Collide / [Park Jay]

56

"Did Yerim leave already?" I heard someone asked from the counter. Nakilala ko na agad kung sino iyon dahil wala naman akong inaasahang dadating kung hindi siya lang. I was behind the shelf, preparing my coffee so they couldn't see me from here.

"Oo, ang tagal mo kasi. Hindi ka na nahintay!" Haeyoon said during her shift. Sa tono ng boses niya ay parang ilang beses na silang nakapag-usap dahil nakakapagbiro na siya nang gano'n.

"Sabi ko hintayin ako, eh.." Komento ni Jay doon. "Sige, tatawagan ko na lang." Dugtong pa niya. But I didn't wait for him to actually do it. Dahan-dahan na akong naglakad pabalik sa kinauupuan ko kanina at mukhang pareho naman nilang naramdaman ang presensiya ko.

"Oh, nandiyan pa pala siya, Jay! Akala ko kasi iniwan ka ulit, eh!" Natatawang buwelta ni Haeyoon habang tinuturo ako. My eyebrows just raised at her, almost clueless.

Jay immediately went to me after seeing me. Nakaupo na ako ngayon sa table dala ang kape ko. I just finished my light dinner and craved for a cup of coffee while I was waiting for him. Hapon na rin kasi ako nakauwi sa apartment kaya hindi na ako nakapag-prepare ng kakainin ko for tonight.

"How are you? Is everything fine? You were out of reach so I got worried. Hindi lang ako sanay.." Bungad ni Jay sa akin. Napansin ko ang mabilis na paglingon ni Haeyoon sa gawi namin dahil sa narinig. When our eyes met, she just playfully winked at me for some reason. Mabuti na lang at hindi iyon nakita nitong kaharap ko ngayon.

"I'm okay.." Alanganin kong sagot. I then noticed how his gaze feels different now. Hindi ko alam kung dahil ba masyado siyang malapit ngayon at natitingnan ko siya nang maayos or gano'n na talaga siya noon pa man, hindi ko lang napapansin.

"You always say that." Tipid niyang sinabi habang kumukunot ang noo.

"Kunin mo na nga pala 'yong suweldo mo. Hinihintay ka na do'n.." I just intentionally ignored what he said. Mas lalo lang siyang sumimangot dahil doon.

He then sighed and eventually rose from his seat. His hands are both on the pocket of his hoodie while looking intently at me. "Baka naman pagbalik ko dito, wala ka na.." Sabi pa niya, tila nagbabanta.

"I won't leave, Jay. Ang kulit nito.." Pagtataboy ko sa kanya. He stared at me for a bit like he was reading my mind.

Kahit na nag-aalangan ay sinunod pa rin naman niya ang sinabi ko. Napabuntong-hininga na lang ako habang umiiling nang marahan. Minsan talaga, para siyang bata.

"Ang guwapo talaga no'n, 'no? May girlfriend?" Usisa ni Haeyoon habang nililinis ang table sa tabi ko. My eyes widened at her sudden appearance and the question she decided to ask.

"I.. d-don't know." I said as I immediately look around to see if someone's overhearing us.

"Ah... you mean, hindi ikaw?" She asked, trying not to laugh. I almost spit my coffee because of that.

"Where did that idea even come from?" Depensa ko agad. I was surprised that thoughts like this is playing in her head.

"Why? That's how you two look like, eh. What can I do?" Natatawa niyang sinabi at pabirong umirap.

"You're just over-analyzing things.." I commented.

Mayamaya ay luminga-linga siya sa paligid na tila tinitingnan kung may nakalapit ba sa amin na maaaring makarinig sa mga sasabihin niya. When she noticed that everyone in the store is minding their own business, she went closer to me. "Alam mo, since Friday, pabalik-balik na 'yon palagi dito. Siguro tinitingnan kung pumasok ka na.." She muttered.

"H-Huh?" Mahina kong sagot, tila hindi naniniwala.

"Yes. Si Jay! I even asked him to give me his number so I could just text him kung sakaling nandito ka na but he refused! Gusto yata talagang personal kang maabutan dito.." She added before gently tapping my shoulder.