Strings in the Beginning (Abrupt Series #2)

EPISODE 10

EPISODE 10

"N-no... I don't have a son, Nate," Conrad stammered, his voice was uneven but laced with a faint laugh.

He tightened his grip on the steering wheel, his eyes darting briefly to glance at me.

"Why do you ask that? Ah... 'yung kahapon," he added, nodding slowly as if recalling something. Napansin ko naman agad ang maliit na ngiting umukit sa labi niya.

"Kahapon," I echoed, leaning back against the car seat. The sound of the engine filled the brief silence between us. "You told our customer in the booth that you already had a son. Akala ko, I mean namin, seryoso ka. Narinig din kasi nina Chef Iris."

Malakas siyang nagpakawala ulit ng tawa and his eyes crinkling at the edges.

"Really? Did you believe that? I told you before that having a family isn't on my radar right now. May inaayos pa ako, and I'm focusing on that."

Sa sagot niyang iyon ay may kung anong kumalabit sa dibdib ko. I'm not sure if it was between us because as of now, we're not okay. Pero sa set up naming ngayon na tumatawa siya dahil sa naitanong ko sa kanya, parang wala kaming problema na hinaharap.

"Well, hindi mo rin naman ako masisisi. You're a pretty convincing liar," I added.

"Wow, convincing liar?" Conrad shot back, feigning offense. "Thanks for the compliment, I guess?" Umiling siya, tila pabirong nasaktan sa sinabi ko. "Seryoso, wala akong anak. I just said that to get the customer off my back. Parang ang dami niyang tanong, e."

"You could've just told her you're single," I suggested, crossing my arms. "Would've been easier."

"Single?" Conrad repeated, sneaking another glance at me."Mas delikado 'yun, Nate. Baka mas lalo pa akong kulitin sa anak niya. Besides, parang mas kapanipaniwala na ang rason ko na may anak ako. Gives me that responsible, family-man vibe, don't you think?"

I laughed, shaking my head. "Yeah, because nothing says 'responsible' like making up imaginary children. Kung hindi kita kilala, baka naisip kong may mid-life crisis ka na."

My brows raised because wow... I can joke at him now. Dati lang ay halos mapaos ako kakasigaw sa kanya sa parking lot.

Conrad groaned dramatically. "Grabe ka naman. I'm too young for a mid-life crisis! I'm only 26, Nate. I'm at my peak!"

"Okay, that's enough," I said, holding back my grin.

This is too much. Baka sunod nito ay magyakapan na kami.

"You already answered my questions, and I'm sorry for judging you."

"It's fine," he replied with a shrug. Then, his voice softened, almost hesitant. "You're laughing... is it a sign that I'm finally there? You know, having my best friend back?"

Told you.

Natahimik ako bigla sa tanong niya. Para rin akong sinakal ng mabilisan dahil hindi agad ako nakapaglabas ng isasagot dahil masyadong mahirap ang tanong niya para sa akin.

"Ah... ilang oras pa ba ang byahe?"

Conrad checked the black Rolex on his right wrist before glancing back at the road. "Forty minutes pa."

Nice. Matagal pa.

"I need to sleep. Inaantok na ako simula pa kanina. Pwedeng gisingin mo na lang ako kapag malapit na?" I asked, shifting in my seat and closing my eyes, hoping the conversation would end there.

Conrad's faint sigh was barely audible over the hum of the engine. "Sure, Nate. Rest ka na muna."

As I drifted off, I couldn't shake the lingering weight of his question—one I refused to answer, not yet.