Dating Alys Perez (PUBLISHED)

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

"Please remind me kung bakit ako pumayag na sumama ka dito," sabi ko habang tinitignan ko si Tofer na naglalakad pabalik balik sa shop ko at ginagalaw lahat ng gamit na nakikita niya. He's the most annoying person I have ever met! Hindi ko alam kung paano ko siya natagalan maging kaibigan for four years! God, I must have been so desperate for a friend na pinatulan ko na si Tofer!

Binuksan niya yung cupboard sa kitchen at ginalaw yung jars dun. "Because kailangan mo ng magbabantay sa'yo?"

I rolled my eyes at kinuha ko mula sa kamay niya yung jar. Kakauwi lang namin dito sa Pilipinas, ni hindi pa nga ako nagpapakita sa pamilya ko, e. Dumiretso na kasi kami agad dito sa shop ko. The reason why I came back? Simple. Ayoko na dun. I missed Philippines. I missed the traffic, the pollution, the people. God, I missed everything! 

"I don't need a baby sitter, Tofer! I'm 22 and I lived alone for four years," I explained. He didn't seem like listening because he was just pacing back and forth the kitchen and the counter. I think may ADHD siya. He's so hyper! Feeling ko anak ko siya na kailangan kong bantayan palagi.

Umupo siya sa stool. Finally, about time!

"But Tripp thinks different. Kaya nga pinasama niya ako dito e," he said then gave me a smug smile.

Oh, yes. Tripp Marco Palma, my beloved boyfriend.

I signalled a hand at Tofer na lalabas muna ako. Being in a closed space with him is beyond suffocating.

("Missed me?")

"Yeah, I missed you. The moment I see you, I'm gonna strangle you to death," I said through seethed teeth.

Narinig kong tumawa siya. God, I missed Tripp! It's been like a month mula nung huli ko siyang makita. After NYU, I went to Paris and I've been staying there for quite some time. The time zone was different from New York but we managed. Okay lang naman sa akin since sobrang busy ko nun sa Paris, I barely have time to sleep pero si Tripp, kahit na sobrang hindi ko siya maasikaso whenever he's in town, he still goes there once a month. He's really sweet.

("Well, sorry, Zy. Iiwan mo ako dito mag isa, magdusa ka jan kasama si Tofer.")

"Thanks so much, Tripp. You're the best boyfriend ever." I said, he should note the overflowing sarcasm.

("Boyfriend. Ang sarap pa din pakinggan,") he said dreamily.

I kept the giggle from being voiced out. "Shut up, Marco. We've been together for two years. Hanggang ngayon kinikilig ka pa din sa akin?"

Truth be told, I feel the same. At first, nag hesitate ako na bigyan ng chance kami ni Tripp. I have many reasons. One, pinsan siya ng ex ko. Two, I believed he's be my rebound guy. And three, I don't deserve him! He's practically perfect! He's kind and nice and sweet and caring. He's every woman's dream. And I managed to snag him!

Since sobrang nagdadalawang isip ko, I asked my best friend, Aya. Sabi niya, okay lang naman daw since sobrang tagal na naming break ni Drake. Ngayon, we've been over for four years. Wow. Ang tagal na pala talaga.

So there, after kong mag isip, I gave us a chance. Actually, si Tofer talaga ang pumilit sa amin. Ayaw namin parehas ni Tripp. We know it's gonna be awkward. Ako, he's my best friend. Siya, I was the one who got away. But Tofer's really persistent. Kinulit niya kami ng sobra hanggang pumayag na kami. And the rest was history.

("Ganda ng girlfriend ko, e.")

"Dahil jan, umuwi ka na dito. Please, please?"

There were times na iniisip ko kung minahal ko ba talaga si Drake or was I just in loved with the idea of being in love? I mean, yes, I was happy when I was with him but this time, it's different. Siguro dahil immature pa ako nung kami ni Drake. Puro kilig, mga ganon. But with Tripp? It's love in a whole new level. It feels nice.