melt in the fireplace | Buenvenidez Series #5 [ON-GOING]

18

Chapter 18

"I said I want this to end. I want out." 

It was his piercing deep eyes that I couldn't escape from. He was looking intently at me with hint of pain in his face as I uttered those words.

I heard him. I clearly heard what he said but I am also firm with my decision. I am on the verge of doubt. Hindi sa nararamdaman niya para sa akin pero sa nararamdaman ko sa sitwasyon na mayroon kami ngayon.

"And I said I want you to be my girlfriend," He repeated.

Umiling ako at mataman siyang tiningnan. "Ayaw ko na, Jace."

"Bakit?" Agap kaagad niya na para bang kanina niya pa gustong itanong 'yon. "Dahil ba kay Astrid? I told you we're not back together so I clearly break nothing from our arrangement.. Kung meron man, siguro, eto.. na gusto ko na ng totoo, gusto ko nang sa akin ka." 

I scoffed in disbelief.

"Hindi ka naniniwala?" His eyes immediately turned blank as he guessed.

Hindi ako sumagot. I don't want to talk if it's not about the thing I am asking from him right now. I don't need him to confess, I don't need an assurance, I don't need anything. I don't need him.

Huminga ng malalim si Jace nang mapagtantong wala akong balak sagutin ang tanong niyang 'yon. He put both of his hands on his waist as he shifted his weight. Tumingala siya at lumunok na para bang may malalim na iniisip hanggang sa nagtama na naman ang mga mata namin at nagsalita na ulit siya.

"Can we talk somewhere else?" He asked in a low tone.

Tumaas ang kilay ko at huminga na naman siya ng malalim.

"About this and about your reasons. Kung tatapusin natin 'to gusto ko ng malinaw na sagot mula sa'yo kung bakit dahil ayaw kong ako ang magbibigay ng sagot sa sarili ko," Aniya.

"Okay," I said immediately. "Magpapaalam lang ako sa kasama ko sa loob," I added.

Tumango siya at iginiya ang daan pabalik. Mukhang sasabayan niya akong bumalik sa loob kaya hindi na ako umapila pa. Naghiwalay rin kami ng daan dahil nasulyapan kong bumalik pa siya sa table niya para siguro magpaalam sa daddy niya.

I have nothing to meet at our table since they are all scattered away. Hinanap lang ng mga mata ko si Yohan at nang nagkatinginan kami ay sinenyasan ko siya na lalabas lang ako saglit. Tutal ay doon naman rin ang balak kong puntahan kanina kung hindi ako hinarang ni Astrid.

I sighed and find my way out. Umuna ako sa parking lot na wala na halos tao at tumayo sa gilid ng matayog na pader habang hinihintay si Jace. At nang dumating siya, sinundan ko nalang siya hanggang sa sasakyan niya. He pressed the alarm from the key so I immediately went inside. Pumasok rin siya ngunit tahimik parin.

"Dito nalang tayo magusap. Hindi ako pwedeng lumayo," I said.

His car is in a good spot. I can see the exit and the people going in and out from the back door. My eyes remained at the view infront as I wait until Jace feels the need to talk about this.

"I didn't know you were invited here," He said in a while.

I nodded. My name's not on the list either. Kaya hindi niya rin makikita kung titingnan niya 'yon.

"Short notice. Ojisan is inside," I answered casually.

Napansin ko ang pagtango niya mula sa peripheral view ko, "Pero hindi mo siya nilapitan kanina. You went back to an empty table," He uttered.

Kumunot ang noo ko at saglit na sumulyap sa kanya.

Ngumuso siya at kaagad na itinaas ang kamay, "Okay, napansin ko lang. Chill!" Depensa niya kaagad.