Curse of Love [Free Space Series #2]

CHAPTER 55: Doomed

"I heard what you said,"

I rolled my eyes and decided not to respond. We're both inside of my car, and I'm currently driving. Sinusundan ko ang address niya sa phone para maihatid. Mukhang lumipat nga siya ng bahay e, hindi kasi 'to ang daan na natatandaan ko sa tuwing nagpupunta ako sa kanila dati.

"Awhile ago, I heard what you said to him. You called me your girlfriend."

Kailan ba tatahimik 'to?

Hindi ko ulit siya pinansin at nagpokus nalang sa daan. Tonight's wasn't really a good night. I was not expecting myself to end up in a situation like this. Ni hindi ko nga naisip na makakasama pala siya sa dinner kanina. Malayo ang university na pinapasukan niya, paanong naisipan niyang dito kumain?

"You called me your girlfriend awhile ago, when you were talking to that man," she repeated, making me roll my eyes.

Inulit pa talaga.

"Why did you say that?"

"I only did that to push the guy away, okay? Stop making a big deal of it. Buti nga tinulungan pa kita."

"He seems nice. He's offering me a ride."

I glanced at her, could not believe what I just heard. "Are you crazy?"

"What? I just said that he seems nice."

"Because he wants you. Are you that dumb to not realize it? He wanted you to get in his car because he wants something from you."

Natahimik siya at hindi nakapagsalita. I looked at her, completely unamused.

"You're just realizing it now?"

"Why are you so mad?"

"You're really asking me that?" Lalong nagsalubong ang kilay ko. Parang gusto kong iparada bigla ang sasakyan para lang hampasin ang kokote niya kahit na nasa highway kami. "Isn't that obvious already?"

"Tell me."

"Because you're acting like an idiot," I straightforwardly said. Lalo siyang hindi nakapagsalita pero hindi sapat na dahilan 'to para manahimik ako.

I wanted to put inside her head how she's acting like an airhead right now.

"Hindi ba kahit elementary alam na hindi dapat sumasama sa taong hindi mo naman kilala? That's basic knowledge, and you're a professor, you should know that. Bakit hindi mo ma-apply sa sarili mo?"

"My phone's dead. I can't contact a taxi."

"So you're going to accept his offer?" A sarcastic laugh escaped from my lips. "Are you fucking for real? Pa'no nalang kung may mangyaring masama sa'yo ro'n?"

"That will not happen," she said with confidence. Halos matawa ako pero hindi ko magawa dahil mas lamang ang inis na nararamdaman.

"Anong tingin mo sa sarili mo? Si Darna?" I scoffed as I shook my head in disappointment.

"I know you would come back and get me, so I spoke to him to see what you would do."

Kumunot ang noo ko. "What?"

"I saw you, you stopped your car. You're watching me, aren't you?"

"I'm not."

"But you came back shortly after I responded to him."

I tightened the grip on the wheel. "Because you're an idiot. Why would you want to have a conversation with someone you don't know?"

"See? You're definitely watching us."

I clenched my jaw and took a deep breath, trying to compose myself.

"And so? So what? Anong gusto mong palabasin?"

"That I'm not an idiot. I only spoke to him because I saw you stop your car. I know you're watching me, and if I talk to the stranger, it will provoke you to go back and get me right away."

"So you used him?" I asked. "Against me?"

"I told you. I need a ride home."

I rolled my eyes. Whatever.

Hindi ako nakaramdam ng kahit na anong inis. Mas napanatag pa ang loob ko na kinausap niya lang ito para pabalikin ako. Mabuti naman at nag-iisip siya. Pero kahit na hindi niya naman yun gawin, babalik at babalik parin ako. Gusto ko lang talaga munang makita kung anong gagawin niya kung sakali mang iiwan ko nga talaga siya.

"But you still called me your girlfriend."

I rolled my eyes when she started bringing it up again.

"Move on, Lynpen."

"It sounds good."

"What?"

"You. Saying it."