I was looking across the street, the distance made it hard for me to see, all I can manage to see are blurry faces but I guess I know him too well. I recognise that jacket he is wearing, the same watch that I gifted last Christmas, and that bright smile which I cherished so much. It is him just a couple of steps away.
"Excuse me"
"Ate kung hindi ka tatawid wag kang humarang"
I can feel my heart ripping. Eyes burning. I guess I am hurting.
He is holding her hand.
He's carrying her bag, while she's holding her flowers.
"Miss tatawid ka ba? Red light na"
Wala na ako marinig. My head is ringing so loud that I can no longer feel anything. I think I momentarily went numb. It made my legs weak.
Just.. when did things start to go wrong?
--- 5 years earlier ---
I was enjoying my cup of tea in our veranda, this is quite good. I need to refresh my mind and my body from all of the toxicity, I've been partying nonstop for weeks now and surely my mom and dad will kill me if ever they found out that all I did was to fool around while they're gone on a business trip.
Napangiwi naman ako ng maalala kung gaano katindi ang kurot ni mommy.
Anyway I'll just use my trump card and cross the bridge when I get there, hopefully my charm is still effective. I slightly grimaced
"You look serious there babe"
I turned my back and found Zen, who's lazily leaning on my door with a glint of playfulness in his eyes
I just rolled my eyes in half annoyance
He's my.. childhood friend? I don't know it is actually complicated. He is Zendrick Almario, our parents are good friends and since I was seven we already got used on being with each other. He's the biggest asshole I know, two faced , and sadly yet fortunately this guy is also the most gorgeous person I have laid my eyes upon, which is why I find it hard to keep him on track and not get too close with other females. We have this kind of weird relationship that we like each other's company, not as a casual friend but not committed into romantic relationship, we do flirt with each other every now and then.
"I was just trying and hoping to get some good and fresh air you know? well now that you're here..I don't think that's possible now" ngumiti pa ako ng hilaw sa kanya
"But I even put your favourite perfume, I know how much you like that smell babe, I'm all that fresh air that you need"
"Oh really? All I can smell is how much of a man whore you are, you still reek of some random bitch's awfully sweet scent, sana naligo ka manlang bago pumunta dito"
"come on, I know how much you love my presence and how much you crave for my attention" he even smiled boyishly and sat beside me
I would love to deny that and tell him how confident can he get but then I will just fool no one since we both know that he is right
"Oh you are well aware of that and yet you still got the nerve to flirt last night?"
Bumalik and pagkainis ko kagabi, this is the reason why I recently go to parties, this is my chance na mabantayan itong lalaki na to, I wanted to make sure that he isn't playing around too much, I really hate it when he flirts and gets too close with other girls.
We may not have a clear claim towards each other, pero ang alam ko, I will always be Zen's closest to lover and the only lady that could act like one. Hell will be damned if some random girl tried to mess with him. I may look like a sweetheart but my attitude is sure as hell far away from that
He just shrugged it off saka siya lumapit at humarap sa akin
"I heard you're not feeling well?, I told you to take care of yourself, you never listen" He put his hand on my forehead and tried to check my temperature
Really what a freaking two-faced
He's so nonchalant on one side and be this caring on the other
I tried to supress my smile, paano naman kasi kunot na naman yung noo niya
I pressed my lips together and gave him a puppy look, now that he's like this paano pa ako mag-iinarte nito, at the end of the day hindi ko naman talaga siya matitiis
"Yes Zen so you should definitely stay here for the night and take care of me hmm?"
He lightly smacked my head
"Mind your words, you're just eighteen, you're still a kid Tala"
I rolled my eyes, I really don't like that pet name, Tala? I mean it just sounds so jologs, it doesn't suit me at all.
He chuckled when he saw my reaction, alam naman niya na ayaw ko sa tala-tala na yan eh
He kissed my cheeks and put his chin on my shoulder. Naiinis ako kasi his charm really do wonders on me
"Bakit mo ba kasi ako tinatawag na tala? My name is Yerika Azul napaka layo sa tala mo"
He stared at me for some moment and then gave me a boyish smile
My goodness kung minsan gusto ko na lang takpan mukha ni Zen, as much as I wanted and adore that face, it's just too much for my heart
I grimaced
Buti na lang talaga at hindi nababasa ni Zen ang mga naiisip ko, his ego is already massive enough for this
"It's a secret, tala"
"Baka naman pangalan yan ng babae na nakaharutan mo at di mo malakimutan ah" I glared at him
He gave an amused smile
"At paano kung ganon na nga?"
I felt my jaw dropped and my hand just automatically went to his hair and tugged it hard
He yelped while laughing
"Zen you don't get to call me filthy names like that!"
"No no, I was just kidding, you're the only Tala in my life okay" He explained while soothing the part of his head where I gave a hard tugging
I rolled my eyes to him
"Hindi naman Tala ang pangalan ko"
He laughed this time
"Oh really? That's too bad, shall I go and look for my Tala then?, I don't really mind looking for a company" he smirked
Natulak ko siya sa inis, napakalandi talaga nitong lalaki na to
I rolled my eyes as I turned my back and went to the door
"Where are you going?" He asked
"I'll go and have my name changed into Tala Azul, you damn flirt!"
I closed the door hard with a slam, but it isn't loud enough to conceal the annoying laughter from the man I badly want to beat up right now
