"Bakit ka nandito?"
Agad akong napatingin kay Anica na nakataas ang kilay sa 'kin. I fixed some of the strands of her hair that covered her face. I rolled my eyes when she raised her brows again waiting for my answer. She gave me my order, It was a oreo frappucino without espresso.
"I'm craving for this.." I lied when I looked at my order.
She didn't buy my answer and just raised her brows again "Bakit gan'yan outfit mo? Miracle? Ang pagbabago?" She sarcastically asked.
I'm wearing a simple maroon t-shirt and a levis jeans partnered with my chunky boots. I held my small bag strap before giving her a playful smile. I was wearing a simple makeup too... just a red liptint and cheek tint also a powder.
"I just want.." I simply said and turned my back.
"Mama mo want..." she mocked.
Actually, I was here because of Magen. I know that he's here. I sat at the vacant chair and table. I put my elbow on the top of table as I stare at Magen's office. Simula ng lumabas siya ng unit niya at iwan ako sa loob ay hindi kona siya nakita. Kaya pumunta ako dito. It's already 12:32pm and I'm here craving myself for some of foods that I can't eat.
"Hoy, ba't ka nandito? Angas mo naman!" Chave sat infront of me. "...and what's with that outfit?" Pertaining to my outfit.
I just rolled my eyes and take off my gaze on his annoying face, full of playful expression.
"Uy... one spoiled brat is here because she can't eat lunch. I think her handsome cousin didn't cook for her that's why----"
I didn't finish his useless words. I stood up and sat at another vacant sit. Of course Chave's followed me!
"Can you please give me a peace of mind?" I asked seriously.
I hate loud places! Ewan, naiirita ako kapag maingay unless it was a party! Hindi ba siya marunong manahimik? I mean, kalalaki niyang tao ang daldal niya.
"Can you please give me a peace of mind?" He mocked while making face.
I took a deep breath and force myself to calm down. I don't want to shout at him especially there's many people here. I don't want to embarrassed him and myself.
"Magen is not here..." he said out of boredom.
Agad akong napaayos ng upo at pinakatitigan siya. He just shrugged and stood up and walked towards Anica, in counter. I even watched him flirt with some girls who approached him. Parang proud na proud pa siya dahil maraming nanlalandi sa kaniya. Well, Chave pa ba! My eyes drifted at my phone when my phone ring and my dad's number is on the screen. I immediately take the call.
"Hello, Dad.." I greeted first.
I heard the sound of flipping papers. Umaayos ako ng pagkakaupo at mariin na lang na tiningnan ang kuko ko.
"Hello, Poe. I just want to check on you. It's been a days since you leave here and you didn't even call us. Your Mom is so stubborn she wants you to go back here," the sadness wrapped his tone.
I immediately felt guilty "Dad... I'm fine and I'm sorry for not calling you. By the way, I already have a job..." I inform him.
I heard his disappointed sighed "You must handle our restaurant, Poe. I'm going at Canada next week and your Mom don't want to look at our restaurant here in Philippines. Ikaw na lang ang maasahan ko. I need someone who can stay at our restaurant. Don't worry here in Manila branch lang..." he said.
"Hindi pa ako pro, Dad. You know that---"
"Hindi ka matututo kung hindi mo susubukan, Poe."
Agad akong natahimik dahil sa sinabi niya. I know how they want me to handle our restaurant that is why they want me to take a course related on business.
"Just next week, Dad. I don't want to continue it when you go back here. I'm not yet ready.." I sighed and sipped my oreo frappucino.
"Really?! Alright! Bye! Bawal na magbago isip mo!" And he hanged up.
Siguro feeling niya magbabago pa ang isip ko kaya binabaan na niya ako ng tawag. I just took a deep breath and roamed my gaze inside this cafeteria. The customers is now uncountable. Some of them are a couple but most of them are students who's busy talking to their friends and doing their schoolworks. I decided to text Magen. I don't want to disturb him too much so I'm just going to ask where is he.
To: Babe
Where are you? I'm here at your Cafeteria.
I stare at my phone, I know that he will never reply! Agad akong napaayos ng upo ng makita na nagpark ang sasakyan ni Magen sa gilid nitong Cafeteria. It was a glass wall so I can see it properly. Right now, he's wearing a white button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled to the elbows partnered with his gray trouser and white loafers. He looks fresh and clean. He combed his hair using his fingers before pushing the glass door. I saw how his jaw clenched when he looked at the screen of his phone. Bahagya niyang nilibot ang paningin dito sa loob. When our eyes met I immediately give him a puppy eyes and sweet smile.
He just ignored me and go inside his office. Napanguso ako habang tinititigan ang pinto niya na sumara. Heartless. I irritatedly look at my phone when it's vibrated. Pero agad rin na nawala ang inis at napalitan ng saya ng makita kung sino ang nagtext.
Is this a miracle?!
From: Babe
Go inside of my car and wait for me.
My brows furrowed, napalunok pa ako bago tingnan ang sasakyan. I nodded even I know he can't see.
To: Babe
Alright, by the way where are we going? Date?
Agad akong tumayo, I fixed the strap of my small bag and held my oreo frappucino properly. I looked at Anica to say goobye but she's busy with her customers. When I pushed the glass door the cold air embraced my body. It's hot but the air is so cold. Parang Magen ang galawan.
"He smell so good!"I shouted inside the car when his perfume filled my nose.
His car is very simple... very clean. I can't see anything like a small picture frame, even some keychains or design! He's very simple! I didn't try to touch anything because I don't want! Baka magalit pa siya at mabugahan ako ng apoy.
Agad ako napaayos ng upo ng makita siya. He's talking at Anica and maybe telling something about the cafeteria. I saw how the customers looked at him like he was a guy that distinguised by his great charisma. Well, he is.
What is wrong with Phoebe? Why she can't say yes to a guy like Magen?! He is almost perfect!
"Where are we going, Babe?" I asked sweetly when he entered his car.
He gave me a bloodshot eyes and cold aura. Yeah, I better shut up! He didn't intend to respond on what I asked! He just put his seatbelt and started the engine.
His side profile looks like a perfect sculpture parang walang angle ang mali at hindi maayos ang pagkakaukit.
"Cavite..." he simply said reason why my eyes widened.
"Cavite?!" I shouted.
Saglit niyang tinakpan ang tainga niya at masama akong tiningnan. I just pouted, he just nodded boredly when gave me a quick glance.
"Why? Anong gagawin natin do'n? For sure we will spend our 2 hours or more because of traffic! Why are we going there? Don't tell me.... meet the parents?! Agad agad?!" I panicked asked.
He sighed "Shut up..." and that's a death trap for me.
I just shut my mouth and nodded. Shut up, okay?
"I need to meet someone..." he said casually.
Agad akong napatingin sa kaniya. He looks serious... and problematic? I'm not sure but he was always like this..
"Who? Your parents?"
"It's none of your business..." mabilis niyang sagot.
I bit my lower lips and nodded. That's it, I'm just his secret girlfriend and I force him to try this relationship to work. I'm not allow to ask him a question because it was not my business for him. Nanghihina kong sinandal ang ulo ko sa bintana. I looked at yhe buildings surrounds us.
"Did you eat?" He asked.
I shook my head and sipped my oreo frappucino. I sighed, kinuha ko ang cellphone ko. I place my drinks on the window side and take a picture.
"Why?" He asked seriously using his manly baritone voice.
I just shrugged and posted the picture on my instagram account. I just put a coffee emoji as a caption. I looked at Magen.
"What the hell?!" He hissed when I was about to take a picture of him.
My brows furrowed "Don't worry! I'm not going to take a picture of your handsome face! just your outfit and the steering wheel also the gearshift lever!"
Hinihingal kong tinapat sa kaniya ang camera ng phone ko. I clicked it for three times.
"Why are you mad?"he asked.
Inis ko siyang tiningnan "I'm not mad!"
He sniffed "Why are you shouting?"
"I'm not shouting!"
He didn't say a words anymore. I shyly turned my back to him. I saaid that I'm not mad and shouting but I did! I sipped my drinks, naubos ko na dahil sa sobrang kaba.
I was about to post his picture but my eyes widened when I saw what he posted. It was me! Wearing a simple maroon shirt and a levis jeans. Kitang-kita pa ang brand dahil bahagya akong nakatalikod. I was holding my drinks. Hindi kita ang mukha ko just my outfit. I looked at Magen, he doesn't care at all. Parang walang nangyari but my lips parted when I saw his caption it was "Still mad"
Hindi ko alam pero agad kong nakagat ang labi ko dahil sa kilig. Ako lang ang pinost niya. He doesn't have any post! It takes me almost a minutes before going back to the normal state.
I posted his photo too and caption it "Not anymore" omg.... ang landi.
"What do you want to eat?" He asked.
I looked at him "Magen..." I answered bravely.
His brows furrowed not understand what I said "Ano?"
"I want to eat.... Magen,"
He nodded innocently " Yeah, That's why I'm asking you. What do you want to eat?" He continued.
I laughed because of what he said. Snail!
"Nevermind..." I rolled my eyes.
Nanliit ang mata niya na binalingan ako. He raised his brows "I'm asking..." he said without mercy on his tone.
I lifted my head and looked around. Bahagya pa akong nag-isip. I'm not hungry and I don't have any appettite.
"I'm not hungry..." I said honestly as I sit properly.
He gave me a quick glance before clenching his jaw "You need to eat," his husky and serious voice filled my ears as if it was a music.
I stare at him, his jawline highlighted because of his side profile. Maybe he's a God's favorite? Grabe! He looks perfect! He slowly put his elbow on the side of the window before playing his lips using his left index finger. He touched and fixed some strands of his hair.
"Staring is rude," he exclaimed and smirked like a monster because he really destroy my energy.
I take off my gaze at him. I felt like my cheeks turn into a color red one! My chest beeps so loud and right now I'm sure that it's the one who filled my ears.
"Where do you want to eat?" He asked.
I shook my head "I said I'm not hungry..."
"I said you need to eat,"
I didn't say a word, I just leaned my head on the windows and stare at some of vehicles passing by. I irritatedly looked at Magen when he put down the window car.
"What the--"
He cut my words immediately "I'm asking you pero hindi mo 'ko pinapansin," his calmly voice made me froze.
"Nakakainis ka kasi!" Inis kong sigaw.
Napahawak ako ng mahigpit sa small bag ko. I was looking at him irritatedly. He stare at me with disbelief!
"W-what?" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong niya.
Napahinto ang sasakyan niya dahil sa traffic light. I bit my lower lips and trying my luck. No, he can't sue me because of what I said.
"Nakakainis ka, paulit-ulit! I said I don't want to eat," pahina ng pahina ang boses ko habang nag-iiwas ng tingin.
"Why are you mad?"
I sighed "I'm not mad.."
He shook his head not believing what I answered "You are mad..." it's not a question anymore because it was a statement.
"I said I'm not mad!" Feeling ko napuputol na ang pagtitimpi ko.
His eyes widened with disbelief! "Then why you keep on shouting?" Mahinahon at naguguluhan niyang tanong.
"Because you keep on asking the same question!"
He looked at me serious para bang hindi siya makapaniwala sa mga sinasabi ko. He stare at me intensely. He didn't say a words, his jaw hardened before continuing to drive his car. I don't want us to talk some useless things.
"I'm just asking pero galit ka na naman," mahinahon niyang sabi habang ang paningin ay nasa daan.
I rolled my eyes because he talked again.
"I'm not mad because I'm just annoyed.." I murmured honestly.
"Let's just change the topic," Mariin niyang sabi na para bang nauubos na ang pasensya.
I nodded "Sino pa iba mong babae?" I asked bravely.
Gulat siyang napatingin sa akin. I saw how he tightened the way he hold the steering wheel. His jaw clenched before avoiding my serious gaze. He want to avoid this topic too? Bakit may iba pa bukod kay Phoebe? He didn't drop a name! He just make his lips into a thin line not pushing himself to say a words.
"Why can't you answer?" I raised my brows while looking at him.
He just shrugged and smiled awkwardly. Pakiramdam ko may sumiklab na apoy sa paligid dahil sa sobrang inis. I stamped my chunky boots reason why he looked at it up to me! I stamped it loudly while crossing arm over my chest. I stare at him intensely, whoa!
"Stop it..." saway niya at samaan ako ng tingin.
Binalik naman agad niya ang tingin sa daan bago saglit na bumalik sa 'kin. I was started again to stamped my chunky boots and prentending that I can't hear anything.
"Heart... stop it!" He shouted with horror.
My eyes widened because of his reaction. Bahagya siyang namumula at dahil sa sigaw niya ay umukit ang ugat sa leeg niya. Agad siyang nag-iwas ng tingin ng makita ang gulat sa mukha ko.
"I'm j-just asking!" I promulgate.
He sighed out of annoyance "...and I don't want to answer your stupid question," he exclaimed.
I laughed out of disbelief "Stupid question?" I smirked in a scornful manner. "I'm just asking a stupid question?! Then answer it because--"
"Stop!" He shouted like a thundered.
He stopped the car at the side and massage his temple using his both hands. He sighed heavily and combed his hair using his fingers. He held the steering wheel tightly and gave me a serious and pleaded stare.
"Just stop, Heart.." he beseeched as he look directly at my eyes. "I'm not answering your stupid question dahil...magagalit ka na naman sa 'kin. We're going to fight again because of it! I don't want us to fight because I'm... I'm trying, Heart. I'm a short tempered guy and I can't promise to not shout of you when I was annoy or mad. So please let's stop talking---"
"I'm just asking! Magen, why is it hard?" I exasperate asked while looking directly at his pleaded eyes.
He gritted his teeth "Mahirap! Nahihirapan ako sagutin! Because... because you are going to be mad again! Magagalit ka na naman sa 'kin because of it. Can't you understand? I'm avoiding your question because I'm avoiding to make you jealous. I knew girls, Heart. Magtatanong kayo at ipapamukha niyo sa amin na wala lang sa inyo ang sagot namin but deep inside you'll get jealous." He stopped and held his forehead. "Alright, I have girls... bukod kay Phoebe because I was a man, Heart.."
Inis ko siyang tiningnan. Pakiramdam ko sumibol ang pagkairita ko. Mabilis na nagtaas at baba ang dibdib ko. I held my small bag tightly to get a energy so I can't be a weak woman infront of him. Mas lalo akong nainis ng tuluyan na manlabo ang paningin ko dahil sa nagbabadyang luha. He remained silent so my sobs filled my ears. I looked down when my tears immediately fell down on my cheeks.
I looked at him "Stop using you being a man as a excuse!" I said out of anger.
He nodded immediately "I'll stop"
Mas lalo akong nairita dahil sa mabilis niyang pagsagot. Hindi ko alam!
"Babaero ka!" I mouthed.
He nodded again "Babaero ako..."
Narinig ko na naman ang paghikbi ko. He stare at me like he know what he did.
"Hanggang kailan ka magiging babaero?!"
"I'll stop," he said calmly.
"Why you're going to stop?!" Pakiramdam ko lalabas na lahat ng ugat ko sa leeg dahil sa sigaw ko.
Napapikit pa siya at bahagyang hinawakan ang tainga niya bago bumuntong hininga at tingnan ako.
"Then what do you want me to do? You are mad because you said I'm a babaero that's why I said I'll stop but still you are mad. What do I need to do?"
"Stop talking..." I said without doubness.
He nodded and zipped his mouth while raising his brows at me.
"Si Phoebe nga na mahal mo nagawa mong lokohin..." I looked away.
Pakiramdam ko tinutusok ng karayom ang puso ko. Tama naman ako diba? He loves Phoebe but he still cheated! How about me? He doesn't love me at all and it's making me more mad.
"Hindi ko siya mahal... gusto ko siya pero hindi ko siya mahal..." He said seriously.
My eyes widened because of what he said. "Are you joking?" I asked seriously.
He shook his head "I'm not..."
"I said stop talking!"
His eyes widened, naiirita na naman. Ako nakita kong napipigtas narin ang pasensya niya. He just tilted his head and started to drive again.
He don't love Phoebe? Yes, I know the difference between love and like. Wait... Magen is insane? Wait talaga, naguguluhan ako sa kaniya! Why he acted like he love Phoebe? Nasa gusto level palang siya no'n? Paano naman kapag mahal?baka grabe na siya no'n!
"You know, Heart. I'm trying... even I know that it's impossible but I'm still trying. I know this is a secret relationship but can't we work for this together? I mean--"
"Stop talking please. Inaassorb ko pa 'yung sinabi mong hindi mo mahal si Phoebe. I'm just awarded at best in liptint in our class and not graduated as a magna cum laude like you and 2gb lang ang specs ng brain ko. So, please... stop talking for now..." naguguluhan kong awat sa kaniya.
His lips parted but for a seconds he shut his mouth and nodded at me. I leaned my head on the head restraint and close my eyes.
"I'm trying to love you...." he softly whispered, enough to make me...felt safe.