T.S. STORIES #4: Say Don't Go (Completed)

Chapter 12

"Girl, we knew it would happen. Ikaw pa kaya?" Kristelle exclaimed from the other end.

I rolled my eyes in dismay. I told them about what happened earlier. "Guys, sabi ko nga 'di ba. I joined their project by accident. 'Di ko talaga alam na sila pala 'yong tinutukoy ni Mama na project sa barangay."

"Wow, that's great! Tadhana na talaga nagbigay ng paraan para magkita ulit kayo. Should you be glad? I mean, baka may chance nga kayo—"

"Stop it. You're not helping me either. Gusto kong magback-out," I retorted with conviction.

"Lagot ka naman kay Auntie," Anna reminded.

"Then join me! Ayaw kong mag-isa lang do'n no!"

"Naku, sorry talaga, Icarus. I won't make it. May out of town kami ni boyfie. I really can't join you," Kristelle frowned in dismay.

"Me too. May workshop pa akong iaattend that week," Anna bummed. "Good luck na lang sa inyo! Sana magsucceed ang project niyo!"

"Sana magsucceed kayong dalawa—charot!" Kristelle teased again, before they finally left the call.

I'm in a great dilemma. Throwing my phone on the bed, I sighed in disbelief. Showing up would mean I had to endure his presence, but If I won't go, Mama will surely find a way I will. Besides, I don't want Mama stressing over me— simply about not attending that program. She should've sent my brother instead of me.

And, most importantly, among the thousands of people in this town, why him? WHY HAS IT TO BE HIM?!

But wait, I haven't seen him with his rumored girlfriend. I only saw him hanging around with Venice, but I don't really think she's whom he's dating. It has to be someone we knew a long time ago, I bet.

As I was about to stalk his profile again, someone suddenly called me. Without hesitation, I quickly answered it. "Greg? Ba't napatawag ka?"

"Bakit, hindi ba pwede?" he replied, a chuckle audible from the other end.

"Baliw. May ipapabili ka ba?" I asked, teasing.

"Wala naman. May concert 'yong favorite band natin dito next month. May extra ticket pa ako dito. Baka gusto mo—"

I couldn't contain my excitement. "AHHH, GUSTO KOOOO! HUHUHU!"

"Talaga? Eh sabi mo two months ka pa d'yan eh."

"Eh 'di uuwi ako!" I exclaimed eagerly.

"Sure?"

"Oo naman! Libre mo na nga eh."

"Sige. Habol ka ha. 'Wag mo 'kong paasahin—"

Suddenly, someone else on the line cut in before Greg could finish. "Hoy, Icarus! Miss ka na ni Greg! Uwi ka na raw dito!" a familiar voice chirped.

"Oo nga! Ikaw lang nga nilibre niya ng concert ticket tapos kami, nilibre ng sama ng loob!" another voice added playfully.

It was clear my friends were together, probably hanging out tonight and likely passing Greg's phone around.

"Miss ko na rin kayo. Alagaan niyo si Greg. Baka matulog na naman 'yan sa sahig 'pag nalasing," I joked.

"Isang beses lang 'yon," Greg defended himself with a laugh. "Sige na. Kitakits sa concert! Ingat ka d'yan."

"Sige. Ingat rin kayo!" I replied warmly.

Before ending the call, I could hear loud cheers and laughter from their end.

I miss my buddies, even though it hasn't been weeks since I left. Greg probably missed me that much because we were the closest in the group. He knows almost everything about me, as much as I do about him. Ika nga nila, parang magkarugtong na mga bituka namin sa sobrang close.

There was one time, Mama messaged me if I was dating Greg after seeing our photos online. Even though I have customized my privacy across all my social accounts, still she was able to see my posts. Weird of her, but I cleared the air: we're just good friends.

While my mind was floating over my memories, three soft knocks brought me back to my senses. "Nak, may bisita ka," Mama said.

Seriously, at this hour? It's already late at night. "Sino?"

"Labas ka para malaman mo."

It has to be someone so significant in my life, sitting in the living room with them right now; otherwise, I'd be very much dismayed he wasn't. I fixed myself before I decided to come out of my room.

I was greeted with a sight of a familiar figure on the couch, and there was nothing but annoyance that emerged in me with his sudden presence. "Ba't ka andito?" I asked, feeling pissed.

"Napadaan lang. Gusto ko ring kumustahin si Tita Delia nang personal," he replied, trying hard to sound genuine.

"Nak, may dala pa nga 'yong tao. Magpasalamat ka naman oh," Mom said, trying to cool down my temper.

There, I also saw my sister taking another slice of pizza from its box. "Kuya, tikman mo oh! Sarap ng pizza ni Kuya Gelo!"

Kuya Gelo pa talaga ha. Psh.

Despite my death glare, he still smiled back. This guy hasn't been so significant in my life, but here he is, already paying an unnecessary visit.

I was expecting he would leave as soon as I wished, until he finally stood from the couch and fixed himself. "Mukhang mauuna na ako, Tita Delia. May pupuntahan pa kasi ako."

I saw how Mama didn't want him to leave. "Salamat sa dala mo ha? Ingat ka, Gelo," she said.

Mama poked my side to speak. There, I rolled my eyes before I could even talk. "Ingat ka rin," I uttered, with no traces of enthusiasm.

Now, Mama slightly pushed me towards him. "Ihatid mo sa labas," she whispered her command.

"Kaya na niya 'ya—Aray! Oo na."

After that terrible pinch from her, I took him out of the house. As we walked through the front yard, I spoke. "I wonder how you even knew about our house. Baka bukas, may makakasuhan akong stalker," I threatened, which made him chuckle instead.

"Bumisita lang, kakasuhan agad," he reasoned out.

With crossed arms, I spoke once more. "Ano kailangan mo? Nasa project mo na ako at susunod-sunod na sa'yo do'n. May utang pa ba ako sa'yo?"

"Wala naman. Gusto ko lang kita makita," he replied.

I felt cringey upon hearing that. "Wala akong panahon para makipagbiruan. Do'n ka sa girlfriend mo bumanat. Huwag ako," I said.

Through the gates, I pushed him before finally locking it. There, I was wondering why our dog didn't even make noise when he entered the house. I looked around and saw Pancake just rolling on the yard.

"Ang cute," he uttered, which made me raise my brow.

"Tigil-tigilan mo nga ako! Umalis ka na!" I gestured to him to go away.

"Okay, okay! See you next time, I guess?" he finally surrendered, and started walking away. I winced as he headed to his car, but when he looked back, he chuckled again.

"By the way, when I said cute, I was referring to your dog."

He went into his car, and watched his car dash out of the village. I just rolled my eyes for the nth time upon hearing that. Who cares if he was referring to my dog when he said it was cute? Why the hell did he sound like he was flirting with me?! Geez.