The Relationship Code

Chapter 36: Ex and present

"Medyo awkward lang."

"Bakit awkward? Kung nakamove on ka na, hindi na dapat awkward."

"It's not like that, Nate. Kahit nakamove on ka na, may chance pa rin na maging awkward kayong dalawa."

"Kasi hindi pa nakakamove on 'yung isa?"

"I – "

Hindi ko nagawang ituloy ang sinasabi ko. Honestly, hindi ko na alam kung ano ang nararamdaman ni Hunter. I don't know if he still has feelings for me or he moved on already. We never got the chance to talk about this stuff and it's not like we ever talk since he arrived.

"Hindi kaya natatakot ka lang kausapin siya kasi kapag nangyari 'yon, marealize mo na lang na meron pa pala – may nararamdaman ka pa pala. Pinipili mo lang hindi tanggapin 'yon kasi may iba ka na."

I shook my head at Hailey, "It's not like that. I choose not to talk to him because I have Russel now. And he knows all the feelings I had for Hunter. If makita niyang magkausap kami, he might get hurt or he might get jealous. I don't want him to feel any of the two."

"Okay, sabi mo 'yan eh."

It's the truth. I don't want Russel to get hurt. Ayokong masaktan siya kahit saglit lang. Kahit ilang minuto lang. Kahit ilang segundo lang. He was there for me when I needed someone to be there. He's been with me ever since Hunter left and hurt me. He never left my side when the person I wanted the most to be with me is nowhere to be found.

And besides, ayoko talagang kausapin si Hunter kasi for some reason, inis pa rin ako sa kaniya. Inis ako hindi dahil mahal ko pa siya o ano. Inis lang ako kasi... basta. Naiinis ako sa kaniya. And I don't think kailangan ko pang magkaroon ng rason para maramdaman 'yon.

***

"Okay. Nandito na ang lahat. Lahat ba nga dapat niyong dalhin nasa likod na?"

"Aye aye, captain!" I salute at Nate.

Maski ang iba ay wala na rin daw naiwan. All that's left to do ay ang pumasok sa sasakyan at paandarin 'to. Kaya lang wala man lang ni isa sa amin ang pumapasok. We're all standing outside, looking like a fool.

I knew it. With our current state, it's not a brilliant idea na magsamasama kami sa iisang sasakyan. But there's no backing out now.

"Okay!" Thanks to Warren sa pagsagip sa awkward na sitwasyon na 'yon. "First thing, first. Sino assigned driver?"

"I will/Ako na lang," Russel and Hunter volunteered at the same time. And the awkward atmosphere is back. Ni hindi man lang nagtagal.

"Warren, you drive," I said and took the keys from Russel and threw it at Warren.

It's better na huwag mamili sa dalawa para hindi magmukhang may pinapanigan kami.

"Hunter, ikaw na sa shotgun seat," sabi naman ni Nate. Hindi naman kumontra si Hunter at umupo na sa harap. Kung ilalagay kasi namin si Hailey doon, baka maging awkward lang silang dalawa ni Warren at hindi maenjoy ang trip.

"Sa likod na kami uupo," prisinta ni Hailey at hinila kami ni Tamara. Kaya lang napahinto si Hailey sa paghila sa akin and smiled sheepishly at Russel. "Tabi kayo ni Piper, right? Sorry. Nakalimutan ko."

I smiled at Hailey. Pumasok naman na sila sa loob at sumunod na si Nate.

"I think you should sit beside Hailey and Tamara."

"Huh? Don't you want me to sit beside you?"

Russel chuckled and flicked my forehead lightly, "Of course I want to. But it's okay kung sa kanila ka muna tatabi. Besides mukhang gusto nilang katabi ka nila. Kita mo nga kanina hinihila ka na ni Hailey."

I laughed and nodded and enter the van.

Nakakaloka. Pagpili na lang ng uupuan sa van nagkaganito pa kaming lahat. Kaya ba talaga namin magsurvive ng ilang araw na kami kami lang? I wish.

*** 

Relationship Code No. 26: Avoid the things that might hurt your lover.