Alluring Glances (SCS #1)

35.

It's been a year since I met him. It's been a year since we separated and it has been weeks since I saw him again. Days since I promised to wait for him. Who would have thought that we'll come this far? Who would have thought that he'll be back to me?

For the past days, I busied myself to my work. My routine has been the same since I talked to Kaloy. Gigising, magtatrabaho, kakamustahin ang pamilya ko, maga-update sa fans, schedules, repeat. Lahat 'yon, pinagkakaabalahan ko. It's been days since I last talk to him and after he left, we never talked again.

I miss him. I miss Kaloy so much but, I want to keep my stand. Hahayaan ko siyang mag-aral at makapagtapos bago ako papasok ulit sa buhay niya. Ayokong guluhin siya ngayon. It kills me to not talk to him but, I need to. I need him to focus on his studies.

I'm currently in a convenience store where I used to buy my snacks. Gabing-gabi na pero, lumabas ako dahil nagugutom ako. I bought a hotdog sandwich and a coffee. For some reasons, I wanna stay awake tonight. Mabuti na lang at wala akong schedule ngayong linggo.

"Thank you," I told the cashier when she lent me my change. Nakita kong malawak ang ngiti niya kaya ngumiti ako pabalik.

"You're welcome, Vanessa!" masayang aniya kaya napangiti ako lalo at tumungo na sa bakanteng pwesto. I settled my phone and wallet on the table, beside my food. I was about to eat when a text message came.

From: Ate

Hi, Vanessa!

I immediately smiled and replied to her.

To: Ate

Ate, hello! I miss you na!

My night became lively while texting Ate. She's updating me and I did the same. Ilang minuto kaming nag-usap ni Ate sa text message bago siya nagpaalam na matutulog na. I greeted her good night and turned off my phone.

"Ay, ikaw muna magbayad ng noodles ko! Naiwan ko wallet ko," I suddenly heard the bell on the glass door, indicating that there's people who entered.

"Ano ba 'yan! Nakakailan ka na, ha? Akala mo hindi ko napapansin na sinasadya mong iwanan 'yong wallet mo para ako ang magbabayad! Sama ng ugali mo!" Narinig kong sabi ng isang lalaki.

"'Wag nang mainit ang ulo, libre mo na ako. Kapag nabigyan ulit ako ni kuya ng allowance, babayaran kita." Their voices becoming louder, indicating that they're walking near my direction.

"'Wag kang hingi nang hingi kay kuya, bruha ka! Alam mong busy si kuya," rinig kong sabi ng lalaki.

I slowly grab my coffee and lifted it up when my elbow got hit and the hot coffee spilled on my hand.

"Aww..." I muttered, shaking my hands off. Napatayo ako at agad pinunasan ng tissue ang kamay kong natapunan ng kape.

"Hala, ate! Pasensya na po!" I heard the boy's voice. Tumango ako sa kanila at pinunasan ang natapong kape sa mesa.

"Ayos lang, hindi niyo naman siguro sinasadya," sagot ko.

"Ate, ako na po magpupunas. Pasensya na po talaga. Namumula po ba ang kamay niyo?"

Lumingon ako sa nagsalita para sabihing ayos lang ako pero, agad akong natigilan. The two of them seems busy cleaning my table that they didn't noticed that I was already looking at them. I could feel the tears and the smile in my face.

"Hindi ka kasi nag-iingat, Kurt! May napahamak pa!" saway ni Keicy. Pareho silang hindi pa ako napapansin.

"Humingi na nga ako ng pasensya, 'di ba?" sagot naman ni Kurt.