Somebody To Call Mine (Completed)

KABANATA XXXVI

Kabanata XXXVI: Thing

I was just staring at my plate blankly. I could hear their murmurs and laughters but I'm too afraid to listen. Ayaw kong maging tama ang hula ko kung bakit andito si Jasper. I hate the fact that I'm eating this meal with them.

Natatakot akong pagkatapos ng hapunan na to malaki ang magbago sa normal na buhay ko.

"How about you Mandy? Ngayon na lang ulit tayo nagkita." I fumbled when their attention shifted on me. Lahat sila ay nakatingin sakin na para bang may sinabi silang hindi ko nakuha.

"Sorry, what's that again?" I asked Jasper who's in front of me and obviously he's starting a conversation for the two of us.

"Tinatanong niya kung ano ang pinagkakaabalahan mo ngayon. Are you with us, Mandy?" I heard my mom's irritated voice.

"I am, Mom. I'm just tired from the whole day of waiting for you and Dad." I looked at Jasper. He's wearing an unfamiliar smirk. "I'm working at the Mcintyre's." maikling sagot ko.

Yumuko ako pinagpatuloy ang pilit na pagsubo ko ng beef stroganoff na kahit kailan ay hindi ko nagustuhan ang lasa. Naalala ko tuloy si Ken. Siya ang mahilig sa karne at sa ganitong pagkakataon ay sakin niya ibibigay ang side dish niya at sakanya naman yung karne.

"Really? Bakit hindi ka sa company niyo nagtrabaho?" I secretly rolled my eyes. Hindi man lang makahalata.

"She's independent iho. She wants to explore new things on her own. Diba Mandy?"

Mom's selling me out. Halata masyado na gusto niya si Jasper at kulang na lang ay ibenta niya ko ng hayagan sakanya. Jasper's a good man but he's nothing but a friend to me. Kilala ko siya dahil kasali siya sa circle of friends na meron ako dahil sa estado ng pamilya namin.

He's the son of the Elizalde, the same Elizalde that is connected with Ciara, the bitch. Magpinsan silang dalawa. His father and her father are brothers. Ibang-iba nga lang ang Daddy ni Jasper sa mag-amang Elizalde.  

I ended up nodding with my mom. For the sake of Ken, I won't argue with my mom. He specifically said that I should be good to my mom. I know for a fact that Ken loves his mom so much and I want to do this for him. Tama naman siya, sana lang kayanin kong maging mabait sa buong gabi.

I ate in silence. I'm in so much of a hurry to leave the long table. Marami pang tinanong si Jasper sakin at puro one liner lang ang sagot ko. Kundi, OO at HINDI ay dinudugtungan ko naman ng MEDYO at HINDI KO ALAM. Sana ay makuha niya ang mensaheng gusto kong iparating na ayaw ko siyang kausap.

After that awkward dinner, I went straight to the balcony. I texted Ken that I want to go home right now. Dito muna ko habang hinihintay ko ang sagot niya. I can't stay here anymore. Lalo pa at may kinakatakutan akong mangyari. I won't wait for the bomb to explode right in front of my face.

Mariin kong tinititigan ang telepono ko ng biglang sumulpot si Jasper sa gilid ko.

"It's been seven years and you still look beautiful." Normally I would blush when I get compliment from Ken but sadly this man isn't Ken so there's nothing to feel. "Thanks." I simply replied.

Tumikhim siya at bahagyang sumimsim ng wine sa baso niya. I could see that his facial features improved a lot. Kahit nga ang katawan niya ay malaki ang pagbabago. Hindi naman ako nagtataka. Ganun naman lagi eh. Pag nagmature ang lalaki karaniwan sakanila ay malaki ang pagbabago.

"You're so stiff. Para naman tayong walang pinagsamahan niyan." Pabirong sabi niya. Ayokong maging bastos sakanya dahil hindi ako ganung tao.