One of the Boys 1 & 2 (Published by Pop Fiction)

Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine

Present

Daffy

"Sleep in my condo," he said. What was he talking about?

I rolled my eyes. "You're nuts." 

Maaga pa lang, umalis na kami sa Masasa kaya maaga rin kaming nakarating. Apparently, I left my key inside the unit. Sobrang nagmamadali kasi umalis si Apa kahapon kaya nakalimutan ko na pati susi ko. Lowbat din ako kaya hindi ko ma-text sila Zoe, Dyma, at Abby.

"Just sleep in my condo."

Antok na antok na ako. Hindi ako pwedeng antukin mamaya kaya pumayag na ako. Sinundan ko siya sa condo niya. Hamak na mas malaki condo niya sa dorm namin to think na mag-isa pa siya.

"Sa kwarto ka na matulog. I'll sleep here." Humiga siya sa sofa at pumasok ako sa bedroom niya. Hindi na ako tumingin-tingin. Humiga lang ako sa kama niya dahil gusto ko ng magpahinga. His pillow and blanket smells like him. 

-

I woke up with his alarm in the living room. Tiningnan ko yung clock. 5 PM pa lang at 8 PM pa ang start ng shift ko. Apa knocked on the door and opened it, only showing half of his body. "Dinner's ready." He even made me dinner. Dammit, Apa. Just dammit.

I prayed before eating, and he noticed that. I saw him smile.

"Stop," I told him.

Tiningnan niya ako. "What do you mean?"

"You shouldn't do this to me. This isn't being kind?" I sighed. His face was full of questions. "Stop doing anything. Don't smile, because of me. Don't be sad, because of me. Don't do anything, don't react when I do or say something."

Mukha namang naiintindihan niya sinasabi ko. "I'm sorry."

"And don't apologize. Ever." I didn't want him to feel sorry. It was not his fault he fell for someone else. It wasn't his fault. I could go to him, I could talk to him, but I just avoided him. Never did I once face him. "I should be the one saying sorry." I sighed.

Hindi na kami nagsalita hanggang sa natapos kaming kumain. After eating, he told me to relax and do anything I want. Nakicharge na lang ako ng phone, habang siya naman, busy magbasa.

When Abby finally replied back, I waited a little longer. Nag ring yung phone ni Apa. Nakaupo ako sa floor malapit sa saksakan, habang siya naman, nasa dining table. May nakaharang na sofa kaya hindi niya ako masyadong nakikita.

Sumilip ako. He smiled as he answered the phone. "Liz." Napapikit ako. I wanted to get out, but I couldn't. "I miss you, too... I don't know... Babalik ako, just wait..." He chuckled. I could no longer breathe. My heart stopped beating. "Okay, ingat ka... See you soon, Liz. I'm hoping to see you real soon. I really miss you." And that was it. I knew I had to move on.

I packed all my things and went near him. "Dr. Hizon."

He furrowed his forehead. He looked confused, disappointed, and I really didn't want to know what his expression meant. "Ags..."

I shook my head and smiled. "I have to leave. Thank you for letting me stay."

Parang may gusto pa siyang sabihin, pero huminga na lang siya nang malalim. "Ihahatid na kita." The usual gentleman Apa. 

"You don't have to, but thanks."

He smiled. "Can I ask you a serious question before you leave?" I laughed at his question and he started laughing, too. Weird talaga. Siguro dahil sa 'serious question'. Parehas kaming hindi sanay na nagseseryoso kami, pero mas matatanda na kami. We needed to take 'other' things seriously. Hindi naman maganda yung masyadong seryoso sa buhay.