Chased by the One I Stopped Chasing

Nice Try

"Ang kulit mo naman eh. Sinabi ko na ngang may pupuntahan pa ako." I gave Fray a baleful look.

It's been four days straight since that encounter that night. And Fray remained true to his promise. He's not letting me go.

Ilang araw niya na akong sinusundan at ginagambala. At bawat araw ay nanghihina ako sa presensiya niya. Bawat araw, nagigiba ang pader na nilagay ko sa pagitan naming dalawa.

"Ihahatid na nga kita." Giit niya habang sinusubukang kunin ang mga libro at folder sa kamay ko.

"Huwag na nga. Ang kulit mo naman eh. Nahihirapan na ako."

"Nahihirapan ka lang kasi taboy ka ng taboy sa akin. Sinabi ko na ngang nililigawan kita 'di ba?" He rolled his eyes at me.

Damn it! He looked so cute! If only I had the power to replay that.

"Sinabi ko na nga sa'yong ayaw ko. Hindi mo ba ako nirerespeto?" Pinanlakihan mo siya ng mata.

Nasaksihan ko ang pagbabago ng ekspresyon niya. From his annoyed facade, he became serious now. His eyebrows met and his eyes turned darker.

"Nirerespeto..." he said coldly. "at minamahal..."

My lips parted to say something, but my brain couldn't function properly with the sight of his mad eyes. Galit na galit ang mga mata niya at hindi ko alam kung para saan iyon?

Naiinis na ba siya sa akin dahil ayaw kong payagan siya sa gusto niya? Hindi kasi siya sanay na nababasted kaya ganito?

"That's why I'm not letting you go."

The next thing I knew is I'm inside his car. Damn, that was quick. I didn't even know how he put me here.

The familiar smell of his car attacked my nose. Damn! I missed being here so much.

I used to drive this car whenever he's so drunk to drive himself home. I used to drive this whenever he asks me to go in his house to pick up something he forgot to bring. I used to be in here with him whenever he's bored and he just wants to be with someone.

Yeah, right. I loved a very demanding, rude and weird person.

My train of thoughts was cut when I noticed Fray's silly smile. His left elbow was on the window, supporting his hand that's playing with his lips. His other hand was lazily maneuvering the steering wheel.

"Laki ng ngiti mo ah. Masaya bang maisahan ako?" masungit kong utas.

Saglit niyang inilipat ang paningin sa akin. He put on a defensive stance, but not long after, let it go. He, then looked at me softly.

"I just remembered all the days you were here with me..."

Unti-unting bumalik sa normal ang kurba ng kilay ko, bago ako nag-iwas ng tingin.

Ano kaya itong laro ni Fray ngayon? Hindi niya talaga naiisip na maaari akong maapektuhan at masaktan sa mga ginagawa niya. Ang mahalaga sa kaniya ay ang aliw na makukuha niya rito.

"Damn, I wish I could turn back the time."

I heard him sigh.

"I wish I could take back all my mistakes... to have you look into my eyes with the same adoration you felt for me before."

I alternately pinched my two thumb nails when my eyes began to water. I had to distract myself to hold back the tears.

"I wish I saw you outright. I wish I realized sooner how I am in love with you."

I swallowed the lump in my throat and switched on his stereo. I needed a distraction. I don't want to hear his words anymore.

I've made mistakes