XNUT (Published under Pop Fiction)

x39: One Crazy Get-away (part2~)

x39: One Crazy Get-away (part2~)

[CJ's PoV]

"Okay, thanks. I'll leave it all to you now, Engr. Romualdez." sabi ko dito sa lalaking kaharap ko ngayon. Sya ang engineer na in-charged sa construction nitong bagong branch ng steak house namin.

"You're welcome, Sir. And no worries. I will definitely do my very best for this project." sagot naman nya on a very professional manner.

Sinamahan nya ko pabalik sa entrance nitong construction site and there we shook hands before parting ways. Sya, bumalik sa loob ng site while I made my way back to my car.

Nagmamadali ako sa paglalakad. Ang tagal ko ring nakipag-usap kay Engr. Romualdez eh. Baka nainip at nainis na naman sakin si Hazel.

Nang marating ko ang kotse ko, agad akong sumakay sa driver's seat. But when I hopped in, Hazel almost jumped up of her seat as if I have startled her.

"Hazel?" nagtataka kong tawag sakanya. That was when I noticed both of her hands holding something-- something like a phone. Well most probably it is her phone. Pero sa pagkakahawak nya dun, parang tinatago nya yun sakin?

"C.. CJ.." she called back, quite anxiously. Binaba na nya ang mga kamay nya sa lap nya, making me able to see her phone--

WAIT. That phone.. AH SHIT! THAT'S MY PHONE! The one I'm using to text her as Crizel!

Napakapa ako sa bulsa ng pantalon ko. I know I always bring that phone with me so how come she has it now?!

Agad din akong napahinto sa pagkapa na ginagawa ko. Wala rin namang silbi eh dahil ayun na nga ang phone ko, hawak ni Hazel.

Napapikit na lang ako, hoping that Hazel didn't check its inbox, that she still hasn't found out the truth that I am Crizel. Although I know, by the way she looked at me, she already found it out.

"Ikaw.. Ikaw ba si Crizel, ha CJ?" Hazel asked.

Napadilat ako at tinignan sya. I could see disbelief and disappointment in her eyes while guilt and fear rushed in me.

"I.. I am." I answered hesitantly. Gusto ko sanang humindi eh pero di ko magawa. I couldn't lie to her.

Napakagat-labi si Hazel. She looked more disappointed now. At bakit naman hindi? I made her feel like I fooled her, like I made fun of her. She also must be mad at me. But no. Dapat ayusin ko toh. Dapat magpaliwanag ako.

"Hazel, I, I'm sorry. Di ko intensyon na lokohin ka. I just--"

"Sabihin mo nga CJ.." Hazel cut me off. But her voice.. I think it was trembling? "Sabihin mo.. Alam mo na ba?"

"Alam na?" I asked back, a little confused.

Hazel looked straight at my eyes. It was if she's measuring my honesty or maybe my innocence? Then she looked away.

"Hmm..mukhang di pa.." Hazel said to herself. Tapos tinignan nya ko ulit. "CJ, nung nakakatext kita bilang Crizel, may nasabi ba ko sayo na..uhm..medyo personal at confidential?"

I tried to recall all of our text conversations. But as far as I can remember, puro general topics lang naman ang napapag-usapan namin.

"Something personal and confidential?" sabi ko habang nag-iisip. "Like what?"

"Tulad na lang nung kung sino yung lalaking minamahal ko ngayon! Uhm.. Ayun.. Ganun.."

Gulat akong napatingin sakanya as I got bothered, BIG TIME.

"Lalaking minamahal mo ngayon?" ulit ko.

Hazel looked away from me. Hindi mapakali ang mga mata nya. "O-Oo? Wala naman akong nasabi, diba?"