If I have Nothing (Absinthe Series 5)

Kabanata 14

"Where's Kuya Bo?" Tumabi ako sa kaniya sa paglalakad.

"He still have classes until 8 pm."

I looked ahead. Ngayon ay nasa parking na kami ng school. He got his key fob out of his pocket and went to a black pick up.

"This is my car. It's already unlocked so just open the door."

Sumunod ako sa kaniyang sinabi. I went to the other side of his car and opened it for myself. I know he could never be a gentleman to me. We don't definitely get along.

Inilapag ko ang aking bag sa aking kandungan habang ang kaniyang drawing tube ay inilagay ko sa back seat. The lemon fragrance of his car invaded my nostrils. Nang pumasok siya ay agad akong nagsuot ng seat belt.

Tahimik ang biyahe patungo sa kanilang bahay. I texted our driver that he need not to pick me up. Sinabihan ko rin si Mommy para hindi na siya mag-alala.

I didn't want to start a conversation with him, mukhang ayaw niya rin. I mean, ano bang sasabihin ko? Kahit ako ay nahihiyang ibuka ang bibig para magsalita.

"What time do you usually go home?" He asked all of a sudden as he stopped his car in the middle of the road. Naka-red ang stop light at may tumatawid sa pedestrian.

"Four-thirty, sometimes five, it depends if I have pending works to do."

"Wala ka ng pinupuntahang iba?"

Umiling ako. "I don't have a lot of friends so I don't really go out often after school. Diretso bahay ako."

"Boyfriend, then?" he pried. Nasulyapan ko ang pagtapon niya ng tingin sa akin.

"I don't have a boyfriend, if that's what you want to hear. I don't have time for those kind of things. Ikaw? I am sure you have a lot of them." Balik ko sa kaniya ng kaniyang tanong.

He looked at me sideways. Napalingon naman ako sa kaniya dahil mukhang matatagalan pa ang paghinto ng kaniyang kotse.

His grayish silver eyes bore into mine. Sumandal ang kaniyang braso sa ibabaw ng manibela habang ang isang kamay ay nanatili sa gear stick.

"No, I don't have a girlfriend." Agap niya at umayos ng upo.

"I doubt that." Umiling-iling ako at humalukipkip. I looked ahead to stare at the traffic light. Limang segundo na lang at pwede ng umusad ulit ang kaniyang kotse.

"You've had many relationships way back kaya alam kong hindi ka naman nauubusan ng babae. Come on, you don't have to deny it. It's only natural for you to have a girlfriend."

"But it's not natural to have girlfriend while I have a fiancee."

"Fiancee muna ako sa simula pa lang but it didn't stop you from having girls. What difference does it make now?" I pointed out.  Pinagtaasan ko siya ng kilay nang nilingon niya ako sandali. He then started driving.

"You're aware now. That's the difference."

"Hindi naman kita pagbabawalan kung may nagugustuhan kang babae." Narinig ko ang mahina niyang pagtawa sa aking sinabi. Kumunot ang aking noo.

"I don't cheat, Syden. If you want me to have a girlfriend while I am bound to you, I won't do it. I am not an asshole."

"You said it before that you are an asshole. Nagsinungaling ka sa akin?"

Umiling lang siya at nagtiim bagang. Hindi niya na ako pinansin hanggang sa makarating kami sa kanilang bahay. He parked his car outside of their house. Naisip kong baka hindi niya ipinasok dahil may pupuntahan pa siyang iba pagkatapos ng dinner na ito.