If I'm Not In Love

22

"Hinigit niya lang ako dito," sagot ko. 

Nico eyed his cousin for a few seconds then sighed. He looked at me with pitty in his eyes then held me on my shoulders. "Ihahatid na kita.." sabi niya.

Umiling ako habang hindi inaalis ang tingin kay Ethon. And without a word, I strode towards his direction and sat next to him. He didn't flinch nor didn't even bothered looking at his side.

"Did you know that when you start dragging someone into your life, you wouldn't be able to get rid of them out easily?" I asked then smiled.

Hindi siya sumagot at nanatiling nakapikit habang nakasandal ang ulo sa backrest ng sofa. He looked tired at parang may malalim na iniisip.

"Where's Troy, by the way?" biglang tanong ni Nico.

I gasped when I remembered what Troy said. Hinanap ko agad ang bag ko but unfortunately, I forgot it in his car. Tumingin ako kay Nico na nagtatakang nakatingin sakin.

"Problem?"

I nodded. "Nasa kotse niya yung bag ko"

"Magkasama kayo? Bakit hindi siya sumama papunta dito?" nagtatakang tanong ni Nico.

I told him what happened earlier. Kunut na kunot ang noo niya habang nagkukwento ako. Then, he handed me his phone after I finished elaborating.

"Call him.." sabi pa niya.

Kinuha ko agad sa kamay niya ang phone at mabilis na dinial yung number ni Troy. I don't need to scan Nico's contact though, memorized ko naman kasi ang number ni Troy pati ang telephone number nila sa bahay.

"Lala?" Tanong agad ni Troy pagkasagot niya sa tawag.

I smiled. Hindi pa man ako nagsasalita, alam na agad niya na ako ang natawag.

"Ako nga. Ang galing mo ah?"

I heard a sigh from the other line. "Nico will never call me," he said in a matter of fact tone.

I chuckled and looked at Nico who was watching me.

"Nasa kotse mo yung bag ko--"

"I know, that's why I'm here outside Nico's house. Bakit nga pala si Nico ang kasama mo, hindi si Ethon? I was expecting Ethan's unknown number would appear in my screen not Nico's"

Napatingin ako bigla sa katabi ko. I was surprised when I met his eyes. Hindi ko inaasahan na nakaayos na pala siya ng upo at nakatingin pa sa akin.

"Katabi ko," ang tanging nasagot ko.

Para akong nahypnotized ng mga mata ni Ethon. His brows were deeply furrowed while his eyes were looking intently at me.

"Lala.." I snapped a little nang marinig ko ang boses ni Troy sa kabilang linya.

I went back from my reverie and smiled sweetly at the staring Ethon while talking to Troy. Sobrang lakas ng kabog ng dibdib ko nang patayin ko ang tawag. Ethon suddenly looked away and went back to his position as he closed his eyes again. 

"You can go," sabi niya bigla, pero hindi ako natinag.

I sat beside him in silence for a few seconds until Nico came and interrupted us. Nilapag niya ang dala niyang beer sa center table at tahimik na naupo sa pang-isahang sofa sa gilid ko.

"Nasaan si Troy?" Tanong niya.

"Pinauwi ko na, bukas ko na lang kukuhanin yung bag ko"

Nico nodded saka inalok si Ethon ng beer, but the latter ignored him. Kinuha ko ang beer sa kamay ni Nico saka ko ito sapilitang inilagay sa kamay ni Ethon. Tumuwid bigla sa pagkakaupo si Ethon at nagtatakang tumingin sakin.

"You need it," I shrugged.

I saw Nico shook his head. "Lalasingin mo ba ang pinsan ko?" Nakakaloko siyang ngumisi sakin.

Umiling ako saka ngumiti pabalik bago ko binalik ang tingin kay Ethon. "In medical research says, alcohol serve as vitamins to our body. Just drink moderately nga lang. Kasi, sa lahat naman ng bagay, masama ang sobra." I shrugged.

Tahimik na uminom si Ethon. I was silently watching him while smiling hanggang sa mabilis niyang inubos ang beer at tumayo. Tumingala ako para makita ang ekspresyon ng mukha niya pero mabilis siyang nakarating sa may pintuan.

"Uuwi ka na?" Nico asked.

Ethon stopped midway then held the doorknob. Tinaas niya ang isang kamay niya without looking back saka tuluyan ng binuksan ang pinto at lumabas ng bahay. Narinig ko ang malakas na pagbuntong hininga ni Nico. Nakita ko pa siyang umiling saka tumigin sakin at tumayo, "Ihahatid na kita," offer niya.

Nagpahila na 'ko sa kanya hanggang sa makarating kami sa tapat ng kotse niya. Pero bago pa man maunlock ni Nico ang kotse, a honk of a car roared outside then the doorbell rang.

"May bisita ka," sabi ko kay Nico saka naglakad papunta sa gate.

Hindi ko na siya hinintay pa, binuksan ko na agad ang gate and I was surprised to see the person who was leaning timidly against the black sports car.