KUMPAS

Chapter 5

Nag taxi na lang ako pauwi at nakarating naman agad sa bahay ko. Inihanda ko ang aking sarili.

"Hi babe, for you." Daniel said as soon as he saw me.

A big and nicely decorated bouquet of sunflowers is being handed to me. Kamot ulo at todo ngiti siya sa akin habang inaabot ang mga bulaklak.

Kainis itong si Daniel, may pa flowers pang nalalaman. Alam na alam niya and weakness ko and he really knows na it's my favorite. Pero kahit na kinikilig ay hindi ako nagpahalata.

"Thank you." I seriously said.

"You deserved more than that babe." he replied as he tried to kiss me.

Aba, may kiss pang nalalaman.

I managed to dodge his attempt though. Binuksan ko agad ang unit ko at pumasok, not giving him time to open the door for me. Nakasunod naman siya sa akin. Maingat kong inilagay sa side table ang flowers na bigay niya.

"So, how's my babe? Did you enjoy your stay at Kyla?" he asked.

"How am I? Hulaan mo kaya. Sa tingin mo I'm happy?" asar na tanong ko din.

"Grabe ka naman. I'm just trying to ask how you were." sabi niya.

"I had a great time Daniel! My day was so great and eventful until I saw my boyfriend flirting with another girl!" sarkastikong sagot ko.

I went to the kitchen and opened my fridge. Took out the water pitcher. Kumuha ako ng baso at pinuno ito ng tubig then gulped it at once. Bigla kasi akong nauhaw. Binalik ko sa fridge ang pitcher at padabog na sinara ito bago bumalik sa sala.

Nakasunod naman si Daniel sa akin.

"Hey, babe. Calm down. Baka marinig ka sa kabilang unit at isipin pa nila na may kaaway ka." sabi niya.

Umupo ako ganun din siya.

"Wag na tayong magpa ligoy ligoy pa Dan. Sabihin mo na ang gusto mong sabihin." I replied.

"Okay, let me explain alright. Whatever you saw last night was a big mistake. You were so wrong." simula nya.

Mistake? At ako pa ang mali. Umiling iling ako at akmang tatayo na naman. Pero mabilis niya akong pinigilan. Hinawakan niya ang mga kamay ko.

"Jema, sit down." seryosong sabi niya.

What, inutusan pa talaga ako huh. I tried to resist pero yung tingin niya kakaiba na at sobrang seryoso na talaga niya dahil Jema na ang tawag sa akin. Dahil no choice naman ako, I decided to follow what he wants.

"Explain." kalmadong sabi ko.

"I did not cheat! I have a girlfriend and that is you, Jessica Galanza. That girl with me was actually one of Riri's fling. He was supposed to meet her at the mall but he can't make it so he asked me instead." paliwanag nito.

"Riri? Lagi na lang si Riri. Aba siya na lang kaya ang jowain mo! Kung kay Riri yung babae, bakit kung umasta parang jowa mo?" I asked.

"Malambing lang kasi siya. She's like that with everyone, kaya lang nami-misinterpret ng iba. Kahit itanong mo pa kay Riri. Wait, I'll call him para maniwala ka." he replied.

At akmang tatawagan niya si Riri.

"Hoy, wag mong ipapakiusap sa akin yang best friend mo. Ayoko siyang makausap." sabi ko.

He stood up and released a deep breath.

"Nag effort ako pumunta dito para sayo kahit busy ako. I have important things to do pero gusto kong maayos natin ito that's why I'm here. I want to call Riri para masabi niya sayo ang totoo pero ayaw mo. Ano ba talaga ang gusto mo?" inis na tanong nito.