My Perfect Stranger

-Sweet Escape (His Happiness)-

"Hay manong, ano bang gusto mong mangyari?" I'm hearing his frustration while I'm taking this seriously like it's a matter of life and death. Si kuya nga hindi ko pa nakakatabi eh. Saka ayokong may katabi. Naiirita ako.

"Hindi mo naman ako ra-rape in di ba?" I almost mumbled. Nakakahiya man pero kailangan kong maipanatag ang loob ko. Yun lang naman ang inaalala ko eh.

His facial expression have turned from anxiousness to amusement and then he laughed which made my anger meter raised a level.

"Anong nakakatuwa sa tanong ko? Seryoso ako. Huwag mo akong tawanan." I said while controlling the anger that is building up in me.

He stopped laughing when he noticed my tone then met my glare. "Dati tingin mo sa akin si Lucifer, ngayon rapist. At least lesser evil na. Anna, wala ka bang tiwala sa akin?" I cringed. Trust? The last time that I trusted someone, that someone broke it. Damn! Naalala ko na naman siya. I have to admit that I started to have trust issues now. Especially to boys. All of a sudden I find it hard to trust them, kahit na alam kong iba si Aidan.

"You're worrying too much kanina." I didn't answer his question. I can't say to him what I'm thinking. I will only hurt him. He have suffered enough.

Hurt shoot across his face. "I get it. Bihis lang ako." he entered his hut and locked it. What?! Don't tell me, he can read my mind. Hay stupid! Birthday pa naman niya ngayon. Ano bang dapat kong gawin? Kailangan kong bumawi. Syet! What to do?!

I found myself calling kuya.

(Istorbo ka, bakit?) Nice greeting kuya.

"Help me kuya. Birthday ngayon ni Aidan." I walked a few meters away from the hut.

(Shit! Oo nga pala.) Magkapatid nga kami. Makakalimutin kami pareho.

"Tsk! What kind of friend are you? Okay help me na."

(Ayaw niya ng celebration or tangible gifts.) he stated.

"Nice kuya. You're really helping." I rolled my eyes as if he can see me.

(At least nakabawas sa mga iisipin mo. Mas madali nga yan kasi hindi mo na kailangang maglabas ng pera o mag-isip ng regalo.)

I grimaced. "Alam mo bang nakakamatay ang kakuriputan."

(Practical lang tol. Alam ko na! Ipagluto mo na lang siya.) he sounded like he discovered something that will help mankind save the Earth from Global warming.

"Great suggestion kuya. Tama yan. Magaling akong magluto eh." Note the sarcasm. Bwisit tong kapatid ko! Alam naman niyang hindi ako magaling magluto.

(You know what they say, 'It's the thought that counts.' Kaya mong iluto yung paborito nya. Pansit bihon. Expert ka diyan di ba? Tapos kantahan mo na lang ng Happy Birthday or favorite song niya. Oks na yun.) Bingo! Lagi niya akong kinakantahan eh. This time it's my turn.

"Favorite song niya?" I sounded jolly.

"Sinong kausap mo?" I jumped in horror when I heard Aidan's voice. Tsk! Hindi tuloy nasabi ni kuya yung song.

(Si Aidan ba yan? Pakausap.) I handed Aidan my phone.

I watch him while he's talking to kuya. Did he hear it? Sana hindi.

"Naalala ni Keith ang birthday ko?" Aidan asked me incredulously as he ended the call. Nakangiti na siya ngayon.

I reach out for my phone and place it in my pocket. "Asa ka naman kay kuya. Sinabi ko lang. Kanina ka pa ba nakatayo sa likuran ko?"

"Hindi. Kakarating ko lang." Mukhang naaliw siya sa sinabi ni kuya.

"Ano bang sinabi ni kuya sa'yo at hindi maalis ang ngiti mo?"