Blackmailed

Chapter 5

"O, bakit nakataas 'yang kilay mo?" Kaius asked me grinning. "Hindi ka naniwala sa sinabi ko?"

I shook my head. "Hindi."

"Aray naman. I thought we've grown closer now that we've shared a drink and a sandwich," he lightly said.

"I can't believe I used the same straw you drank from."

"I just had my annual executive exam and am in tip-top shape. I promise that I have nothing contagious," he told me winking.

"It's not you, it's me," I kidded.

"You're breaking up with me?" he jestingly asked.

"I don't really dig long-distance relationships," I continued. "Your place is right here while mine is on another shore."

"I can buy a private jet to get to you, Kalilah."

"I am for saving the environment, Kaius, and according to a 2021 report from the European Federation for Transport and Environment, private jets are five to fourteen times more polluting per passenger than commercial flights."

"You're so difficult to please but you being an environmentalist is such a turn-on."

"I'm glad you feel way. Now, tell me, how do I turn you off?"

He laughed out loud.

I laughed along with him. "Mukhang gutom na nga ako dahil pinapatulan ko na ang mga kalokohan mo."

"Cute nga, eh. Ang akala ko sobrang seryoso mo."

"That's everyone's first impression of me."

"I am glad I was given a chance to see this side of you. Ang buong akala ko ay ikaw 'yung tipo ng taong sobrang hirap pakisamahan. Parang diring-diri ka kasi na nag-share tayo ng straw."

"And before you start singing me praises, I'd like to let you know that I wasn't pretending. Ayaw na ayaw kong nakiki-share ng inumin at pagkain sa iba dahil madirihin akong tao. This is the first time that I've shared a straw with anyone or taken bite from someone else's food."

"Well, thank you for sharing that first with me. Bati na ba tayo?"

"Nag-aaway ba tayo?"

"You exactly do not have a high opinion of me."

"Because you acted out."

He dramatically gasped. "I did?"

I rolled my eyes at him.

He laughed. "You really thought I acted out?"

"Oo kaya. Don't deny it. Pareho naman nating alam na iniinis mo ako kanina at ako naman nainis kaagad."

He smiled. "But, has that opinion about me changed?"

"Would I have drunk from the same straw if it didn't?"

"Good point."

"I get you, Kaius. I didn't earlier but I do now..." I said.

"What do you mean?"

"You have your reasons for acting the way you did. And whatever your reasons are, they're none of my business. I apologize if I said things that were offensive to you. My first impression of you wasn't that great. Nayayabangan ako sa'yo. But, here you are helping me as if we've been friends for years. Ibig sabihin lang ay mabuti kang tao."

"Sa tingin mo ay mabuti akong tao?"

"Hindi ba?"

"Hm..."

"So, you have vested interest bakit ka tumutulong sa akin ngayon?"

"I have vested interests, period. I am not going to deny that. But, the help I am extending to you now doesn't have any hidden agenda. Gusto ko lang talagang tulungan ka."