HER SIDE

#10 - Date

Someone's POV

"So you're officially leaving?" tanong niya sakin pagkababa ko galing sa kwarto.

"Yes."

"You're crazy. It's been years. She clearly hates you!"

"I know and I don't fckng care!"

"You're putting her in danger AGAIN." seryosong sabi niya sakin.

Saglit akong natahimik sa sinabi niya.

"Maybe, but this time I'll make sure that I'll protect her no matter what happens." Hindi ko na siya inantay sumagot at mabilis lumabas sa kwarto na iyon.

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Autumn Goncalves' POV

"Let's go." nakangiting bungad sakin ni corbyn. Tahimik kaming naglakad palabas ng KIS. 

Papunta kami ngayon sa isang kilalang restaurant malapit sa school para sa "friendly date" namin ni corbyn. 

Actually, I didn't  expect na after class pala agad agad akala ko pa naman uuwi muna kami sa bahay, but he insisted na wag na daw. Di na rin ako pumalag since naisip ko na hassle nga yun tsaka baka mas piliin kong matulog pag umuwi kami kesa ituloy yung date namin.

"Get in, aut." inalalayan niya pa ko sumakay sa sasakyan niya bago siya umikot sa papunta sa driver's seat.

Damn, this guy is seriously a gentleman. 

"So, how's your day? You look exhausted." bungad ni corbyn pagka andar ng sasakyan niya. 

"I am." maikling sagot ko. Mukhang napansin niya na wala ako sa mood makipagusap kaya naman hindi siya sumagot.

Naging tahimik yung byahe namin. Honestly, I really don't want to ruin our "friendly date". Hindi lang talaga ko makapaniwala na after ilang years andito nanaman sila.

Actually, I expected this. Alam ko na hindi habang buhay magiging tahimik yung buhay ko. Alam ko na there's a limit to my freedom and happiness. I know my past will keep on haunting me. 

"We're here!" masiglang bati ni corbyn na nakapagpabalik sakin sa realidad. Masydong ata kong pre-occupied kaya hindi ko man lang namalayan na andito na pala kami. 

"Let's go?" anyaya niya pa. Binigyan ko siya ng matamis ng ngiti bago tumungo. 

I need to stop stressing myself. Ayokong masira yung date namin ni corbyn. Seriously? Minsan lang ako ayain ng date nito no. 

Magkasabay kaming naglakad papasok sa No Name. Yep, yun yung pangalan ng restaurant. 

"What do you want to eat?" 

"Hmm, I'll have some medium well steak plus mac and cheese on the side." 

"Drinks?" 

"Just water." agad din naman siyang tumawag ng waiter para umorder. 

"So, what's with the sudden invitation?" 

"Nothing. I just want to know you more." nakangiti niyang sagot.

"What do you mean corbs?" natatawang tanong ko sa kanya. 

"I mean, you've been living with us for a couple of months now, but we don't know anything about you. Aside from your name of course." 

Well, that's true. I keep everything about myself private. Hindi ako basta basta nagkwekwento about myself because it's dangerous.

"What do you want to know?" 

"Uhm, anything?" He's trying hard. Well, I think it's necessary since sa kanila ko nakatira. 

"I'm Autumn Goncalves. 20 years old. I have a sister. She's currently in California with our parents." maikling sabi ko. 

"No offense, but why are you here?" I know he'll ask that. They always do.

"Because I chose to be here." tumungo lang siya sa sagot ko. Napansin niya siguro na wala talaga kong balak magkwento tungkol sa sarili ko. I don't want to be rude or anything. I trust him and his cousins, but I don't trust them. 

There's more to the story that I'm telling them. 

After ng maikling date namin ni corbyn, umuwi na din agad kami. Actually, niyaya niya pa ko sumama sa bar, but I refused. I feel really exhausted today. I'm glad he understand.