TAMED SERIES 2: Reemo Esguerra (Complete Ver. Is Exclusive In The VIP)

Kabanata 7

Kabanata 7

Helian

"Why did you take a photo?" Tumalim ang tingin ko kay Troy. "Isalaksak ko kaya sa ngala-ngala mo 'yang cellphone mong mamahalin?"

Troy smirked. "It's just one photo, Ian. Just for remembrance. Knowing you, siguradong matagal na naman bago kita makita nang personal." Isinangkal niya ang kanyang mga siko sa mesa. "Pero kung natatakot kang magselos si Reemo, I'll take it down."

Umikot ang mga mata ko. "Bakit ako matatakot? Hindi namin gusto ni Reemo ang isa't isa. Ayaw ko lang na basta na lang akong kinukunan ng larawan nang walang paalam."

"Like I said, I just wanna keep a remembrance. Isa pa, hindi naman na bago 'yon. Dati pa naman kitang kinukunan ng photos. Kung hindi lang pinabubura ni Reemo, hindi naman mawawala sa files ko."

Napakunot ako ng noo. "Pinabura ni Reemo?"

He nodded. "There was a time that I had enough. Nag-away kami dahil ginawa kitang wallpaper. He said I have no right to do that, pero bakit siya picture ninyo ang wallpaper hindi ka naman niya girlfriend?" He smirked. "Baka may gusto sa'yo?"

Napalunok ako. No, I wouldn't get my hopes up. Hangga't hindi sa bibig ni Reemo nanggagaling, hindi ko paniniwalaan.

I inhaled a sharp breath. "Hindi. Sadyang protective lang ang mokong na 'yon."

Troy smirked. "Why don't you start going out with me so we can prove if he's really not into you romantically?" He leaned a bit forward. "Malay mo, biglang umamin. Problema kasi sa'yo, takot na takot kang may dumikit na ibang lalake sa'yo dahil iba ang nagiging reaksyon ni Reemo. Na-stuck ka tuloy sa pagiging best friend."

Tumaas ang kilay ko. "Eh, kung suntukin na lang kita sa mukha?"

Mahina siyang tumawa. "Come on, Ian. If you're gonna date me, baka sakaling umamin sa'yo si Reemo. He will never speak up unless you will show him that you're open to entertaining other boys. In case you're not aware, men don't usually step up if there's no competition."

I pursed my lips. Nanligaw na noon sa akin si Troy noong college kami pero dahil takot akong magalit si Reemo, nilayuan ko si Troy at sinabi kay Reemo na ayaw ko sa tropang nagkakagusto sa akin kahit na ang totoo, I want him to see that I will always be available for him.

Doon ba ako nagkamali? O baka sadyang hindi lang naman talaga ako gusto ni Reemo?

"Give me a month. Either we'll be able to push Reemo to confess or I'll make you fall." He smirked. "Hindi ka naman talo sa'kin. I have a good career. May bahay at lupa na rin. May sasakyan at ipon. I am ready to date you."

Ano bang akala sa akin ng kumag na 'to? Hindi kayang bumili ng sarili kong bahay at lupa? Hindi kayang buhayin ang sarili ko?

Umismid ako. "Women like me who make her own money will never be impressed by a man's social status. We want someone who can offer his loyalty, care, and of course, someone who has plans for the future with us included."

Ngumiti si Troy. "I know. Sinabi ko lang naman dahil mapera si Reemo. But unlike him, I worked my way up. I have no parents who have a thriving business."

"And it wasn't his fault that he has parents who worked their ass off to give him something he can inherit once they're gone. After all, responsibilidad ng mga magulang na bigyan ng maayos na buhay ang mga anak."

Troy held his glass of wine. There's a hint of amusement in his eyes as if instead of getting annoyed by my rebuttals, mas naaaliw pa siya.

"I know, but don't you think parents should also let their kids build their own names, hmm? Yes, inheritance is good but when someone doesn't know how to acquire such valuable thing, it's not gonna last. Look at my parents? They both came from wealthy families but instead of doubling what they inherited, they ended up wasting everything. Why? Because they didn't work a single day earning even just a portion of the wealth they inherited."