Reel In Reality

SEVENTEEN

"

"Uwi na ako." Sabi ko sa kanya habang naglalakad kami papunta sa sasakyan niya.

"Okay." Wala sa wisyo niyang sagot.

"Pwede mo ba akong ihatid sa condo ko?" I was hesitant to ask him but I have no choice. I have to eat my pride just so I can go home.

"Okay." Hindi pa rin siya tumitingin sa akin. He seems off.

"Anong pinagusapan niyo?" Ngumiti ako sa kanya ng nasa harap na kami ng sasakyan. Kahit na hindi naman ako dapat interesado sa kung anong nangyari sa loob ng conference room, hindi ko pa rin mapigilang magtanong. And I want to get his attention, too.

Tumingin siya sa akin. Finally!

"W-wala. Just some things that have to be settled." Ngumiti siya pero bakit pakiramdam ko ay pilit ito?

"Endorsements?"

"Nope." Napatigil siya na para bang mali ang nasagot niya. "O-oo. Oo pala."

I don't know what's going on but I know that something is off. Something is bothering him.

"Really?"

"Yup. Come?" He opened the car door for me. Walang angal na lang akong pumasok.

Alam kong may hindi maganda sa napag-usapan nila kanina at ayoko ng dagdagan pa iyon. Patong patong na ang mga trabaho namin at siguro ay oras na naman para makapagpahinga kami.

Pumasok na siya sa loob pero hindi niya agad pinaandar ang makina. I wanna know what's inside his mind but I am afraid to ask.

"H-hi." Hi? Hi, Maine?! Hi? Buang ka ba? Nakakainis ka, hi? Ano stranger?

He laughs. At least this time I think it's genuine.

"Hello. What's your name?" Sinundan pa niya ng nakakalokong titig ang kanyang tanong.

"I'm..... yours." I winked at him. Hindi ko alam kung kinikilig ba siya o naco-cornyhan na siya sa akin! I curse my mind for this!

Ayokong tumawa dahil magmumukha lang akong napahiya.

"You're blushing."

"Stop." I crossed my arms.

"I'm yours, too. Jinx?"

If everyone sees how you act when you're with me, they'll fall in love with you, too.

"Jinx!" I chuckled, holding his hand.

He is so relaxed now, the one who doesn't even wanna look at me earlier is gone. He is staring at me now, intently but gently.

"Hatid mo na ako sa condo?" I realized he is still not starting the engine. Kung ano man ang napag-usapan kanina at kung gusto man niya itong sarilinin ay naiintindihan ko. I understand.

"Hindi ba pwedeng sa Bulacan na lang?" He asked, eyes pleading.

"Rj," I started, touching his hair, "I want to, but I know you're tired."

"But----"

"And don't try arguing with me on that one. I can see it. Look at me." He is avoiding my stare but I want him to look at me. Alam niya kasing nakikita ko na ang mga dark circles sa mga mata niya.

"We'll see each other on Christmas." I told him, cupping his face with my hands, memorizing every detail of his being. Mami-miss ko siya. Mami-miss ko ang Rj ko.

"Christmas pa?! Pwedeng bukas?" At ngumunguso pa siya! Hindi pwede. Control!

"No. I know you miss your family. Ako rin. I want you to spend time with them."