I Do Love You But...

38

Trigger Warning: Explicit words and abuse.

“Dani, kanino ‘to? The customers is definitely waiting for that,” sabi ko sa kaniya, nakaturo sa dalawang baso ng kape.

“Sa table po na ‘yon.” Lumingon ako sa lugar kung saan siya nakaturo.

My heartbeat quickened and I swallowed hard as well. Anong ginagawa nila rito?

I noticed Dani walking towards them so I no longer hesitated to take the tray of coffee on her.

“Ako na.” Naiwan siya sa kinatatayuan niya.

Binagalan ko ang paglalakad, habang papalapit ako sa kanila ay mas lalo akong kinakabahan.

“Here’s your order.” I told them softly and nervously placed the coffees to them. Kaagad ko namang nakuha ang atensyon nila.

Nakatuon lang ang paningin ko sa kaniya. Mas lalo akong kinabahan nang makita ko sa mga mata niya ang takot at lungkot.

Kaya ba sila nagpunta rito para mapagaan niya ang loob ni Liang? Even late at night.

She averted my eyes. “Thanks,” she said sadly.

“What a coincidence. Barista ka rin pala.” Nakangising sabat ni Kleo.

Say everything you wanted to say, I don’t care. I am here for Aurelia, not to listen and pay attention to what you says.

Lumingon ako sa likuran ko nang may kumalabit. “Excuse me po boss, kanina pa po may naghahanap sayo.” Dani said before walking away.

Hinarap ko ulit si Liang. Naglakas loob akong hawakan ang balikat niya. Dahan-dahan siyang lumingon sa akin kaya naman napangiti ako.

“Everything will be fine.” After I said that to her, may nakita akong munting kislap sa mga mata niya kasabay ng pamumuo ng luha sa gilid ng kaniyang mata.

Masaya akong nariyan pa rin ang dating siya, nakatago lang. Even if she doesn’t feel that I’m just here, I’m still willing to listen if she wants to open up to me all the problems and pain she had.

◸ ◹ ◺ ◿◸ ◹ ◺ ◿◸ ◹

“What? No! Hindi pwede!” I was about to leave but she grabbed my arm tightly.

Anong problema ng babaeng ito?

I sighed. “Nagtanong ka at sinagot naman kita. Hindi mo kailangang sumigaw.”

“You don’t have a schedule for today, kaya bakit? Para saan?!” She shouted. Mabuti nalang walang ganoong tao sa likod ng coffee shop.

Hindi ko maintindihan kung anong ikinagagalit niya. Concern lang ba siya sa akin or is there some other reason?

“Tell me para saan?” She calmed down, but her eyes were still glaring at me.

Lahat na lang ba kailangan kong sabihin sa kaniya? She doesn’t give me privacy. She just looks ignorant.

“That’s the point, I want to be alone.” Her body seemed to freeze because of what I said.

She released his grip on me then laughed sarcastically. “With her?”

Gulong-gulo na ako sa kinikilos at sinasabi niya. Ano ngayon kung kasama ko siya?

When Safira came into my life, everything seemed to be miserable and chaotic. She insists on everything she wants, even my personal life.

“I don’t need your permission and stop acting like you’re my girlfriend...” Diretsyong sabi ko sa kaniya. “Dahil hindi bagay sayo.” Her eyes widened.