Find Your Way

Chapter Thirty-Five

"Oh. Hi, Jayson. Nice meeting you." I offer my hand which he shook gently and gave me a warm smile. I saw Jade raised her right eyebrow and I can't help but to suppress a smile. Hindi niya siguro ineexpect na magiging ganito ako ka kalmado after niyang ipakilala ang lalaking kasama niya ngayon. She still transparent as she was before. She knew she can never win mind games against me.

I'm not done yet, missy. I thought as soon as I meet her gaze.

"Ako? Hindi mo man lang ba ako ipapakilala sa kanya?" I challenged not erasing my smirk. I saw how her confidence she's projecting a while ago turned into uneasiness.

It was never my intention putting her in a situation like this pero wala din sa plano ko na magpatalo na lang ng ganon lang. I came all the way from New York at hindi ako bumalik para lang tumanggap ng pagkatatalo. I won't give up without putting up a damn fight!

I heard her clear her throat before smiling sweetly at me. That's my girl.

"Jayson, this is Althea, an old friend of mine." She said plainly.

What? Seriously?

I was shocked with what she said. Akala ko aaminin na niya ang totoo namin naging estado but I was wrong. At aaminin ko, I was a bit disappointed. I don't know what's going on inside her head but I won't make her feel she's got the upper-hand.

"Old friend? Really?" I revert, pushing the situation. I know I'm already at the brink of my death judging the way she looked at me. And I'm surprisingly enjoying it. Oh how I missed pissing her off. Besides, she looks so damn sexy when she's mad.

"Why? There's really nothing more than that, right?" She replied, not wiping that smile off of her face.

Now she's playing dumb and she's leaving me puzzled. I don't know what she's up to or if she had an amnesia that I'm not aware of but the way she react earlier, I'm sure walang nangyaring ganon. But it doesn't matter. If she wants to play like this, then bring it on.

"Are you sure? Gusto mong ipaalala ko sa'yo? You can have my whole day kung 'yun gusto mo." I mocked and keep pushing the wrong buttons.

"No, thank you. I don't have time for you and your non-sense." She said dismissively and what she said definitely cut a deep wound to my heart. I'm starting to feel agitated. Hearing her say those words na para bang wala na talaga kong halaga sa kanya hurts like hell. And what hurts more is that I have to pretend that I'm not affected by it.

This is all my fault.

This is what I got after I left without clearing things out. This should happen after kong umalis at magpadala sa galit at sakit na naramdaman ko noon. I've gone too far and she waited for too long. And now, all she feels for me was wrath and disgust. No more love and affection that was overflowing when we were still together.

Right now, I don't even know if there's even just a tiny chance rekindling what we had. Ako sure na sure akong siya lang. Siya lang ang gusto ko at mamahalin ko habang buhay. Willing akong lumaban kahit mag-isa lang ako. Ayoko ng mabuhay na punung-puno ng pagsisisi. Willing akong tanggapin na mamuhay mag-isa kung makikita ko naman na masaya na siya sa piling ng iba.

If our second chance meant to end things, and not for a happy ending, then I guess that's what I deserve.

We we're just staring at each other for quite some time now. Trying to read each other's mind and see if we can get answers to every question running through our heads. Kahit sabihin man niya o hindi, alam kong magulo din ang isip niya at alam kong hindi din nito gusto na dito na lang magtapos ang pag-uusap naming dalawa.

I was already preparing my tirade when Batchi and Abby came in between. Oh shoot! I totally forgot I was with them!

"Mga tsong, baka naman gusto niyong umawat muna. Gutom na kami ni Mahal eh." She said snaking her arm on my shoulder and trying to act cool. I know what she's doing and I'll thank her later dahil kung hindi pa siya sumingit, baka mas malala pa ang naging debate namin ni Jade.

"Thank you, Batch, pero paalis na din kami ni Jayson. May dinner din kasi with his family so baka naman ma-late kami if sumama pa kami sa inyo. Maybe next time?" Jade replied glancing at Batchi. I mentally raised my eyebrow because she's obviously trying to avoid us or rather, me.

"What? No, it's okay, Hon. Besides, pwede ko naman i-text si Mommy na male-late tayo mamaya kasi were gonna have to bond with your friends." Jayson answered. Nakita ko kung paano nagulat si Jade dahil sa isinagot ng bestfriend niya - Oo, bestfriend niya kasi hindi pa naman ako sumusuko para i-admit sa sarili ko na may boyfriend na siyang iba.

"A-Are you sure?" She said in a rather disbelief tone. And I know I should burn in hell for enjoying seeing her like this.

"Relax, Jade. Will just gonna have some snacks. Catch up lang. You know there's so much more to talk about." I chimed in which fumed her even more. If looks could kill, abo na lang ako ngayon.

"That's right, Hon. Don't worry, my family will understand." Jayson cooed after snaking his left arm on my girl's shoulder and giving her a kiss on her temple. I instantly turned my back to them as I clutch my fist to control my rising jealousy. Breathe in, breathe out.

"So saan tayo?" Abby asked.

"RK na lang. The usual hangout spot. Tsaka malilibre pa tayo nj Tsong kasi siya 'tong matagal nawala. Ayos ba?" Batchi asked at hindi ko alam kung nagtatanong pa ba siya or sinasabi lang niya sa'kin.

"No prob. It's all on me tonight." I replied making Batchi giggle. Nagdirediresto na din ako sa paglalakad at hindi na nag-abala pang tignan si Jade at Jayson.

I know hindi ko sila laging maiiwasan lalo pa at isa ako sa mga nag-agree sa bonding na 'to pero this is my only chance para mapalapit ulit kay Jade. Titiisin ko kahit masaktan man ako tuwing makikita ko siyang kasama na ng iba basta alam kong nandiyan siya, kakayanin ko.

This is only just the beginning and I'm ready for whatever may happen. This is what I want and there's now turning back now.

Get a grip, Althea. This is gonna be one hell of a ride.