Always By Your Side

Kabanata 8

I am pissed off. Anyone who can see me right now can tell it right away. Magkasalubong ang mga kilay na nakatingin ako kay Vernon. He's smiling shyly at me while scratching his nape.

"You don't know how to freaking drive?!" I repeated what he said in annoyance. "Freak. You are good at making me angry. Keep it up." I said, coating with sarcasm. I faked a smile.

He smiled widely at my reaction. "Marunong naman ako magdilig ng halaman."

Tumirik ang mga mata ko sa sinabi niya. Anong connect? My gosh.

Binangga ko ang balikat niya at naglakad na patungo sa driver's seat. Sumandal ako himba ng pintuan ng puting Mercedes-AMG GT ko. I see how Vernon looks amazed at my car na parang hindi pa makapaniwala sa nakikita. Umawang pa ang mga labi niya habang abala sa pagtingin sa bagong bili ko na sasakyan.

If he only saw my collection baka hindi lang pag-awang ng mga labi ang reaksyon niya. Napailing ako sa naisip at napabuntong-hininga.

"What are you waiting for? Pasko? Get in!" Iritang sambit ko at pumasok na sa loob ng sasakyan.

Natatarantang pumasok ito sa passenger seat habang puno parin ng pagkamangha sa kanyang mga mata.

"Is it your first time to see a car?"

Tumingin ito sa'kin at ngumiti. He doesn't seem offended by what I said kaya palihim akong nakahinga ng maluwag. What? Freak. Is this the outcome of liking him? I don't want it!

"I'm saving up my money to buy an affordable car." Basag nito sa katahimikan. "I prefer black cars but white can do. Is white your favorite color?

See? He's creepy! Masungit tapos seryoso siya dati. Now, he's all smiley and noisy! I don't like the changes I see in him! It's making my heart flutter.

"No." Tipid na sagot ko.

Nakaka-inis! Nakaka-irita! Nakaka-init ng ulo! Nahampas ko ang manibela dahil sa gigil na nararamdaman. Napaigtad naman sa gulat si Vernon. Napahawak siya sa dibdib niya habang nanlalaki ang mga matang nakatingin sa akin.

"Papatayin mo ba ako sa gulat?!"

Hindi ko pinansin si Vernon na pinapagalitan na ako dahil sa ginawa ko. I went on like nothing happened.

"You're not listening!"

I groan in annoyance, I can't take this! Bakit ko ba siya nagustuhan?!

"Can you shut the hell up?" Asik ko rito.

"Hindi ka nakikinig!" Ulit niya sa sinabi niya kanina.

"Why will I listen? You're so annoying! Hindi mo ba alam na I hate driving? But here I am sitting in the driver's seat and freaking driving! I only drive for Tavi but now I drove for you!" I burst out.

Natahimik ito ngunit maya-maya ay ngumiti. Umiwas ako ng tingin dahil nagiging abnormal ulit ang tibok ng puso ko dahil sa ngiting 'yon. I focused on driving, kung pwede lang ay ibangga na para hindi ko na makita pa ang lalaking nasa passenger seat ngayon. That's a good yet terrible idea.

"What an honor." I heard him said.

Hindi ko na siya pinansin dahil iiwasan ko nga but Vernon began sharing his childhood memories. Pinilit ko na hindi makinig but my ears are betraying me! They are attentively listening to him na bawat salita ay mahalaga. He's talking about his childhood and I may not look interested and bored but deep inside I'm hooked and wanted to know him more.

"Iniwan ni mama si papa noong malaman niya na may anak sa labas si papa. She didn't hesitate to leave him. She was hurt and betrayed. At that time, she was pregnant with my sister. Luckily, nothing happened to my sister kahit na lugmok noon si mama. She was devastated." He stopped kaya mabilis na binalingan ko siya ng tingin. His eyes are brimming in tears.