If I'm Not In Love

21

"Saan tayo pupunta?" I asked confused.

Hindi naman ako nag-aalala sa curfew since si Troy naman ang kasama ko. Alam kong alam ni Mama to, nakatatak na kay Troy na dapat ireport kay Mama lahat ng ginagawa at mga pinupuntahan ko and I know he told her his plan with me ahead bago ko pa malaman. That's why Mama trusted me to him that much.

"Sa airport. Susunduin si Mel," he answered.

I smiled instantly. Troy wasn't very vocal with his feelings. He's more on action kasi. You'd just know that he cares when he made an effort for you. He never say he liked something, instead you'll just know it if he keeps on asking or looking for it. Kaya alam ko, na isa to sa mga moves niya for Melissa. I just hope, he's feelings will be reciprocated. Of course, I'm his best friend kaya I want what's best for him.

"Why don't you tell her about your feelings?" I suggested.

His brows furrowed. "What about my feelings?" he asked, eyes were focused on the road.

I crossed my arms over my chest then pouted. "You like her, right?"

"I do," he immediately replied.

"Then tell her!"

He shook his head, "Alam na naman niya yun," sagot nito.

I gasped and stared at him unbelievably.

"You confessed already?!" I exclaimed.

"No"

I frowned, "What?"

He smirked. That infamous smirk again.

"I love you are the only three words I would confess, therefore, confessing my feelings was reserved only for a person whom I love the most, Lala," he said in a serious voice.

Napatitig ako saglit sa kanya. I didn't know what to feel right after hearing it from him, it was so intensed at ramdam na ramdam ko yung pagkaseryoso ng sinabi niya and it rendered me speechless.

"Gutom ka na ba?" he suddenly asked.

Biglang kumulo ang tyan ko kaya nagturo agad ako kung saan kami kakain. Hindi mawala sa isip ko yung sinabi niya. I know he's a great guy like Tito and Kuya Trystan. Those two are very faithful and loyal to their partners. Both only had one girlfriend and later became their wives. I admired them for that but upon hearing those words from Troy makes him become greater than his father and brother. Ang lakas ng impact. For sure, sobrang swerte ng taong mamahalin niya.

"Anong iniisip mo?" tanong niya pagkahila niya sa buhok ko.

I smiled widely at him "Iniisip ko lang na sobrang swerte ng mamahalin mo," sagot ko. "Ipakilala mo agad sakin a?"

He chuckled. Hindi siya nagpromise, pero alam ko na yung sagot. Hindi kasi siya mahilig magpromise, ginagawa na kasi niya bago pa niya sabihin.

"Bakit ikaw ang susundo kay Melissa?" Tanong ko pagbalik namin sa sasakyan after kumain.

"She asked me to," maiksing sagot ni Troy.

Hindi na ulit ako nagtanong pa. Alam ko naman na madalas silang mag-usap pero nagtataka lang ako kung bakit hindi sila sabay ni Ethon na umuwi since siya naman ang reason ni Ethon kaya siya sumunod sa Hongkong.

"She said she wants to talk to you when she arrived"

Kumunot ang noo ko, "Tungkol saan daw?" tanong ko.

Troy shrugged. Tahimik na kami hanggang sa makarating kami sa airport. We've waited for her arrival. Tumitig ako sa kanya. Her aura doesn't look happy, parang hindi siya galing sa bakasyon, siguro dahil sa pagod sa paggagala hindi dahil sa jetlag dahil four hours lang naman ang byahe.

"You looked gloomy," I commented paglalapit niya samin.

Tipid siyang ngumiti sakin saka ako niyakap. I hugged her back tapos si Troy naman ang niyakap niya. Medyo natagalan pa nga ang yakapan nila, but I didn't mind.

"Let's go," yaya ni Melissa.

Troy carried her luggage and walked ahead. Susunod na sana ako nang hawakan ni Melissa ang braso ko. Kunut noo ko siyang tiningnan.

"Can I asked you something?" tanong niya.

I tilted my head, "Oo naman. Ano yun?"

Huminga muna siya ng malalim saka tumingin sa direksyon ni Troy. Sinundan ko ang tingin niya at nasalubong ko ang titig ni Troy. He looked so serious from afar. Parang yung klase ng tao na mukhang intimidating at hindi basta basta pwedeng i-approach.

"About him," sabi ni Melissa ng hindi inaalis ang tingin kay Troy.

"Troy?" I asked confused.

She nodded then stared at me.

"Do you like me for him?"

The question did not quickly sink in pero nung naabsorb na ng utak ko kung ano ang ibig niyang sabihin, halos mapunit na yung labi ko sa lawak ng ngiti ko.

"Why? You like him too?!" I asked excitedly.

Melissa looked shocked pero nagawa niyang tumango. I squealed and held her hands. Hindi ko na napigilan ang excitement ko.

"Ofcourse I like you for him!" I exclaimed.

She smiled timidly then hugged me again. I was too happy to realize na nakalapit na ulit samin si Troy.

"Girls.." he said.

I pulled away. Then gave Troy a wide smile. He scowled at me then lightly pulled my hair.

"Why are you smiling like that?" he asked.

I shook my head but my smile didn't waver.

"Let's go," I said. This time, ako na ang naunang maglakad sa kanila papunta sa parking lot.

Pinanood ko silang dalawang maglakad papalapit sa sasakyan. Bagay na bagay sila. Maganda kasi si Melissa saka mabait at achiever pa, no doubt Ethon fell for her. Kaya hindi na ako masusurprise if one day, Troy would confess to her. Hindi pa siguro ngayon, but eventually it will happen.

"You're creeping me out," sabi ni Troy habang nakatingin sa rearview mirror.

Nakaupo kasi ako sa backseat at hinayaan si Melissa na maupo sa shotgun. Hindi naman ako territory type na tao at hindi porke't best friend ako ni Troy, aangkinin ko na yung shotgun seat. I don't have any right to do that, best friend lang naman ako.

"Huh? Bakit naman?" inosenteng tanong ko.

Umiling siya saka pinanliitan ako ng mata, "Kanina ka pa ngiti ng ngiti. What is it?" tanong niya.

Napalingon ako kay Melissa na sa bintana lang nakatingin. Then I pouted at Troy. Hindi naman dense si Troy kaya alam kong nagets niya agad ang ginawa ko. He shook his head vigorously then grinned. Hindi ko masabi kung ako lang ba or may something sa ngisi niya. It doesn't seem good to me na parang may hindi siya nagugustuhan or he's just starting to get irked because of the traffic. Isa kasi sa mga dahilan kaya tamad magdrive si Troy ay dahil sa traffic. He doesn't have enough patience for it.

"May dadaanan ba muna tayo?" tanong ni Troy nang sa wakas umandar na din ang sasakyan.

Melissa shook his head nang hindi pa rin inaalis ang tingin sa daan.

"Ihatid niyo na lang ako sa bahay. I'm sorry but I want to rest, I'm tired," sabi niya.

We both understood. Galing siya sa bakasyon of course pagod siya kaya hindi na kami nagtanong pa. Hinatid namin siya sa bahay nila but my heart sunk when I saw Ethon standing in front of their gate. Leaning against his car while playing with his key and fob.