I was surprised to see Kyle by the door, holding a single rose and a jewelry box.

He was taken aback when he saw me with Aaron. Naguilty tuloy ako bigla, even though I wasn't doing anything wrong. Pero deep inside, I feel like what I'm doing is wrong. Is it because of Kyle's reaction?

I can see how hurt he is when he saw Aaron, but despite that, he still smiled and greeted me.

"Hi," he handed me the rose.

"Hi," I smiled.

He scratched his nape, unable to tell me what he wants to tell me.

"Dinner date?" Hindi kasi siya nagsasalita, ako nalang. Magbabati naman kami. Hindi ko naman siya kaya iwan.

"Where do you want to eat?"

"Libre mo?" I asked.

"Yeah,"

"Bihis lang ako,"

I bade goodbye to Aaron as Kyle and I walk inside my unit. Nagshower lang ako saglit saka nagbihis ng magandang dress. Nakabihis kasi siya, I want to at least look presentable too.

Pagkabihis, nag makeup ako saglit saka umalis na kami ni Kyle.

"So? Saan tayo?" I asked.

Inisip ko pa kung meron bang bagong bukas na Resto dito or kung meron siyang nabanggit sakin nung nakaraan na gusto niya itry, pero wala akong maisip.

We continued walking until we arrived at the fancy Italian Restaurant. I raised my brows, can he afford this?

"I can afford this, don't worry. Malaki na kita ko kumpara dati,"

I laughed at his remark. He read my mind.

We made our orders without worrying about the bill which is a first. Kapag nakain kasi kami sa labas, tinutuos ko talaga kung mas nakatipid ba kami sa bahay o ano. Pero ngayon, he told me not to worry.

I sighed contentedly, we've come so far.

"So, how's your work?" I asked him.

Sinubuan niya ko ng Chicken Marsala habang nagsasalita. He's unusually sweet, but it's nice.

"It's fine. Kind of boring, pero malaki naman ang kita namin nila Sam at Mark."

"Speaking of Mark, may girlfriend na ba yon?"

"Why?"

"Thea wants me to set her up with Mark. Pero pakiramdam ko kasi ayaw niya."

He chuckled, "Yeah, may girlfriend na yun. He's keeping her a secret kaya kahit ako hindi ko kilala."