Red Strings

08

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Is that your friend?" I looked back at Annika.

"Yeah," Sambit niya. "What's with your face? You know him?"

Oli was walking towards us. Annika raised her hand for a sign, kumaway naman si Oliver.

"Hey," Bati ni Oliver, nakipagbeso kay Annika. Bumaling naman siya sa akin.

"Woah? You two are friends.." Sambit niya ng mapansin ako.

"Yeah, we both do modeling, anyway, magkakilala kayo?"

He nodded. "His cousin is my bestfriend." Sambit niya. Annika pulled a chair beside her and I looked like a third-wheel here.

We talked about a few topics. I don't know but I think at some point Oliver is hitting on Annika. Annika always had flings and never serious relationships, kaya baka isa lang rin 'to sa mga fling niya. But if she said he's a friend, then a friend it is.

We are continuing to eat when someone entered again. HIndi ko alam bakit lagi ko ba pinupuna ang pinto, like I'm waiting for someone to come in. This is obviously not a private place for us so I don't need to check every time who's entering. Hindi ako lumingon ngunit muntikan ko ng mabuga ang kinakain when I saw Samuele and Azra across our table.

They are together again! at nakita ko na naman sila sa parehas na resto na kinakainan namin.

"Oh! That's Samuele!" Puna ni Annika. Kakaway na sana siya but I stopped her, I don't want him to notice that we're here unless nakita na niya ng pagkapasok nila.

"and who's he with?" Tanong ni Annika.

"That's Azra, kapatid ng girlfriend ni Alex." Sagot ni Oliver.

Azra was like almost a part of their group kaya siguro madalas na sila magkakasama. Malamang si Samuele ay palagi na rin sinasama ni Azra.

"She looks like.. she's the girlfriend," Annika look at me. "Last time I checked, he rarely date. Sila ba, Oli?"

Oliver shrugged. He's bluffing. Nang magkita kami sa mall and they talked about Azra siya ang unang nanghula na magjowa sina Azra saka Samuele.

For the second time, I ignored them again. Tinapos ko ang kinakain ko without saying a word. Annika and Oliver are talking nonstop. Nang matapos hindi na nag-abala mag restroom, I don't want to disturb them when Ade notices me.

"Uuwi ka na?" Tanong ni Annika when I was already fixing my bag. I nodded.

"Hatid na kita," Oliver offered.

"Uh.. No, Magtataxi nalang ako pauwi saka after that Alex and I are going home to Bulacan."

"Are you sure?" Oliver made sure again of that offer. I nodded and smile. Kalmado ako habang patayo, ayokong isipin nila na nagpapanic ako dahil kila Samuele.

I waved to them and Annika mouthed take care. I book a ride since it's hard to to get a taxi from here. Mas demand pala ang ganon dito.

I waited in other place away from there. If ever Samuele saw me, I don't want him to drive me home.

Nang nakauwi ako I saw Alex inside of my condo already. Kumakalikot ng kung ano sa kitchen, he's probably cooking. He's acting like he knows where the things are.