In Order To Protect (COMPLETED)

13: I Know Who You Are

Jewon
"ANAK, what's wrong? Kanina ko pa napapansin namumula ang mukha mo.", mom said. She's cooking some food while I was at the kitchen counter, eating cookies.

Umiling lang ako pero hindi ko mapigilan ang ngiti ko. Romi kissed me! That means she likes me too, right? Well, okay, she didn't say it but I could actually feel it. She likes me too, I thought.

But speaking of Romi...

"Mom, where's Romi?", tanong ko.

"She went out to buy some tomatoes para sa pasta.", sagot ni mommy and then she turned to me with a teasing smile. "Why? Do you miss her already?", she ask.

I gape at her.

"Mom!", sigaw ko. Pero tinawanan nya lang ako. I accidentally told mom last night that I like Romi and now she's teasing me about it! Tsh.

"I'm sure pabalik na yun.", sabi ni mommy. I took another bite from my cookie and then put it back to the plate.

"I'll wait for her at the lobby.", sabi ko. Mom was about to say something but I quickly raise my right hand. "Hindi ako lalabas ng building. I promise!", sabi ko.

Napangiti na lang si mommy at hinayaan na kong lumabas. Naglakad ako papunta sa elevator at naghintay. Maya-maya bumukas ang elevator sa floor namin at bumungad sa akin si Mona.

Shit.

"Hi, babe.", nakangiting bati nya at lumapit saken. "Are you waiting for me?", tanong nya.

"No.", sagot ko. Lumayo ako sa kanya. Ayokong makita kami ni Romi na magkadikit. "I have to go.", sabi ko at akmang sasakay na sa elevator pero bigla nya kong hinila sa braso.

"How about we go to your unit and have dinner together?", sabi nya. She has this playful smile on her lips which makes me shiver in disgust.

"My mom is in my unit.", sabi ko. Sumarado na ang pinto ng elevator at ngayon, I'm stuck here with Mona!

"Then great! I could say hi to tita Pearl.", sabi nya, still not giving up. I gently remove her hands from me and give a decent distance between us.

"You know very well that she don't wanna see you.", sabi ko. Unti-unting nabura ang ngiti sa pulang mga labi nya and I thought she's about to cry. "Mona, please stop this. You'll only end up hurting yourself.", sabi ko.

"Why? Why can't you love me?", she ask. Bago ako makasagot ay biglang bumukas ang elevator at lumabas mula doon si Romi.

She's looking serious as usual. Pero lalong naging seryoso ang mukha nya nang makita nya si Mona at ako na magkausap.

"Anong ginagawa mo dito?", agad na tanong ni Romi kay Mona. Nginisian sya ni Mona at tiningnan mula paa hanggang ulo.

"Look at you acting like that. Napagkamalan ka lang na girlfriend ni Jewon ng mga netizen eh akala mo yata girlfriend ka na talaga.", pang-iinsulto ni Mona.

Pero hindi naman natinag si Romi.

"Bakit mo naman kasi niyakap ng gano'n in public itong P.A mo, Jewon? Tsk. Now tell her, babe. Make her come to her senses na hindi mo sya girlfriend.", sabi pa ni Mona.

"I was about to tell you earlier, Mona. I'm sorry but she's the one I really like.", sabi ko. Gumuhit ang ngiti ng very slight sa bibig ni Romi samantalang hindi makapaniwalang nakatingin lang saken si Mona.

"Ako ang girlfriend nya.", sabi ni Romi na parang inaasar pa talaga si Mona.

"W-what??", nanlalaki ang mga matang tanong ni Mona after a minute. Nagulat din ako sa sinabi ni Romi but I just nod my head.