"So...tinder?"
That's the first two words I heard when we reached the exit door. Nawala ko kasi ang pinahawak na pouch ni France kaya hinahanap ko sa labas. Buti nalang Geriko insisted to help when the rest of the boys are busy in the dance floor. Siya din kasi ang magbabayad ng VIP table kaya sumabay na.
Unfortunately, he keeps babbling about my tinder account that makes me uncomfortable. Hindi ko tuloy mahanap ang pouch. My head's full of questions again, like how did he find me on tinder? Does that mean he also have one?
Tinignan ko lang siya saka umiling. "Wala lang yon."
"I can introduce you to a few decent men, sabihin mo lang."
Pinapanood niya lang ako habang naglalakad nang nakatingin sa sahig, I thought he would help. He's a scam.
"Mas gusto ko yung simple lang. Teka, paano mo nalaman?" irita kong sabi.
He showed me his phone. "Screenshot. Shawn swiped on you."
I didn't answer. Hindi na ako magugulat na may tinder si Shawn, baka nga kumpleto ang mga dating apps sa phone niya. I'm wondering only why the hell would Shawn send the screenshot to Geriko. Nagsusumbong siya sa kaibigan niya na parang niloko ko ito. We're not even having mutual understanding.
"Ilan na mga matches mo? Did you find a simple guy to date?"
His face looks so normal, parang kaibigan mo lang na gusto makinig sa chismis mo. He was emphasizing the term simple. It's annoying, actually.
"Ano naman sa iyo?" I answered like a douchebag, that made him shut his mouth.
I just continued searching for that pouch kahit hindi na siya sumusunod. But I remembered I can't go home alone dahil nasa kotse ni Fae ang bag at phone ko. I'm always stucked in a choice that will make me come back to him.
"Hay..." I sighed.
Nakasandal siya sa pader malapit sa entrance habang naninigarilyo. Nagtaka ako dahil public place ito. Knowing him, he always wanted to build a facade of holiness and chivalry here in Baguio. He used to protect his image dahil maraming connection ang pamilya niya dito.
"Baka may makakita sayo dyan," I told him. Sumandal din ako sa tabi niya dahil hindi siya sumasagot.
"Dating app." he chuckled in disgust while exhaling smoke.
"You confessed to me." nakakunot noo niyang sabi habang nakatingin sa akin.
"Hindi na ba ako pwede magkagusto sa iba?"
"You made me feel that I can be loved for who I really am. Not for my family's money, for the good things I show. Akala ko someone can really see me for the real me."
"Geriko..."
I want to say a lot of things but they didn't came out in my mouth. His name was the only thing that is easy to say as of this moment
"But that someone is on tinder, sometimes she's on a club's restroom kissing a guy. Kanina some reckless guy was humping on her..." he grinned so sexily.
I wish I could say I love him, but it would just make things worst again.
"I like everyone for who they they really are."
Umiwas ako ng tingin sa kanya.
"Everyone..."
He was nodding while throwing his cigarette somewhere. Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko saka hinila ako para pumasok siya sa loob ulit.
