Because I Don't Love You

Chapter 13

Kalila's POV:

I was startled when someone suddenly appeared beside me as I was about to pay.

"Here, I'll pay for it", sabi niya habang inaabot sa barista ang hawak-hawak na card.

Gulat na napalingon ako upang tignan kung sino yun.

"Sir Lucas?!", I quietly exclaimed as I look at him.

He was wearing a blue, long-sleeved polo na nakatupi hanggang siko at bukas ang unang tatlong butones. Napaka-good looking niya tignan along with his white pants and black leather shoes na mukhang mamahalin.

He lightly chuckled. "Hey there", he said. Medyo hinihingal pa siya as he waved his hand slightly.

I just smiled uneasily in response pero biglang bumalik ang tingin ko sa cashier. "Nako, wag na po. Ako na po ang magbabayad", pag-aalo ko nang mapansin kong kukunin na ng barista ang card ni Sir Lucas.

"No, please let me. Thank you ko 'to para sa pagtulong mo sakin nung isang araw", he smiled.

I looked away in confusion. Inalala ko saglit ang tinutukoy niyang pagtulong ko sa kanya.

Ahh, nung tinulungan ko siya buhatin yung mabibigat niyang papeles nung panahong nanghihina siya..

Habang nag-aalangan ako ay siya naman ang sunod-sunod na pagsabi ni Sir Lucas ng please. Nangingiti lang ang barista sa amin habang naiiling. Sir Lucas looks persistent kaya hinayaan ko na siya magbayad.

Nag-order din siya ng inumin niya at sabay kami ngayon na naghihintay sa claiming area.

"Nakakahiya sir, nag-abala pa po kayo. Pero maraming salamat po", I said and smiled a little.

"Nasa labas naman tayo kaya no need for Sir. Lucas na lang or Luke..", he smiled.

"..Saka kahit wag ka na mag "po" or "opo" sa akin. Hindi naman ako ganun katanda. 28 years old pa lang ako ah!", sabi niya habang mahinang tumatawa.

Saglit na natigil ang pag-uusap namin nang inilapag sa claiming area ang mga in-order namin. "Drinks at the bar for Luke!", tawag ng barista kay Sir Lucas.

Kukunin ko na dapat ang tray ng mga inumin but he insisted on carrying them. So I just led him towards my table.

He placed both of our drinks at the table at saka inilagay ang tray sa designated area nito. As he was walking back to the table, I spoke up. "Medyo nagulat po ako nung bigla kayong sumulpot kanina", I smiled a little.

He finally sat down and laughed a little, "I was outside when I saw you. Sabi ko sa labas, "ay si Kalila yun ah!" Malapit ka na magbayad kaya medyo patakbo akong pumasok dito", kwento ni Sir Lucas habang nirere-enact yung reaksyon niya nung nakita ako.

Natawa naman ako sa pagkaka-kwento niya, "Kaya pala medyo hini-hingal kayo pagdating niyo."

He just nodded and smiled.

We took a few sips of our drink when I spoke up. "Sir?", I quietly said.

"Hmm?', he hummed while his mouth is still on the straw. Medyo weird lang dahil he kept his drink on the table kaya medyo nakayuko siya habang umiinom.

"I didn't really get the chance to thank you for accepting me in your company", I said.

He smiled and sat up straight, "Sa totoo lang, kami ang dapat magthank you dahil pinili mo ang RLC. But anyway, you're welcome.."

"..Also, you earned it.", he added. "I was very impressed at your resume and your answers at the interview", he said as he kept his smile.

"Thank you po", I smiled dahil natuwa ako sa mga sinabi niya.

And then he tilted his head a little na parang iniisip ang susunod na sasabihin. "Truth to be told, I sensed you slightly tensed up sa huling tanong ko sayo", he gave a small smile. 

Naisip ko naman kaagad ang tinutukoy niya that's why I slowly looked down and sighed a little. I can clearly remember what he's talking about. It was when he asked me at how to build a good foundation with a friend.

I still kept my eyes down when he spoke up. "Parang may pinaghuhugutan yung mga sagutan mo eh. Past boyfriend?", he asked.

I looked back at him and quickly shook my head, "Nako hindi po, hindi pa po ako nagkaka-boyfriend."

"Really?", he asked, looking amused. "Sa ganda at sipag mong 'yan?"

"Wala pa po talaga", I smiled faintly.

Looking convinced, he nodded slowly. "I see.. Well, napakaswerte ng magiging boyfriend mo", he said as he looked into my eyes.

He took a sip of his coffee before he spoke up. "Anyway, if you don't feel comfortable talking about what I asked you, it's okay", he smiled a little.

Napatingin naman ako sa kanya and he just gave a  sincere smile. I don't want him to feel that bad for asking so I answered him. "It was because.. I destroyed a friendship before. It was really precious to me.. but I messed it up..", I sighed as I think about it.

He just kept his attention towards me so I continued.

"..That is the reason why hindi ko alam kung paano ko sasagutin ng tama ang tanong niyo..", I said and kept my gaze down.

"..I don't really know if I'm good at building a strong foundation with friendships, or any relationships..", I added.

"..Mukhang totoo nga yung sinasabi nila na friendship break-ups are worse than any break-ups. But it's not like I experienced a relationship break-up. Grabe lang po talaga yung dinulot nung paglayo nung tao na yun sakin..", I smiled bitterly and shifted my gaze at the window.

"..Right after that, I don't feel like attaching myself to someone. Buti na lang at meron pa ring tao na nagri-reach out sa akin. I'm grateful because right how, I have a bestfriend. Pero sa totoo lang po, hindi ko alam kung anong mangyayari sa buhay ko kung hindi siya dumating..", I smiled a little as I think of Hazel.

But that smile disappeared at the thought of one person. "..Pero hindi ko pa rin ma-compare sa kahit sino.. yung taong iyon na nawala. Siya ang unang bestfriend ko.." I said sadly.

"..Well, it serves me right. I'm just great at messing things up", I shrugged.

Lucas quickly shook his head and gave a faint smile, "I'm sure hindi lahat ng tao sa buhay mo, ganyan ang iniisip.."

I looked at him sadly while he continued. "..You might not notice it, but some people are actually grateful that they met you, or actually wants to show that they love you and care for you. That's why you shouldn't think that way", he smiled a little.

I just nodded slowly at his words and smiled faintly.

***

"..Some people are actually grateful that they met you, or actually wants to show that they love you and care for you. That's why you shouldn't think that way"

Nakahiga ako ngayon dito sa kama habang iniisip yung mga sinabi ni Sir Lucas kanina.

I was wondering if those words are true.

Habang nag-uusap kami kanina, I can't help but think of a certain person.

I'm still grateful that I met you..

And I still want to show you how much I love you and how much I care for you.

I closed my eyes as I talk to her in my mind while my tears slowly build up..

Masayang-masaya ako na sa wakas, nakita na kita..

.. Kahit kakaunti lang, ganun din ba ang nararamdaman mo.. Mireille?