Rough Roads Ahead (COTABATO SERIES#2)

Chapter 3

Chapter 3 - Uncomfortable

"Hatid na kita, umuulan eh, baka magkasakit ka pa." He said and swiftly took the umbrella I'm holding, fucking again.

I glared at him even more. Parang ewan na lumiwanag ang mukha niya, nasisiyahan. He grinned afterwards. Malalaking hakbang ang ginawa ko palabas ng coffee shop. Ramdam ko ang pagsunod niya. Pasimple kong tiningnan ang kalangitan. The rain has stopped.

Kahit pilit kong binabalewala ang paligid, kitang-kita kong pinapanood kami ng ibang tao. May it be the people and his fiends inside the coffee shop and these strangers walking passing by us. The man behind me is attracting too much attention and I hate it.

Damn it, fine! He looks so handsome! Ang totoo ay humahanga ako sa itsura niya. Maybe, the reason why I thought the world suddenly stopped rotating for me earlier is because of his looks! It's not the first time I got mesmerized. Pero siya kasi... he is strangely different. I saw so many handsome faces. But his... is way too difficult to ignore. Kaya nga bilib ako sa sarili ko at nagawa kong huwag siyang tingnan kanina sa cafeteria.

Wala namang kakaiba sa eksena namin, kung siguro'y hindi siya kasing-gwapo ng mga nasa Hollywood na actors ay wala sigurong manonood sa amin. But damn it! He's too gorgeous for his own good! Partida, hindi pa siya naka-ayos sa lagay niya ngayon, galing laro pa, and he is supposed to look haggard! Pero hindi!

I want to be out from anyone's sight. They shouldn't notice my existence! If ever, I want them to never know I breathe! Because one day... they'll be all like my own father. They will regret knowing me. They will wish that there was encounters that happened.

Kaya dapat ko lang bigyan ng babala ang lalaking ito. Whoever he is... he should stop. Whatever is his intention, may it be good or ill. I am used to shutting people out. But I'm so frustrated on how to do it now. Para kasing... fuck.

And the fact that no one have ever done this to me! Wala pang tao na naglakas ng loob para inisin ako ng ganito! I don't want this kind of treatment!

I stopped walking and I felt that he did the same. I clenched my fist and turned around to face him. His playful smirk slowly fades as he look at the expression I held.

"It's... it's u-uncomfortable." Hindi ko alam bakit biglang nanginig ang mga labi ko, "I-I don't know you... and if this kind of stunt is romantic for other girls then it's not for me."

His lips parted, eyes widened. Shock. He licked his lips and looked away. He looks embarrass now. Mukha na siyang hindi mapakali sa kinatatayuan.

"Oh, ahm..." he returned his eyes on me, " I'm sorry."

Tinitigan ko siya. All I could see is sincerity and I can hear panick lacing his voice. I suddenly feel bad... for being honest.

But then, since when did I resumed caring for other people's s feelings? They call me heartless for a reason. My father hated me for a reason. My mother died and I'm the reason.

"Ganito na lang, uhm," his eyes wandered on the road, "taxi? You'll ride a taxi?" maingat niyang tanong sa akin.

Nag-iwas ako ng tingin at tumango. We both silently waited for a taxi. Hindi ko alam kung tama ba na ganito... I mean, usually, I just leave. But my feet feels so heavy now.

Not too long after, a taxi with a sticker from a very known app appeared. Tiningnan ko siya. Tumikhim siya at pasimpleng nilagay sa bulsa ng suot na shorts and kaniyang cellphone. Mamula-mula na ang mukha at may bahid parin ng hiya.

"I... used grab. Baka kasi umulan ulit at... sakaling nagmamadali ka?" He seems to be unsure with what to say.

Now we are both uncomfortable. I forced a smile and went to the taxi's door. I left him earlier at the canteen without saying anything, and I did that again kanina sa gym---After he said those words, the referee announced the game to resume so he had to go back, and since I was left comfused and shock, I left the place. Mabuti nalang at hindi naman ako dinumog ng mga babae kanina. They all look at me like I'm their prey or something.