I like Arvic. That's a fact. Hindi na ako magdedeny so I'm really trying not to give meanings to what he does. Simple things like giving me coffee, inviting me on dinner and random texting me when he's bored.
I like to keep things platonic between us besides hindi pa ako ready magkaboyfriend ulit.
"Tahimik mo ata?" Tinawanan ako ni Arvic.
"Ikaw naman kaya ang magkwento? Alam mo na ata kwento ng buhay ko. I even told you about-- shit." Mura ko nang nakita ko kung sino ang pumasok ng cafe.
I guess God gave me another sign to keep this platonic. Why does Rei have to be here at this place and at this time?
Inalis ko agad ang tingin ko at magkukunyaring hindi ko siya nakita pero lumingon siya at nagkatinginan kami.
I took a deep breath and faced Arvic. He knew Rei since lagi akong sinusundo ni Rei dati.
"Mandy, we can go."
"Ok lang ako. Ano ba, tagal na nun."
"Mandy-"
Just then Rei began walking towards us with a girl. A familiar girl. Siya 'yung classmate ni Rei na ayaw ko, the girl he said was just a classmate.
That's why no one is ever just a classmate or officemate.
"Kamusta?" He smiled.
I had to force a smile as well. "Uy hi."
Natigilan siya nung narealize na nakikilala ko 'yung kasama niya pero pinakilala niya rin.
Ngumiti siya na para bang hindi niya ako kilala pero alam naming dalawa ang totoo. Paano mo hindi makikilala ang girlfriend ng nilalandi mo sa college?
Tumingin siya sa kasama ko. It's fair for him to feel what I'm feeling right now. I take one look at Arvic and know what I need to do.
"Arvic," Pakilala ko. Hindi pa ako tapos pero inunahan na ako ni Arvic.
"Classmate in college." Arvic finished. Then he stared at me intently. "Tara na? Naghihintay na sila."
Nasa kotse niya kami pero hindi pa niya pinaandar ang sasakyan. "Okay ka lang?"
"Nakamove on na ako." Hinarap ko siya. "Nagulat lang ako. That's all."
"You know you don't need to act like this with me. Okay so nakamove on ka na but my question is okay ka lang ba?"
"I'm fine." I snapped.
Hindi na siya nagtanong after. He just drive and kept quiet.
Matagal bago siya ulit nagsalita. It's not everyday that you see Arvic comforting someone so I really appreciate having him.
"I know what you're about to say earlier."
Hindi ako sumagot.
"If I let you introduced me as your boyfriend, would that make you happy?"
May point siya pero hindi pa rin ako sumagot dahil ayaw kong aminin na tama siya.
"No right? Only letting go can make you really happy. Let's say nakamove on ka na pero hindi mo masasabing nakamove on ka na kung galit ka pa rin."
"Easier said than done."
He smiled at that. "It's not real if it's easy."
I just sighed and told him about the girl he's with. Arvic listened, never once interrupted.
He nodded and pursed his lips after I'm done. "Ganito nalang, papakilala kita sa kaibigan ko. Sino bang gusto mo? Nico? Weird lang 'yun pero hindi ka lolokohin nun."
"Ayaw ko."
"Pick your guy. Akong bahala sayo." Tawa niya.
"Just shut up."
"Taken na si Vince. Patrick and Andrew? Definitely not your guy. That leaves me and Nico." He looked at me sideways. "I'm definitely not your guy so si Nico nalang talaga ang pag-asa mo. Are you sure ayaw mong ilakad kita? Look at Vince and my sister, magaling akong tumingin ng tao."
"Says the guy who don't do commitments." I rolled my eyes.
"Hoy wag mong itulak sa akin, ikaw ang pinag-uusapan natin dito."
"Since willing na willing ka," I started. "Gusto ko ng matangkad, gwapo, gentleman, hindi maiinis sa mga drama ko sa buhay at mahaba ang pasensya. Let me know if you know someone like that."
"Bakit parang ako ata 'yang dinescribe mo?"
"Hala ang feeling mo naman!" React ko agad.
Tumawa siya. "Baka in love ka na sa akin?"
"Sayo? Seryoso ka ba sa sinasabi mo? Be realistic naman."
He smiled lightly, "No need to be harsh. You're hurting a man's feelings."
"Baka ikaw ang in love sa akin? Remember your sorry speech? I make you do things you don't normally do diba?"
"Sinabi ko lang 'yun para kausapin ko na ako ulit. Naniwala ka naman agad?"
"Parang hindi, e. Sabi nila Patrick crush mo daw ako college pa." Sabi ko kahit hindi totoo.
"Really, Mandy? Sabi nila Patrick?" He chuckled and faced me. "I'll do you one better, college palang crush na kita."
"Hmm?" Ako ang natigilan. How can he say that as if it's nothing?
"Isn't it better to hear it from me?"
Then I saw a hint of a smile and slapped his arm. "You promised not to mess with me!"
He laughed and pressed a finger to my forehead. "Next time aasarin mo ako, make sure you can handle it."
"Kakainis ka talaga! Alam ko na 'yang style mo. Tigil tigilan mo nga ako sa mga linyahan mo. Kadiri ka, ah."
"Kadiri pero gustong gusto mo naman."
He leaned on his seat and smiled. "Now you're smiling. That's better. Mas maganda ka pag nakangiti."
Tuluyan na akong napangiti. I didn't realize that Arvic is messing with me just to make me smile.
"Just drive."
"San mo gustong pumunta? I suggest a bar. Alak lang katapat niyan."
"Makasalita kala mo may experience ah?"
"Oh you want to be the first?" Ngisi niya.
"I suggest Ian or Pepper. They are experienced. I'm sure marami kang matututunan sa kanila."
"Gusto mo ba 'yung maraming experience? I can't offer you anything. I could only offer all my firsts." Aniya.
Biglang bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko. Sinisimulan nanaman ni Arvic mga banat niya! Hindi ko kaya pag ganyan si Arvic.
"Can you just drive?"
Tinawanan lang niya ako.
