Somebody That I Used To Know

Chapter 21

"Wrong idea." Two words, full description of my day na already. "Wrong idea Clark na we'll work together, first day palang disastrous na. What more pa bukas? At sa susunod na bukas 'di ba?"

I'll never forget this day. Dapat talaga I declined na lang to this project kahit na credibility ko 'yung nakasalalay. I need to constantly remind myself that Theo and I aren't really compatible on so many things, most of things.

"Hey? Clark? Support naman." Hindi kasi siya sumasagot at nakahawak lang sa nether ng lips niya habang mahinang sinu-sway 'yung swivel chair from left to right. "Can I ask tito ba to give me another project na lang? Kahit mas difficult pa, I'll take it, kaagad."

"Question Rence is, may mas hihirap pa ba sa situation mo ngayon?" Okay, Clark got a huge point there. This is probably the hardest project na hinawakan ko. Not only because malaki 'yung sakop niya and importante talaga siya but because I need to work with Theo. Everything is difficult talaga when Theo is involved. "No, Dad is expecting a lot from you on this project. He knew you're the perfect guy for it."

"Expectations." Mahina kong bulong. "Can people at least not expect a lot from me?"

"Hey, where did that came from? Bakit parang bulkan ka diyan na biglang nag-erupt? Do you want me to bring you to Naga City ba?" I faked a laugh to let Clark know na hindi mabenta 'yung joke niya. "Seriously Rence, who's expecting what ba from you?"

"Theo." I downright replied. "He's expecting na I'll be comfortable with him kaagad."

"Hindi ba that's what you wanted?" Clark inquired.

"Kind of. Pero he's expecting it immediately."

"He directly stated or you've assumed?"

Napahinto ako nang kaunti. Hindi naman talaga sinabi ni Clark directly. Well, basta obvious naman na that's included sa pa-let-me-enter-into-your-life-again niya.

Ito pa, after our argument kanina, hindi ako umalis kaagad, napilit niya ako to stay and we worked in total silence. Imagine, we're just feet apart pero we need to email each other pa to communicate. Tapos I've been giving him sharp glares whenever our eyes meet kasi naman sira na talaga mood ko because of the incident. Fortunately naman, may progress 'yung ginagawa namin. Pero if things will continue just as how they are today, magko-consume nang maraming time 'yung project to finish.

"So ano nga? He directly stated or you assumed?" Pag-ulit ni Clark sa tanong niya once he noticed na hindi na ako sumasagot at nakatulala na lang.

"Assumed." Ayoko naman sabihin sa kanya 'yung sinabi ni Theo. "Basta Clark. Ngayon ko lang na-realize na ang hirap pala."

"Until now, you're not finish with that phase pa rin?"

"Let's not go there, Clark."

Sumeryoso na 'yung mukha niya. That obviously means he's serious. Nawawala common sense ko, wait. "Let's go there Rence." That voice of Clark. Last time kong narinig 'yan noong sinabi ko sa kanya na nagpapaligaw ako kay Kent. "Answer me directly, are you still into Theo?"

That was more than what I expected him to ask. "Why would you even ask me that question-"

"Yes or no, Rence?"

"N-no." Nauutal kong sagot.

"Then prove it." Sabi niya sabay kumpas ng kamay niya sa harap niya harshly. He looked me in the eye intently. I know what he's going to say next is something important. Something that will matter. "Finish that project. Be comfortable with Theo. Be friends with him. You want that as well, right?"

Huminga ako nang malalim para may gawin. I don't know what to say kasi. I've been saying din naman na I want to be friends with him 'di ba? Panindigan ko na siguro. We have moments naman na okay kami sa isa't isa. Maybe, I should exert extra effort to get rid of the awkwardness.