Change of Heart

Second

"That would be all thank you." Saad ko sabay ngiti sa waiter na kausap ko. He smiled back and scratch his nape. Oh I know that gesture.

"Eyes up, man." Biglang sabat ni Bry. Naputol ang kung ano mang pagpapahiwatig ng isa pang lalaking nasa tabi ko.

"S-sorry sir." Agap namang tugon ng lalake then he politely made his way to the kitchen.

"That was rude." I said without looking at him.

"Really? Coming from you? Do you know how rude you are Addie?" Matapang niyang tanong sa akin. I smiled inwardly. I know what he's pointing out, at yon ang ang ilang beses ko siyang tinanggihan at sinupalpal sa harap ng maraming tao.

"Rude ako sa mga taong ayaw ko, Bryan Lim." I emphasized his surname making him a little uncomfortable.

"You really don't like singkits, do you? Can I know why?" Tanong niya habang sumisimsim ng wine. He's looking at me, I can sense that. Pero tumingin na lamang ako sa labas.

"Saan mo naman ba nakukuha ang mga espekulasyon mong mga 'yan. Last time I checked Shane has those chinky eyes like you do pero bestfriend ko siya. Kung totoo man yang sinasabi mong ayaw ko sa mga singkit bakit magkaibigan parin kami ni Shane? At isa pa kung talagang ayaw ko sa singkit, matagal ka ng wala sa mundo Bry." I told him. He was surprised for a bit then grin at me.

"Really now? Should I be glad I'm still alive then?" Sarcasm is written all over his face."
"Maybe sa babaeng mga singkit ok saiyo, pero sa lalake? I really have this gut feeling na may malalim kang dahilan. Nakikita ko ang mga reaksiyon mo every time na may lalapit saiyong lalake lalo na kapag singkit, halos umusok ang ilong mo, you can't even look straight into my eyes." He said.

Napapalatal naman ako sa mga sinasabi niya.

"Why are you being so nosy? Wag kang makielam sa mga bagay na gusto at ayaw ko dahil wala naman akong pake kung anong gawin mo sa buhay mo. Hindi ibig sabihin na pinagbigyan kita sa date chuva na to, manghihimasok kana sa buhay ko. Do you think masusundan pa to? This will be the last time Bry. Pinagbigyan lang kita kasi nagmumukha ka ng kawawa sa kapipilit mo." I hissed at him.

"What's not to like about me? I mean, look at me." He said sabay tayo aa harapan ko. "I'm tall, lean, ang gwapo ko pa, sobra. Sinong matinong babae ang aayaw sa akin? I even heard some of our workmates likes me. Minnie even asked me out one time. Pero ikaw—-" nabibitin sa ereng turan niya sabay upo.

I shot him a glare. Masyadong conceited ang kumag na 'to. Pakiramdam niya hahabulin siya ng kahit na sino.

"I'm not into physical looks, I'm more onto substance. Meron ka ba non? Hindi komo gwapo ka hahabulin kita. Mas gusto ko parin ang lalakeng alam kung paano gumalang ng babae." I said in a matter of fact tone. "At siyempre, higit sa lahat 'yung lalakeng hindi tsismoso." I added.

I was actually expecting him to get mad at me pero kabaligtaran non ang nangyare. He just laughed at what I just said to him. Nababaliw na ba tong lalakeng to? Ibang tao lang yun sigurado akong masasaktan siya sa mga sinabi ko.

I almost forgot, Bryan Lim is not an asshole for nothing.

"Chill lang, ang high blood mo talaga. Napaghahalataan ka e. Well anyways, alam ko namang hindi na masusundan pa to, though I was kind of hoping na magbabago pa ang isip mo. Who am I to say that. Let's just enjoy this dinner. After this, can I walk you to your home then?" He asked me. Hope is visible in his eyes.

"Pretty please? Come on now Addie. Don't be stubborn. Isa pa date naten to. You let me decide kung saan tayo pupunta, then might as well let me din na ihatid ka pauwi. We'll walk from here kasi kapag ginamit ko ang kotse mapapabilis." He said using that infamous "puppy cute eyes" on me.

"Pagod na ako, gusto ko ng umuwi agad. Kotse nalang." I said dismissing him. I can't wait to get this over with. I really want to lay down and wrap myself inside my comforter. Mas masaya pang gawin 'yon than be treated in a fancy resto eating dinner with this dickhead beside me.

"Where's the fun in that? Lakad lang tayo para kahit paano naman tumagal ang oras ko saiyo." Taas baba ang kilay niya habang sinasabi yon saken.

I was about to say yes to him nang biglang dumating ang order namin.

"Bon appetite." He said smiling while showing those pesky eyes again.

"Whatever." Nasabi ko na lang na agad namang nagpatawa sa kanya. I started munching my dinner without looking at him. Ayaw ko siya. Lalo na sa mga mata niya. I really want those eyes gone, bakit kasi hindi pa naging deep set nalang ang mga mata nito baka sakali may pag-asa pa siya sa akin.

We eat quietly. 'Yan naman ang pinakagusto ko sa lahat ng ginawa niya. I love to do things quietly. Mas nakakapag focus kasi ako.

"So, you're living alone diba?" He's making a convo again. Nakakairita. Why can't he just keep his mouth shut? Or better yet keep his questions with him. Nakakairita lalo e.

"Yeah." Boring kong sagot. I am trying to send him a signal na ayaw kong makipag usap ehile eating.

"You're not afraid?"

"Why would I be? There's nothing to be afraid of. Besides, I'm used to it." I said cooly.

"You're turning 27 sa March diba?" Agad ko naman siyang sinamaan ng tingin.

Maagap naman niyang binitiwan ang kubyertos niya saka bahagyang iniharang ang dalawang kamay sa akin.

"Easy there, Tiger. Nagtatanong lang ako. Hindi ka ba naboboring? According to you, this will be the last time we'll date, and here you are making things awkwardly awful. Let's enjoy the night." Nakangising sabat niya.

"I really didnt thought about men being so nosy and all. Ang alam ko kasi sa mga lalake tahimik lang, and here you are giving me the wrong impression about you, men." Walang kagatol-gatol kong sabi.

"Nuh, I just want to know you more Addie. Hindi naman masama 'yon diba. Pinaunlakan mo na din lang ang imbitasyon ko, can you just bare with me for a while? I mean, like for a couple of hours. Hindi naman matagal e. Before you even know it. Nakauwi kana sa bahay mo." He said assuring me. I just nod para matapos na siya sa sasabihin niya. I can't believe natatagalan ko ang pagiging usisyero niya. To think na pribadong buhay ko pa ang usapan.

"Yes." Biglang sabi ko. He looked at me weirdly. Parang gusto kong matawa sa itsura niya. For a moment there nawala ang mga mata niya. And I so wanted to laugh at him. "Yes what? Hindi pa kita tinatanong kung pwede kitang maging girlfriend, sinasagot mo na agad ako?" He said mockingly.

He then burst out laughing when I made a face.

"Ang conceited mo." Asar kong sabi sa kanya. "I only answered your question. You asked me na I'm turning 27 na diba, I said yes. Gago!" Sabi ko sa kanya.

"I really love how you curse. Sanay na sanay." Tatawa tawa niyang sambit sa akin. Medyo gumagaan na din ang pakiramdam ko pero hindi parin nawawala ang asar ko sa kanya, every time kasi na tatawa siya nawawalan siya ng mata.

I know I can be happy around him, but he's just not the right guy for me.