Strings in the Beginning (Abrupt Series #2)

EPISODE 18

EPISODE 18

"Hihintayin mo 'ko?" I asked, forcing myself not to laugh. Tumaas ang kilay ko. "Halos kahapon lang nag-uumapaw sa 'yo 'yung pagkairita mo sa 'kin, ah? Na halos ayaw mo 'kong makasama. Tapos ngayon sasabihin mong hihintayin mo 'ko?"

I chuckled, shaking my head. "Sira ka ba?"

Conrad grinned, pero nakakainis at nakakailang din ito at the same time. His eyes never left me, and I hated how my heart picked up its pace.

"We became okay while we were on the road," he said, too calm. "And I don't want us to have some conflict while living together."

Napalunok ako. The way he said living together felt too heavy from my place.

I hated the way it made my mind spin.

Mas lalo pa akong nairita nang ngumisi siya na para bang alam niyang nataranta ako sa sinabi niya.

The tip of my tongue pressed against the roof of my mouth, stopping me from saying something stupid. I exhaled sharply, gripping the paper in my hand as if that would steady me. Kasi nga, titira kami sa isang unit. Magkasama. Every single day.

I could already imagine the awkward mornings and forced small talks habang nagkakasalubong kami sa kusina.

"But don't get me wrong," I said, schooling my voice into something steady, kahit ramdam kong may bahid ng inis. "We're still not okay."

His smile didn't even falter.

"I'll set aside our past," I added, my voice softer this time. "Dahil hindi ko kayang tumanggi kay Tita-Nang. I'll talk to her habang hindi pa sila umaalis ni Tito Luke. May mga gusto lang akong itanong."

Conrad tilted his head, watching me too closely.

"Anong oras ka ba pupunta sa bahay?" he asked casually. "Pagkatapos ko ma-check 'yung mga files from investors at 'yung expenses this past two weeks, uuwi ako mamayang hapon kasi may kukunin ako. Pwede ka sumabay sa akin."

The offer hit me like a slap.

My eyes flicked to the paper I was holding, pero kahit anong pilit kong basahin, parang blanko na lang lahat ng salita.

I cleared my throat. "Huwag na siguro." I forced a tight smile. "Hihintayin ko na lang 'yung motor ko na dadalhin ni Papa. Or baka bukas pa ako pupunta, hindi ako sigurado."

I could feel his stare, and it was intense.

"Friday na alis nina Mom papuntang Hong Kong," he reminded me. "Sasamahan niya si Dad for his business meeting. If you're not busy after your shift, kausapin mo na siya para klaro na 'yung utak mo. Sasabihan ko na pupunta ka ng bahay."

There it was again, the way he spoke. He always had a plan for me and knew what I should be doing before I even figured it out myself. Masyadong mando.

It made me want to scowl, but I kept my face blank.

"Thank you," tugon ko. "But I can manage. Don't worry about me, Conrad."

His gaze softened for a beat. Mabilis ang pagtingin niya sa akin at nahuli ko iyon.

"Ayaw mo ba talagang sumabay sa akin?"

I blinked, heart pounding.

"Why too pushy?" I asked, trying to sound exasperated, but it came out more like a whisper.

Conrad only grinned wider, and that stupid dimple showed up like it owned the place.

"I'm not pushy," he said, shrugging. "I'm helping you. You looked tired this morning. Kung sasabay ka sa sasakyan, pwede ka pa magpahinga. Hindi naman kita sisingilin sa gas ko."