Greis and Rum (COMPLETED)

4- Exercise

I found myself eating with Rum inside the mall. Panay ang pagkuha ng litrato niya sa pagkain dahil first time niya dito sa pagkakainan namin habang ako naman ay pinagmamasdan lang siya. He looked genuinely happy though, I guess eating is his way of distressing. Gusto ko rin sana yung kain nang kain pero hindi tumataba. I think he regularly goes to the gym, my eyes went down from his face to his jaw then to his shoulders—I can see his biceps through his fitted shirt. Hindi naman ata isang kasalanan ang mag-isip ng ganito no? I avoided his eyes and smiled.

"Bakit napangiti ka?"

"Takaw." I lied to conceal my thoughts. But the more I tried, the more my curiosity grew—san kaya siya naggygym? Ilang beses kada isang month?

He wiped his mouth with a napkin, "Hindi ka ba kakain?" he asked just when his eyes caught my plate. I quickly scooped some rice and started chewing my food but still the same thing has been lingering inside my head kaya nangingiti parin ako. I covered my face and relaxed my mind, hopefully it calms down as quickly as possible before he notices me. Lalaki ang ulo niya baka akala kinikilig ako sa presensiya niya—yung ulo as in head na may mata, ilong at bibig ha.

"Hi, you're Tenthro right?"

Nablanko agad ako nang binanggit niya si Teten. Napatingin ako sa kaniya and he wasn't looking at me at all. I regretted looking at the side of our table because Bix was standing there. She's giving me heart attacks! Bakit naman nandito to? Tas kasama ko pa si Rum. Mangungulit na naman to mamaya, ipagpipilitang manliligaw ko si Rum aba kung pwede ko lang sabihin. I can see the wheels in her brilliant mind turning. Surely, it is full of thoughts and maling akala at sasabihin nito kay Santana ang mga nakita niya. Alam ko galawan niya, mga mediocre level kaya need pa ng guidance ko eh.

"Bix, Sir. You can call me Bix." the tone of this lady right here sounds just like me. I feel proud of myself, ang galing kong ate slash parent! Natawa ako and then she looked at me, "Hindi mo po ba ako pauupuin, Ate?"

"Here, sit down beside me." I smiled and scooted over.

May balak pa palang makikain ang gaga.

"Wala naman atang sinabi o nasabi si Ate Santana sa akin na may meeting ka po around this area, Engr. Greis Cataluena." there was no smile on her face, parang nadamage ata ang face muscles nitong batang to ah. Tsaka nawala sa isip kong malapit lang ang lugar kung saan siya nag-oOJT. I smiled at her, "It's an informal meeting."

"Informal meeting." tatango-tanong sabi niya "Sir, diba ikaw yung nadalaw sa bahay ng alas dos ng umaga last week?"

Rum nodded and continued eating.

For the stress eating na ba? Halos maubos na niya yung sisig na isang napakalaking platter eh. Go, boss! Ganyan nga! He offered my sister food pero tumanggi siya at ang palusot ay diet siya. Kapal ng mukha, halos lahat nga pinapapak niyan sa bahay. I'm sure she's skeptical and she's trying to poke holes just to prove herself she's right that I am dating this man.

Bix looked at me and asked the stupidest question "May gusto ka ba dito?"

I saw Rum froze.

"Bakit?" I smiled to tease her.

"Maayos ba ang buhay niya? He looks like a player." oh hell you're not sure but not exactly wrong. He could be. I shook my head "Mali man ako o tama at business related man ang ugnayang ito o hindi, Sir, wag mo lang po gaguhin ang ate ko and I'll be fine with you. Lalo pa't ikaw ang kauna-unahang lalaking dala ni ate at nakaapak sa bahay namin." she really had to say that? Kaloka tong batang to. Medyo halata rin naman na hindi ako madaling landiin dahil sa kung ano ako no?

"Bix Tenthro." I cleared my throat to stop her mouth and also made sure to check my wrist watch. Hindi pa pala niya break pero nandito sa mall "Hindi mo pa break ngayon ah? Go back to work."