The One Who Stares Behind

KABANATA 25

"Manong Robert isn't here, so I'll drive for now."

I just nodded before adjusting my seatbelt.

"Who were you with last night, Zafhyrna?"

Nilingon ko ito ngunit hindi naman ako nito tinapunan ng tingin. Diretso lamang ang tingin nito sa daan habang nagmamaneho.

"Debbie, Anne, Lynne?"

Who else? I slept with them in our room, so I was with them last night. No doubt about it.

"Which guy were you with last night? You didn't even bother to introduce him, and you suddenly disappeared from the party. I had my eyes on you." His voice had no trace of emotion. Ang sungit!

"You came into your room with a wet body, and your dress..." He seemed certain about what had happened last night.

I could sense him taking a deep breath."You’re almost out of excuses. Zafh, when did you start drinking? I wasn't even aware of it."

He slammed the steering wheel, making me flinch and look at him in surprise. I rolled my eyes at him, knowing he was clearly annoyed.

"Oh, Drev. How can you say 'my eyes were on you' when you were just making out with Ms. President?"

Sandali itong natigilan na ikinatawa ko naman.  I do have lot of source.

"Alright, that party’s over. By the way, where’s Isaac?" I changed the topic, as I wasn’t really clear on what we were talking anyway.

"Kanina pa siya umuwi." He replied shortly.

"Oh? Bakit hindi na lang siya sumabay sa atin?"

"He has his own car."

He’s so grumpy right now. Maybe he didn’t get any chance last night. I tried to hide my laughter at that thought, but this time, it didn't work.

"Why are you laughing?" he asked with a frown.

"Ang sungit mo Xandrev. "

Dahil gusto siyang inisin ngayon, ginulo ko ang buhok nito. Ayaw na ayaw niya iyon.

"Shit! I’m driving, Zafhyrna."

"Okay, okay! Hands up." I raised both hands in mock surrender.

"It's not as funny as you think."

Damn, he’s really grumpy.

"What are your plans for this week? I bet you’ll go to clubs, party, flirt with women, and... have sex?"

"Zafhyrna! Watch your mouth!"

Hindi  ko maialis ang ngisi sa labi ko dahil sa nakikita kong asar ito sa akin ngayon."Something's not right." Bigla ay naisatinig nito.

"You mean?"

"You haven’t mentioned El yet. You only asked about Isaac. Why, Zafhyrna? Is there something I need to know?"

I didn’t know how to answer Xandrev’s question. Even to myself, I wondered why. Why it felt like El’s presence had vanished from my system.

"Zafhyrna.." may pagbabantang tawag nito sa pangalan ko.

"I'll take a nap. Gisingin mo na lang ako kapag nasa bahay na tayo."

He gave me a disbelieving look before turning back to focus on the road.

I closed my eyes, but sleep was nowhere near my mind.

I'll wait for you here. Please come back..

It was El's voice I heard in my head, but I couldn’t picture it anymore.

“I’m not playing, Lexus. I’m just confused. That’s quite different. Enlighten me.”