Distance Is Just A Number [Taglish]

Chapter 23

I raised my eyes and looked at Ryan. Well, I guess I have to admit that he's hot as well—boy-next-door type. He's that kind of guy who didn't need to put in a lot of effort to look charming. Natural yung charm niya and it oozed out of him and filled the room. And I guess the ladies seated on the next table felt that. Ito na din ang rason bakit ang sama nila tumingin sakin.

I flipped my hair and ignored them. From the corner of my eye, I saw Ryan smirk. He looked at the girls and smiled at them. At ang mga babae naman, kilig na kilig! Parang mga bulateng inasinan kung makagalaw sa mga kinauupuan nila.

"Don't mind them," Ryan told me.

Hindi ko narealize nakasimangot pala ako.

"Parang ngayon lang nakakita ng lalake eh."

Ryan's smirk widened.

"Baka ngayon lang nakakita ng gwapo, kamo."

"Gwapo? Asan?" Umacting pa kong shocked na shocked. Tumayo pa ako sa silya ko at umarteng hinahanap yung gwapo.

Ryan rolled his eyes.

"He's sitting right here, babe," sagot niya. At ang lokong to, nakisakay pa sa kalokohan ko!

"Parang hindi naman."

"Then you must be blind," he retorted with a huge grin.

Tumayo yung isa sa mga babae at lumapit sa table namin. She stood beside me but totally ignored me at the same time. Kay Ryan lang siya nakatingin. She smiled and leaned forward to showcase her non-existent cleavage.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Ryan and I almost snorted.

"Hi!" bati nung malandi.

"Hey," Ryan said.

"I'm Mae. And I was just wondering... Can I get your name and your number?"

Natahimik si Ryan for a few seconds. Then, he leaned forward and reached for my hand. Nagulat na lang ako nung hinawakan niya ako ng mahigpit. Tinignan din niya ako and his eyes held the message: just get along with it.

I shrugged.

"Sorry, I'm here with her," he answered and then jerked his chin toward me. Hindi ko na napigilang mangiti.

"Oh. Okay then, bye!" sabi nung babae. Tapos bumalik na siya sa table nila. Hindi nagtagal, umalis na din yung barkada nila. Sa kahihiyan siguro. Once they were gone, tinanggal ko agad ung kamay ko.

"Bakit? Ayaw mo sa kanya?"

It was Ryan's turn to shrug.

"Di mo type?"

Medyo matagal bago siya sumagot. "I don't like girls who are easy," sagot niya.

"Meaning?"

"Yung madaling makuha. Gusto ko yung paghihirapan ko. Yung may challenge."

"Why?"

He shrugged again. "Di ko din alam eh. That's just how it is," he replied.

Ang mga lalake talaga napakagulo. Sabi nila mga babae daw ang mahirap intindihin eh sila din kaya!

"So ano nga ba?" Ryan prompted.

"Alin?"

"About you and Reeve."

Ah yun pala. Hindi ko alam ano isasagot ko.

"Are you guys together?" tanong niya. He raised his hand, palm-up, and brought his index and middle finger together.

Napalunok na lang ako. Bakit biglang ang hirap huminga? Bakit feeling ko bigla akong nalagay sa hot-seat?

"Yeah," sagot ko. Yun lang ang nakayanan ng utak ko.