Over a Cup of Coffee

Chapter 7

"Are you sure you're okay?"

Hinayaan ko lamang na parang hangin na dumaan sa aking  magkabilang tainga ang kanina pang tanong ng lalaking katabi ko at inilipat ang mga mata sa screen ng cellphone.

I had just finished reading a text message from Ate Nelle telling me to go pick up Yssa from her lesson with this guy. Before I could ask her why she put up with my being with this Jenkin, she texted me something I had to read several times before it sunk in, and then she texted me again urging me to go ahead and be with him.

That's why I didn't complain anymore.

I'm sure Yssa would appreciate it if you came to get her today. You know she's at her happiest when she's with you. You might as well tag along with Jenkin. I've heard that you're currently with him. It'll be more convenient.

Basa ko sa text nito mula sa notification ba. Awtomatikong umangat ang aking dibdib upang humagap ng hangin at magpakawala ng malalim na buntong hininga. Isa-silent ko pa lamang ang cellphone ngunit muli itong tumunog nang may pahabol na text message si Ate Nelle.

Be careful on the way!

Naramdaman ko ang dalawang mga mata na nakatitig sa akin kaya sinalubong ko ang mga iyon. Bakas sa mga iyon ang pagtataka. Jenkin raised one of his eyebrows na tila ba naghihintay sa tanong niya na hindi ko pinansin.

"I'm fine. I guess," tugon ko sa kaninang tanong nito kasabay ng paglipat ng tingin sa daan.

The questionable expression on my face prompted his question. "Then what's with that face?"

I did not respond.

"Nahihilo ka pa rin ba?" It surprised me that he cares that much sa sinabi ko kanina pagkasakay ng sasakyan. Makailang tanong na rin kasi niya ito. Fourth? Fifth? Maybe the sixth time If I'm not mistaken.

"I'm perfectly fine. Please don't stress over me," tipid kong sagot at saka binuksan ang bintana ng kotse sa gawi ko.

If I could only do something upang maglaho ang presensya ng nasa tabi ko ay kanina ko pa ginawa. I have been convincing myself that I am alone in this car and he doesn't exist at all. Ngunit ang planong pagbalewala sa presensya nito ay nauudlot sa tuwing magtatanong o magsasalita ito.

I felt relieved nang hindi na ito muling magsalita. Mukhang sumuko na rin ito sa kakatanong dahil natunugan niya na wala naman akong balak siyang kausapin.

But then, I was wrong. Inihanda ko na ang aking sarili na mag-animo'y bingi sa muling pagtanong nito kung ayos ba ako nang mapansin ko ang muling pagtingin niya sa akin. I can read in his eyes that he wants to ask something.

"Okay, so how have you been? What do you do... in Manila?" tanong nito na tila hindi nararamdaman ang lamig ng mga tinatapon kong sagot sa mga naunang tanong niya.

We were driving in quiet for a second as I looked at him. I don't want to answer his question ngunit mayroong bahagi sa akin na gustong malaman ang kaniyang sagot kung tatanungin ko siya ng parehas na tanong.

Kamusta siya?

At anong ginagawa niya rito?

I have so many questions for him now that he's back after being gone for five years.

"I'm fine. I am just taking a break from the work." Mariin akong napapakit dahil tila kusang lumabas mula sa aking bibig ang mga katagang iyon. Sometimes mouth has its own mind and that sometimes includes now.

"What's your w—"

"Ikaw, how have you been?" Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili ko at ibinalik sa kaniya ang kaparehang tanong.