"Pat," he greeted me with a smile as soon as I stepped out of the auditorium.
"Yes?" I answered awkwardly.
Nakatayo siya sa tabi ng pinto at naghihintay. Tumingin ako sa paligid ngunit mag-isa lang siya at walang ibang kasama.
"Can we talk?" he asked, his face and tone dead serious.
"We are already talking," sagot ko naman sa kaniya.
"No, it's . . . it's about Aubrey. Please, can we . . . talk? Diyan lang sa coffee shop sa labas. It won't be long, I promise," he stammered, sounding like he was really nervous. "I just desperately need your help. Hindi ko na alam kanino pa lalapit."
After all that they have done, hindi ko alam kung saan siya kumukuha ng lakas ng loob na kausapin ako. I want to refuse him but he looks like he's about to have a panic attack.
Besides, I have already moved on and I don't want my past to dictate my future. Wala naman sigurong mawawala kung makikinig ako sa kung ano man ang gusto niyang sabihin.
I let out a sigh and just nodded at Justin to let him lead the way. At the back of my mind, I couldn't help but feel a bit worried for Aubrey. Justin looks really troubled, so it must be something serious.
When we arrived at the coffee shop a block away from school, Justin ordered coffee for the both of us and we settled on a table in the far corner.
"What is it?" I asked, waiting for him to speak as I sipped on my drink. He got me Café Americano kahit wala naman akong sinabi. Hanggang ngayon, hindi niya pa rin nalilimutan ang paborito kong kape.
He heaved out an exasperated sigh and stared defeatedly at his cup. "Aubrey and I are living together," he blurted out.
Oh. Okay.
I wasn't expecting that.
For one, they are still students. And second, I had no idea they were super serious. They haven't even celebrated their first anniversary yet! Hindi ko alam kung dapat ba akong matuwa o mag-alala para sa kanila.
"And you're telling me this, because?" I asked, not really sure what their living arrangement has to do with me.
"Do you still remember Aubrey's 18th birthday? Iyong tinanong siya nina Mr. and Mrs. Chua kung anong gusto niyang regalo? Kahit ano, ibibigay raw nila. Pero wala pa siyang maisip, kaya sabi niya saka na lang?" he asked.
Of course, I remember. Balak pa nga ni Aubrey no'n na humingi ng kotse. Kaso sabi niya sa akin, malungkot daw 'yon kung hindi na kami magkakasabay na pumasok. Kaya kahit na gustong-gusto na niyang magkaroon ng sarili niyang sasakyan ay hindi niya 'yon hiningi.
"She asked for a condo unit from her dad. Do'n kami nakatira ngayon," Justin went on.
Okaaay. She chose a condo unit instead of a car. That still doesn't explain what the hell he needs from me.
"But here's the thing, Pat. Her parents don't know that I'm also staying in the condo with her. Ang alam nila, mag-isa lang si Aubrey. That she just wanted some space to call her own—"
"Let me guess, nahuli kayo?" singit ko.
Knowing them, that's most probably what happened. Nahuli ko rin kasi sila noon because that's just how reckless they are.
Justin just bobbed his head up and down before looking at me sheepishly, as if apologizing for the time I caught them both.
"Haha, and then what happened?" I asked, amused.
Aubrey's parents are very protective of her—especially her dad. She's the only child at babae pa siya. No one could blame them for always looking out for her.
20: Café Americano
Start from the beginning
