The Inverse

- 7

PAT'S POV

Sumaglit lang ako sa office para mag-sign sa ilang documents pero umuwi na rin ako agad. Hindi ko alam kung sa bahay ba ni Coelli ako pupunta o uuwi na lang ako sa Laguna. But Coelli is also worried kaya nagdecide akong puntahan siya. When I got there, she was in the living room waiting for me. Inantay niya ba ako the whole night?

"Pat. Saan ka galing?"

"Ah.."

"Nag-aalala ako sa'yo buong gabi. I tried calling you pero nakapatay phone mo."

"Coelli, I'm... I'm sorry.. I'm..." I hesitated. Hindi ko mahanap yung tamang words para sabihin sa kanya kung nasaan ako. I know she'd get hurt.

"Do I even have to hear it?"sabi niya.

"Coelli I'm sorry I lost track of time tapos nawalan ako ng battery. Namatay phone ko kaya hindi na ako nakapagsabi sa'yo. Kaya hindi mo ko macontact."explain ko sa kanya. In full honesty, pinatay ko talaga yung phone ko. I didn't want to be disturbed.

"You lost track of time Pat? It's fucking 8 am. You lost track of time? Saan ka ba galing? Akala ko nasa office ka? I called Cherry wala ka sa office. Nasaan ka?" Tumataas na yung boses ni Coelli and I can sense her anger and frustration. I know she got worried kasi hindi ko sinabi sa kanya kung saan ako pupunta.

"Coelli.."

"What?"

"The other night you just left. Pag gising ko wala ka na. I thought you were in the office. I tried calling the office pero wala ka dun. I can't find you Pat! You promised me."sigaw niya. She then took a deep breath.

"Pat please naman. Dont make me worry like this. Please."

"Coelli I'm sorry di ko naman gustong mag-alala ka eh. I just.." I stopped. Walang tamang mga salita para i-justify kung ano man yung ginawa ko. I should have told her first bago ako umalis. Pero sigurado rin akong pipigilan niya ako.

"You just what? Sinong kasama mo?" I didn't respond. Hindi ko alam kung paano ko ipapaliwanag sa kanya kung bakit kami magkasama.

"Come on Pat what the hell. At least be honest with me kung sinong kasama mo!"

"Okay fine. I'm with Agnes." She kept quiet then she took a deep breath. I sighed. Bakit ba ganito?

"I should have known."

"Coelli..."

"Matulog ka na. You're probably tired..."

"...and I guess I am too."