"Ang aga mo?" walang emosyon niyang sabi habang abala sa pagtimpla ng kape sa may counter. Not even a glance.
Kaya napa-tango na lang ako.
"Pupuntahan ko sana si gave-"
Hindi ko na natapos 'yung sentence ko nang biglang tumalsik 'yung kape nya from her cup. 'Oh gosh napaka clumsy talaga.
"Sorry, pwede ka namang-"
"Ako na," I cut her off agad, seeing her trying to reach for the tissue to wipe herself.
"Kung hindi pitsel, baso... buti na lang hindi mo nabasag 'tong tasa?! Gosh."
"Ang sungit mo-ugh! Ang init!" reklamo niya habang pilit kong ina-unbutton 'yung white long sleeves niya.
I raised an eyebrow at her. She winced a little, napapikit pa sa sakit, but then suddenly... she smiled at me. Yung pilyang ngiti niya? I hate it. I mean.. dang.
"Wow, Mikhyle? Kanina nung natapon 'yung coffee, wala kang reklamo. Pero now na tinutulungan kita, andami mong arte-"
"Nagpa-baby lang ako... bawal?" she said, eyes locked on mine, that annoying cute smile still on her lips.
I froze.
Putek. Stop smiling like that. Ang unfair mo.
My hands stiffened nang bigla niya 'tong hawakan, slowly, gently. Like she was memorizing the way I felt.
"Na-miss kita," she whispered. Her voice was so soft, pero ramdam. Dead serious.
'Tangina. LORD, PAKI KUHA AKO!!!' sa loob loob ko.
"Sorry, I'm late na. Kaya mo na 'yan, malaki ka na," I said awkwardly, shoving the tissue to her face..pero light lang,then agad akong naglakad palabas, jusqo!
Lord, bakit ba everyday mo akong sinusubok?
Pagkalabas ko, muntik na akong madapa. Then pagbukas ko ng kotse-ayun na nga, nauntog pa ulo ko sa pinto.
Perfect. Just. Perfect.
Pagkaupo ko sa driver's seat, trying to collect my soul, biglang nag-ring 'yung cellphone ko.
Oh no. Sino na naman 'to?!
"Yes, hello?" mahina kong sagot, my voice shaking, ramdam ko na ang kaba. From the other line, narinig ko ang mabigat na buntong-hininga..parang ayaw niya pero wala siyang choice.
"Hey, morning. It's Gave. Let's meet at Makati Central Police Station," malamig ang boses niya, parang napipilitan.
Kinagat ko labi ko and my chest tightened. "Alright," maikli kong sagot, bago ko pa maramdaman na manghihinang muli ang boses ko.
Hidi ko alam kung bakit, pero parang hindi ko pa kaya. Or nag ooverthink ako kung paano ko papakisamahan din si Gave.
'
Bago ako umalis, napatingin ako sa side mirror at doon ko nakita si Mikhyle, na mas lalong naging dahilan kung bakit ako kinabahan.
She was smiling at me, pero hindi iyon yung ngiti na nakasanayan ko. Her eyes were saying something else..lungkot, takot... parang humihingi ng tulong na gusto akong pigilan.
Gusto kong bumaba, gusto ko siyang yakapin, gusto kong sabihing "Don't worry, I'm here" to comfort her.
Pero ang nagawa ko lang ay isang mahina at pilit na busina, to say goodbye. Nakita ko pa syang kumaway nung tumingin ako sa side mirror.
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Love's Unexpected Path. | MIKHAIAH | AM SERIES 01
RomanceThis story about arranged marriages, Mr. and Mrs. Lim, a Chinese doctor and businesspersons, want their unica ija to marry the son of Mr. and Mrs. Aravello, who are doctors with mixed Chinese heritage and own hospitals. But when the Aravellos' son r...
