SHACKLED

SHACKLED 17

Present

The whole time we're eating I didn't talk much or even threw glances at Travis.

Good thing Paulito has so much to say.  The two of them are actually close now. I guess.

Hindi ko alam pero ang moody ko ngayon. Iniisip ko na nga 'yung pa-'I can't marry someone like you though' kanina ni Travis dumagdag pa 'tong si Tina.

Napabuntong hininga ako at napatingin sa labas ng fast food chain. Hinihintay kong matapos ubusin ni Paulito 'yung ice cream niya.

"What's with that sigh?" Tanong ni Travis. "Pake mo?" Masungit kong sagot.

"Wala." Prente niya namang sagot tapos inirapan ako.

Hindi na kami nag-usap after non, hanggang sa makarating kami sa may parking area. Mag-cocommute nalang sana kami pero Travis insisted of sending us home.

Tuwang-tuwa naman si Paulito kaya wala na akong nagawa. Peak hour na din kasi, mahirap makakuha ng taxi. Hindi pa rin gawa sasakyan ko kaya baka bukas ko na balikan.

20 minutes drive lang naman mula dito hanggang sa 'min. Pero depende pa din kapag may traffic or gaano ka kabilis mag-maneho.

Nakatulog nanaman si Paulito sa biyahe. Gusto ko rin sana matulog pero nacoconscious ako. Baka mag-laway pa ko dito.

"

Sino 'yung kausap mo kanina?" Biglang tanong ni Travis.

Napakunot naman 'yung noo ko. "Sa Jollibee." He said. "Don't get me wrong. I don't care, just curious." He even added.

I smirked because he's acting defensive. "None of your business." I answered. Ayoko talaga siyang kausap. Naiinis ako. Parang kailangan ko ng lambing. Char.

"Well. Ayaw mo sabihin edi don't." Natatawa niyang sabi.

Look at this guys. He's unbelievably acting childish. Inirapan ko siya dahil naiirita talaga ako.

Wait. Gumagana pa ba until now yung 'The more you hate, the more you love?'

"I think I know what's your problem." He suddenly said again. Ikaw.

"PMS?" He said. Idiot, I'm already on my period. "Yeah. Just think whatever you want." I said tapos pumikit ako to act like sleeping.
----
"Hey." Someone's poking my shoulder. "Ate?" That's Pualito's voice. Am I dreaming.

"Andito na tayo sa bahay niyo. Sleepyhead." Napalakas 'yung pitik niya sa noo ko kaya napamulat ako.

What the?! Nakatulog ako?! Acting lang dapat 'yun ee. Aira naman?!

"You were drooling, ate." Natatawang sabi ni Paulito.

Agad-agad ko namang tinignan sa salamin habang pinupunasan ko ang gilid ng bibig ko.

"Just kidding, ate." He said while laughing. Bigla siyang lumabas sa sasakyan at excited na lumapit samay gate ng bahay.

Travis is outside his car already. He's looking at me trough the driver's seat window.

Nakasara 'yung pinto niya pero nakabukas 'yung bintana.

Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay as if he's saying 'Ano pang hinihintay mo? Baba na.'

Kaloka talaga 'tong lalaking 'to.

Bumababa na ako. Dahil nag-hihintay na rin si Paulito.

"Are you excited?" Tanong ko.