Carisia
"Pwede bang tantanan mo na ako? I'm warning you, if you don't stop this, I'll be forced to--"
["Hindi na ba tayo pwedeng mag-usap, Cari? I just need to talk to you."]
"There's nothing for us to talk about. Ano ba?!"
He hung up. Typical.
Nakakairita! Parang hindi makaintindi ng simpleng salita.
I need to change my sim card. Ayokong basta basta na lang niya akong nacocontact.
"Cari--"
I almost jumped out of my skin when I heard Enrico's voice coming from behind me. Slowly, I turned around, trying to avoid any interrogation from him.
"E-enrico, how long have you been standing there?" I tried to avoid stuttering, but I couldn't.
"Kararating ko lang. Why? Are you okay?" he sounded concerned as he walked towards me, towering over me.
"I'm okay," I affirmed, looking up at him.
He held my chin up, staring at my eyes with those deep pair of his. "Cassie wants milk, and I have nothing to give her because she's looking for yours," he then chuckled, causing me to laugh, as well.
As we were walking back to the room, I could feel Enrico's arm snaking its way around my waist.
"Just what are you doing, mister?" I asked.
"Nothing." He then prompted his face closer to the side of my face before whispering. "I love you."
I felt my breath hitch for a second, not expecting those words from him at such a random time of the day.
Lately, everytime he says he loves me-- for some particular unknown reason, my mind is doubting him.
My feet came to a halt, making him look back at me. His expression was joyful, but slowly, it flashed confusion all over his face.
"What's wrong?" he asked, staring at me.
"Do you really love me?"
It felt like my lips had a mind of its own-- blurting out words that aren't even processed in my cortex yet.
But it was too late, because the words already came out of my mouth like word vomit.
"Bakit mo tinatanong? Of course, I do. Are you sure that you're really okay? You've been acting weird, sweetheart. I know it might be postpartum stuff and hormones but-- are you really okay?"
I stared at him for quite a while, observing every corner of his face.
He never lies.
He loves me.
What if Samuel loves you more? He's pursuing you, Cari.
No! Ginugulo ka lang ni Samuel. Don't let him affect your perfect life, Cari. Don't.
He won't reach out if there's nothing going on. It's been months, but look, he's making an effort to talk to you.
