One Night, Unexpectedly

39

A/N: Hindi na 'to short story as you can see. 🤣

•••

To be honest, I haven't gotten enough sleep thinking about what she said last night. She may have shown signs of jealousy—I'm not sure. All I know is she doesn't like seeing Miguel around me. I never tried to completely confront her hatred towards him, it's a waste of time. No use of confronting someone who wouldn't give direct answers.

It's the alcohol, I suppose.

"Morado, wala si De Leon?" My fellow co-worker asked me. Si Kuya, I don't remember his name, I already got it one time but I forgot it again.

I plastered a smile, "May sakit siya." I lied to save her from people gossiping. Hindi ko basta-basta sasabihin na dahil lasing siya 'no.

"Good morning, Jia!" I turned and saw Miguel waving at me, "Wala si Bea?"

"Oo, may sakit eh." I said and he nodded before moving back to his cubicle.

I was busy working when I saw a chocolate on the side of my desk. I looked up and Miguel was smiling at me, "Mukhang stressed ka ata. Cadbury for you."

"Nag-abala ka pa, salamat." Tipid kong sagot but he didn't leave, "Bakit?"

"May problema ka ba?" He asked and I didn't answer, "You don't have to say it."

"Malalim lang ang iniisip." I grabbed the chocolate, "Thank you ulit."

"Sabay na lang tayo mag-lunch, kung okay lang." He invited.

I contemplated for a while before agreeing, "Sige, mamaya na lang."

I worked on brushing off thoughts about her words by sinking myself on paperworks. Pati deadlines ni Bea ako uli ang sumalo, kahit kailan talaga natatambakan siya ng trabaho. Subalit hindi ata nakatulong dahil iniisip ko pa din ang sinabi niya, if it's true or not.

"Jia, you can tell me what's bothering you." His words brought me back to reality. I looked at my plate at hindi ko pa pala nagagalaw ang pagkain. He showed a reassuring smile, "I won't bite. I'll zip my mouth."

"I lied about Bea's reason for being absent." Panimula ko and he did not look surprised, "Naglasing kasi siya kagabi. Diba, pagkahatid mo sa 'kin dire-diretso siyang lumabas? Sa Pub pumunta ang loko."

"Naparami?" He asked and I nodded, "Eh, ano naman ang problema mo ngayon? 'Yung bumabagabag sa isipan mo?"

"Ayos lang ba kung sasabihin ko?"

"Oo naman." He smiled and look curious, "Hulaan ko nga, kasi nakita ko masama ang tingin niya sa akin nung lumabas siya—"

"I'm sorry, hindi niya siguro sinasadya 'yon. May araw na tinotopak si Bea." I interrupted but he didn't look convinced. I slumped my shoulders in defeat, "She's..."

"Jealous? I think so." He continued when I couldn't say it, dahil nahihiya rin siguro ako kay Miguel. "I remember nung unang hatid ko sa'yo galing Public Library, masama rin ang tingin niya pagkakita sa akin nang buksan ang pinto. I shoved it off na lang."

"Do you think so?" I'm a little dumbfounded, these are tiny details I failed to take notice of. "I'm sorry about that, Miguel."