Miara's Mistakes

(112) July 14, 2020

Late Night Talk

Primo went out of his room and headed to the kitchen. Although his sister told him not to overthink about Miara, he also can't stop thinking about her.

I'm worried about her, alright! He admitted.

Nalilito rin siya kung bakit ganoon ang nararamdaman niya. His intuition tells him that something's not right. And it's making him really anxious. Especially about Miara.

He took a glass of water and finished it in one gulp. He contemplated whether to check on Miara or not.

But Ciara said not to overthink! He reminded himself.

Napahilamos na lang sa sariling kamay si Primo. He pulled his hair out of frustration.

Babalik na sana siya sa kaniyang silid nang marinig ang pagbukas at pagsara ng pintuan. Out of panic, he hid under the bar counter. Huli niya na lang napagtanto na napaka-weird ng ginawa niya.

He saw Miara appear in front of him. Or at least, Miara's pajamas. Hindi niya nakikita ang babae maliban na lang sa mga paa nito pero naririnig niya ang pagsinghot nito.

"Primo?" Ani Miara sa nanginginig na boses. Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Primo pero pinili niya pa ring manatili sa ilalim ng bar counter.

He heard Miara sigh before he saw her face. Miara sat on the floor, facing him. Napasinghal din si Primo bago umalis sa ilalim ng bar counter pero nakaupo pa rin ito sa sahig at nakaharap kay Miara.

"Nakikitira lang ako pero ikaw pa 'yong lumalayo," ani Miara sa mahinang boses, hindi makatingin sa lalaki. "Pasensya." This time, she looked at Primo.

Nanikip ang dibdib ni Primo dahil sa nakikita. For some reason, he doesn't like seeing her this way. Parang nanghihina na rin ang lalaki dahil sa nakikita.

"Is there anything I can help?" Iyon lang ang tangi niyang nasabi.

Miara shook her head. Primo observed her while Miara's eyes were fixated on the floor. Tulala ito.

"Maybe it was just a prank."

Primo was certain that Miara wasn't aware that she's speaking. Ganoon iyon katulala sa sahig.

"Dito lang muna ako," ani Miara at saka ngumiti kay Primo.

"Alright, me too." Sinandal ni Primo ang kaniyang ulo sa bar stool at saka ipinikit ang mga mata.

"Sige, manonood lang ako ng Youtube. Sabihin mo lang kapag naiingayan ka."

From time-to-time, Primo would open his eyes to check on Miara. There were instances that he caught her smiling.

"Oh! Ikaw ba 'tong Primo na tinutukoy niya?" Excited na sambit ni Miara.

Mabilis namang umayos ng upo si Primo at saka tinabihan si Miara para makita ang pinanonood nito.

"Si Cleo ba! Tapos, eto oh! May kasama siyang babae na kamukha mo. Mama mo ba 'to?"

Finally, she's speaking. Primo thought with a sigh of relief.

"Yeah, that's my Mom," maikling sagot ni Primo habang nakatuon ang mga mata sa phone ni Miara.

Miara was watching the video Fico and Atien told him about last time. He wasn't bothered by it since he has nothing to do with it. But now that Miara brought it up, he's agitated.

"Matagal na kayong magkakilala, noh?" Miara asked without looking at him.

"Mhmm..."

From the corner of his eyes, he saw Miara frown. She then paused the video before facing Primo.

"By the way, you're not obligated to answer my questions," Miara said with a small smile. "Curious lang ako pero hindi mo na problema 'yon." She chuckled a little which made him smile.

"I don't mind answering your questions," he answered, then leaning on the cabinet behind them. He bent his knees and rested his arms there. "Feel free to be curious, Miara."

Hindi rin alam ng lalaki kung bakit niya sinabi iyon pero pinili niya na lang na huwag pag-isipan iyon.

"And about Cleo, we go way back," he shared. He's not usually comfortable with talking about his personal life, especially about Cleo. But Miara's presence is a safe space for Primo. "She's actually my ex-girlfriend."

Nabitawan ni Miara ang kaniyang phone. Pinulot niya iyon at nanlaki ang mga mata nang humarap kay Primo.

"Really?" Primo could hear her curiosity and for some reason, he wants to answer her questions.

Just talk to me and ask. I don't mind. He thought.

Sandaling natigilan si Primo nang mapagtanto ang mga iniisip. Napahilamos ulit ito sa kaniyang mga palad at napailing-iling na lang sa sarili.

Damn these late night talks!