Love Maneuver (LOVE TRILOGY #2)

✭ LOVE MANEUVER 03 ✭

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Drino Wang

Usually, this Tuesday, kasabay dapat namin si Mark. I don't know if intentionally ba 'yong hindi niya pagsabay sa amin or not. Ako ba ang reason or not. Iniiwasan ba niya ako or not. Hindi ko alam ba't hindi ako mapakali na wala siya that time.

"Hindi raw po ba talaga siya sasabay? May sinabi po ba siyang reason?" tanong ko kay kuya Ben.

Hindi 'yong inaasahan ko 'yong sagot niya. Wala n'ong araw na 'yon si Mark. Kaya, hanggang sa dumating ako sa terminal, wala ako sa sarili ko. Kulang na nga lang, mabangga ako kaninang papunta ako sa terminal kung hindi lang ako sinigawan n'ong jeepney driver. It's great to start this day, just wow.

Pagdating ko sa terminal, buti na lang nand'on si Dex at ang tanong niya, "You're not with him?" At ang sagot ko lang, "Ewan. Baka busy. Kumusta ka pala, Dex? How was your New Year?" me trying to divert the topic.

"It was great. Although I still need time to recover from you, I think it's already good. Celine, are you really telling the truth? We're friends. You can tell me anytime."

"Ayos lang, ano ka ba. OA mo," me trying to joke and pretend that it's okay when I know clearly that it's not.

And it's been bothering me.

"I felt like I am rejected again."

"Woy, sira, bakit?"

"You can tell me anytime if you guys have problem. I'm here as your friend."

Ngumiti na lang ako. I know Dex is a good guy and he's here as my friend. Ayoko muna magsabi sa iba. And I want to stop overthinking too much. Hindi ko pa naman siya nakakausap. When I see him, I'll make sure to converse with him about this. Ayokong mag-stay lang nang ganito nang hindi ko siya natatanong. Ewan. Ang bigat lang sa pakiramdam. 

For now, mag-aaral muna ako.

"Woy, Dex, bakit ka nga pala nag-jeep ngayon?" I asked when I realized that, kahit na matagal naman nang nakaalis 'yong jeep, nasa driver's seat kaming dalawa. Parang walang kasama. Halata na bothered ang gaga.

"Si Daddy. Ginamit 'yong car. And I'm also trying to be more comfortable commuting."

"Introvert ka?"

"Halata ba?"

"Do you really think na sa reaction kong 'yon, nakahalata ako? I mean hindi talaga halata sa 'yo. You seem that guy na sobrang daming friend. You look confident. 'Yong first impression, eh mayayabangan ka talaga, pero the contradiction is 'yong mukha mo. Ang amo kasi. Balanced 'yong pagiging friendly at looking mayabang. Gan'on."

He smiled. "Yup, you're right. Even though I'm introvert, it didn't stop me from making friends. Confident, always naman. There's a difference between being an introvert and a shy person. There's this misconception."

"I get it now. I thought same lang 'yon. Don't worry, I think as you try to stretch yourself more, as days pass by, you'll be more comfortable with it. Just remember, woy, na 'wag mong gagawin 'yon for the sake of societal pressure. Always be true to yourself."

"Got it, Ma'am. It's freeing to be just myself."

"Celine na lang, woy. Huwag mo na akong i-Ma'am. May naalala ako."

"I already know even you without saying anything. If you're ready to tell me anything, just reach out, you understand? Sorry, I just realized that I was being kinda forceful without considering if you're ready to share something with me. I'm really sorry for that."

"Ano ka ba, okay lang. Thank you sa concern, woy."

He smiled, "Do I really look mayabang?" nababahala niyang tanong. Cute.