Your Lies Aren't Loud

Chapter 3

the garnier palace

"No. I'm just early."

Finally. Some words to tell. But isn't that a lie? I was like a fine-chilled ice cream sluggishly melting because of his lost of time management.

"Cool." Sagot niya at pinatong sa desk ang mga kamay niya. "How do we start?"

"Hang on," I said and gestured a stop with my hand. His brows arched up. "You're the tutor?"

"Sino pa ba?" He answered mockingly. Tumingin pa siya sa gilid niya na parang may iba pa akong tinutukoy na 'tutor'. I scoffed. Gaano kaliit ba ang mundong ito?

"So how do I call you? After all, you are my tutee."

"I am your what?" Napa-ayos ako ng upo.

"Tutee. Student ng tutor." Hindi ko alam kung matatawa ako o maiinis. It sounded like a dog's name to me.

"You are not my tutor." Lumapit ako sakanya.

"I am." Sabi niya sabay lapit din sa'kin.

"You don't look like one." 

Kumunot ang noo niya. "Do I have to?"

I honestly have no idea why I am so against him for being my tutor. Apart from the fact that he obviously isn't one, we've been through same crazy situations. Alam ba ni Lola na ang lalaking kinuha niya ay ang dahilan kung bakit ako nawala at hindi ako nakauwi noong isang gabi? Paano ako magiging komportable ngayon?

"I'm sorry but I have to make a call." Kasabay ng aking pagtayo ay dali-dali kong hinanap ang number ni Lola sa phone ko. Gusto kong itanong sakanya para sigurado.

"Catleya Briar Lacuesta." I stopped the moment I heard him talk. Slowly, I turned back and looked at him.

"How did you know my name?" Matabang kong tanong habang nakatayo. I'm very sure that I am not wearing a name tag , I.D. or whatever. Unless...

He grabbed something from his pocket and placed it above the table. Umupo ako upang basahin 'yon. It's a calling card signed by my Lola. Ito ang binibigay niya sa mga tauhan at empleyado niya. If he has one of these, then he really must be my tutor.

"Believe it or not, my Tutee, but you'll get to see this face," He pointed at his face. "everyday."

Agad kong tinutulan ang sinabi niya. "No, no, no. Not everyday. Dalawang araw lang tayo magkikita sa isang linggo." I said and raised two of my fingers.

"MWF?"

"Wednesdays and Fridays. Remove the M." Determinado kong sabi. Hindi ko pwedeng isabay ang ballet classes ko sa tutor classes. Pagod ako sa dulo ang araw na iyon. Yet, I don't want to start every week with him. For all he knows, I hate mondays. And I'm considering the fact that I might hate it even more because of him. 

"Ikaw ang bahala. You can include Saturdays and Sundays if you want." He rested his back and placed both of his hands on his nape.

Umiling ako. "You're insane." Nakita ko sa labas ang bagong dating na kotse ni Papa. Shoot! "I have to go." Tumayo ako at nilagay ang libro sa bag ko.