GETTING TO KNOW MS. ANGER | MaColet

03 STRANGER

YVES

"Hi Yves"

All of our attention ay napunta sa nagsalita.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

Panira naman ng mood ang isang to.

"Aw, I came to see my beautiful girlfriend." he replied with a sweet smile on his lips.

Cringe.

I heard Stacey scoff, followed by Sheena's soft laughter.

"Stop with that bullshit Maki, sinusundan mo ba ako?" I asked, clearly annoyed.

"Of course not!" he said, shrugging casually. " Nakita ko si Pres Jhoanna sa parking, kaya tinanong kita." Tinuro niya pa si Jho na nag-peace sign sa akin.

"Kasalanan yan ni Jho, Loi" Stacey muttered.

"So, what now?" I asked, crossing my arms defensively.

Maki just shrugged again while he didn't removed the smile on his face as he took a step closer.

Naalarma ako at tumayo "Don't you dare na lumapit sakin, Maki" I warned, my voice low and threatening.

"Why, Yves? Why are you treating your soon-to-be fiancé like this, hmm?" he whispered, his tone suddenly dark and teasing.

"You're dreaming, Maki. I haven't even agreed to that fucking arrangement." matigas na sabi ko sa kanya.

"But Tito did–" tumigil siya saglit, "Wait, does Tito know you’re at a bar right now?" tanong niya na may makahulugang tono.

It took me a second to respond. I glanced at my friends, who were watching like they were witnessing a live drama habang may mga ngiting nakakaloko.

Muling binalik ko ang tingin sa lalaking kaharap ko.

"Mag usap tayo sa balcony" I said in dismissal tone at nauna ng maglakad habang siya ay nakasunod lang sakin.

Pagsara niya ng sliding door ng balcony ay agad na humarap ako sa kanya

"Wala dito si dad, You don't need to pretend you're my perfect boyfriend" i said to him in my irritating tone.

He smiled at me "But Yves, I can be your perfect boyfriend if you let me court you for real" he answered in his soft tone or should i say paawa effect?

I rolled my eyes at him "I can't, I'm gay, Maki. Can't you get that?"

He sighed, and to my surprise, he reached out and took hold of my right hand. The warmth of his touch sent a shiver down my spine, but not the kind he was hoping for.

"It's just a phase, Yves. I can make you straight."

I pulled my hand away from his grasp, making a disgusted face. "A phase?" I repeated, incredulous. "I can’t believe you’re saying that ridiculous word to me." I said almost a whispered.

His words felt like a slap in the face. How could he, of all people, think that my identity was something as fleeting as a phase? I could feel the sting of his ignorance settling deep in my chest.

"Can you leave me alone, please?" I said, my voice laced with offense and hurt.

He looked like he wanted to argue, but I pointed to the sliding door behind him, silently demanding he go. With a reluctant nod, he turned and left, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I walked over to the balcony railing, closing my eyes as the cool night breeze brushed against my skin, trying to calm the turmoil inside me.

"Argh, why am I stuck in this situation?" I shouted into the night, frustration bubbling up and spilling over. I felt trapped, caged in by expectations that weren’t even mine.