Saving Harper

Family

I didn't realize I was holding my breath. Xavier's phone seemed like it was ringing forever. Konti nalang ibabato ko na yan. Ay. Harper get a grip.

"You should answer that." I finally said, breathing. Hindi ko alam kung bakit hirap na hirap yung voice box ko to utter those words.

I tried getting myself out of Xavier's arms. He was still holding me in place by the waist and he wasn't letting me go.

"You should answer that Xavier." I repeated. Di ko alam if he wasn't answering it dahil nandito ako pero bakit ayaw nya kong paalisin if he wanted to talk to his ex privately.

"Xavier..." I trailed. Ayoko ng ulitin for the third time. Naiirita na din kasi ako sa pag ring ng phone nya.

He finally got his phone and answered it. I could feel my arms grow cold. Ganito ako pag kinakabahan over some bad thing, and the feeling na gusto kong sumuka finally followed. I haven't felt like this since my thesis defense years ago.

"Hello." His voice was was hard to discern. Harper, 'hello' palang yung nasasabi nya. I could hear his ex's voice on the other end of the line but I couldn't hear what she was saying. I looked up to Xavier. His face didn't show any emotion and was only observing me.

God, ako na nga yung nasa awkward na position, saakin pa sya naka titig.

"Wow good for you. No, I don't think so. Out of the country ako next week."

So mukhang nakikipag kita si Kylie. What if si Kylie yung kadinner bukas ni Xavier? Well, hindi ka girlfriend Harper. Di mo sya pwedeng pag bawalan. That would seem childish as well.

Ang lamig-lamig ko parin and alam kong nararamdaman yun ni Xavier because he was still holding me and my arms were awkwardly dangling on my sides over his arms. Napasandal ako sa counter nakakapagod pala tong naghihintay lang. Di ko alam kung anong mas masakit, yung marble na tumatama sa lower back ko or yung sitwasyon ko. Kylie was still talking on the other line.

"Oo and I don't think that's a good idea." I have no idea sa pinaguusapan nila kahit na gusto kong malaman. Or not? Di ko alam if Xavier was just walking around on eggshells, being careful dahil kaharap nya ko. Sa kawalan ng gagawin, I just stared at Xavier's chest which was in my direct line of vision. There weren't even stripes to count kasi plain black shirt lang yung suot nya.

I can feel him take a deep breath. "Tatay and ate did your house. Pwede ka namang tumawag sa office bukas to talk to them."

I think Kylie's answer was shorter this time. "Yeah nice to hear from you too. Bye." He ended the call.

Kala ko awkward na yung third party akong nakikinig sa pag uusap nila, mas awkward pala yung kaharap ko parin si Xavier and wala akong masabi.

"Harper, are you okay? Let me explain." I think I looked affected by the call too much kasi hindi parin ako makatingin sa kanya. How can I not be? This was exactly my nightmare. Having to deal with the ghost of his ex. Who happens to be plastered in front of a lot of magazines na buti nalang di ako mahilig bumili. May article lang kasi don sa magazine sa office ko (that I threw out) about one of our writers kaya ako bumili.

I remained quiet but I finally looked at him, my mouth forming a straight line. Nagtatalo yung kagustuhan kong malaman what the call was all about and yung wag magalit. Na bakit naman ako magagalit? I ws feeling a different thing. Selos. There's no other word for it, unfortunately.