He Broke Me First

Chapter 20

"Wow naman."

I looked at Inna before I sat on the chair here in canteen. She asked me if I will spend my Christmas break again in Nueva Ecija. Ang sabi ko ay hindi dahil may plano kami ni Joaquin.

Kaming tatlo lang ang magkakasama ngayon nila Jhannus dahil wala si Zea at nag-half day na. Last day na kasi bago ang Christmas break this school year kaya wala na talagang gaanong estudyante ang nag-whole day.

Umupo si Jhannus sa tabi ko. "El Nido, Palawan ang bruha. First anniversary todo agad. Pumayag na si Tita?" Inabutan niya ako ng sandwich.

I shook my head. "Hindi pa alam nila Mama. Si Joaquin ang magsasabi mamaya pagkahatid sa' kin."

We stayed there for about 15 minutes. Kumain lang kami nang kumain at nag-usap bago nagpaalam sa isa't-isa. We also took pictures together, 'remembrance' daw sabi ni Inna bago kami magkalayo layo. Parang first time pa namin magkakahiwa-hiwalay.

I glanced at my watch before checking my phone. I told Joaquin to come here at h'wag na sa building ko dahil wala na siyang maaabutan kahit isang tao roon. Kanina pa kasi nagpalabas. Obviously, profs were also excited for their breaks.

I texted him.

Joaquin:

Saan ka na? I'm here ang tagal ha.

Tumayo muna ako saglit at bumili ng buko juice habang hinihintay ang text niya. Saktong pagka-upo ko, my phone vibrated. I read his reply.

Joaquin:

Tingin ka sa likod.

I immediately turned my head to look at my back. My brows furrowed. Wala namang tao rito kung hindi ako at ilang tindera ng canteen. Agad akong nag reply.

Kiela:

What? Wala ka naman!

Wala pang ilang segundo may reply na siya.

Joaquin:

I didn't tell you i was there, though

I rolled my eyes and made a face. I looked at my side when someone kissed my cheek.

"Hi," Joaquin greeted and grabbed my bag. Lumabas kami ng canteen.

"What took you so long? Ang tagal mo dumating," reklamo ko at bahagyang sumimangot.

"What? I'm not that late." He looked at his watch.

"You said your dismissal is at exactly 12 PM."

"And?"

"You came at 12:03 PM. You made me wait." I rolled my eyes when he laughed.

"Hindi naman ako nagrereklamo kapag madalas kang abutin ng isang oras sa pag-aayos kapag may lakad tayo, ah?" He acted innocent, trying to mock me.

I just scoffed and gave him a thumbs up. He laughed because of that.

"Sa tingin mo papayag si Mama?" I nervously asked while he was driving.

Palawan 'yon! Kinakabahan ako, baka hindi pumayag 'yon dahil first time kong hindi makakasama sa kanila sa Nueva ecija kung sakali. Baka magtampo pa sila Tatay at Nanay.

If that happens, the flight that Joaquin booked for us together with the hotel would be all wasted.

He glanced at me for a second. Gumalaw ang kamay niya sa pagkakapatong sa hita ko. He held my hand and smiled a little. "Okay lang naman. We'll respect her decision, babe."

I sighed. "Sayang naman 'yong mga ginastos mo. You should've told me about your plans para nahatian kita sa gastos."

Noong sinabi niya kasi sa' kin, nakahanda na lahat! He already booked a flight and found a hotel! Siya ang nagbayad lahat! Hindi naman dahil siya ang lalaki, sa kanya na lahat. We're both part of this relationship. Kailangan pareho kaming nagbibigay.