Behind the Barriers

21

He gave me a small smile. "Kahit hindi ka pa magsabi sa 'kin, alam ko na. He told me about the relationship."

Namula ang mga pisngi ko. I can't even look at him anymore because I was so shy!

"It's just a small thing," I mumbled.

"Congrats sa pagdadalaga mo, Ysah."

Sumimangot ako at inismiran na lamang siya.

Dumaan ang ilang araw ay naisipan na naman naming magkita ni CJ. It was a Sunday.

It was supposed to be my time to sleep para bawiin ang ilang gabing pinagpuyatan ko. But I got dressed and went to the supposed restaurant.

Wala pa siya pagdating ko dun kaya naman umupo na muna ako. I also texted him that I'm already waiting outside.

Sobra talaga akong inaantok. Feeling ko kapag pumikit ako ng lagpas sampung segundo, makakatulog na talaga ako. I pinched some parts of my body just to be awake.

20 minutes ay wala pa rin si CJ kaya naman nag-order na ako. I could no longer maintain a smile. I was pissed. I was tired.

Saktong inihanda na ang pagkain sa mesa, pumasok si CJ sa restaurant. He scanned the whole place and stopped when he saw me. Binigyan niya ako ng maliit na ngiti pero nanatili lamang akong nakatingin sa kanya.

"I am sorry I'm late."

Lumapit muna siya sa 'kin para halikan ang pisngi ko bago nagtungo sa katapat na upuan.

"How are you?" tanong niya.

"I am fine," tipid kong sagot.

Kaagad na akong dumiretso sa pagkain nang hindi siya tinitingnan. I felt his stares but I just ignored it. Kumain na rin siya.

"Are you okay?"

I ignored the question. "Kuya asked about the land. Ano raw ang plano roon?"

His face went bitter. Napansin ko pa ang bahagyang pagtigas ng kanyang panga. Still, he looked at me patiently.

"Sabi niya sa 'kin na pupunta ka raw sa site. I insisted to come with you."

I nodded. "I'll probably go there at the end of this month."

Tumango siya.

Natahimik na naman kami. I don't know why but I was annoyed. Maybe the fact that he's late? That I'm tired? I don't know.

Pero ayaw ko siyang tingnan sa mata kasi baka mairapan ko lamang siya sa inis. I also noticed that he's pissed. But for what? Nakakainis na.

Wala na kaming pinag-usapan. It's as if there's this unknown rage going on between us.

"Mauna na ako," paalam ko sa kanya nang makarating sa parking lot.

He stood still, intently watching me without even planning to say something. Irita akong nagtaas ng kilay.

"What? May sasabihin ka pa ba?"

Hindi siya sumagot at nanatiling mariin ang titig.

"I am tired, CJ. Ano? Kung wala ka nang sasabihin, mauna na ako."

I waited for his answer but he just went to his car. My lips parted. This man!

Ano bang inaarte niya?! Nakatayo lamang ako ron at hinayaan na umalis ang sasakyan niya sa parking lot.

I stomped my foot on the ground. Ano bang ikinagalit niya?!

Dahil sa inis, hindi ako nag-message. I kept checking my phone but he did not text nor call.