Whatever We Had

Thirty-five

#WWH35

35

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Reunite

"Sober now?" Lisle asked after a few minutes of silence between us. 

After we dropped Denver home, Lisle invited me for a tea. He said it would help lessen my hangover when I wake up that's why I agreed. I might also use this opportunity to apologize.

I shrugged. "I guess so. Thanks." Halos yakapin ko na ang tasa ng tsaa sa init na dala non. Hindi ako mahilig sa tsaa ngunit umiinom naman ako nito.

Its almost past midnight when we got here. Natagalan kami sa paghatid kay Denver dahil niligaw pa kami. I haven't gone to his place yet so I don't know the directions, too.

"Here." Iniabot niya sakin ang coat niya. Muli, ay napatitig ako sa katawan niya. Kung kanina'y gusto kong yakapin ang tasa, ngayon gusto ko itong iharang sa nag iinit kong pisngi. Hindi naman na bago sa akin ang makakita ng ganyan kaya't hindi ako dapat ganito umakto. "Kukuhain mo ba o ako pa magsusuot sa'yo?" Tanong nito.

I took the coat without glancing at him. "Thanks." Agad kong nasinghot ang pabango niya roon. Isa ito sa mga hindi nagbago sa kanya, ang kanyang amoy.

"I think I should drop you home now." He must have noticed that I'm still feeling cold even with his coat. Paanong hindi ako lalamigin eh naiwan ko ata ang coat ko sa 24seven o sa sasakyan kong naiwan din sa 24seven kaya't heto at nakablouse na lang ako. Hindi rin nakatulong ang pencil skirt ko.

"Ah, Lisle... can we talk?" Mariin kong niyakap ang sarili gamit ang suit niya. His brows furrowed for a moment before nodding.

"Let's just talk in my car," aniya na siyang nagpakunot ng noo ko. I also eyed him suspiciously. He looked away. "It's warmer there."

Inalalayan niya ako hanggang sa makarating kami doon. Inayos ko ang sarili pagkaupo.

When I glanced at him, he was already lightly tapping his fingers on the steering wheel. "So?" 

"I'm sorry," panimula ko.

He threw his head back and I saw how his eyes glistened with pain. He brushed his hair up in a frustratingly manner. "If we're going to talk about the past, then I refuse. I-I'm doing fine now."

"I'm glad you are..." I whispered genuinely. "I'm really sorry for leaving," I continued. I don't want to prolong our agony. Kung masasaktan kami ngayon, edi masaktan, isang bagsakan na lang. As long as it would be the last.

Somehow, natanggap ko na rin na hindi na kami babalik sa dati. Its not that I want to engage into a romantic relationship with him again. I'm fine with... whatever he can offer. May it be as strangers, acquaintances, or as friends...

Yumuko siya. "Wraie..." he whispered.

Oh, how I missed his nickname for me!

"Lisle..."

Tumingala siya mula sa pagkakayuko sa manibela. Nakatitig lang siya sa harap na tila iyon ang kausap. "I... fucking waited for you. Hanggang ngayon... hinihintay parin kita. During my graduation, I was hoping you'd be there. Until my celebration, I was hoping you'd show up... but you didn't," nahihirapan niyang sabi. "I was so mad at you for leaving me hanging. Binitawan mo ko nung mga panahong... ang hinihingi ko lang ay magtiwala ka, kumapit ka... sa'kin... sa'tin."