Pride

Chapter Seven

"But Danilo, I have something—"

"Sasama ka sa amin, babe. Come on, we haven't seen each other for a long time. Ngayon na nga lang ulit tayo nagkita dahil sa basketball practice namin." He sighed and I felt him squeeze my hips.

Dahil sa pamimilit niya, hindi na ako naka hindi. I saw how happy he was today and I didn't want to ruin it. I got into his car and went to his friend's house.

Nasaan ka? Kanina pa kita hinihintay.

That was the first message I saw when I opened my phone as Danilo's car pulled up in front of his friend's house.

Nagdalawang-isip ako kung sasagutin ko ang text niya. I looked at it for a few moment. Should I reply to Tisoy's text or not?

"Let's go." Aya ni Danilo sa akin bago siya bumaba ng kotse.

I followed my gut instinct and replied to his text message. Sinabi ko na sumama ako kay Danilo sa victory party.

Danilo opened the door to my side and held out his hand. I took it and slipped out of his car. Sa labas pa lang ng bahay rinig na namin ang malakas na tugtog sa loob. We step inside the house and there were already a lot of people in there. Sabi sa akin ni Danilo nagsisimula pa lang ang party. There were going to be a lot of people in the party.

He got me a cup of punch. Dinala niya ako sa mga taong nagsasayawan sa may bandang living room. He took my arms and wrapped it around his shoulders and he encircled his around my waist.

"What was it you wanted to tell me again?" He asked while we danced.

He just looked so happy today. Ayaw kong sirain ang araw niya. I chewed on my lower lip and my eyes dropped to my feet. I didn't want to break up with him at a party. It just wasn't right.

"Hindi ito ang tamang lugar." I said.

"Huh?" His face crumpled. We couldn't hear each other clearly as the loud music drowned our voices.

"Hindi ito ang tamang lugar para pag-usapan iyon!" Nilakasan ko ang boses ko.

"Then let's go somewhere quiet." We stopped dancing. He took my hand and dragged me out of the dancing crowd. He took me up the stairs.

"Teka, saan tayo pupunta?" Tanong ko habang naglalakad kami sa hallway.

"You said you wanted to talk." He said, opening the door at the end of the hallway. Hinatak niya ako papasok sa bathroom at isinara ang pinto.

He made me sit on the closed lit of the toilet while he leaned against the door. He casually crossed his arms.

"Ano bang sasabihin mo sa akin?" He asked.

"Danilo." I took in a deep breath and let out a sigh. "I... I don't think I'm ready to have a boyfriend."

"Are you breaking up with me?" His smile disappeared and was quickly replaced by a scowl.

"I'm sorry, Dan."

"Tangina naman!" Galit na sabi niya. I stiffened in surprise when he punched his fist to the wall. "Bakit? Ano bang problema? May nagawa ba ako? Pinalampas ko na nga ang ginawa ng gagong Derek na iyon para sa'yo. Ginagago mo lang pala ako, Mallory."

"No... no! Hindi kita ginagago. Siguro nabigla lang ako nang sagutin kita. I just don't think I'm ready for this."

"Ganon na lang yon?" He sneered sarcastically. "Kapag ayaw mo, ayaw mo na?"

"I'm so sorry." My voice squeeked.

"Nak ng punta naman o! Sinayang mo lang pala oras ko, ni hindi pa kita natitikman."