BURNING RED

Chapter 27

WARNING: SPG (PRIDE)

"Hoy babaeng lagi nang kinakantot! Talagang nakalimot na?" Merida cornered me one afternoon.

I pursed my lips to stop myself from smiling. She really was loud and vulgar.

"Hindi ah! Alam mo naman na marami tayong deadline." I stated.

She rolled her eyes. I snickered.

"Come, I'll treat you to dinner tonight. Then maybe we can go to the bar and unwind!" Sabi ko para makabawi.

I saw her hesitation. I could see sorrow in her eyes. Why? Was there something wrong with her life? Napaisip ako. Matagal na rin yung huling pag uusap namin. I was busy with my married life and studies.

Nang hindi pa rin siya kumilos ay hinila ko na siya. "Okay, let's go and you have to spill the tea, okay?"

She was quiet the whole ride. And her eyes were glued to her phone. Was she expecting any call from someone? Maybe from Carl?

She jumped when her phone rang. I stole glances and saw Carl's name flashing on her screen. She cancelled his call.

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. "How are you and Carl?"

Nang hindi siya umimik ay tinignan ko siya saglit. Nasa cellphone pa rin ang atensyon niya. Ilang beses pang tumunog ang cellphone niya. But she all cancelled the call.

Pinalo ko ang kamay niyang may hawak ng phone. She jumped in surprise and her phone fell on the carpet. "What the hell Joi!" She exclaimed.

"Kanina pa kita tinatanong! Wala ka sa sarili mo!" I turned my car to the right and parked at the back of the Silva's restaurant.

"Teka! Bakit tayo kakain dito?" She said in panic. She couldn't decide on what to do. Kung pupulutin yong phone niya or tatakpan ang mukha.

May nangyari talaga dito sa babaeng ito eh.

"Tapatin mo akong babaeng hindi ko alam kung nakakantot pa. What gives between you and Kuya Carl?" I said in serious tone.

She looked away then picked up her phone that was vibrating.

"I dumped him?" She said in question.

"What?" I asked confused. The last time I saw them, they were still good and so sweet.

"Well, hindi naman naging kami so parang pinatigil ko na siyang magpakita sa akin."

"Teka, baliw na baliw pa kayo sa isa't isa nong nakaraan ah!"

She sighed then looked outside.

"What we have was just a fucking sessions. Nothing serious."she answered. Trying to convince herself more.

"Bakit siya tumatawag pa kung ganoon na binasura mo na pala siya?"

"Gusto niyang makipagkaibigan! Ayoko nga. Ano ako tanga?"

"Well, isa lang ibig sabihin nyan, may feelings ka na sa kanya."

She swallowed hard then sighed.

After few seconds she nodded. I was right.

I pulled her towards me for a hug. "Tignan mo to, na in love ka rin ulit sa wakas!" I said excitedly.

She pushed me gently like she was grossed out but her smile was saying otherwise.

"Bakit mo pa siya tinutulak kung ganoon?"

"Well, I tested him kung anong magiging reaction niya kapag pinatigil ko siya sa set up namin. Hulog na hulog na kasi ako kaya naisip kong alamin yung nararamdaman niya. But it came back as negative. Instead of asking me for more, he offered friendship. There's no way on hell na tatanggapin ko yung friendship niya." She explained further.