Next to You (COMPLETED)

4 - Weird

Nakaupo na yung boyfriend ni Tonie sa driver seat pero di pa rin niya iniistart ang kotse. I also notice on my peripheral vision na nakatingin, somehow nakatitig siya sa'kin. I then turned my head in his direction to ask if may problema ba.

"Ahmm... may problema ba? May hinihintay pa ba tayo bago tayo umalis?" I asked with a subtle smile in my face. Nakikisakay nalang ako sa sasakyan nya at alam kong ako ang nakakaabala kaya dapat hindi ako maging demanding. Narealize ko na medyo may pagkademanding yung pagsasabi ko sa kanya kanina na umalis na. Kasi naman, wrong timing yung call of nature ko.

Di pa rin siya nagsalita kaya, nagtanong ako ulit.

"Uhh... di pa ba tayo aalis?"

"Where do I need to drop you off?"

Okay? Bakit ganun? Hindi ba niya alam ang condo ng pinsan ko? As far as I know, bago pa lang sila ni Tonie pero parang ang weird na di niya alam kung saan siya nakatira. Nonetheless, I told him the condo name and the location of the condo.

He did not speak anymore and started the car engine. He started driving pero I really find it weird. How come he doesn't know where Tonie lives? I know they just started dating but still, I find it weird na he is not aware of his partner's residence. Something is up here. Could this be, this guy is not serious with my cousin? Kasi for a couple, knowing where each other lives is already something that should be known start palang ng relationship.

Anyway, it would be better if I will ask my cousin about this. I mean, I don't know this guy so I guess asking him is not appropriate. I barely know anything about their relationship as well so I better keep my nose out of it. This is also the first time I saw his face kasi secretive si Tonie at ayaw magsend ng pic. Pa-mysterious effect ang gaga. Sa mga socmed posts naman nya, usually siya lang yung kita then yung mukha ng bf nya ay naka-cut. Minsan nga buhok lang yung kita eh. Yung isa pa nilang pic, yung kamay lang naman nilang dalawa. But then again, I would definitely ask Tonie about this. Syempre pa, mahal ko yung pinsan ko na yun at kung itong boyfriend nya ay di seryoso sa kanya, aba eh dapat may gawin na siyang action. Pero sana wag naman. Sawi na nga ako sa pag-ibig, sana naman eh di ganun ang pinsan ko. Pag nagkataon, baka i-convince ko siya na maging single forever na din katulad ko.

While we are on the way, I look at the streets. This will now be my new environment. Nakakatuwang makakita ng madaming puno. I mean, madami ding structures dito but di naman tulad sa Manila, na halos building na lang kaliwa't kanan ang nakikita. I am definitely in the province now. I also studied Tonie's boyfriend discreetly. Kunwari nalang ay natingin ako sa paligid para di naman halata na sina-sight ko sya.

This guy looks good. Not the artistahin type but he has his own charm. Kasama pa na magaling siyang magdala ng damit. Yun actually ang una kong napansin sa kanya kanina while he was leaning on his car. He is tall as well, which is good because Tonie is also tall. By how I can remember my cousin's height, they probably have the same height or maybe this guy is taller about a few inches. He isn't maputi but not moreno either. In between yung complexion nya. Another thing that is prominent in his looks is his nose. Ang tangos ng ilong bes!

He kinda glance my way so I shifted my gaze to the other side. Mga 20 minutes na siguro kaming bumabyahe kasi may traffic din. Mukhang may extension ang Edsa dito. Thankfully, medyo kumalma na ang tiyan ko at di na sya sumasakit.

10 minutes more and we finally reached the condo building. He parked his car malapit sa entrance and exited the car first. I then went out of the car too and looked at the building. This looks the same as the high rise condos I can see in the metro. Also, I can see a mall just near the place which is a plus for me. Mukhang di lang residential place ang building na ito kasi I can see some cafe and some resto in the ground floor.

Tonie's boyfriend pulled out my baggage from the backseat of his car. Sa kakamasid ko ng lugar, nakalimutan ko na yung gamit ko. Nakakahiya! Anyway, since di na sumasakit yung tiyan ko, I decided to invite the guy for coffee. This is also my way to say thanks to him for picking me up on the airport. I mean, I know he does this for my cousin but I think, I also need to kind of repay him for his time and effort.

"Hi. Ahm, there's a cafe over there, let me treat you. Pa-thank you ko na din sa'yo sa pagsundo mo sa 'kin."

The guy just looked at me and again he looks at me as if I am speaking alien to him. Kanina ko pa siya napapansin actually. Di rin siya nagsasalita masyado and he did not even once mentioned my cousin.

"Ahm.. I can just buy you some take out coffee and some sweets. Please don't say no. Alam kong nakaabala ako sa'yo at kahit boyfriend ka ng pinsan ko and inutos niya sa'yo ang pagsundo sa'kin, let me at least say thanks by treating you."

I waited for his answer and looks like he contemplated for a bit. In a few seconds, he just nodded his head and that's my signal to go inside the cafe. Good thing there is no line in the cashier and I was able to get my order quickly. I also bought a frappe for myself and went out as soon as I receive all my orders.

The guy is again leaning on his car when I got out. He was looking at his phone, maybe checking my cousin's messages? Hindi ba sya nasabihan ng pinsan ko na walang signal sa pupuntahan nila? Anyway, I just walked towards his direction and handed him his coffee and paper bag that contains some pastries.

"Hey. Salamat ulit."

Again, he just nodded his head then kinuha nya yung pagkain na inabot ko at lumakad na papunta sa driver side ng kotse nya. Ang weird talaga nitong boyfriend ni Tonie pero at least, hinatid naman nya ako so wala na akong dapat ireklamo pa.

He was about to get inside his car when I remembered I did not even know his name.

"Ahm.. ano, bale ano nga palang name mo? Pasensya ka na ngayon ko lang natanong."

He stared at me for a few seconds first before he decided to reply. Akala ko nga dededmahin lang ako ni koya eh.

"Colton"

I just smiled at him and repeated my thanks now uttering his name.

"Thanks ulit Colton."

He finally went inside his car and drove away after a few. Ako naman, nag-umpisa nang maglakad papasok sa building. While walking, napaisip ako sa pangalan ng boyfriend ni Tonie. Bakit parang letter J naman nag-uumpisa ang name ng bf niya. Binanggit nya sa akin kanina nung kausap ko sya sa airport pero di ko lang masyadong narinig. Anyway, binalewala ko na lang. Baka second name nya yun.

Tama, baka second name niya yung Colton.