Next to You (COMPLETED)

10 - Siya

I did not send a response to Colton's message. Since it was sent late, I will just let him think I was asleep already. I don't how to respond. Mainly, I don't how to reject his invitation. I honestly hope he won't pursue me. All I can give him is friendship and that's it.

The next day, I spent the day cleaning the unit. I pretty much worked on all areas except Tonie's room. Although it wasn't locked, I just don't want to go inside and invade his privacy. I actually sent him a message asking if I can enter his room to clean it but he replied he will just do it himself. Good thing he did not bring up Colton. However, I know that as soon as he steps inside the door, he will throw questions about him. I was indeed right.

"Nagtext ba sayo si boss?" Tanong agad ni Tonie pagkapasok na pagkapasok niya ng condo. He was supposed to go home tomorrow but looks like plans have changed.

I simply want to tell him he didn't and just lie pero alam kong malalaman din naman niya ang totoo. I mean, mas madalas silang nagkikita ni Colton sa office so madali nilang mapapagusapan ang nangyari.

"Nagtext siya kagabi after ng text mo pero di naman ako nagreply."

"Bakit? Ano ba sabi?"

"Wala naman, sabi lang hiningi niya nga number ko sayo tapos ano...." I stopped and decided to leave out the breakfast invitation. But Tonie being him, he was able to tell that I am not spilling everything.

"Tapos? Ano?" Tonie said looking straight at me with his eyebrows up, quite sure there is something else I am not telling.

I sighed and told him his invite. As expected, he was shocked and kinda pissed because of my actions.

"Bakit? Mabait naman yung boss ko. And I see nothing wrong with you going out with him. Kaw na din naman nagsabi na okay ka na about dun sa ex mo. Ano ba talaga pumipigil sa'yo?"

"It's just... I don't know. Ayoko lang. I think I'm better off by myself. Kanina nagresearch na din ako how to adopt legally. It still is the plan." I explained to my cousin.

"Also, don't get me wrong. Your boss is okay. I do think he is a nice person. Pero ayoko na talaga. I mean we can be friends and that's it. Mas masama if I'll go out with him and give him false hopes and wrong signals. Mas okay na yung alam niya na hindi ako interesado sa mga ganung bagay."

"Ewan ko sa'yo. Ano ba talaga ginawa sa'yo ng Mark na yun at naging ganyan ka na? Dati naman kahit na-heartbroken ka sa mga ex mo di ka naman nag-isip na maging single na lang habang buhay. Oo, inayakan mo sila pero ikaw din mismo narealize mo na there might be a better person for you. Bakit etong kay Mark ay totally sinasara mo na ang sarili mo para sa ibang tao?"

There were only few times Tonie gets serious when he speaks. Normally kasi, madalas siyang magbiro pero ngayon, sa itsura at sa pagkakasabi niya ng mga salitang yon, alam kong seryoso sya. Other than my bestfriends Eve and Mary, Tonie is also one of the few people I trust. They pretty much know everything that happened to me and my exes, aside from Mark. How can I tell them na naging kabit ako?

"Bakit nga pala umuwi ka na today? Bukas ka pa dapat uuwi di'ba?"

"So may changing of topic tayo ngayon. Ewan ko sa'yo bahala ka jan." Inirapan pa ako ni Tonie at nagwalk-out papasok sa kwarto niya.

"Galet na galet, gusto manaket, Antonio?" sabi ko naman sabay tawa. Alam kong mabilis na babalik si Tonie sa living room dahil ayaw niyang tinatawag siya sa totoo niyang pangalan.

"Aaaaahhhh. Nakakabwisit kang gaga ka! Wag na wag mo akong tatawagin sa pangalan na yun!!! Kakalbuhin kita next time talaga."

Gaya ng inaasahan lumapit ang bruha sa akin at hinampas pa ako ng bag niya. Tawa naman ako ng tawa habang iniilagan ang mga hampas ng pinsan ko.

Monday came fast and me and Kat is having our lunch together in a fast food chain near the office. We were peacefully eating when I saw Colton entering the place. I bowed down, hoping he won't see me but I forgot that Kat was his cousin and she called him.

"Kuya Colton! Dito ka nalang umupo sa table namin."

Shit! As much as I want to protest and say no, wala na akong magagawa. Colton turned his head in our direction and his eyes landed on mine. My heart starts beating fast when our eyes met and I just tried to continue eating my food.

After getting his food, Colton then headed towards us. I can see on my peripheral that he is now walking in our table. I thought he will take the seat beside his cousin but he instead seated next to me. Honestly, I don't want to see him. He might ask me why I am ignoring his text and I don't know what to tell him. He actually sent another message last night but again, I did not send him a reply.

"Ahm, kuya, si Mirianne nga pala, bago kong ka-team. Mirianne, cousin ko, si kuya Colton, you know." Kat even wiggled her eyebrows and I think she did that because she is telling me na siya yung crush ni Joan. Kat still doesn't know na kilala ko yung pinsan niya.

Colton then looked at me and smiled. Shit! Bakit.... bakit ang ganda ng ngiti niya.

"Kilala ko siya. Siya yung babaeng naikuwento ko sa inyo. Yung napagkamalan ako sa airport."

Nanlaki ang mata ko sa sinabi ni Colton at mabilis na napatingin kay Kat. Napatakip naman si Kat sa bibig niya. By this time, alam kong naiisip na ni Kat na ako ang babaeng pinaplanong ligawan ni Colton.

"Si-siya yon kuya? Yu-yung babaeng sinsabi mo sa amin na...."

Di na natapos ni Kat ang sasabihin dahil mabilis na nagsalita si Colton. He also stared at me and my heart skipped a beat as he answered Kat's question, looking at me straight in my eyes.

"Yep. Siya yun. Yung babaeng gusto ko."