Under the clouds (Guevarra Series 2)

Chapter 31

We were both silent inside his car while he's driving. Nakatingin lang ako sa labas ng bintana. Siya naman, napapansin ko ang maya't-mayang paglingon sa akin na para bang mawawala ako roon anumang oras.

He opened the car's stereo and played the music of FM Static. Nanatili naman akong walang kibo. The soft acoustic sound of the music somehow made my heart at peace. He has a good taste in music huh?

"Have you ate already? I know a place to dine in. Malapit lang iyon dito," basag niya sa matinding katahimikan. Hindi naman ako nagtangkang lumingon sa gawi niya.

"I'm not hungry. We can talk anywhere, bilisan mo na lang para matapos na kaagad ito," I answered him coldly. I felt him take a glance at me.

"Or if you want, pwede tayo malapit sa inyo. It would be much easier for you, I know you're tired. After we eat, I can drop you home immediately."

"No," mabilis kong sagot sa kaniya. "Sabihin mo na lang kung anong gusto mong sabihin para makauwi na kaagad ako."

He didn't speak after that. Mukhang gusto talaga niyang ipagpilitan ang gusto niya. Hindi rin ako masyadong pamilyar sa lugar na tinatahak niya. Kahit naman pilitin ko siya ngayon na magsalita na para hindi na kami maabala, halata namang hindi siya papayag. 

After five minutes, he stopped the car in front of a luxurious restaurant. Mabilis siyang bumaba ng sasakyan at pinagbuksan ako ng pinto. I didn't thank him for being so gentleman, hindi ako magpapadala sa mga simpleng ganiyan lang.

"Let's go inside," pang-aaya niya sa akin. Tumaas lang ang kilay ko at nauna sa paglalakad. He followed me immediately, pilit pa itong lumalapit sa akin kaya todo layo naman ako sa kaniya.

I don't like the feeling of having his finger tips touch any part of my body. Kaya sana pagkatapos ng gabing ito, huwag na siyang magpakita pa.

"What would you like to eat?" tanong niya nang makahanap kami ng table. I just stared at him seriously. This isn't funny. If he wanted to tell me something, he could at least make it faster.

"Jacques." 

Umiwas siya ng tingin sa akin. He called a waiter, hindi na niya ako tinanong kung anong gusto kong kainin. He ordered for the both of us which I find so unnecessary. I told him that I don't like to eat. Hindi siya nakikinig.

Hindi kalaunan ay dumating na rin ang mga pagkain. I just stared at those foods blankly. Jacques put a small smile on his lips, I didn't smile back. I don't understand why he has to do this.

"Let's eat?" pang-aaya niya. I didn't move, he started putting food inside my plate. I just stared at him while he's doing all of it. 

After what happened, here he is again, acting like nothing's wrong in this kind of set up.

Isinandal ko ang likod sa upuan at pinagkrus ang mga braso.

"I don't have time for this. Sabihin mo na gusto mong sabihin ngayon din."

He stopped putting food on my plate then he lifted his eyes on me. Parang napakainosente ng mukha niya.

"Can we eat first?" 

I hate how his voice sounded so innocent. Malayong-malayo sa personalidad niya noon.

Sarkastiko naman akong natawa.

"Ipapaalala ko lang sa'yo na kaya ako pumayag na sumama rito dahil pinilit lang ako ni Diego. I don't understand you, Jacques. Bakit ba pinapatagal mo pa-

"What's your relationship with him?" putol niya sa akin. But it didn't sound so rude. Hindi rin ganoon kaagresibo ang tono niya hindi kagaya noon. Ang naaalala ko kasi, sa tuwing magtatanong siya tungkol sa mga lalaking lumalapit sa akin, palagi siyang nakakunot ang noo o hindi kaya ay galit.