Between Your Lips and Mine (Cervantes Series)

18

080823 #BYLAMwp Chapter 18

"I know na sabi mo you'll leave if I ask again . . . but what's going on with you?" Ced asks. I'm too tired for today that I don't even have the energy to stare at him in a way that will remind him na I meant what I said earlier, kaya hindi ko na lang siya pinansin. The dinner earlier took my mind off things, pero na-exhaust ako simply by having a lot of strangers around me. Isa pa, I still have the images of Chio's retreating back flashing in my head every ten minutes or so.

God, I think I pissed him off. The last time na medyo nagalit siya sa 'kin was when he mistook me for being mean kay Gracey dahil crush ko si Jass. But I had the upperhand in that situation dahil mali siya ng assumption.

But for this one? I don't know. And I'm kind of nervous because I have no idea how to apologize to him.

"Are you paying?" tanong ko kay Ced bago itago ang phone ko sa bag after turning it off. I messaged Mommy after class na I'll be out somewhere, and for the last hour she has been calling me non-stop, probably to ask me to go home because Dad's there.

Wala pa akong balak umuwi. I'm not coming home unless I'm sure he's out of the house.

Inirapan ako ni Ced pero tumango naman. He's the one who asked me to get drinks pagkatapos naming mapagdesisyonang umalis sa dinner. His two friends remained with our classmates, probably to get drinks as well, but I have spent too much time today being with strangers kaya mas gusto kong bumukod.

"Parang last week ka pa absentminded," he says. I manage to glare at him when he pulls the cup he's holding away from me when I attempt to grab it from him. "Seryoso, bakit nga? ¿Qué pasa?" he asks, lowering his head to meet my gaze.

"Later," sagot ko. I don't even know whether to begin with my Dad or with Chio, or if I should tell him both since he's not getting paid to do this. Maybe I should be thankful na chismoso siya so he doesn't really mind me venting to him about anything.

"Talaga lang?" tanong niyang parang hindi naniniwala, holding the paper cup near his chest. I scratch the back of my head out of frustration then nod. Ang bilis kong marindi when I'm asked twice. "Baka mamaya tulugan mo 'ko."

"I can handle my alcohol well," I reply. Besides, we both need to drive ourselves home so I have to be mindful of my intake. Hindi ko rin alam kung ano'ng kaya nitong si Ced so I somehow have to look out after him, too, and send him home sakali mang hindi niya kaya. "Por dios por santo."

Natawa siya pero parang labag pa sa loob niyang painumin ako. "Vale, señora."

Tahimik lang si Ced, most probably noticing that my ears won't pick up any words na sasabihin niya dahil pagod pa ako sa ingay ng dinner kanina. I roll my eyes at him when I saw him na maghabol-tingin doon sa dumaang babae sa may table namin. Nilingon niya pa ako pagkatapos na parang nagpapaalam.

"Go," I say and dismiss him with my hand. I don't want him to miss out on a chance with a girl dahil lang napagkamalan kaming in a relationship.

He pouts. "Maiiwan kang mag-isa dito."

"I'm not a child," I reply, shaking my head. And I still need to sort my thoughts out para mailabas ko yun nang mas maayos mamaya. "I'll be fine."

After maybe five minutes of convincing him and threatening him na aalis ako if mangulit pa siya, Ced finally left me alone. Iniwan niya sa 'kin ang susi ng sasakyan niya pati na rin wallet na parehas kong itinabi ko sa bag dahil baka kung saan pa yun mapunta. I just tell him to keep his phone with him dahil baka magkawalaan kami mamaya at maisipan ko siyang hanapin.

I sigh when I finally get my silence. Well, not entirely silent dahil may music at may mga tao sa paligid, but it's easy to tune them out. I lay my head on top of the table for a few seconds, pinakikiramdaman if I'm already sleepy so I know how much alcohol I can handle. I close my eyes, but only for a minute because the image of Chio walking away earlier flashes in my mind and jolts me awake.