The Breakup

Chapter 9

Alex brought me and Sydney (because she insisted on coming) to some place in Laguna.

"Sayang. Kung meron lang may license saming dalawa, edi sana may kapalit ka mag drive kapag pagod ka na." I said on our toll stop.

"Okay lang. Sus. Mabilis lang to." He glanced at me and smiled.

"Ang sweet naman nitong dalawang to." Eksena ni Sydney.

I stuck my tongue out to her and smiled at Alex.

I don't even know where we're going. Basta pinagdala nya lang kami ng gamit, dun na daw kami matulog sa rest house nila Michelle. She'll throw a house party in the evening.

"Di bale, Sydney, I will introduce you to all my single guy friends. If it's cool with you." He shrugged.

"Are you kidding?! I'd ove that! Thanks, Alex."

"Syd, you'll love the rest of his friends. The girls, and even the guys. Masaya." I said and I saw Alex smiled proudly to himself.

"Really? I'm super excited! Can't wait to hang out with them. I think this is good. We're actually making friends. Akala ko talaga mamamatay ako sa boredom habang wala ang mom."

"OA mo, girl."

"I'll make sure the two of you have fun while you're around. Call me if you need a driver or a tour guide." Alex laughed heartily.

While you're around..

I inwardly sigh. Parang ayoko ng umalis. Ayokong dumating yung araw na iiwan ko ang Pinas. Yung araw na iiwan ko lahat ng nangyari dito para lang balikan yung boring kong buhay sa Canada. And possibly, run into my ex.

"Ciels?"

"Huy, A."

"H-huh?" I broke out of my reverie when I heard them call me in chorus.

"Anong nangyari sayo?"

"Yeah. You spaced out as I was asking where you'd wanna go next time? Is everything alright?" Confusion written all over Alex's face.

"Ha? O-oo. Naisip ko lang kasi, ano... si Lexie. Yun! Kung masasama ba namin sya pabalik."

"Pwede naman siguro." Sabi ni Sydney.

"Eh kasi, baka kailangan pa ng extra paperwork? Ay ewan. Yaan nyo na nga yun. Naisip ko lang naman."

"You guys wanna eat? Gutom na ko eh. Sakto, lunch time na oh." Tanong ni Syd.

"Yeah, me too. Anyway, malapit na ba tayo?" I asked Alex.

"Yup. Mga 20 minutes na lang siguro."

"Ah." I said and looked out.

"There." Turo ni Audrey sa isang restau along the highway.

Alex maneuvered the car to an empty parking and we had a terrific lunch. Sobrang magkasundo si Alex and Sydney. I think she's really buying this whole Alex and I dating thing.

If only she knew. I don't like lying to my best friend pero andyan na yan eh.

Whatever Alex and I have, I can safely say is pure friendship. Except that we have to act extra intimate when the others are around. I never even knew why I had to pretend to be his girlfriend.

Maybe not to wound his ego had he shown up alone sa trip nila ng friends nya. I mentally shrugged.

"A? Ayan ka na naman. You're idling out." Sabi ni Syd habang pabalik na kami ng car.