Life After Lies

FOURTEEN: MIRROR

Alas-singko na at gusto na nya kong umuwi. Pero ayoko pa, I'm enjoying this, gusto ko syang makasama dahil iiwas na talaga ko pag katapos. Coz why not? This is bad for my health. And besides, wala na rin naman akong kailangan gawin dahil malinaw na naman na aware si Cleo sa ginagawa nya. Ako lang talaga itong nag alala ng sobra kaya bago pa lumala ng tuluyan ang nararamdaman ko ay kailangan ko nang dumistansya.

"Baka pagalitan ka na sa inyo," he said while looking at the lights na unti-unting nabubuhay.

"Sandali na lang, excited ka naman atang umuwi ako," I replied and faked my laugh.

"What are you saying?" he asked and paused for awhile before he continued. "Nag aalala lang ako baka mapagalitan ka sa inyo. Wag ka mag isip ng kung ano"

Kasalanan ko ba kung masyadong double meaning lahat para sakin? Gosh, this is confusing.

"What are you thinking?" he asked once again kaya napalingon ako at umiling.

Why do I have to feel like this? Masyadong mabilis, do I l-like already na? Gosh, no way.

"Eli, what’s wrong? Speak up what's on your mind"

I smiled at him bilang assurance. "I'm okay, Cleo. It's just that, I'm happy. Somehow, it feels good to stay here kapag ganitong oras"

"You're happy? Or you just left with no choice?"

Iniisip nya ba na iniisip kong di nya ko kayang dalhin sa magandang lugar? Gosh, kung alam lang nya na sobrang nakakasawa na sa mga malls.

"Honestly, yes. This is my first date— I m-mean, this isn't a date but—"

Hindi ko na natapos ang sasabihin ko nang unahan na nga ko. "This is a date. Just consider this as our first date then"

A-Ano? Date? Napa-awang ang bibig ko sa gulat. Nang makabawi ay agad kong iniwas ang tingin ko. It's getting late pero alam kong mahahalata pa rin ang namumula kong pisngi.

"A-About Noimie, are you gonna stay a-away from her?" mahinang sambit ko.

He looked at me intently and licked his lower lips before he nodded. "Sure, I will"

Tumango lang ako at umiwas ng tingin bago ibahin ang usapan. Baka mamaya ay isipin nya pa na gusto ko sya. N-No way.

"I-I'm wondering, how about t-the girl you like. Bakit hindi na lang ang i-date mo"

Di naman sa ayoko, I mean— gosh bakit ako?

He looked at me with amusement. "Masyado ka ata nag aalala sa babaeng gusto ko?"

"O-Of course! What do you think of me, other woman? No way," I spatted and rolled my eyes.

"Wanna know her?" he paused and smirk before he continued. "She's like you, volleyball player"