Embracing the Cold

Chapter 36

What he said touches my heart. I didn't even realize he paid that much attention to all my nonsense before.

"Are you two friends?" Tanong niya ulit. Ngayon ay umiinom na.

"No, we're not." Pag-amin ko.

"Then why did he call you and why did you give him your personal number?" Titig na titig siya nang itanong iyon. Napanguso ako.

I don't know what to say.

"Well, there's a TV adaptation on one of my works and he's the main lead," pag-amin ko.

Napansin kong napaiwas siya ng tingin.

"Is that the recent one?" Tanong niya, hindi makatingin sa akin.

Kinakabahan ako. Binasa niya ba iyon? If he did, he would know it's based on true events and that it was us and he should've known sooner that I thought he was cheating on me if he did have read it. I guess he didn't, siguro narinig niya lang din.

"I can't read it," nakatingin na siya ngayon nang sabihin iyon, tila binabasa ang isip ko. "I hope it's not the most recent one though," dagdag niya bago uminom.

"It is the recent one," sagot ko. Marahas siyang napatingin sa akin na tila na-offend sa sagot ko.

"Wow, he could never pass my level," napaawang ang bibig niya habang iiling-iling. Tila offended.

"What do you mean?" Nagtataka kong tanong.

"Quish, I know it's our story. And you could've chosen me as an actor and you as the main lead. Alam mong walang makakapantay sa atin," seryoso niyang paliwanag. Natawa ako, so he did read it?

"Sabi mo hindi mo nabasa?" Tanong ko. Pinanliitan siya ng mata.

"Sabi ko hindi ko kayang basahin. Doon pa lang ako sa part na hiniwalayan mo ako dahil kay Lea.. hindi ko kaya, naiiyak ako sa part na yun," pag-amin niya. Natatawa ko siyang tinitigan. Hindi makapaniwala.

"First of all, it's an adaptation, second, we're not actors, third, they didn't know it's based on true events, fourth, Lea will be me, and lastly, umiiyak ka?" Mahaba kong sinabi, natatawa. Napaiwas siya nang tingin.

"Even so, you should've consulted me first before accepting the offer," tanging naisagot niya. Ngayon ako naman ang medyo na-offend.

"Wow, ikaw ba ang author?"

"Oh bakit, ikaw ba si Bryce?" Tanong niya pabalik.

"Ang kapal mo," natatawa kong sinabi.

"Bakit kasi yung Findlay pa na yun, at bakit ka nga niya tinawagan. Di ka naman director," nakasimangot siya.

"Are you jealous?" I chuckled while asking him the question.

"Yes," pormal niyang sagot. Nagulat ako sa pagiging prangka niya pero nginisihan ko lang din.

"Well, I'm pretty, no doubt magseselos ka." Tukso ko sa kanya. Imbes na mainis ay ngumiti siya at tumitig.

"Can I court you again?" Seryosong tanong niya. Nagulat ako. Hindi ko alam ang isasagot. I didn't see that one coming. Akala ko nagbibiruan lang kami. Tumunog ang phone ko sa bag, thanks God. Kahit sino ka mang tumatawag, thank you.

Kinuha ko ang phone at kahit na unknown number ay sinagot ko kahit hindi dapat. I don't normally answer unknown numbers unless they texted first who they are.

"Hello?" Sagot ko. Narinig ko ang ingay sa kabilang linya. This helps to avoid Bryce's gaze. I don't even know why I'm avoiding his gaze, nagulat lang ako sa tanong niya. God knows how much I missed him and.. loved him. Well, love him. I know I'm still inlove with him but it took me months also not to let my guard down. Everything I do, it's to forget him and to act cold toward him. It was hard. It is hard. I wasn't even prepared for this conversation. I just thought maybe after all what happened, we could atleast remain acquaintances.. not friends. I can't be friends with him.