Her Biggest Plot Twist

Chapter 10

"Hindi ko napansin na ito pala ang shop mo." I said as I beamed a fake smile. Lumapit pa siya sa akin at tumawa, a mocking one.

"Do you like the designs?" tanong niya. 

"Of course. I wouldn't buy one if I didn't." I said sarcastically and rolled my eyes. "Anyway, I should get going."

Hindi pa ako nakakahakbang ay hinigit na niya ang braso ko. "Let's have lunch. I insist."

Papayag ba ako?

---

"Thank you for the treat," I said as I stood up and managed to pick up my shopping bags. I can't believe I agreed to have lunch with him. Hindi niya kasi ako tinigilan hangga't hindi ako pumapayag eh. 

"It's nothing. Hope to see you again next time," sabi niya at inalalayan ako. Sabay kaming lumabas ng Sambokojin. I feel really uncomfortable walking with him. It reminds of those days. Hush-- I don't want to recall.

"Bye," I said as we parted our ways. Nagpatuloy lang ako sa paglalakad papunta sa parking space at wala ang sampung segundo ng paglalakad ko ay nakaramdam ako ng yakap mula sa likod.

The hug lasted for five seconds, then I went back to my senses. I pushed him away as a response. At that moment, Mike came into my mind, and I know this isn't right.

I am committed. Mike loves me so much that he sacrified a lot for me, and I should do the same, too. Ayokong mahal ko si Mike, pero mas mahal niya ako. Ayokong may nagmamahal ng mas higit pa sa isa. It's not fair.

"I'm sorry," he said as he bowed his head. I felt the guilt. I just looked at him and walked away. I don't want to be dishonest with my boyfriend, but ever since Nat bugged me, I kept lying and lying.

I went to my car and drove my way home. Hindi ko alam kung dapat ko na bang sabihin ang lahat ng ito kay Mike. I thought I can handle this, pero palala nang palala.

Nang makauwi ako sa bahay, dumiretso ako sa kwarto ko. I opened my phone and saw that Mike left a message.

from: mahal kong panget

Hey panget. I miss you already. How are you today? Nakauwi na ako galing sa site. Kumain ka ba? I hope you're fine. Text back whenever you can. I love you so much.

I sighed.

to: mahal kong panget

I miss you, too, panget. I'm fine by the way. I had lunch today with Pree. Thank you for checking out on me. Mag-ingat ka dyan. I love you, too, so much, Mike.

Nahiga ako sa kama. Napabuntong hininga na lang ako. I can't believe I lied again. I'm really sorry, Mike.

---

It's been four days since Mike flew to Dumaguete. In three days, he'll be home again and my life would be at peace again.

Hindi na kami nagkita pa ni Nat magmula noong araw na niyakap niya ako. He's not even texting me. Mabuti na rin iyon para hindi na ulit madagdagan ang pagsisinungaling ko kay Mike. I really want to stay as loyal as I can to him. I love him so much.

Pauwi na ako galing sa mall dahil inasikaso ko ang pagbubukas ng shop ko. In three weeks, I'll be having my opening and I need to make things perfect as much as possible.

Nang makarating ako sa street namin, I saw a black Mercedes Benz SL56  in front of the driveway. I honked at it. It was Nat. Lumapit siya kotse ko and knocked on my window.

"Do you mind moving your car? I need to park." I began. Tumango siya at bumalik sa kotse niya. I made my way into my garage and parked my car. Narinig ko ang pagtunog ng doorbell kaya naman lumabas akong muli.

"What?" Tanong ko. He smiled at me as if nothing happened. Bahagya akong nairita.

"Gusto sana kitang yayain," sagot niyang nag-aalangan. I smirked at him.

"Where to?" I asked. Ano na naman bang balak niya? Won't he quit bugging me? When will he ever?!

"It's a surprise." He said as he grinned.

"Sorry, I need to rest. Go home," sagot ko. Akmang isasara ko na ang gate nang hinarang niya ang kamay niya. I got irritated. What does he want?

"Hindi naman tayo magpapagod. Actually it's a good place to rest. Sige na, Fab. Promise, I won't blow this one again. Please," he said and repeatedly said the word 'please'.

I sighed. I have no choice, then. Kinuha ko saglit ang gamit ko, saka kami sumakay sa kotse niya.

"Can I sleep? I'm really tired." I asked. He nodded as a response with his eyes on the road.

---

"Nandito na tayo." Nagising ako sa tawag ni Nat. Iginala ko ang mata ko sa paligid. I then realized we're at the park where we broke up four years ago.

We unbuckled our seatbelts and got out of the car. Lumapit ako sa kanya at tinanong. "Bakit tayo nandito?"

Tumawa siya ng mahina. He sighed and looked at me. "Nothing. Don't you like it here? It's a nice place," he said. Nagkibit balikat na lang ako. Hinatak niya ako papunta sa isang bench malapit sa fountain. Naupo kaming dalawa at binalot ng katahimikan ang paligid.

"So, nasaan si Mike?" He asked to break the silence.

"He's on a trip. But he'll be back soon enough," sagot ako. Muli na namang tumahimik ang paligid. Walang nagsasalita sa aming dalawa.

"Gusto mo bang matulog?" Tanong niya sa akin. He must have noticed my sleepy eyes. I smiled at him and told him, "Oo, pero ayos lang. I can manage."

Hinigit niya ang ulo ko at sinandal sa kanyang balikat. I instantly moved away pero ibinalik niya ulit. His hand was firm, making it difficult to escape. I just sighed and let my head rest in his shoulders. I fell asleep.

I'm really sorry, Mike.