Air and Fire

09

Tinulak naman ni Fire si Alice nang bahagya kaya nagulat ang babae.

"Why?" nagtatakang tanong nito sakaniya. Umismid lamang si Fire.

"Oh, hello... What's your name again?" Wow, this girl is really getting into my nerve! Grabe!

"Oh, my name's not that important." Nag-display siya ng apologetic smile. Whatever, bitch.

"I'll go ahead." Kahit hindi pa ako tapos kumain, inayos ko na ang bag ko.

"No, don't go yet," pigil sa akin ni Fire at hinawakan ako sa braso. Really?

"What's the drama all about?" Tumawa pa ang babae. Yeah, are you enjoying this ba? 

"It's none of your business, Alice. Why are you here?" tanong ni Fire at tinignan ng malalim si Alice.

"You asking me that, really? You texted me yesterday, saying that we should meet today." Halos nabilaukan ako kahit wala namang laman ang bibig ko. 

Naramdaman kong mas humigpit ang hawak sa akin ni Fire.

"I told you to bring the files, Alice. Nothing more." Namilog ang bibig niya. Pero maya-maya ay tumawa. Kalma, Air. 

"In denial mode? What was it? Fire? Cool." Huwag kang sasabog, Air. Please, huwag. Tinignan ako ulit ni Fire at ginulo niya ang buhok niya.

"Leave the files at the table, and you can go." She giggled at ginawa ang gusto ni Fire.

"See you again soon." Then, she left. Ako naman ay nag-ayos na dahil walang-wala na ako sa mood.

"Love." He pulled me closer as he used his softest voice.

"Who are you calling love?" iritadong tanong ko.

"I'm sorry for that. Are you angry?" He cupped my face and looked straight into my eyes.

"No, I'm not. Why would I be angry?" Manhid talaga.

"You can check my phone if you have doubts on what I said to her." Nilabas niya ang phone niy

a. You know, I would want to check it, but no. I won't leave an impression that I don't have enough trust.

"No, no need." He rested his forehead on mine. Pinaglapit niya ang mga ito habang hawak pa rin ang mukha ko.

"Fire, huh?" may pait na sabi ko sa kaniya.

"So, you're angry love." Tinignan niya muli ako sa mata. "She saw my social media account."

"Told you. 'Tyaka hayaan mo na. Pangalan mo naman talaga iyon, eh." Pero siyempre, he told me that I was the only one who could use that, so it kind of stung, and I'm a bit bothered. 

"Pagsasabihan ko siya love. Sorry, I really am. I don't want you being uncomfortable."

"I'm not angry nor jealous, Fire! Why would I be?" Nagulat siya nang bahagya sa sinabi ko.

"Okay. If you say so." Umupo na ulit siya at kumain. Itutuloy ko ba ang pag kain ko?

"Can I go now?" paalam ko.

"Finish your food first." Umiling ako at kinuha ang bag ko.

"I'll go ahead." Ayaw kong magtagal muna roon. Gusto ko munang i-clear ang isipan ko sa lahat. Hindi ako galit, napipikon lang ako kasi every woman is a threat when it comes to Fire.

"Motherfucker. Bakit hindi niyo sinabi sa akin?" MIL ang subject namin ngayon at may surprise quiz.

"Gaga ka ba? Surprise nga e 'di ba!" pabulong, pero iritadong sagot ni Alein.