MISSING PIECE (rastro fanfic)

23: Punch and Tell

"Anong meron?" Benj said the moment na makaupo siya sa upuan sa harapan ko. We're in a coffee shop now.

"I'm pissed." I confessed and then I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms.

"Ano ngang meron? I know you're pissed. The way you called me on my phone at dali-dali mo 'kong pinapunta dito, halata na, e." He looked on the menu. "Um-order ka na ba?"

"Ah, yeah. Nai-order na din kita. Treat ko this time."

"Naks. Iba pala 'pag naaasar si Rhian Ramos. Nanlilibre." He smirked. "Dapat lagi kang badtrip."

"Shut up." I rolled my eyes again.

Mamaya-maya pa ay dumating na ang orders namin. He sipped in his coffee and looked at me. I just looked straight in his eyes. Parang naghihintayan kami kung sinong unang magsasalita.

"Ano na? Hindi ka magkukwento? Walastek, Rhian. Ang dami ko pang assignments na kailangang tapusin. Anong oras na..."

"Yeah, I know. It's already quarter to eleven but still I FORCED you to come with me. Thank you." I said sarcastically.

"So what's the deal? What pissed you?" He leaned his back, and crossed his arms and his legs. "Or should I say, who? Who pissed you?"

I think alam na niya kung bakit ako asar but he's waiting for me to open up.

I sighed before talking. "Si Glaiza kasi..."

"Sabi na, e. Oh, anong meron?"

I tell him lahat ng nangyari kanina. From the moment na dumating ako sa resto hanggang sa napagdesisyunan naming umuwi nina Sarah at Kendall. Pagkaalis kasi nina Glaiza at Lauren, kumain lang kami at umuwi na. Kaya naman kasi kami nagpuntahan dun gawa ni Glaiza, e. E kaso umuwi siya ng maaga so nonsense if tatambay pa kami dun. Naasar ako lalo ng maalala ko kung sino 'yung sumagot sa tawag ko kanina.

"Baka naman term of endearment lang 'yung 'baby' as friends. Ito ang dumi agad ng pag-iisip, e." He smirked.

"Sige, let's say na they're just friends. E, bakit naman 'baby'?" I asked while raising my right eyebrow.

"Pake mo daw ba?" Pinanlakihan ko siya ng mata na siyang ikinatawa niya. "On a serious note... E, siguro kasi sobrang close nila and wala na 'yun sa kanila."

"Hindi kaya..." Napahawak ako sa chin ko na parang nag-iisip.

"Hindi kaya?"

"Hindi kaya si Lauren 'yung ex niya? Kasi may nakwento siya sa'kin noon na may naging ex na siya pero they're okay na ngayon. Hindi kaya siya 'yun? And may feelings pa sila sa isa't-isa kaya close pa din sila?"

"Who knows? I can't say na yes and I can't also say na no. Best move is you asked her. Pero alam ko namang hindi mo 'yun gagawin kasi takot ka." He looked at his wrist watch. "It's getting later and later. Hatid na kita sa inyo."

I pursed my lips and smiled.

---

"Hey, guys. Lauren invited us to come with her. Later after class." Glaiza suddenly uttered. Glaiza, Ann, Sarah, and I are in the open field in the university. Sa ilalim ng puno kung saan naging tambayan na namin.

"Anong meron?" Plain kong tanong.

"May susunduin tayo sa airport and deretso tayo sa bahay."

"Sino, bes?" Sarah asked.

"Lauren's girlfriend." Lahat kami ay tila napahinto sa kanya-kanya naming ginagawa at napatitig kay Glaiza na natatawa na. "What!? Nakakagulat ba na may girlfriend si Lauren?"