Her Hero

Drop-off

It's almost 2am marami na rin ang nagsi-uwi. Naiwan na lang ang board members na may mga sundo. Kahit sa upper class may hierarchy pa rin: may first level rich (katulad namin nila Xavier at Meera, may mga negosyo ang mga magulang at may ilang property) politician rich (katulad nila Marcella, business, properties in and out of the country), crazy rich (sila yung mga parang may ibang klaseng lingwahe ng yaman, yung tipong kayang bumili ng isang bansa, yung barya lang sa kanila yung luxury bags at franchise ng sikat na fastfood, local and international stock holders, yung connection sa iba't ibang panig ng bansa). This society that we live in.

"Ako na maghahatid kay Meera. Your boyfriend is still waiting for you. Just tell Mona to send to you the bill. No discount"
He jokingly said. Nasa likod nya si Meera at magkagawak sila ng kamay.

"You can't even make a free meal for your girlfriend at your own restaurant. Is your business getting unstable that you don't even give a discount, though you know for a fact that any of the members could buy your whole business." I crossed my arms with a pouty lips.

He laughed before he replied.
"I'm just messing with you. but mind you, if you keep on reasoning with me like that I might as well tell mama and papa or worse ate Ysabell that our baby sister has grown some roots out of the pot."
I frowned and drop my hands on my waist. Nawala yung antok na meron ako sa pagkakabangit nya sa ate namin. Mas takot pa kami kay Ate Ysabell kesa kila Mama at Papa.

"And what do you mean by my roots growing out of the pot?"

"Isn't one of your plans to have a boyfriend after 2nd year college and with Xymon? But as I can see you're rooting out. You missed two of your life goals. Though we appreciate the gesture that you're not a slave of your own book."

"I can't agree more..." singit ni Meera sabay angkla at hila kay Kuya. Ngingiti ngiti sila na nagsimula nag maglakad.

Hindi na ko nakapag paliwanag. Ginulo na lang nya ang buhok ko bilang pagpapa alam at dumiretso na.

"So, shall we go? Others already left. You were talking with your brother so I didn't bother to tell you that they left...And I also talked to Mona about the bill, she said you will be settling it." I just nod. I am still apprehended by my brother and best friend's notion. They thought that Xavier was my boyfriend.

"Let me grab my things." I tuck my hair behind my ears and avoid his stares.

"You seem off. I have your things already."
He was now frowning with concern.

"Is there something wrong?"
I closed my eyes, loosen the tense out of my body and released a deep sigh.
I looked into his eyes, "You have to take back what you said with your teammates and Meera. Now, even my brother thinks that we are in a relationship." I explained to him. I am surprised that I didn't scold him while I let it out.

He shook his head while smiling. "You got me worried. If it isn't true, there's nothing to worry. They know me. They know you. They'll figure it out if it really wasn't true. Now, come. We need to get you home."

I just pulled a deep breath before a followed him down.

"Let me drive. I'll drop you home and I'll go on my way."
Sabi ko sa kanya habang nakalahad ang kamay ko para sa susi, though I just need it for the lock, keyless naman kasi ang sasakyan ko.

He smiled and winked at me. "I'm an honest man and I have a reputation to keep. I don't want others to know that I let my 'girlfriend' drive me home." he audaciously said and gestured the quotation mark in the air.

Napa iling na lang ako. I hopped in as he open the door for me.

Sinabi ko kung san condo ako nakatira. Surprisingly, he told me na pareho lang kami at 3 floors above lang ang kanya sa amin ni Meera. I didn't tell him my unit though. He just blander out where his unit was.

The ride was not literally quiet. My playlist in my phone played in my car via bluetooth. Though we were not talking. It wasn't awkward, it was surprisingly peaceful.

He parked the car and we both head in to the elevator. I punched our floor number. Now he has the idea which floor I live.

"You really are good at keeping quiet. Ikaw siguro taga lista ng maingay sa inyo nung high school." He is looking at me through my reflection on the elevator door. Kami lang kasi ang laman noon sa ganitong oras.

"Maybe I should reckon you for a time traveller. Pati yon alam mo. Did you also do that back in Elem and Junior High?" I smiled at his reflection.

"Traditions, probably." He still has my things on his right shoulder. Nakasandal lang sya sa left corner ng elevator habang nakapamulsa.

I smiled back at him again. I have nothing more to say. I am poor at having conversation with a person I barely knew.

The elevator dinged and it's time for me to step out. "Let me walk you through your unit." he said.

I looked back at him and he held the door open. I closed my eyes, smiled and shook my head.

"Thank you for driving me safe. You really are true to your words. I am grateful that you drop me off here at my floor. And I'm not letting you know my unit."

I cringed my nose and grinned before I continued talking.
"You might stalk me and bug me every now and then if you'll know which unit I was."

I'm surprised by my actions. I probably got hit by the alcohol that I drank.

"You know I'll know it eventually. Good night, my lady." he winked and smiled like he usually does and he released the button and the elevator closed.

His gestures are bringing unfamiliar feelings and I'm not stupid not to know where this could possibly lead if I won't be careful.
I sighed. I probably misjudged him. I thought to myself as I walked through my unit. He wasn't that bad after all.