Eyes Don't Lie

Chapter 17

I was in a good mood the next morning. Ang usapan namin ni Vernon ay after lunch na kami magkikita. I'm so excited to see him again. My smile never left my lips thinking about it. I even prepared already my outfit later.

“You look so happy, baby A." Puna ni Mom nang bumaba ako upang mag-agahan na. Kakatapos ko lang maligo pagkatapos mag-treadmill.

“I will go to the mall later, Mom." Pagpapaalam ko nang mapansin na aalis din ito.

Mom eyed me suspiciously.

“Naville called me earlier. He said ipapadala na lang niya ang sasakyan na hiniram niya. You two talked already? What happened, baby A?" Napahinto ako roon at mabilis nag-iwas ng tingin dito.

I almost forgot about it.

“I asked him and he said you two talked and already good. You seem happy today. Nagkabati na nga ba kayo?"

I pretended to be thirsty as I sipped on my water.

“Baby A..."

“Yes, Mom. We did." I answered. Pilit ang ngiti ko kay Mom.

If Naville said we're good, then maybe I should pretend we are, right?

“Really?" Mom asked. Her voice seems so excited.

Tumango-tango ako upang kumbinsihin ito.

“We talked and cleared things out..." My heart clenched.

It's the other way around. We didn't clear things out. I walked away, because I am too scared. I am too coward to trust him and get hurt again.

“That's good, baby A. Sana tuloy-tuloy na kayong bumalik sa dati." Mom smiled at me then caressed my hair.

“I will see you later. Huwag papagabi, baby A." Mom said. Ramdam ang tuwa sa boses nito, at alam kong maling ideya ang nakuha niya.

“Mom, I am not going out to see--"

Mom chuckled.

“Fine, fine, baby A." May pang-aasar pa rin sa tinig nito.

I know what she's thinking. Hindi si Naville, Mom.

“Mom." Mas lalo pang lumakas ang tawa nito at inilingan ako. She kissed me on my forehead.

“See you later, baby A. Don't be too excited, baka mahalata niya." Mabilis akong pinamulahan doon. I know she's pertaining to Naville, but I suddenly thought of Vernon.

Am I too excited? Paano kung mahalata niya nga?

“Someone's blushing."

“Mom!" Kunot ang noo kong suway rito, ngunit mabilis na siyang lumabas sa kusina bago pa ako makapagreklamo.

Napahawak ako sa pisngi ko at napailing-iling.

Calm down, Astrid. Don't be too excited. It's just Vernon.

It's Vernon! Kaya bakit hindi ako kakabahan? Shit.

Sa huli ay lumipad na naman ang isip ko sa mangyayari mamaya. I know I am too assuming, ngunit iisipin ko nang date namin ito.

Our first date. Kahit hindi niya alam.

--

Mabilis kong nilingon ang glass wall ng milk tea shop kung saan ito naghihintay. Vernon texted me earlier and he said he's already here na. Nakakahiya nga dahil medyo natagalan pa ako sa pag-aayos at na-traffic pa sa biyahe.

Agad akong pumasok sa loob at nilibot ang tingin sa paligid. Nakita ko ang paglingon ng ibang kalalakihan sa gawi ko nang pumasok ako. Sa halip na pansinin iyon ay hinanap ng mga mata ko si Vernon.