The Art Of Hating

Chapter Five

V. Aftermath

Am I really serious about this?

Why did I agree on going out with him that fast?

Honestly speaking, my parents will let me decide what I want. Iyon naman ang palagi nilang ginagawa noon pa man. Kung gaano kasi kahigpit si Lolo ay gano'n naman sila kaluwag sa 'kin. They let me try things I want and choose things I like. Opposite to what Lolo made me experience.

Kaya nila akong tulungang kausapin si Lolo para hindi ituloy ang pina-plano nito. Pero aminado rin ako na katulad ko, hindi rin nila kayang gibain ang pundasyon mayroon si Lolo kapag nagpa-plano ng mga bagay-bagay. Baka nga, matagal na iyong nasa isipan niya at matagal na ring naka-plano.

Shit. Paano sila nagkakilala ng lalakeng ito? How on earth that happened?

"Baka tuluyan ka nang dumikit sa pinto ng kotse ko. Ayos ka lang diyan?" he broke the silence.

I instantly glared at him because I don't want to hear any joke right now. Bakit niya ba ako kinakausap in the first place? Kung mag-di-dinner kami, dinner lang at walang usap. His voice is fucking annoying.

Hindi ko siya sinagot at kinunutan lang ng noo. Nang sumulyap siya sa 'kin galing sa pagmamaneho at nakita ang mukha ko ay kumunot rin ang noo niya. But the laugh on his lips remained.

"You don't want to talk? Magdi-dinner tayo ng hindi nag-uusap?"

Umirap ako at masamang tiningnan ang daan.

He chuckled. "Stop rolling your eyes at me. Nagiging kamukha mo na 'yong manikang nakita ko sa labas ng opisina mo." He suddenly shivered. "It shocked the shit out of me."

What?

What mannequin?

And he's scared of those?

"Bakit ka matatakot sa manika? Those are toys." Naiirita kong sabi.

Bakit naman siya matatakot sa mga gano'n? Those are made to entertain people.

"But some have almost the same form like people. Do you know how creepy it is?"

"It's our business. Why would I talk ill about it?" I almost hissed.

Anong gusto niyang marinig sa akin? Sang-ayunan siya? Is he insane? And those are not creepy, excuse me?

Duwag lang siguro ang lalakeng ito.

"Oh, sorry." He laughed. "Pero may kamukha ka talaga ro'n, kaya medyo nakakatakot-----"

"Shut up and drive." Irritated, I cut him off. Nang-aasar na naman kasi!

"Alright, Miss Alvarado. I'll shut up for now." He chuckled. "You could kiss me next time to shut me up. Heads up lang." pahabol niya pang biro.

As if.

Tiningnan ko lang siya ng masama at hindi na pinatulan ang pang-aasar niya. Mabuti na rin lang at nakarating na kami sa restaurant na kakainan namin. I realize that I don't want to further stay with him in a closed space. He fucking smelled nice and it's irritating me. Mukha naman siyang hindi naliligo pero bakit ang bango niya?