#WUM47
I was so glad that he contacted me again because I don't know what to do if he did not. Duda pa ako sa sarili kung kaya ko uli siyang lapitan kahit na ganoon naman ang plano ko. Marahil magpapalamig muna ako ng ilang linggo bago uli siya sadyain.
"Are you busy with your friends? Nag-iinuman kayo?" pauna niyang tanong nang makasakay ako.
I nodded. "Uh, yeah. Jacques is also there."
"Ah," tanging tugon niya.
Nilingon ko siya upang timbangin ang kanyang reaksyon. He seemed oblivious. His hand was resting on the steering wheel while the other was tapping slightly on his thigh. Hindi rin pinasibat ang sasakyan. Parang may malalim na iniisip at kinakabahan ako kung ano man iyon.
It's probably about me and my confession days ago.
Ilang sandali lang ay bumaling na rin siya sa akin at pinilig ang kanyang ulo habang nakatingin. I swallowed and looked in front to avoid his gaze.
"You look nervous tonight," he stated with a hint of playfulness.
"I am not. I'm just..."
"Just?"
I shrugged. "Nothing. Why did you call me here, anyway?"
He wants a direct point of talk, right.
Umiwas ako ng tingin pero ramdam ko ang paninitig niya sa akin, seryoso at tila malalim ang nasa isip. Seemed like he was processing something on his mind.
"Let's clear everything again."
My eyes widened as I looked at him. Nagtaas naman siya ng isang kilay na tila pagtatanong sa reaksyon ko. I was just surprised to hear that. Hindi ko naman kasi inaasahan na interesado siyang pag-usapan ulit 'yon. At ilang araw na rin ang nakalipas.
"I remember everything you clarified. What made you change now? If you did that to protect the important people around you. What happens now? Are you gonna be okay? You're still with the Ravañez, right? Unless, you already married your boyfriend—"
"Mavy's not my boyfriend. And we're not married yet," I imposed.
He chuckled sarcastically. "Yet, huh? So, you're planning to make me your side chic? Is that it?"
Suminghap ako. Kabado man ay tiningnan ko pa rin siya sa mga mata upang magpahiwatig ng punto.
"Mavy and I had a deal together. Everything was planned with rules. We're engaged but not intimately. We're just in this situation for the family business, nothing more and less," I said simply.
And what side chic is he talking about? Are we gonna be together? Hindi naman, ah? Kaya paanong side chic 'yon?
Umigting ang panga niya bago umiwas ng tingin, suplado ang naging pagtingin niya sa windshield. Napabuntonghininga na lamang ako nang tahimik dahil hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit siya nagkakaganyan.
I heard him say that he didn't love me anymore. He explained some things and I understood his decision. I'm just gonna wait for the time when we can start again... if ever.
I was the to blame why he decided like that. I should accept it.
"The deal and rules?" mas seryoso siya ngayon.
"Freedom and protection from him while we're engaged."
There'd be no point to hide it from him. I want him to know that Mavy and I are never serious in this engagement and we both have benefits.
"Ganoon ka-tanga ang mga Ravañez at hindi kayo nahahalata? I don't buy that shit," iritado niyang sinabi. "Isa pa ang Mavy na 'yon. Imposibleng hindi pa nagkakagusto sa'yo 'yon."
