What Was Always Mine

Always 11

Always 11

Inaamin ko, ang tanga ko sa parte na sinabi ko pa sa kaniya 'yon na dapat ay hindi na lang dahil wala naman talaga siyang dapat i-explain. We're not even friends to begin with... but why am I acting this way?

Tahimik niya lamang akong sinamahan sa isang bookstore sa Mall. He was holding a red shopping basket while looking around, probably finding something he can buy too.

And oh, I hated myself for noticing that he looks like a boyfriend who's waiting for his girlfriend to finish shopping while carrying the basket for her.

I abruptly shook my head.

Tangina. Saan naman nanggaling 'yon, Primoriah?!

I just probably need a drink later.

Kinuha ko na 'yung mga gamit na sadya ko rito at inilagay sa shopping basket na hawak ni Villafuerte. Pinagmasdan niya lamang ako habang isa-isa kong nilalagay iyon sa basket.

"Is that all?" he asked, eyeing me.

He's now wearing his extra black hoodie since 'yung uniporme niya ay basa pa. Napapikit tuloy ako sa loob ng kotse habang nagbibihis siya. That was so fucking awkward!

Umayos ako ng tayo at tumango. "Yup. Got anything to add?" I asked and he immediately shook his head in response.

Dumiretso na kami sa counter upang magbayad. I gave him my card but he refused.

"Nah, ako na." he said as he slid the card back to my purse.

"It's my things. I should be the one to pay it," I said as I handed it back to him.

"Let me."

"Sus! Mga mayayaman nga namang magjowa! Nagtatalo pa kung sino ang magbabayad at kung kaninong card ang gagamitin! Leche, nakakainggit naman!" the cashier said, sighing dreamily.

Sievan and I awkwardly stared at each other.

"He's not my boyfriend," I cleared out.

"Ah, ganoon ba 'te?" Kaagad namang nagliwanag ang mga mata ng cashier. "Ang meaning ba no'n ay pwedeng akin nalang siya?" nakangising tanong nito.

My eye twitched when I heard her words. Sinulyapan ko si Sievan at nahuli ko naman siyang nakatingin sa akin na para bang hinihintay niya ang sagot ko.

I secretly gave her a death glare. "Pardon?" I smiled, pretending that I didn't hear what she just said.

Kaagad siyang umiling at natawa. "Wala po! Nagbibiro lang naman ako, Ma'am..." Palihim nalang akong napairap.

Sievan handed his card to her which she immediately accepted kaya hindi na ako nakapagtutol pa. Siya na nga talaga ang nagbayad sa mga pinamili ko.

"You didn't have to do that," I said. "I'll pay you back."

"I'm not expecting anything in return, Primoriah." he simply said as he followed me while carrying the plastic bag.

Why does my name sounds so heavenly when he says it fully? Ayaw na ayaw ko kasi dati na may tumatawag sa akin ng buo kong pangalan. It's so mouthful, you know?

"But still-"

"Why don't we just eat, hmm?" putol niya kaya wala sa sariling napatingin ako sa wrist watch ko. It's 7PM na rin and I didn't even notice that I was already starving.

He looked at me. "Do you have a place in mind? Puro kasi fast food chains ang nandito baka ayaw mo-"

"No, it's fine. Umuulan din." sagot ko. "I'll be fine with anything."