Forgotten (NNS #1) (EDITING)

Kabanata 38

Kabanata 38

Terrified

Apat na araw akong hindi lumabas ng unit. Hindi ako tinatamad o kung ano pa man, kundi natakot ako sa banta ni Gian. I can sacrifice not going out of my condo unit for four days, than to put my efforts to waste. Dalawang taon ang tinapon ko para itago sa kanya ang dahilan. Hindi ito ang panahon para malaman niya 'yon. Hindi pa.

Sa panlimang araw ay pinili kong umuwi sa Bulacan. My family asked me to go home weeks ago, which I refused. I think it's time to be with them since I've spent enough time with myself already, and also, to divert my attention. Hindi pwedeng ang mga salita lang ni Gian ang manatili sa utak ko. He distracted me for four days, I think it's time for me to get over what he said.

Palabas ako ng unit, dala ang isang travel bag na naglalaman ng ilang damit at importanteng gamit, at isang backpack kung saan kasya ang laptop ko at ilan pang aksesorya tulad ng charger and cosmetics. Ganon na lang ang gulat ko ng makita ang bulto ng isang lalaki sa gilid pinto ko. It was then when I realized that it was Gian! Muntik kong maihulog ang dala kong travel bag. I shoot him with daggers.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I asked, annoyed.

The side of his lips rose up, without any trace of humor, "I would honestly think that you've been avoiding an interaction with me since the day we saw each other at Herman's shop," halakhak niya, puno ng panunuya, "And finally, after 5 days, you managed to go outside your unit. Bringing..." he trailed off as he eyed my things, "A travel bag," he coldly uttered as he turned his gaze back on my eyes.

Umirap ako sa kanya at natigilan nang matanto ang sinabi niya. Does that mean that he's been guarding my unit since that day? Mapang-akusa ko siyang tinignan; only to meet his proud stare.

"If you're wondering, yes. I've been guarding your unit. Ang nasa kabila ay binigyan ko ng malaking halaga bilang kapalit ng paglipat niya sa ibang pwesto, which I also payed for," galit na asik niya, tila naalala ang nakausap.

Nanlaki ang mata ko dahil sa sinabi niya. Mas lumala ang gulat ko nang maalala kung sino ang nakatira sa unit na'yon.

"You made Kobe leave his flat?" nagulantang na tanong ko. Walang alinlangan siyang tumango. Looks like he's even proud of it! I slapped his arms. Agad niyang iniwas ang braso niya ng paulit-ulit kong ilapat ang palad ko sa kanya.

"Hey, stop it!" aniya ay humakbang paatras. That's when I noticed his get up. Mukhang patungo siya sa opisina, wearing his usual corporate attire. A very minimal look, like what he used to have before. Suot niya ang isang white button-down shirt na pinatungan ng black suit jacket, black slacks na bitin sa kanya, leather shoes at black tie, and of course, a silver watch on his wrist, he stood proud in front of me with his taper fade haircut. Iniwas ko ang tingin sa kanya nang mapansin niyang tinititigan ko ang kabuuan niya.

I never had the chance to notice his change in our previous meetings. Kada magkikita kasi kami, ang nasa isip ko palagi ay ang umiwas. I can't stand in front of him, knowing how enigmatic my love is, that I might spill the real reason why leaving him behind is better than us being together.

I tried to maintain my irritated face, "Ano sa tingin mo ang ginawa mo?" asik ko.

"Where are you going?" sa halip ay tanong niya. Inis ko siyang tinignan bago nagpasyang maglakad na. Agad naman siyang humabol at inagaw ang travel bag ko, which made me face him. Again.

"Ano ba?!" I spatted, "Why are you bugging me? Hindi ba may pasok ka? Go to work and stop pestering around!" lantarang pagtataboy ko sa kanya.