28th

Chapter 15

Chapter 15  |  Distances

A week later, napansin kong may kakaiba sa akin. Unconsciously and involuntarily, iniiwasan ko na si Sir Trein. It was probably because of my mother. Ayaw na ayaw kong madamay siya sa life issues ko more importantly we're not even together.

What also stresses me out is the fact that my mother always message me about him–kung mag-boyfriend na daw ba kami o kung naipakilala na daw ba ako ni Sir Trein sa family niya. Damn, if I could just disappear in this world.

She's very impossible.

I don't even know if he notices that I'm avoiding him because he's also too busy. Siguro mas maganda pang preoccupied siya sa maraming bagay kesa mapansin niya pang umiiwas ako sa kanya.

I like him even more. He's not even exerting much effort but what he does always affects me a lot.

Ah, hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko.

I just decided to message Nana kung kumusta na ba ang Papa niya. As far as I know, he's away from danger. Wala na siya sa ICU pero naka-confine pa rin siya sa regular suite room. I want to be with her side in her crucial times but I also do have my own life battles I need to prioritize.

Pero hayaan na, I'm with her naman spiritually.

"Uy, masyado kang subsob dyan ah." Dane nudged me.

Napaangat ang tingin ko sa kanya at ngumiti ako ng pilit. "Marami lang akong need na tapusin." I scratched my head.

"Uy Dane, may deadline pa tayong hahabulin. Mamaya ka na makipag-chikahan kay Yuri. Nakita mo ng busy yung tao e."

Halos matawa ako nung talakan siya ni Mommy Lorraine. I know she didn't mean harm, ganoon lang siya magsalita dahil pare-pareho kaming may areas na dapat tapusin.

"Eto naman si Mommy Lorraine, napadaan lang ako kasi magre-refill ako ng tubig sa pantry." Napailing siya tapos nilampasan ako.

Nagkatinginan na lang kami ni Mommy at nagkibit-balikat pareho.

While I'm waiting for the excel file I compiled to be saved, nag-vibrate ang cellphone ko. There's a message from Sir Trein.

Nahigit ko ang hininga ko pagkabasa ko sa pangalan niya na naka-flash sa screen ng phone ko.

Should I swipe my phone and read his message?

Nope. Busy ako. That message can wait.

But yeah, he's only a few feet away from me.

Ugh, bahala na!

I just found myself opening his message. Ang kulit ko rin e, I'm contradicting myself.

Are you okay? Don't be too hard on yourself.

I looked at his enclosed office. Of course we won't see each other like this. I just sighed.

I inhaled and typed in a message.

I'm fine, Sir. Ikaw din.

Do I seem cold? Bahala na! What's important is that I sent him a message. In that way hindi siya magsu-suspect na umiiwas ako but in reality, totoo naman.

And he sent in another message!

Let's eat dinner together. We haven't been hanging out for the past week. I want to know what's happening with you.

I gently put my phone inside drawer of my desk. Umiling ako at tinapik-tapik ang pisngi ko.

Yuri Shin, focus on your work.