CAUGHT (REVAMPED)

8

Elijah Alkie Rivera

The next day happened just like the rest of the days. I went to work tapos mamang police will make sundo sa akin.

Siguro the difference is that I'm more hyper aware of his presence now. I tried to be as casual as I could with him. I respect mamang police's girl and also sa kaniya.

I think it's also time for me to stop him from making sundo sa akin.

"Mamang police, can you do me a favor po?" I asked while na-stuck kaming dalawa sa traffic.

He glanced at me for a brief second and coughed. "As long as it's not illegal."

I giggled. "Of course not!"

He chuckled along with me and smiled. "So what's that favor?"

"Um... I'd like to learn how to go home on my own po."

He did not answer me after that. He just clicked his tongue and bent his neck to the side. The road became free of cars kaya muling pinaandar ni mamang police ang car.

I bit my lips nervously while nagw-wait ako sa reply niya. Why isn't he replying?

"I know my ignorance makes you worry po but I swear I'm fine. I was able to get this far after being kicked out of my house with nothing, travelling won't be that hard po. May money naman ako pang pay."

He was still silent, and I can feel his mood depleting. Muling nag-traffic kaya huminto na naman ang car. I watch him rest his elbow sa window frame and his head against his hand. The fingers on his other hand were tapping on the steering wheel impatiently.

"The store is a little far from my boarding house... pero it's easy naman mag-travel. Nag-ask na ako kay Abi."

"I'll think about it." I can feel the coldness of his voice from his answer.

I did not push the topic after that. I don't know pero I get the feeling na mamang police does not want to hear about it anymore.

But it's making me frustrated and a little disappointed. I need to learn on my own din. I'm grateful na he's helping me and doing things beyond what I need but how can I be independent if he's going to treat me like a baby?

"Thank you po. Bye." I bid quietly, cause na-feel ko na he's still not in his best mood.

I feel the same din naman. He cares for me, I get that. But he doesn't need to be over the top, not when I'm nothing but a stranger. It will definitely make me feel confused no matter how hard I try to put a line between us.

That line won't work if he plans to cross it over and over again.

My feet were heavy as I took a step paakyat sa room ko.

"Huh? Why is it open?"

When I tried to put my key sa door ng room bumukas ito ng kusa. Eh the key did not get the chance to slide in sa key hole naman.

I just pushed the door open and checked if something looks unusual. Wala naman. I also checked my money na nakatago sa ceiling but it was unopened like it was when I left it here.