IKIGAI Series #1: Estranghero

16

There was a moment of silence matapos ang nangyari. Pareho kaming hindi gumagalaw-ako, trying to compose my wildly confused emotions while he was just standing there like the embodiment of tension.

I stepped back finally, brushing invisible dust off my suit kahit wala naman.

"I'm going to the bathroom," I muttered, eyes avoiding his.

But of course, Kiernan wouldn't let that slide.

"Alone?" tanong niya using his monotone way of speaking.

I frowned. "Uh, yeah?"

He raised an eyebrow. "I'll go with you baka kung ano pa ang mangyari."

I blinked. "Seriously, Kiernan? The whole building has a high end security."

"I'm serious," he said, stepping beside me. "I'm going with you."

My eyes narrowed. "No, you're not. Go back inside. There's a reserve seat for you."

"I'll find it later. Hindi kita hahayaang maglakad mag-isa lalo na naka-ganyan ka."

He gestured to my outfit like I was a walking diamond he had to guard.

"I'm not a VIP asset, Kiernan."

"Well, you kinda are tonight."

I bit my lower lip so that I couldn't form a smile dahil konting-konti na lang ay bibigay na ako. As much as possible, I'll to act na tila malayo ang loob sa kaniya lalo na't we still ended a little bit unwell noong huli naming kita sa isa't isa.

I rolled my eyes-weakly. "Late na nga dumating, tss."

"Huh?"

"Wala."

He didn't budge. And eventually, napagod na rin ako sa pakikipag-debate sa kaniya. So I walked ahead, and of course, he followed quietly.

_______________

We reached the CR without speaking. He leaned on the wall sa labas ng pinto habang ako ay pumasok.

Bakit ba ang lakas pa rin ng impact niya kahit wala siyang ginagawa?

Pagkaharap ko sa salamin, I stared at myself for a long second. I tried to calm down. Pinilit kong ibalik 'yung kaninang postura ko, a charming celebrant smile na halos mawala dahil sa pagdating niyang kanina ko pa hinihintay.

After a few minutes, I went out. He was still there, arms crossed, eyes low.

"Okay ka na?" tanong niya, still neutral, still stiff-but something about the way he asked... may concern. Masked lang ng cold tone.

I nodded slowly. "Yeah. Thanks for... umm."

He gave a slight tilt of his head. "You're welcome?"

Hindi ako umimik instead I started walking again, and this time, tahimik siyang sumabay. The walk back to the ballroom was filled with unsaid things.

No arguments. Just air so thick with tension na pwede mo ng hiwain sa dalawa.

When we reached the ballroom doors, the music was a bit louder. May kumakanta na ng acoustic number sa mini stage. Mukhang in full swing na ang program.

I turned to him, cleared my throat. "May seat ka. Dun sa table three, beside Reize's family."

He blinked. "That's a little far."

"Good," I said flatly.

"Wow," he replied.

I sighed and gestured toward the direction. "Go."