Pursuing My Nemesis

Six

Chapter 6

HINDI AKO NAKAKAIN nang maayos kahit na gutom na gutom ako pagkarating ko sa unit. Naglalaro pa rin sa utak ko ang mga katagang binitawan ni Aniel kanina.

I still wanted you in my team.

I want to do this project with you.

He told me those words like there wasn't a war going on between us. He hated me... like how I hated him. So... why? Why did he want to work with me?

Those questions lingered inside my head until two AM. All the lights inside my bedroom was turned off. I also turned off the aircon because the heavy rain did not stop until past midnight. Lamig na lamig ako kahit na nakasara naman ang mga bintana sa kwarto.

Hindi na tumawag si Channing sa akin. Baka sinabihan na siya ni Aniel kanina na nakauwi na ako. Si Freeda naman, hanggang ngayon ay wala pa ring paramdam. I don't know about that girl. Maybe she's out there, enjoying herself with a hot guy she met in the club. Mabuti na lang noon at kami pa ni Channing kaya hindi niya ako mapipilit na makipag-hook up sa kung kani-kanino.

Well... hindi naman sa kung kani-kanino siya sumasama. Freeda may be an adventurous woman, but she still had a high caliber taste when it comes to men. Masyadong mataas ang standards niya pagdating sa mga lalaki lalo na sa mga nakikilala niya sa mga bar and club. Matalas din ang pang-amoy niya sa mga manloloko. She knows when a guy was only faking his single status to get her.

Kaya kung nasaan man ang bestfriend ko na 'yon ngayon, I know that she was in good hands.

Dinalaw ako ng antok nang alas tres y media na. Tumila na rin ang ulan pero mas lumamig naman ang paligid. My alarm rang at five in the morning. I was dragging myself to sit on the bed, still feeling dizzy due to lack of sleep. Para akong zombie habang naglalakad papunta sa banyo para maghilamos at mag-ayos.

I had my breakfast inside the kitchen. I made myself a hot chocolate drink and two slices of avocado toast. Pagkatapos ay bumalik na ulit ako sa kwarto para magbihis.

My phone buzzed when the clock reached seven. Hinablot ko na ang bag ko at inilagay roon ang cellphone ko saka lumabas ng unit.

"Morning." I jumped a little when I get face to face with Aniel. Humakbang ako paatras para mapalayo sa kanya.

"M-morning," I greeted back.

I studied him. He was wearing a black longsleeve polo tucked in his slacks. He's not wearing a necktie. Actually... I never seen him use one. Wala din siyang dalang coat ngayon. He probably left it in his car.

Aniel's face was lighter today than yesterday. I don't know. Maybe because it was still morning? At kaliligo niya. Everyone's always look fresh and happy after a cold or warm, refreshing bath.

"Let's go. We'll be late," aniya at doon ko lang natantong kanina ko pa pala siya pinagmamasdan. A slight heat rushed across my face as I turned away. Nauna na akong naglakad kaysa sa kanya.

We stopped in front of the elevator. Tumayo siya sa tabi ko saka pinindot ang down button. We stood there silently for a minute.

"Kumain ka na?" basag ko sa katahimikan. I wanted to pull my own hair because I never imagined myself initiating a conversation with this guy beside me.

"I don't eat breakfast."

"Ah."

Another awkward silence. I looked around to find someone I might know that can help me escape this damn awkward situation.

This is not how I start my day, okay? I like my day to be loud and cheerful. Hindi ganito na... nakakapanis ng laway.

Thankfully, the elevator stopped and opened the door for us. Papasok na sana ako nang makita ko si Freeda na nakasakay sa loob habang umiinom ng kape. Her eyes landed and me and she smiled using them. But then, when her gaze traveled to my side, bigla siyang nabilaukan at halos maibuhos na sa kanyang puting blouse ang iniinom na kape.