The Flame

The Flame-Chapter 9

Chapter 9
My Woman

We went to the restaurant which is near our company. Nang makarating kami doon, bigla kong naramdaman ang tawag ng kalikasan kaya siya nalang ang pinag-order ko.

“What do I order for you?” he asked.

“Anything. I'm not picky anyway.” I replied before I rushed to the comfort room.

After few minutes, natapos din ako. I fixed myself before going out the comfort room.

I searched for Bry in the area and I saw him, talking to a woman. Because I got curious of what they're talking about, I went near them. Sinigurado ko na hindi nila ako makikita. I hid myself behind the huge plant near them.

“So, are you alone?” the woman asked in a flirty manner. Bry just gave her a bored look.

“I am with my woman. If you please stay away from me 'cause I don't want to upset her.” then he faked a smile.

My woman.

He surely knows how to make a woman's heart thump. Unconsciously, I found my self smiling. Nang makaalis na ang babae, saka lang ako lumabas at lumapit sa kanya.

“I'm sorry for letting you wait.” I casually said, trying to sound as if I didn't hear anything nor saw anything.

“It's okay. I can wait until forever if it's you I'm waiting for.” then he showed me his killer smile.

“Galawang breezy, ah? Hahahaha.” I bursted out laughing. I never thought he'd be throwing a punch line.

“You laughed. I barely see you laugh, you know.” he started putting foods on my plate.

“We barely know each other, mister. And we've seen each other for just few times.” I said and started eating.
He ordered a lot. Well, I eat a lot too anyway. Nothing to worry about. I started eating and said thanks to him for putting some food on my plate.

“We should see each other more often, then?” he sounded like a business man trying to negotiate but also, he's smiling like a gentleman. How could he do that? Is he really doing that or it's just me and my silly mind?

“Hmm... it depends on our schedule. I'm busy, so are you-”
“I can always make time for you.” he cut me off.
“You and your punch lines, Bry!” I laughed a bit, trying to hide the nervousness lacing my voice.

Bry continued talking while I continued eating. Nagtatawanan lang kami. Kahit minsan sobrang silly ng jokes niya, natatawa talaga ako. Ewan ko nalang kung bakit.

“Know what, when I ordered a lot, I thought you're gonna tell me ‘Bry! Who are we eating with? Mauubos ba natin to?’ yet you just sat down and started eating.” he mimicked my voice while saying the phrase.

“I eat a lot and besides, I can pay for what I eat. Bakit may angal ka?” tinaasan ko siya ng kilay na siyang ikinatawa niya.

“Hmm.. Wala naman. I can even let you eat  everything in their menu.” nagpipigil pa ng tawa tong gagong 'to! Sarap sapakin!

“I was about to say “Bry, hahatian natin ang bill ” pero dahil sa sinabi mo at sa tawa-tawa mong 'yan, bayaran mo yan mag-isa mo...” tumayo ako at hinarap siya. Talagang nag-iinit ang dugo ko sa lalaking 'to!
“Kung gusto mo ng babaeng hindi matakaw, pasensya na dahil di ako yun! At wala akong balak magpaka hinhin para lang magustuhan mo. Gets mo? Kaya magsama kayo sa babaeng mahinhin at di matakaw mo!” then I turned my back on him.

“Gusto naman na kita, di mo na kailangan magbago. Nix, come on! Sorry na. I didn't mean to offend nor upset you. I was just kidding! Hey!” sinusundan niya ako hanggang makalabas kami ng restaurant. Talagang iniwan niya lang pera niya don ha! May sukli pa kaya yon!

Dahil makulit siya, I faced him.
“Yan tayo eh! Kapag may na offend, nagso-sorry pero hindi man lang inisip kung anong puwedeng maramdaman ng kausap natin! The damage has done, mayroon nang nasaktan! Sinadya man o hindi, ginawa mo parin! Wag kang mag-apologize dahil lang galit ako kundi dahil yun talaga ang gusto mo!” I left him, dumbfounded.

Feeling ko talaga malapit na ang monthly menstruation ko, ang sungit ko kasi. Pero whatever! I got really pissed. OA lang ba ako? Hay! Ewan ko! Bahala siya!

Kasalanan ba ang maging matakaw? Hindi naman ah? At saka, kaya ko rin namang bayaran ang kinain ko! May pa ‘My Woman’ pa siya kanina eh mas bet niya pala ang kabaliktaran sa'kin!

Bahala siya sa buhay niya!

I WENT straight to my office after that epic brunch with that bastard! That jerk!

“You seem angry, Cass?” nakangiting saad ng bruhildang si Arrianne. Di ko nalang siya pinansin at nagpatuloy na sa paper works na inaatupag ko.

“Inaway ka ba nong kasama mong lalaki kanina? Kawawa ka naman. Well, hindi naman kayo bagay eh. And besides, no one will ever get serious with you. Di mo ba nahahalata-”

“Shut the fuck up, Arianne.” I cut her off.  “Kung ayaw mong magkaroon ng black eye ngayon din, umalis ka sa harapan ko.” I looked at her coldly.
“Oh, I'm scared. And I'm being sarcastic by-” hindi niya na natapos ang sasabihin niya kasi hinampas ko ang mesa sa pagitan naming dalawa.

Napaatras siya at napalunok.
“You aren't scared, huh? Bakit ka umatras? Sample palang 'yon kaya sa mesa muna. Try to piss me off again at sisiguraduhin ko na sa mukha mo na dadapo ang kamay ko. You know me, Arianne. I don't bluff.” I smirked at her scared face.

Taas noo siyang naglakad palabas ng opisina ko kahit takot ang mga mata niya.
Don't try me, bitch! Nakidagdag ka pa eh. Sagarin mo pa ang pasensya ko at sisiguraduhin kong magsisisi ka, I thought to myself.

Ito yung ayaw ko kapag galit ako at kinakausap ako kasi kung ano-ano nalang ang lumalabas sa bibig ko. That's why I really choose to keep quiet when I'm mad to keep my opinions to myself rather than telling them to the person I'm mad at.

Kaya kapag galit ako, pinagdarasal ko na lang na sana ay walang kumausap sa'kin at dadagdagan yung galit ko dahil panigurado, hindi ko na mapigilan ang sarili ko.