Escaping Strings

Chapter 21: Give

“What?” I said with a very confused face.

Magtatanong pa sana ako, but my phone rang and I quickly answer it. Damn, not to be rude, but it is Matthew.

“Excuse me.... Hello, Matt?”

“I'm out. Are you done? Want me to fetch you?” he lively asked.

I look at Vince before I face the riverside, “No, just rest. I'll be home soon.”

“Are you busy? Where are you?”

“The event was done and I am just talking to....” Do I have to tell him?

“Who? Is it serious? Nakaiistorbo ba ako sa inyo?”

“Of course not, nothing serious. Just a small talk with ... Vince,” I said.

Now, what? I hear nothing but silence.

“Babe? You still there?”

Dapat ba ay hindi ko na lang sinabi? Why am I worried? Dammit, Matt! Why are you making me care about how you will be feeling that much?

“You have nothing to worry, babalik na ako ng Manila,” I said as I stood up straight in front of Vince.

“Babe,” Matt calls up.

“Yes, babe?”

“I love you,” he utters.

I don't know, but suddenly, I felt something inside of me and I don't have an idea of what exactly it was. I just found myself smiling to what he said before I speak.

“I know.” I took a very quick glance to Vince before I reply, “I love you too.”

Tss, bakit bigla akong nainis nang mag-end 'yung call? Hindi ko na kasi naririnig ang boses niya at balik na naman ang focus ko rito sa kausap kong... ano ba 'to?

“So, you have a boyfriend now, huh?” he asked, giving me a bitter smile.

“Kailan pa?”

“That's none of your business,” I hissed. “I have to go.”

“No!” he pulled my arm. “You ain't going nowhere.”

“What the heck?” Hinila ko ang braso ko saka humarap nang diretso sa kaniya, “Ano ba, Vince? Alam mo ba kung anong ginagawa mo?” Lalapit ka pa talaga ah!

“Tin naman—”

“Vince,” I said firmly while closing my eyes. “Stop. Just stop the fuck hangga't kaya pa kitang patawarin.”

I turn my back.

“Baby....” Damn you, Vince! You are not my father to call me like that!

I rode my car and I wanted to shout the fuck out of me in pissed. Gosh! What kind of bullshit is this? Pauso lang? Tangina, dapat sinabi niyo nang nakapag-prepare naman ako. Eh, 'di sana nagpauso rin ako at nabigyan ko siya ng isang malakas na sipa sa bayag niya. Dios mío, Marimar! Pusang ina lang talaga. Argh! Calm down, Martina Fortalejo, baka magka-wrinkles ang face mo. Jusko, 'di ko kakayanin iyon. Leche lang talaga. Ikaw kaya ang halikan? Bwisit. Bwisit. Bwisit. Teka, naiiyak ako. Ano ba 'to? Damn it! Huhu, ang babaw naman ng luha ko! Bakit gan'to? Hindi naman ako iyakin ah? Tang inis lang.

It's 08:07 PM and all I wanted is to go home, but fuck! Kailangan kong pagdaanan ang kalupitan ni Epifanio de los Santos, ang dakilang avenue! Matthew, huhu! Wait, ano na namang drama 'to? Bakit naiiyak na naman ako nang maalala ko si Mateo? Jusko ah... ayaw ko ng mga dramang ganito! Matthew Mondragon!