Paradox [BoybandPH]

n i n e

"Hey."

Just like that, I snapped out of trance.

Hindi ko alam kung gano katagal kaming nagkatinginan. Nakaramdam ako nang hiya when realization dawned upon me.

"H-hey. Sorry, bakit ka andito?" I asked him.

"Hindi ba sinabi sayo ni Neil?" I noticed na slang siya magtagalog. But not as much as Russell's.

"Hindi eh. Bakit? May nangyari ba? Is he okay?"

"Hindi, hindi. He asked me to drive you to the hospital, something happened with Tita and he said we'll just meet him there. So.." He trailed.

I badly wanna ask him what happened with Neil's mom but I chose not to. Baka makulitan na siya saken. I'd rather ask Neil instead. I invited him inside to grab something to eat, but he refused, di ko na rin siya pinilit at agad na lang kinuha yung sling bag and cardigan ko.

"Manang, alis na po kami." Paalam ko.

"Siya sige. Enjoy your date " Sigaw ni Manang. Hindi ko na lang pinansin ang mapanuyang tono nang boses ni Manang. Mabilis kong inayos ang buhok ko before completely closing the door.

I saw Joao leaning on his car, still looking busy on his phone. He didn't noticed me yet so I took the time looking at what he's wearing — nakapulang sweatshirt siya na tinupi hanggang siko, tattered-freaking-jeans, and black rubber shoes.

I snorted.

Still a bit too..  Ugh. I dunno. No comment.

Well, at least the car did justice for him. It's matte black. Kasing angas nang dating niya.

Wait, what?!

Umismid ako sa naisip ko. Before he catches me 'checking him out', I cleared my throat which effectively caught his attention.

"Let's go?"

***

"What?! What do you mean hindi ngayon ang therapy nang kuya mo?"

Wala na akong pakelam kung ano nang tingin saken ni Joao ngayon but I'm freaking upset!

Unang una, he woke me up from my deep slumber. Second, he ruined the rest of the day na dapat sana the time when I will binge on books and netflix and food. Pangatlo, nakakahiya sa kaibigan niyang nagsundo pa saken, na malamang naistorbo namin.

Nakakahiya na nakakakainis. Nakakairita si Neil. Bwiset.

"Babe, hindi ko talaga alam na nagbago na yung schedule ni Kuya. Sorry."

Neil apologized in his sweetest voice, but I knew better. Kung ibang araw pa nga 'to baka inasar ko pa siya sa pagtawag saken nang babe dahil ayaw na ayaw niya non. Pero naiinis talaga ako sa kanya.

"Sorry na, please."

Napatikhim ako. Sa sobrang dami kong gustong sabihin at isumbat sa kanya, walang lumabas sa bibig ko. Isa pa, ayoko nang dagdagan pa ang kahihiyan ko kay Joao dahil sa kapalpakan ni Neil.

I know it's unfair to be mad at him. I know how busy Neil is dahil sa trabaho niya sa café, kaya siguro di niya alam na nagbago na ang sched ng therapy.

I heard another sorry from him pero napabuntong hininga na lang ako. I don't wanna be hard on him and regret it afterwards.

"Fine, whatever. You better make it up, or else—"

Hindi pa ko natatapos ay narinig ko na lang si Neil.

"Sorry talaga, Sef. Sure na talaga yun next week. I promise."

"Ah. So Sef na lang ulit? Anong nangyari sa babe?" Pang-aasar ko sa kanya, making sure to emphasize babe.

I heard him groan and the laughter escaped from my mouth, pero bago pa siya magsalit ulit, binaba ko na yung phone.

Dun ko lang naalala ulit ang kasama ko sa sasakyan. Ginapang ulit nang kahihiyan sa katawan. Sinubukan kong sulyapan siya, he's just staring blankly ahead.

"Joao." I didn't mean it but my voice came out sweet, and it's embarassing. Too late to take it back. "Shit. Pano ko ba to sasabihin." I whispered. Akala ko talaga hindi niya narinig, napatingin na lang ako nang tumawa siya.

"Nah, it's fine. No need to explain. I think I've heard enough." He flashed a smile at me.

Shiz. Even his smile is charming.

What the hell, Sef? Charming, really? I cringed at the term I used.

"Sorry. Nakakainis. Gusto kong magalit sa kanya, but I can't." I crossed my arms. "Pero nakakainis, ngayon pa naman ang labas nang bagong season nung GOT."

Joao laughed at what I said.

"So, are you also one of the Jon Snow fangirls?" He raised an ayebrow. Well, honestly, I didn't peg him to be the type who watches Game of Thrones.

Napaka-judgemental ko, I know.

"Err.. No way. Danaerys ako." I proudly exclaimed.

"What are you? A lesbian?" Nakakunot ang noo niya nang tanungin yun but I played along.

"Yeah, why? May problema ba don? I mean, man, she's hot." Fudge, I sound like Russell. Ew.

"Seriously?" Joao asked, still surprised with the lesbian thingy. "Well, I can't argue with Emily Clarke being hot. But damn, girl. Really? You?"

Hindi ko na napigilan ang malakas na tawa ko. Talaga bang naniwala siya? Ano bang almusal nang isang to? Patola?

Lalo akong natawa sa sunod niyang sinabi.

"Shit. Akala ko Neil and you has a thing." He grimaced.

"Mas lalong hindi. That would be incest. We practically grew up together." I reasoned out.

"Whatever." He mumbled.

Sa sobrang tawa ko, halos sumakit na ang panga ko. Ni hindi ko nagawang bawiin ang sinabi ko and told him na hindi ako tomboy like what he was thinking. Natigil ako sa pagtawa ko nang magsalita ulit siya.

"Anyway, do you have any plans for today?"