My Greatest What If - Moira Gokongwei (Published)

Chapter 13

"Pasensya ka na, Baby, kasi wala talagang laman ang ref ko at puro bottled water lang," Gio said as we made our way towards the elevators.

I woke up at around six in the morning, tiptoed to her kitchen because I was so hungry, and discovered that her refrigerator was practically empty.

"Bottled water and cans of beer," I corrected. "Para kang may tindahan ng alak." I couldn't even hide my annoyance.

Ano 'yun, araw-araw s'yang naglalasing?

She laughed. "Sorry na. 'Eto na nga, 'di ba, mag-go-grocery na tayo?"

I stopped walking to face her. "My God, G, wala ka na bang ibang ginawa n'ung hiniwalayan ka ni Leslie kundi ang maglasing?" I asked.

She smiled sheepishly at me. "I needed to get drunk to fall asleep. Last night was the first time since Leslie and I broke up that I fell asleep sober."

I tried doubly hard to push my resentment toward Leslie away. "Ibig sabihin n'ung tinatawagan mo ako n'un at nag-uusap tayo ay lasing ka?"

"I usually drink after we're done talking."

"Okay," I said trying, with great difficulty, not to take offense. "Halika na."

We trudged towards the lifts and got in. She was unusually happy but I couldn't get myself to be cheerful even for her sake.

"Gising na kaya si Shey?" she asked when we reached the basement parking.

"Ewan."

"Gusto ko sanang tawagan kaya lang nagiging amasona ang babaeng 'yun kapag ginising mo. 'Yung pick-up ko ang gamitin natin ngayon, Baby, dahil marami tayong bibilhin."

I followed her and murmured my thanks when she opened and held the door for me. "You're welcome. Wala bang kiss?" she kidded.

I gave her a half smile.

She took my hand in hers. "Baby...is something wrong?"

"Wala."

"Are you sure?"

"Oo," I replied. "Halika na para makapag-grocery na."

"Mag-bi-breakfast muna tayo. There's a place that I would like to show you."

I bet you took Leslie there first, the thought crept stealthily and unexpectedly inside my head that even I was surprised by it.

Moira, come on, anong mali sa'yo? Of course, she took Leslie there first because she was the girlfriend before you! I admonished myself quietly. And you're not even a real girlfriend...

"O, baka may gusto kang restaurant na puntahan. Are you craving for something?"

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

She closed the door and then strode towards the driver's side.

Ano ba ito, what is this feeling? I thought absentmindedly buckling my seatbelt as Gio turned the engine on.

H'wag kang mag-inarte, Moira Gokongwei! Alam mo kayang hibang na hibang s'ya d'un sa ex n'ya kaya malamang umiinom s'ya para lang makalimutan 'yung babaeng 'yun! Ang laki ng problema mo!

"Baby?"

"Yes?" I replied without looking at her.

"Are you really okay?"

"Oo, I'm just hungry. I'm usually this quiet when I'm hungry."

"Are you sure?"

"Oo nga," I said choosing to look out the window rather than strike a dead-end conversation with Gio.