Something More

Chapter 028

"Sabi ko naman sa iyo, okay lang ako. Don't worry, ayos lang naman eh. And things are quite okay na between me and him, so I think wala rin namang magiging problema." 

"But I'm just worried ---"

"Jared." I sighed heavily, "Don't be. I promise, magiging okay ang lahat. And hey, don't be jealous ah."
He sighed too, and heavier than mine. "Yun na nga eh. I am jealous,"

I wasn't surprised. As my boyfriend, syempre magseselos talaga siya if pupunta ako ng Batangas with an ex-fling alone. It's not just.. right, perhaps? Basta, I couldn't blame Jared, may karapatan naman siyang mag-isip ng ganyan eh.
"Come on, you know that I'm over him."

"Come on, I know that you aren't over him."

Now I am surprised. Jared thinks I'm not over Xander yet? Teka, mali ata 'to ah. "Hey, I'm over him. Jared naman eh. Stop thinking it that way, and I'll assure you na walang mangyayaring masama sa amin ni Xander. Besides, I'll ignore him."

"You would?"

"Oo nga. Sige na, I love you. I gotta go,"
"I love you too Audrey." sa tono niya, I know he's very sincere with it. Unlike mine.

I hang up the phone and took a deep breath. Ugh, I'll spend some time na naman with that Xander, which, is the most bad luck ever. Nakakabanas talaga, siya and papa and tito Ed. No, just kidding.
"Whoa," he said when lumabas na ako ng bahay and he's inside his car. He's driving. "For a girl, Audrey your baggage isn't showing like you are one."

I stared doon sa backpack ko. Konti lang kasi ang dala ko eh. "So?" I raised a brow. 

He chuckled. "Wala, sige, get in."

Finally, nakarating na rin kami and napadpad kami sa isang beach resort. Nag-check in, then finally nakapag-unpack na ako ng mga gamit ko. Haha, syempre magkaiba kami ng room ni Xander no. Doon lang siya sa tabi ng room ko eh.

After unpacking, lumabas na ako ng kwarto and nagulat ako nang makita si Xander sa labas ng kwarto ko. He's leaning on the wall, arms crossed, looking at me blankly and then put on a half-smile. Looking at him I realized even more how handsome he is. Okay, so he's hot and so what?

He gazed at me and held it for a second, then glanced at his watch. Buti na lang he did, because I am out of breath with that gaze. "So," he started. "Maglibot muna tayo and later tonight we'll meet with the Singaporean Board Members."

"Good," I said and he walked ahead of me. I just watch his back and I feel myself flush. Ugh, erase, erase, erase. Go away! I don't have feelings for Xander anymore. Of that I am sure.

Naglakad-lakad kami and ang ganda ng view dito since may bundok na malapit. "Wow, this is breathtaking!" I said habang sumusulyap-sulyap sa view.

"Hey, don't be too excited. May ipapakita ako sa'yo and I'm sure you'll love it." he said.
"Hmm? Ano naman yun?"

"Secret. Saka na sa last day, okay?" tapos he just left me alone. Ano kaya yun? Hindi ko na rin siya sinundan kasi iniwan niya ako. Nagmumuni-muni lang ako dito hanggang sa bumalik siya na may hawak na dalawang buko. He gave me the other one, and stood beside me.

Just standing beside him here, drinking buko makes me really happy. Oops, hindi pala. 

That night, after sharing dinner with Xander and meeting the board members, pumasok na rin ako sa kwarto ko. I took a shower and nang matapos ako, I went outside doon sa terrace. May terrace kasi doon eh. Then sakto nandoon din si Xander with his guitar.

"Hey." he said when he saw me. I smiled.

"Tumutugtog ka pa pala." I said, nodding at his guitar. I recognize that guitar.. yun yung niregalo ko sa kanya during sophomore nung high school. "And wow, isn't that my gift nung nag-14 years old ka na?"

He smiled. "Yeah. Glad you remember." then awkward silence came. Ugh, why did I brought the past up? Super awkward eh. An old flame in here brings me back those good ol' memories eh.

"Hm, gusto mong kantahan kita?" he asked me.

I shyly nodded. "Sure. Ano, gusto ko.. uh.."
"Fall for you." we both said. Then we just laughed it off.

Ayun nga, he started to strum and he cleared his throat. Didn't I tell you na Xander is a good singer? Well, I'm telling this to you now. Eh nako naman, ano bang hindi kayang gawin ni Mr. Alexander Joseph Martinez? 

The best thing 'bout tonight's that we're not fighting
Could it be that we have been this way before?
I know you don't think that I am trying
I know you're wearing thin down to the core

But hold your breath
Because tonight will be the night
That I will fall for you over again
Don't make me change my mind

Or I won't live to see another day
I swear it's true
Because a girl like you is impossible to find
You're impossible to find

He gaze at me every now and then. And.. everytime he does, it melts me. Na para bang any moment now lilipad na ako. This is weird.. very weird. I'm so sure I am not falling in love with him once again, or I tried to tell myself so, pero bakit ganito? I can't stop this feeling I have for him. It's always there with me.. never gone, never away. The fact is: I am in love with Xander all my life. 

"Uy, matulog na tayo. Gabi na." I told him.

Ngumiti siya sa akin. "Sige, mauna ka na. Hindi pa ako matutulog eh." 

I nodded. I silently went inside the room, glancing at him for the last time tonight.