When the Ex Returns

Chapter 7: Hopes and Dreams

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*** Hopes and Dreams  ***

“YOU’RE ACTING WEIRD, Ana” puna ni Alfred. We’re already on our way back to Davao City. Just like his promise, dinaanan niya ako sa hotel after his work sa Compostela, pumunta sa puntod nila Mama at Papa, and drove our way home. He is with a private industry. Dati kaming magkasama sa development work but he opted (actually, my discreet persuasion) na lumipat siya sa private sector para sigurado ang maging future namin together. Project-based pa rin kasi ako ngayon. Mahirap kung pati rin siya. “Are you alright, sweetheart?”

“Oo naman.” I gave him a forceful smile. Well, kahit anong smile naman ang gawin ko, hindi naman masyadong nahahalata yan ni Alfred. He takes every word I say as it is. Na, kung inis na inis na talaga ako, nagiging dahilan ng pagtatampo ko sa kanya.

We’re actually living together. In this time and age (and my situation in life) I really need a companion. At kahit pa man noong bago pa lang kami nagsasama sa iisang bahay, inaaya na niya akong magpakasal. It was my sister na siyang naging dahilan kung bakit ako nagdalawang-isip. Ang hirap naman kung idamay ko pa siya sa problema ko. But he is a very good man, wala siyang naging angal. Naghintay lang siya. Hindi tulad ng walang hiyang Vic Dominguez na yun.

Damn! Napakagat ako ng lower lip ko. Just the thought of him makes me angry. Sana hindi napansin ni Alfred ang naging gesture ko. Hindi ko na dapat iniisip si Vic. He is a great distraction. Hindi tama to! Focus, Ana. Focus!

“Is something bothering you, Ana?”

“No, sweetheart.” Damn! I’m not really a good liar. Hindi naman ako tumatawag sa kanya ng kahit anong endearment kasi that’s so baduy. And I made a shrill voice pa talaga which makes my statement a giveaway lie. Sana hindi niya na yun mapansin.

“Something is really bothering you. You even called me sweetheart. That’s a first!” Napatawa pa talaga siya sa tinuran niya ha. “Should we pull over saglit?”

“No! No! I’m good! Alam mo naman pag gumagana na ang creative juices ko, bigla na lang ako nagkakaroon ng sarili kong mundo. Di ba?” Hinayaan na lamang ni Alfred ang topic. Ganyan talaga siya—madaling maniwala. And when I say creative juices, I am working on something not related to work—like an art piece. By the way, I paint sometimes.

Hindi naman kasi ganun kadaling burahin sa isip ang nangyari. Hindi ko naman pinlano na umabot kami sa ganung sitwasyon. I am so over him. So, imposible talaga na may mangyari sa amin. Kung meron nga talaga, he took advantage of me. That is the only reason to that.

Paliko na kami at papuntang downtown area. Ilang saglit na lang, darating na kami sa inuupahan naming apartment. If this continues, masusupalpal ako ni Alfred nito. Hindi kasi talaga ako marunong ng impromptu lying. Dapat, praktisado talaga.

Well, the disadvantages of living together.

“You want to eat somewhere?”

Damn! Monthsary nga pala. I should agree. Kasi kung hindi, magtatampo na naman to. Buti na lang, kahit papaano, I have a sharp memory. “Of course, it’s our monthsary.” I hope I sound convincing.

Instead of going straight home, we stopped somewhere for dinner. It’s not really a fancy place. Something simple and discreet. Alfred really knows me very well. Alam niyang ayaw ko sa crowded places, most of all romantic ones. He is the romantic type pero he still puts my interests first. Alam niya na ayoko ng candlelit dinner kasi that is very awkward and way too cheesy. Lalong-lalo na kung may kasama ng music. Mas lalong cheesy yun. He told me once that he dreamed of having a dinner date on a cruise ship or a floating restaurant pero since I am not the type na papayag sa ganung drama, he already dismissed the idea.