Arid Trials

Chapter 8

Bounce

"Uhm, I think I should head back." I informed the guard.

Tumingin siya sa'kin pagkatapos i-check ang kung ano sa kanyang log book.

"Ah, sure. It's a done deal, yeah?" He asked and glanced at the two checking the cat together.

Ayoko man tumingin, sumulyap ako sa kanila at ang unang nakita ay ang mga mata ni Vance na nasa akin na agad.

Tumikhim ako at nag-iwas ng tingin. I shouldn't act careless anymore. May girlfriend naman pala siya.

Halata naman sa kilos nilang dalawa kahit na hindi nila sabihin. I should not give meaning to any of his glances and obvious interest. Oo na at assuming na ako. What a big slap of reality!

"I think it's all good-" the guard trying to dismiss us.

"I need to talk to you." Pag-putol ni Vance. Eyes still on me. Umirap ako at pekeng ngumiti sa kanya.

"Yes? I told you your cat is well fed. If it isn't obvious enough."

Tumingin din sa akin ang girlfriend niya na halatang napawi ang ngiti.

A loud group of teens scaterred near us. Umalis saglit ang guard para tignan kung ano ang komusiyon doon kaya naiwan kaming tatlo.I just awkwardly stood there like I've committed a crime. Pero ang totoo, guilty lang ako sa pag-lalandi sa isang tao na nasa isang relasyon na pala.I won't admit it out loud, though. I'm taking it to my grave. I've never been this embarassed so bad.

"You guys talk. I'll take Levi to your car." Sabi ni girl.

Inabot naman ito ni Vance sa kanya. Just like a picture of a father handing his sleeping son to his wife. What a great image.

I played with my car keys while watching them. I pouted as I catch a glimpse of Vance's necklace that I haven't seen before. He caught me looking at bumaba ang tingin niya sa labi kong nakaunguso kaya nag-iwas ako ng tingin.

Now what?

"Let's grab some coffee inside while we talk about something."