And Then He Cheated

29

Kanina pa ako nakatitig sa mukha niya habang nasa isang restaurant kami. He's not looking at me, maybe he's shy but he's not that kind of guy. I secretly smiled when he trembled while reaching for his drinks, I handed him instead.

"Aren't you gonna talk?" tamad kong tanong.

Sa pagkakataong yun lang siya tumitig sa mukha ko. He has this cute look, pouting his lips, forehead creased and reddish cheeks.

"I missed you," he heaved a sigh. Finally releasing his frustrations.

"I missed you too" nginitian ko siya.

Kahit kailan hindi pumasok sa isip ko na pwede kaming makabalik sa ganitong estado. When I was broken, I felt everything is impossible. Seeing him this close, smiling at him and finally telling how much I missed him is so surreal. It warms my heart.

"Damn, I miss hearing that" he bit his lower lip.

"So where do you stay?" kuryusong tanong ko.

"Room 267.." anito.

Why does his room number rang a bell? 267? My unit's number is 266, it couldn't be right? Imposible naman ata.

"What hotel?"

"Beside your room" anito. That hit me! Tama ako, nagstay siya sa tabi ng unit namin.

"Really? I didn't notice you," mangha akong tumingin sakanya. How did he do the hiding?

"You didn't but your friends did" he chuckled. Hazel and Katy? Those bitches, bakit hindi nila sinabi saakin?

"They did? Kelan tsaka bakit hindi ko alam?" sunod sunod na tanong ko.

He heaved a sigh,"I told them not to tell you"

"Why?" nanginig yung bibig ko.

"I don't want to make a scene, I'm contented watching you from afar" he said almost whispering.

My heart fluttered with so much joy and pain combined. It keeps on tightening just by looking at him. He already suffered enough.

"Ilang araw kana dito?" I felt a little hope when I remembered that one rose a stranger gave me in my birthday. I'm hoping it came from her.

"Two weeks,"

Dalawang linggo na ako dito, ibig sabihin nung dumating ako dito ay nandito na din siya? Bakit parang ang saya ko?

"You followed me.." that's not meant to be a question. It is a confirmation.

Tumango siya at mahinang natawa. He sipped in his coffee before looking at me lovingly like the first time he saw me in our room. That first time he embarrassed me in front of our class.

"I was coward. I let myself drown with anger. You hurt me but I will always choose to be with you. I left that night because I don't want to run to you and just hug you. I intentionally avoided you that day because I don't want to see you cry in front of me. Never again. Now that I already gathered enough strength finally I'm here. Begging and asking for another chance? I've waited enough, baby" he reached for my hand and gently squeezed it.

A tear escaped my eyes and I didn't bother wiping it. I want him to see me, whole and without hiding anything. Even for once, I want him to see me weak. I want him to feel that this is his effect on me.

Natataranta siyang lumapit saakin. Habang lumuluha ako ay hindi ko maiwasang matawa. Hindi niya kasi alam kong anong uunahin niya ang pagpunas ba sa luha ko o ang pag alo saakin. I let him do whatever he wants to do.