If I'm Not In Love

15

Kumuha ako ng cheezy after kong ilagay sa basket niya yung clover. Mas lalong lumawak yung ngiti ko nang magtama ang mga mata namin. One.. two.. then his gaze shifted back at my hands. Hindi ako nagsalita at nilagpasan ko siya saka nilagay lahat ng dala ko sa pushcart saka ko ulit siya hinarap.

"I didn't saw you earlier" I said.

Umiling lang siya saka naglakad paalis. I shook my head as I watched him walking away. My plan A and B was successful, no doubt. Tinulak ko yung pushcart at sumunod sa kanya. Fortunately, I was done with my list kaya magkasunod lang kaming nakapila sa counter.

"Babalik ka kila Melissa?" I asked.

He scowled at me like I just suddenly grown another head then looked away and shook his head.

"Is she okay now? Papasok na ba siya bukas?" I asked again but I've got no response.

I watched him habang nilalagay niya ang lahat ng laman ng basket sa counter. The corner of my lips lifted up. Everything he does makes me like him more. Even if it looks like I was just hurting myself. It doesn't matter.

Hindi ko na siya nakita after kong magbayad sa cashier kaya umuwi na lang ako.

*

"Nakapasok ka na ba sa bar?" tanong ni Nico na sumadya pa talaga sa classroom namin, umagang umaga.

"Hindi pa," sagot ko.

He grinned like I said the magic word "Cool. Then i'll take you there and let you experience the night life"

Troy nudged him. "Don't corrupt her mind" sabi nito.

"I do not," Nico scoffed, "I just want her to step out of her comfort zone at least once in her life" he said matter of fact.

I tilted my head and watched them. Ano bang pinaglalaban ng dalawang to?

"We won't be drinking alcohol, we'll just enjoy there. Pumayag ka na Lala."

"You want to?" tanong ni Troy sakin.

I stared at them. They looked expectant kaya tumango na lang ako. Gusto ko din naman maexperience magbar for once in my life.

"I bet you didn't know na madalas sa bar si Ethon," sabi ni Nico pagkapasok namin sa sinasabi niyang bar.

I roamed my eyes around. Disco lights, smell of smoke and mixed alcohols and live rock music all over the place. We settled at the bar island because according to Nico, doon lang hindi mausok.

"Madalas ka din dito?" I asked.

"You bet"

"Obviously," sabi ni Troy.

I chuckled and asked him to order. He ordered nachos, fries and pj. And he's true to his word na no alcohol kahit sa kanilang dalawa.

"Pumupunta lang kami dito every weekend to chill but when we're in the mood, lumilipat kami sa kabila where we can dance"

"Sa club? I want to see it," I said excitedly.

Mahinang hinila ni Troy yung buhok ko. "Bawal ang hindi marunong sumayaw dun" sabi nito saka tumawa.

I pinched his cheek, "I can dance!"

"Tell me about it" he smirked.

"Hindi ka marunong sumayaw? I can teach you some moves," sabi naman ni Nico nang may nakakalokong ngiti.

Tumayo ako, "Bayaran mo na yang kinain natin," sabi ko kay Nico.

He frown and looked at his watch, "Ang aga pa!" he exclaimed.