If I'm Not In Love

39

Ethon chuckled and pinched my cheeks when he pulled away. “Goodnight, my soon-to-be girlfriend,” he said then went back to his car and drove away.

Natulala lang ako habang tinatanaw ang papalayong sasakyan niya. Nothing really registered to me after that kiss. Kaya hindi ako sigurado kung tama ba ang narinig ko.

“Soon to be girlfriend?” said someone as if saying my thoughts aloud.

Mabilis akong napalingon sa pinanggalingan ng boses. And there, I saw Troy leaning on my gate, crossing his arms over his chest while staring sternly at me. My lips parted then, at parang bigla kong gustong magpaliwanag sa kanya dahil feeling ko, I did something wrong and he caught me.

Nagkatitigan kami, pero hindi yun nagtagal dahil nauna siyang mag-iwas nang tingin at tinalikuran ako. “Get in. It's late already..” he said without glancing at me.

Tahimik akong pumasok nang gumilid siya para bigyan ako ng daan. I stopped right at the threshold and waited for him until he completely closed my gate.

“Kumain ka na?” tanong ko, dahil sigurado akong nandito lang siya sa bahay hanggang sa makauwi ako. “Anong kinain mo?” I added when he didn't respond at my first question.

Tinitigan niya lang ako na parang ini-inspect ang mukha ko. Then, he took some steps forward until he's standing right just in front of me. “Does his kisses better than mine?” he queried with a firm voice.

I don't know if its just me, o parang galit siya. He's never really get upset easily kaya nakakapagtaka kung anong kinagagalit niya ngayon? Dahil ba.. nakita niya yung kiss? The thought strangely did something in my system. I don't know what is it, pero sigurado akong hindi magandang pakiramdam yon. Shaking my head, I stared at him intently, “I.. didn't kiss back,” I said almost a whisper.

“Why?” tanong niya. Then, he touched my cheek and gently caressed it with his thumb, “Kinabahan ka?”

I slowly nodded habang titig na titig pa rin sa kanya. He's so handsome. Matagal ko ng alam na gwapo siya pero ngayon ko lang talaga na-appreciate nang mabuti ang itsura niya. No wonder, Melissa likes him. And who knows if there are girls in our classes who are secretly crushing on him? Hindi ko naman kasi talaga pinagtutuunan nang pansin ang paligid ko.

Sighing, I turned around and finally entered inside. I should be rejoicing now after that day, but here I am, overthinking things na hindi naman dapat.

Nagpaalam akong magpapalit ng damit. Mabilis akong tumakbo paakyat ng hagdan at inilock ang kwarto ko. Slumping my body on my bed, I heaved a long breath and shut my eyes.

What is happening to me?

Sa mga ganitong situation, agad kong kinakausap si Troy para ipapaliwanag kung anong eksaktong nangyayari sakin. Because seriously, parang mas kilala niya ko kaysa sa sarili ko. But how can I do that now, kung siya mismo ang involved sa mga iniisip ko?

I groaned and stood up.

Mabilis akong nagpalit ng damit at nagtanggal ng make-up. Balak ko nga sanang maligo pero ayokong paghintayin nang matagal si Troy sa baba. I just washed my face and brushed my teeth then, saka ako nakuntento at bumaba na.

“Wala ka bang balak umuwi?” bungad na tanong ko nang makita ko siya sa kitchen, nagluluto ng kung ano. “Hindi ka pa kumakain?” I raised my eyebrows.

Tumingin siya sakin at umiling, “I was waiting for you.. ” simpleng sagot niya.

Biglang napakunot ang noo ko, “Bakit? Ini-expect mo ba na hindi ako nakakain ng maayos?”

“Hhm,” he quickly responded.

Napatitig ako sa kanya and eventually, napatawa na rin. “Sa Manila hotel niya ko dinala. And he ordered all my favorites, Troy. Matatanggihan ko ba yun?” natatawang tanong ko.