War of Hearts

Kabanata 36

Son 

Tama naman siya e. He really didn't leave me. I was the one who pushed him away, broken.

We stayed silent until we heard my stomach growl. Nahiya pa ako dahil anlakas noon. Hindi naman kasi ako nakakain ng lunch.

"Did you bring your clothes with you?"

Tumango ako at naupo sa dulo ng kama kung saan nakasandal ang aking bag.

"Let's eat dinner outside." Naramdaman ko ang pag-angat niya sa kama kaya napatingin ako sa direksyon niya.

He's wearing a tight black shirt that traces every muscle he has. His biceps, triceps, and even his abs and v-line can be seen.

Naibaba ko tuloy ang aking tingin sa bag para hindi masilaw sa katawan niya. Kunwaring naghahalungkat ng damit.

"Papalit lang ako." I immediately stood up when he was about to approach me.

"Okay." He pointed the bathroom which I obviously knew where it is, and went there to calm myself.

The way his muscles move unlocks the inner demon of myself. Hindi ko alam kung nasa tamang pag-iisip pa ba ako, but I badly wanted to touch his body.

Damn Athanasia Mare! You're thirsting over him! Masama na 'to. Huwag magpapahalata!

Instead of thinking about his body, naghilamos na lang ako at nagpalit ng damit.

Ang dinala kong damit ay simple lang. Black knitted crop top, brown cargo pants, and combat boots. Hindi ko alam kung ano ba ang dapat isuot. Now that I think about going dinner with him, 'di ko alam kung akma ba ang suot ko sa kung saan kami kakain.

I hope it's not in some fancy restaurant. People would look at me and questioned my thug outfit.

Minsan, 'di ko na rin alam kung ano ba ang fashion statement ko. There are times I wanted to dress like a vsco girl with sweetheart tops, puff sleeves and cute pastel color combination, but at the same time, I wanted to sport an all black outfit with a lot of belts, nets, and choker. I also want to be those Parisian girls with the coat and has that aesthetic mood. Ang hirap. Anyway, I have the money to spend on clothes such as this. Daming makikitang ukay sa Taytay.

Matapos kong mag-apply ng mascara, eyeliner, at powdery matte liptint, lumabas na ako ng banyo para lang makita si Earl na naka maong pants, white polo shirt at mamahaling sapatos na taliwas sa pang araw-araw niyang pananamit na white coat at scrubs, at dress shirt at slacks.

"Saan ba tayo pupunta?" I asked as we left the empty office. It's weird that it's already empty. Saan na ba ang kapatid ni Earl?

"We'll find out." He said in an intriguing tone. Oh this man. Napairap ako. "Is it okay with you if I bring along my friends with us?"

Tumitig lang ako sa kanya habang nag-aabang ng lift. "That's a first." I thought out loud but I eventually regretted it when he responded by clenching his jaw.

Did I just triggered his anger button?

"I mean, it's my first time to be with your friends." I said.

"They're my friends in med school." His voice was strained.

"Oh." The door of the elevator opened and I was the first one to step in.

Hindi ko siya kinibo dahil hindi ko naman alam kung papaano ba makipag-usap.

This is what I fear the most, striking a conversation. How did I even be-friend Earl before? Is it because of France that the barrier between us just disintegrated?