Asperity

5

When he saw me wearing that dress the other day... he just looked at me and moved on. He... never said anything about it being too revealing.

Is that normal? Is that how men should actually act? Should they just shrug it off after seeing a woman wearing something like that?

Because it was so different from my experience. I was forbidden to wear anything I felt confident on because my body is already for someone—not for others to see, only for him.

I was caged for a long time that I didn't know how to act anymore.

It was lunch break so I lit up a cigarette to clear my mind.

"Smoking's not allowed, miss Ree."

Why? Because I'm a damn woman and a woman should act polite all the time?

"It's bad for your health."

What?

That's... odd. I thought that he forbids me because I am a girl. Ganiyan naman sila lahat 'diba? They limit us women from the things we can do because they think they're the best... I can't get angry now.

"Have you been feeling well?"

I blinked. It's enough. This isn't right anymore, it had to stop.

"Sir... I think we should stop seeing each other, or even talk--if it's not about work, I mean."

"I don't see any reason for that."

Can't you see it!? I'm not fucking interested! I don't like you! I dislike your presence and I want you gone! Oh god, how is he this blind?

"It's quite weird to have a friendly relationship with your co-workers, I refuse to have such thing." I saw how his facial expression dropped. His face became darker, and his lazy eyes becomes even more sluggish.

"Is that so? Then I guess I should stop...

...pursuing you."

My eyes widened. He was actually... Serious about me? I thought it was just for fun. Oh well. Not a waste. Short guys are not my type anyways.

Yeah, he's shorter than me—and it's not because I have heels!

August didn't bother me again after that, and I seriously don't mind. A lot of girls drool over him, he's handsome and rich—it's not hard to get a new target.

I was making my way to the place I usually go to so I could line up for another bus ride. I saw Cornelia and the intern in our company lined up. At first I didn't think about it too much until I noticed the blush on Cornelia's cheeks.

There was no way!

May gusto na si gaga!

She's in love with the intern!

It seems normal, but not for Cornelia when she never cared about those things! Mostly because she's lazy to even think about it—she just doesn't care.