My Boyfriend is a Freak (Published under Pop Fiction)

47: Mira

Palabas na ako ng aking apartment para mag-commute papuntang opisina — I wasn't even sure if Vren would be giving me a ride to Medialink dahil may tampuhan pa rin kami — at laking gulat ko dahil pagbukas ko ng pinto ay tumambad sa akin ang napakagwapo ngunit napakaseryoso ring mukha ng aking boyfriend.

"I believe you are aware that trespassing is a crime, Ms. Custodio. Am I right?"

"Ah, eh..." I trailed off, uncertain whether or not I should continue speaking. Seeing Vren's expression had caused my heart rate to start climbing up.

"Well?"

Sinubukan kong ngumiti na lang ng pa-cute dahil baka sakaling madala pa sa charm ko si Vren. "Yes. You're right, of course. 'Nga pala... happy birthday!"

"Don't change the subject, Mira." My boyfriend's stony expression didn't even change. "Who gave you the permission to sneak into my place in the middle of the night?"

Napalunok ako. Sa puntong ito ay gusto ko nang isarado ang pinto para magtago na lamang sa aking apartment. "Vren, gusto ko lang naman kasing —"

"You know what? Don't even bother explaining. Let's just go to work," he then said in a clipped tone, cutting me off.

I bit my lip, suppressing the urge to cry. Buong akala ko ay may mabuting maidudulot ang pagkapuyat ko sa paghahanda ng aking regalo at peace offering para kay Vren, pero heto at nakadagdag pa ito sa rason ng pagkagalit niya sa akin.

Talk about a plan gone wrong, Mirathea.

Ni hindi ako hinintay ng boyfriend ko para sana sabay kaming maglakad papunta sa kanyang kotse. He walked ahead of me, and I followed with my head down, disappointed and downcast.

Once we're inside his car, I dared to speak again.

"Vren, alam kong galit ka pa rin sa akin, pero baka naman pwedeng mag-truce muna tayo? Lalo ngayon at birthday mo..." I sighed. "'Wag kang mag-alala; tatanggalin ko na lang 'yong painting kung talagang hindi mo nagustuhan. At tungkol naman sa trespassing... hinding-hindi na mauulit 'yong pagpuslit namin sa unit mo."

"Namin?" Lalong kumunot ang noo ni Vren. "Were you with someone else?"

Uh-oh.

"O-oo, kasama ko sina Alexia, Mavi, at Hannah," mautal-utal kong sagot. "Pero ako lang talaga ang may pakana no'n! Ako lang ang may kasalanan. 'Wag mo nang idamay 'yong tatlo sa galit mo."

Silence ensued. Nanatili lang akong nakayuko habang hinihintay ang susunod na sermon ni Vren. I was blinking furiously, trying my best not to burst into tears.

I sniffed, and that's when I heard Vren's laughter. Agad akong napatingin sa kanya.

"Gotcha!" he exclaimed. "I'm just messing with you, Ms. Custodio."

"What?" I stared at him, lips slightly parted. "Ginu-good time mo lang pala ako?"

Vren snickered. "Yup. I loved your painting. It's the best birthday present I've ever received."

"Talaga?" parang bata kong tanong. "Pinapatawad mo na ako?"

"Of course. Apology accepted." He smiled. "Although I must tell you this — the next time you feel like receiving some flowers, just let me know. I'll buy you a whole flower garden if that's what it takes to make you happy."

"Charotero." Umismid ako. "Talaga bang hindi ka na galit sa akin?"

"Yes. Let's just forget about that damned bouquet. Gusto lang talaga kitang pag-trip-an para makaganti." He started laughing again. "Nagtagumpay naman ako dahil paiyak ka na."