I Would Hate To Be You

Chapter 10 [encounters]

Chapter 10

Regular size lang naman ang original order ko, but Japheth was extra kind. Large ang binili niya para sa'kin. I wanted to tell him that he doesn't have to, but it was too late.

I was standing beside him when he ordered. Paglabas niya ng wallet niya, napansin ko na parang may picture ng batang lalaki ro'n. I really didn't see the entire photo but it kinda looks like him. Maybe it's his childhood picture. I tried to tiptoe to get a better view, but dang, he's too tall. Sa palagay ko nasa 5'10 ang height nito. Of course, wala namang kalaban-laban ang 5'4 na height ko. After a few seconds of trying, I gave up.

I was scrunching my nose when he looked in my direction. Because of it, I quickly smiled and pretended like I wasn't doing something weird.

After paying, Japheth was given the change and was asked, "Your name, Sir?" Alicia was smiling at him warmly.

Japheth returned it with a half-smile, just like usual. "Oh, this is for her," he finally said while looking at me.

I chimed in their conversation. "Hi!" I gleamed at her. Pinangunahan ko na si Alicia bago pa niya ako bigyan ng makabuluhan na ngiti. Although, fault ko naman talaga ang nangyari kanina. "Atom," I gave her my name this time. Bakit ko naman kasi binigay ang pangalan ni Japh kanina? Nakakahiya.

"Alright, Miss Atom. Pa-wait na lang po sa side." Ngumiti siya sa'kin.

"Thank you," sagot ko.

"Thanks," Japh also told her. We went to the side to wait for my order. He turned his back to check his friends but they're not yet lining up. When I looked at him, I saw him sighing while shaking his head.

I gently pursed my lips and heaved out a heavy sigh, too. I want to explain myself. Hindi lang ako makahanap ng tamang buwelo. When we both stayed silent, I blew air on my cheeks and slowly parted my lips, ready to speak. "Hey, Japh," I called him softly, just loud enough for him to hear. He slowly turned his head towards my direction, giving me all of his attention. "I'm so sorry about what happened earlier. Kausap ko kasi si Sash sa phone habang umo-order ako, tapos nabanggit 'yung name mo sa conversation namin . . . kaso tinatanong na pala ako nung staff kung ano name ko. Kaya 'yun ang nalagay sa cup. I swear that's just the reason. I'm not creepy or something," I shyly confessed to him.

"It's really fine, Atom. I understand," he said in a soft voice while smiling a little. "Next time, just don't talk to someone when you're on the phone."

Para akong bata na kinakausap nang malambing. He's too gentle and kind.

Relieved, I smiled and replied, "Thank you, and noted."

Nang tawagin ng staff ang pangalan ko, nagpunta agad ako sa gilid para kunin ang drink na finally, nakapangalan na sa'kin.

When I arrived back at Japh's side, I asked him, "Shall we wait for them?" I was looking at Guian who looks like he's arguing with James. "Okay lang ba sila? Baka mag-away na ang mga 'yun," I asked while my forehead is creasing. It looks like anytime, James is going to strangle Guian.

Umiling siya. "No. Ganiyan lang talaga sila." He sounded so sure about himself. Nang muli kong tingnan sina Guian, tawa na siya nang tawa habang parang badtrip naman na ang mukha nina James at Cyrus. Classic Guian and his antics, I see.

"Mind if we sit down?" I asked him politely.

"Sure," tipid niyang sagot.

Dahil libre ang pwesto na inupuan nila dati nang gabi na makita ko sila after the concert, do'n ko piniling pumuwesto. And because no one is still here, I sat beside him. After sitting down, he became quiet again. Usual Japheth.