Perfect Strangers (De Mariano Series #1)

KABANATA 3

Kabanata 3

"Aaron De Mariano." Simple niyang sagot sa tanong ko.

"How did you know Rui?" Follow up question ko.

"Business." Simple niyang sagot na tinanguan ko nalang din. He looks so tired, makikita naman sa mata ang pagod kaya nanahimik nalang ako.

I pressed the call button at ilang beses itong nag-ring bago sinagot ni Rui.

"De Mariano, you call?"

"R-Rui-"

"What the fuck, Riz? Why... Wait it's Aaron number right? Why are you with him?" Putol niya ng ma-recognized ang boses ko.

"Uhmmm. It's a long story..."

"Then make it short. You woman, I tried to call you a couple of times last night. I was so worried ng hindi kana ma-contact. We have a deal, Riz. You promised na laging naka-on ang cellphone mo." Sermon niya, dahilan para mapanguso ako.

"I g-got drunk.." mahina kong sagot.

"You what!?" His voice is like thunder. "I told you not to drink when you're alone. Ang tigas ng ulo mo, paano nalang kung may nangyaring masama sa'yo?" Litanya niya.

"But, I'm fine." Pagdadahilan ko.

"You answer me that!? And why are you with Aaron? Do you know him? Probably you do, hindi ka naman sasama kung hindi." He sounds so frustrated. "Ikaw ang magiging dahilan ng maaga kong pagkamatay."

"He uhmmm..." Hindi ko masagot ang tanong niya. Hindi ko naman kase maalala ang nangyari kagabi.
"Uhm." I look at Aaron, pinagtaasan niya lang ako ng kilay. I look at him asking for help, kaya naman inilahad niya ang kamay niya para siguro kuhanin ang cellphone niya.

"It's me. She passed out last night... Don't worry, she's safe with me... No problem... Where in Lucena port." Putol-putol ang boses niya dahil hindi ko naman naririnig ang sinasabi ng pinsan ko.

Hindi niya naman ako sinisiraan diba? "Here." Balik niyang abot sa cellphone niya sa akin.

"Rui." Guilty kong anas. Readying myself sa galit na matatanggap sa pinsan.

"I'll update you kapag malapit na ako sa Lucena. It's an hour drive." Kalmante niyang anas.

"I destroyed my phone last night." Mahina kong sagot sa kaniya. "And, uhmm. Can you just pick up my car nalang? It's in Rizal. Open naman GPS ng car ko. I also left my things at a hotel. I'm sorry, Rui." Mahina kong saad.

"What are you planning to do?"

"I'll go with Aaron, you know him naman diba? I'm safe with him." Anas ko, assuring na ayos lang ako. I even looked at Aaron na seryoso sa pagmamaneho, my expression is like asking him kung ayos lang ba na sumama ako sa kaniya.

He just simply nod. Mukhang naiintindihan niya ang gusto kong iparating.

"Alright. Just be safe, call me if you need anything. You didn't left your wallet right?" Nakahinga ako ng maluwag dahil sa pagiging kalmante ng boses nito. It's just soft.

"Yes. I'll buy a new phone nalang when I see a mall. I'll update you."

"I'm not okay with your decision, but if it'll help you then I think it's fine. Come back if you're okay, ako na ang bahala sa naiwan mo dito. And, please... Call tita." I nod kahit wala naman siya sa harapan ko.

"I will. Thank you Rui, bye." Then I ended the call.

"Are you sure you'll come with me?" Seryoso nitong tanong when I ended the call, nabaling sa kaniya ang atensyon ko na kanina lang ay nasa nakapatay niyang cellphone.