Love in Bangketa

16

I spent two days inside my room being locked inside of it. Wala akong tinatanggap na katok mula kanino. I may look stubborn, but I really lost my appetite. I must not be affected, but how can I not be now that I am? I do not have a weak heart, but I really get easily... crybaby especially when she's involved.

I reactivated my Facebook account again, hoping that it would ease what I feel... Just a little bit. I scrolled through my Facebook account and reactivating it must be a wrong decision, because I got bored even more. I wore my house slipper. Lumabas ako ng room ko. It's already past 10, masiyado nang tahimik ang hapagkainan.

I think they're already asleep? I tried my best to sneak outside. Dahan-dahan kong pinihit ang pinto at maingat na naglakad papunta sa gate. Dahan-dahan ko rin 'to binuksan. The cold air from outside hugged me. Hindi ko na naisip na magsuot ng jacket para dito. But, I don't have plans just to get it. I would be dead meat if they'd catch me.

Pumara ako ng tricycle at nagpababa sa medyo malapit na convenience store. I don't want to go anywhere else nang hindi rin naman ako secured. Nang makababa ako, binayaran ko ang driver at pumasok na sa convenience store. I suddenly heard my stomach groan. This is the perfect timing.

"Ate, can I have a kariman?"

"Ano pong flavor, ma'am?"

"Tuna. Dalawa," I smiled at binunot ang wallet ko. My original plan was to stay, but I wanted to fly right away when I saw the guy. The guy, the bangketa guy. Is he following me?! Bakit kung nasaan ako ay naroon siya? I stayed unbothered. Kinuha ko ang inorder ko at umakyat na lang sa taas ng convenience store.

Before I could even take a step, he already grabbed me by my elbow. Kaya hinarap ko siya.

"What's your problem?"

"Gabi na ah. Tumakas ka ba?"

"Why are you such a meddlesome? Wala ka bang sarili mong buhay?" I straightforwardly told him.

Dahan-dahan niyang binitawan ang elbow ko. He sighed before he answered. "Concern lang ako. Mula rito, namamaga ang mata mo,"

"Thank you for the concern, but I really don't need it," Umakyat na ako. I only wore my t-shirt and pajama. Pagsalubong ng taas sa'kin, napakalamig talaga. I moved from one place to another, pero sobrang lamig pa rin.

For every bite I do with my kariman, hindi pwedeng hindi ako manginig. That's such a dumb act of mine. I heard footsteps, siguro may papaakyat. Kinuha ko lang ang airpods ko and plugged it in one of my ears. Hiniga ko ang ulo ko sa braso ko. Totoo ba ang sinabi ng lalaking 'yon? Are my eyes puffy? Nasobrahan siguro ako sa pag-iyak. I stayed for quite a while. Tumayo na ako at pagkatalikod ko, nandoon pa rin si bangketa guy.

"Bakit hindi ka pa umuuwi?"

"Bakit ka concern?" He mockingly replied. I didn't answer him at bumaba na lang. Surprisingly, nang bumaba ako, bumaba na rin ito. Nakalabas na rin ako ng convenience store, I thought he would go to another direction, pero nakatayo lang ito sa likod ko!

"Are you following me? Stalker ka talaga!"

"Hindi nga e!" Defensive niyang sabi.

"Eh bakit ka nga sumusunod?! Nakakapikon ka!"

He lowered his voice. "Concern nga ako, 'di ba? Sabi ko last time na friends na tayo. Mukha ka kasing malungkot. Baka kailangan mo lang ng kausap,"

I chuckled sarcastically. "Kung mukha akong malungkot, wala ka ng pakialam do'n. One more thing, I didn't accept your friendship, so technically, we aren't friends,"

"Accept my friendship? Nag-offer ba ako ng friendship? Basta sa'kin, friend na kita," Nilagpasan ko lang siya. Mukha na kaming tanga ngayon. No. Siya lang, dahil para siyang asong sunod nang sunod sa'kin.

Nilakad ko na lang kung saan ako dadalhin ng mga paa ko. Nakita kong nakasunod ang tricycle ng bangketa guy sa gilid ko at sinusundan ako habang naglalakad. Is his tricycle always with him? He must thankfully give thanks to the heaven. Sira-sira na ito. Nangangalawang na rin ang nasa loob. Noong tinulungan niya nga ako roon sa mga tambay, his tricycle's tires were already flat.

"Ang layo na ng nilakad mo. Sakay ka na lang sa tricycle ko,"

"Hoy! Pansinin mo ako!"

"Ang taray. Akala mo ang ganda," When he mumbled that, I turned my head to face him. Wow, the audacity of his man!

"Yeah right, I am pretty!"

"Sino nagsabi?" Taas kilay nitong sabi. I tried to remember those people who told me that I am pretty... Sa lahat ng naka fling ko, wala man ngang nag compliment sa'kin na maganda ako. Lagi lang si Mommy.

"Marami," I lied.

"Kahit sa simpleng tanong, hindi mo kayang magsinungaling. Paano pa kaya kapag sinundan ko pa 'yon ng isa pang tanong?"

"You think, I would answer you?"

Umismid siya. "Ang taray. Akala mo ang ganda," He repeated.

"What do you want to know ba? You are fucking nosy! Kanina mo pa ako sinusundan!"

"Tinanong na nga kita, anong problema mo? Bakit ka malungkot?"'

"Mukha ba akong malungkot?!"

"Oo, baket?!" Aniya at nakipag lebel ng boses. Hindi ako kumibo. "Sakay ka sa tricycle ko kung gusto mo ng kausap. Mabigat itago sa sarili 'yan..."

I looked at him, pero saglit lang. Ganito ba talaga 'to ka feeling close? Noong nasa bahay pa ako ng Daddy ko, marami akong friends. Of course, my enemies would outnumber the number of friends I have. But, those friends I consider... I tried to remember it... Wala akong shinare sa kanila ni isang problema. I didn't tell them anything about my personal life. Even Elisa... Minsan ko lang siya sinasabihan.

I don't want drama, because I know that it would only make me weak in the eyes of everyone. I have many friends, but none of them have asked me how I feel. Kung okay ba ako ngayong linggo... Kung ayos lang ba ako... But, this guy beside me, who barely know me, who I mistakenly point finger as a snatcher, was the first person who asked how I feel.

Without hesitations...

Sumakay ako sa loob ng tricycle niya.