Connected Cords

Chapter Twenty-two

Maraming dahilan kung bakit ako hindi mapakali sa inuupuan kong gandiyosong kulay pula na couch sa lobby ng pansamantala kong tinutuluyan na hotel.

Una, dahil paparating na si Gregory upang sunduin ako dahil ilang oras na lamang ay kailangan na naming magboard para sa flight namin patungong Ilocos. Pangalawa, hindi pa ako nakakabawi sa gulat dahil kahapon lang sinabi ni Greg na ngayon na mismo ang araw ng alis namin. Pangatlo, kagabi ko pa tinatawagan si Creed at hindi siya sumasagot. Umaga ngayon, malamang ay madaling araw na doon. Pero nung tinawagan ko naman si Kenneth ay sumagot ito at naluka siya nang sinabi ko sa kanya ang nangyari.

I sighed. My God, Margaux! Get your shits together! Calm the fuck down!

I was continuously tapping my feet on the carpeted floor and raking my hand through my hair from time to time. I looked at what I was wearing and suddenly felt consious. Halos lahat ng nasa lobby ay mga naka-formal dress, and then there's me, wearing a faded jeans that has a cut on the knee and a loose navy blue shirt with a black slip ons.

Atsaka, haler! Bibiyahe kami ni Greg, alangan namang mag cocktail dress ako.

My phone vibrated on my pocket so I fished it out.

From: Gregory Baudelaire

I'm near. Are you still in your room?

I gulped the forming knots in my throat and ignored the little butterflies that's fluttering in my stomach.

Nope. Lobby.

Was my reply. Wala pang isang minuto ay nagreply na siya agad.

From: Gregory Baudelaire

Be there in 5, sweetheart. ;)

I could feel my cheeks burning so much, you could fry an egg on it. I can't deny how Greg could still affect me that much. But I shouldn't mind that, wala na dapat akong pakialam dahil masaya ako kay Creed. Mahal ko si Creed.

Don't text while driving!

Sagot ko sa kanya. Naisip ko palang na may mangyaring masama sa kanya habang nagmamaneho ay parang dinukot na ang puso ko ng walang anesthesia.

From: Gregory Baudelaire

Chill, sweetheart. I've got a driver. Wag kang mag-alala, dadating ako diyan ng buong-buo.

I unconsciously smiled at his text. Napailing din ako.

Good. Ingat.

I sighed as I leaned on the backrest of the couch while hugging my phone, smiling like a fucking idiot.

***

The whole ride on the plane was a bit awkward. Well, I guess for me it was. I mean, we didn't see each other for three years and the last time we talked personally, we almost did a throwback serye. I guess it will be a little awkward to talk to your ex-husband after a long time.

Though Greg would ask me some casual things, like if I'm hungry, or if I want something. Yung mga ganoong tanong ba. Pero hindi pa talaga kami nag-uusap. Like may sense na conversation.

At isa pa, kaya din ako tahimik ay dahil hindi ko pa talaga nakakausap si Creed. I left him a couple of message to call me as soon as possible but I still didn't received any reply.

Finally on our way to Ilocos, habang nasa sasakyan kami ni Greg ay nagmessage na sa akin si Creed.

From: Creed Cortez

Sorry, babe. Just woke up. Can I call you now?

My heart leaped at his message and gave a sideway glance at Greg. I just.. I don't know.. I felt a little guilty?