Trapped Between Worlds

Chapter 2: We meet again

Nakangiti parin siya habang naglalakad. Para siyang timang. Nakakahiya tuloy siyang kasama. And, the silence is so awkward na. And as much as I am irritated, I decided to start a conversation.

"So, bakit ka nandito?"

"That's how you welcome a bestfriend, huh?" Nakangiting sabi niya.

"Oh, don't smile at me."

He gave a single chuckle and said, "Nice to see you too, Trisha."

Seriously? Pano niya 'to nagagawa? Knowing him from before, hindi siya ganito. Madali siyang mairita din tulad ko. Madali din siyang mahawa ng pagkainis. And he wouldn't deal with people who doesn't like his company, which obviously is me. What's up with this jerk?

"Go get a table. I know what you want."

Bossy. Huh. Whatever.

I gave him a whatever-you-say-I-still don't-like-you look before heading into a vacant table.

Anong sasabihin ko sa kanya? Gosh. Nakakafrustrate. Should I ask him how is he doing? What has brought him back to Pinas? What is he interested to?

Yuck! Ano 'to? Date? Getting to know each other stage? It's not like it's my first time going out with him. Remember, he was your bestfriend. He IS your bestfriend.

"What are you thinking Ms. Masungit? You still hadn't change. You still bite your nails when you're nervous. Wait, you're nervous? Maybe coffee is not a good idea." He's laughing.

Gosh, he's laughing! Is this a joke to him? Am I a joke?

"I'm not nervous. Asa ka pa."

"Tell me. What's making you masungit?"

Putragis na slang yan. "Wow. You forgot? That's just.. WOW."

"What? The incident-"

"Yes, the incident that made Liam dump me. That made me the sulutera-two-timing-btch-of-the-school." Pataas ng pataas boses ko. Hindi ko namamalayan.

"Jeez, Trish, chill. Okay, I'm sorry. Alright? I-"

"No, it's not alright!"

"Will you stop cutting me off and let me finish my sentence?"

Now, he's mad. He has the nerve? Gosh!

Surprised at myself, I shut up and nod.

"We were young back then. I was so stupid. I realized that now. I just did that because I want Clarisse to break up with me. I've explained this all to you before I fly to New York. And I'm sorry Liam saw what I did. I didn't know that he was there. I swear."

Not talking. No. I'm not talking to this man.

"C'mon, Trish. I am sorry. Really. At hanggang ngayon, hindi ka parin nakakaget over kay Liam? Hindi na nga kayo nagkikita e."

What?

"How'd you know?"

"We bumped at each other sa Ilocos. We talked. I apologized to him kase hindi kami nag-usap after nung nangyari. He always have those dogs around him. Maybe one of them is gay."

I suddenly bursed into laughter, "Baliw ka. Yeah, maybe. They can't take their hands off him. Unless I am around."

"I missed that laugh Trish." Those puppy eyes. Bipolar parin 'to.

Oh, hindi ko kayang tiisin ang bestfriend ko.

"I missed you too Myko! A lot. I was so mad at you. Nakakainis ka kasi e."