Paradox [BoybandPH]

t w e n t y - f i v e

It was the sunlight coming from my window that somehow woke me up from my slumber, I blindly reached for anything to cover my face but failed.

Almost immediately, my eyes flew open when I realized that I still have shift today.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck." Bulong ko sa sarili habang nagpapanic, halos hindi ko na alam anong uunahin ko.

Nagmadali akong magshower. Kinuha ko ang unang madampot ng kamay ko sa aparador at nagbihis na agad-agad. I didn't bother puting on too much make-up, "Sa sasakyan na lang." I whispered to no one but myself.

Saktong paglabas ko, naabutan ko si Manang na nagwawalis sa sala.

"Oh, may pasok ka pala ngayon? Anong oras na ah?"

I bit my tongue to stop myself from talking. I tend to be sarcastic and irritated easily sa sitwasyon na ganito. And I will never do that to Manang, of all people.

"Mag almusal ka muna bago ka umalis." Dagdag niya pa, habang sinusuot ko ang sapatos ko.

"Manang, nagmamadali na po—"

"Aba Stephanie, hindi pwede. Magbaon ka kung gusto mo, kainin mo sa sasakyan, hindi pwedeng di ka mag-almusal."

Shit. Oo nga pala, anong sasakyan ko?

Just when I was about to open my Uber app, we heard a honk from outside. Somehow I felt relieved knowing Dad must have called Tristan to drive me to the café dahil alam niyang late na 'ko nagising.

But imagine my surprise nung nakita kong hindi si Tristan yun.

Freaking hell!

How can anyone still looked so manly even when wearing a floral button-down polo over an orange shirt? I personally don't like the color but he pulled off the look so well that I almost embarassed myself for staring too much. And oh boy, that freaking sunnies.

Nanlaki ang mata ko because the next thing I knew, he's wearing a smug smirk as he walks towards me.

Shit.

I squinted my eyes to cover my embarassment, and made a face.

Nagmadali akong kunin yung bag ko pati na ang hinandang sandwich ni Manang.

"Manang, mauna na po ako!"

I didn't wait for her response and eagerly went outside.

Kasi, hello, malilate na 'ko.

"San punta mo?"

Scrunching my eyebrows, I replied, "Café. Ihahatid mo 'ko diba?"

"Ha? Sino sabi?"

I find myself frozen. I'm positive I'm blushing, I can seriously feel my cheeks burning. Okay, I seriously need to Google tips on 'how not to embarass yourself' mamaya.

Hay nako, Stephanie.

Nag-iisip pa lang ako ng magandang palusot nang marinig ko siyang tumawa. Yung as in tawang hawak-tiyan. I just stared at him blankly 'til he calms himself.

Asshole.

"I- I was just kidding. Oh my god. Your face." Not long enough, he started laughing again.

Namumula pa din yung mukha ko sa sobrang hiya kaya hinayaan ko siyang pakalmahin ang sarili niya at nauna na 'kong pumasok sa sasakyan. I don't care if that's a prank or not, ihahatid niya ko ngayon.

Pakiramdam ko wala nang natirang hiya sa katawan ko, kaya bakit ko pa aantaying pagbuksan niya 'ko ng pinto?

Just few seconds later, I can see him wiping his imaginary tears and walking towards the car. I shifted awkwardly, not knowing what to do. But when I suddenly looked at him, he was cheekily smiling at me while gesturing a peace sign.