"Nag iiba boses ko kapag may microphone." pag-iiba ko ng usapan.
Inubos ko ang wine kahit sobrang pangit ng lasa.
I was not yet tranquilized when the wine was consumed, so I kept licking the wine glass to make myself busy. I told myself whatever happens tonight, no matter how sexy he looks or how captivating his smile, I will not come with him in his place. But that sounds so unfetter! I need to convince myself more.
"Relax, I was just trying to consort with you. That's supposed to be a joke."
Inagaw niya ang wine glass sa kamay ko kaya umiwas ako ng tingin. I thought I'm doing a good act but seems like he's a good observant. I wasn't relieved because I didn't understand what he just said.
Nagkunwari akong magtitingin ng message sa phone pero sa totoo lang, I searched for the word 'consort' in the dictionary. Walang ganon na salita sa isla!
Nakita ko na mingle or mix ang kahulugan nito. Baka gusto lang niya makisama sa amin dahil napapansin niya siguro na puro kalokohan at biro ang paraan ng pag-uusap naming magkakaibigan. Well, to be honest, hindi pasok ang humor niya na masyadong tunog mayaman. Imbes na tatawa ka, maniniwala ka na lang dahil parang totoo.
"Di mo na kailangan magpanggap. Be yourself lang. Tsaka hindi ganyan na jokes ang sanayin mo. Tularan mo ang humor ko, huwag kay Jun." matigas kong sabi.
He's smiling while listening to me like a kindergarten. Gusto ko sana alamin kung anong teeth whitener niya, ang puti kasi ng ngipin.
"Lumabas ka ba sa sinapupunan ng mama mo na nakabrace na?"
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"Ang ganda kasi ng ngipin mo. Parang sanggol ka pa lang nakabraces na." biro ko sakanya.
"I have monthly dental check ups."
I nodded at his answer. So that explains the tooth pick na laging nasa bibig niya.
"You should smile often. Bagay sayo," I told him.
"I don't like smiling. I only smile when it's necesarry."
Kinuha ko ang phone ulit para isearch ang instagram niya. I showed him some of his pictures while giving relief goods. "Tignan mo naman, Biyernes Santo ba nyan? Parang ayaw mo pa ibigay yung bigas na inaabot mo sa itsura mo dito."
Inagaw niya ang phone ko saka zinoom ang mukha niya. "What? I look good there kaya. Cool lang."
"Baliw, mukha kang inagawan ng laruan dyan! Hindi mahalaga kung anong lagay ng mukha mo kasi twenty four hours ka namang gwapo." I jabbered, I made it sound like a joke but God knows I meant it.
"Parang ang plastik kapag ngingiti ka pa..." he replied.
"Sabagay. Hindi maganda yung napipilitan ka lang. It should come naturally. Genuine smile is important kaya practice mo yan. Loosen up lang."
"I'm still finding a reason to smile often." he ranted.
"There are thousand of reasons. Hindi mo na kailangan hanapin ang iba."
I wished he'll realize I'm one of the thousand reasons.
He paid for the bill before we leave the place. Binilhan niya pa ako ng isang buong cake bago kami umalis. I don't think this is a big deal since barya lang naman sakanya ang halaga nito. Perks of liking a rich guy, mahirap hanapin ng value na binibigay nila, kasi hindi naman pinaghihirapan. Parang ang liit lang ng deed na yon para sa kanya, kaya ayaw ko umasa.
