Chapter 05
1365 Words
"Oren?" I called him.
I was welcomed by silence as I went down to the first floor. I looked for him the moment I realized it was empty here. I even searched inside the aparador in case he hid himself to mess with me. But he's nowhere.
That's when I noticed the drawer of my bedside table slightly tilted. And that's when I realized he took his phone with him when I didn't find it from where I placed it.
Oren f*****g Blair.
I immediately looked for the folder with Oren's information. I was about to add his number to my contacts but instead I saw my ex-boyfriend's number.
I only felt disgust and regret for the years I've been with him. Then I realized that I forgot about him for how many hours. Like he didn't cross my mind for milliseconds.
Maybe, Oren is a blessing in disguise. If not for him, I might still be devastated now. I mean, I just lost an almost ten-year-old relationship and I love the man. I have all the rights to cry but I didn't— Yes, I did but only before Oren came to annoy the hell out of me.
Deleting his number didn't even cross my mind. Because I totally forgot about him. Oren invaded my mind like a wildfire and my attention focused on him and only him.
But now that I was alone, thoughts about that day came back. A series of what-ifs again.
What if I stayed at home? What if I wait for him to open the door so it will give him time to hide the girl? What if I give him a chance to explain?
The only answer would be: he'll keep banging women and keep on cheating on me.
I'm aware that we barely make time because of our field of work. And why, oh, why I never notice the changes a man does when they're doing something behind your back?
The cancellation of plans, plain and cold texts, only quick calls, no I love yous and goodnight, attention always on the phone…
I do still love him despite those things. All those years wouldn't be erased by just a couple of days. I even regret going that night.
The thing is if we love, we're scared to lose it. We're scared to waste time and memories and the sole reason we try not to give up. That's why others ended up being martyrs because to lose someone you love is like failing a test you invest so much time reviewing but still get a low score.
And I don't want that. I don't want to hold on. Love isn't it all in a relationship. Cake had a lot of ingredients to make it tasteful.
The sound from the cuckoo clock on the wall startled me. It's now afternoon and Oren is somewhere out there. I sighed and with eyes closed, I deleted his number then proceeded to call Oren.
I calm myself down while dialing. It only takes a second for him to answer.
"Where the hell are you?" I asked as soon as he picked up the phone. "And why the hell did you bring your phone? You know you're not allowed to even hold that!"
I heard a random sound and I assume he was in the town. Voices and horn sounds. I can even hear a man yelling Taho.
"Ahm… I don't know… and ahm, I don't know how to contact you so I just bring my phone." Oren whispered.
My blood immediately went to my head. I stand to walk back and forth. This is the very reason why my fresh breakup was forgotten.
The only thing I understand from what he said is he doesn't know where he is.
"What do you mean you don't know? You manage to bring yourself there but you don't know how to come back? What do you want me to do? Report to the police? Broadcast it on TV? Track you through a satellite?" I had enough of him yesterday!
Oren fell silent.
"Do you hear me, dipshit?"
"Don't call me that," he said in a soft voice as if I offended him.
Don't feel guilty. "Why did you even go out without me?!"
He sighed. "I want a burger because I'm starving and I don't want to wake you up or even eat pinakbet." I can imagine him having that long face.
Conscience hit that rendered me speechless. I sleep the moment I finish doing the dishes and I remember I'll buy a burger after we eat. I massage my temple then sigh.
"Okay, but how am I gonna find you? You don't know where you are."
"I think it's not that far. I only walk for ten minutes." Said Oren.
Guess I don't have much of a choice.
"Fine. Can you tell me a sign? Like a street name or something?"
"I don't see anything but I'm at the food stand that says Burger Machine."
"You already ate?"
"...yes."
My forehead creases. "You have money?"
As far as I know, he only uses cards and his parents froze his account.
"I… I took money from… from your w-wallet." Oren said quickly but still stuttered.
"You dare to steal from me!"
"I did not! I was borrowing!"
"Oh, yeah? Borrowing needs consent."
"I-I know! But still! I'm gonna pay it back!"
Agh. "Nevermind, I'm coming."
"Ba-bye."
I rolled my eyes and hung up. I don't want to consume time or to tire myself out looking for him so I contacted the other team my father is talking about. They told me one of them followed Oren and they'll bring me to him. We saluted and proceeded to give me information after Oren came out of the house while walking to go where Oren is and they left me as we saw the dude sitting on a stool of the said burger machine with a child beside him.
My brow furrowed at the scene. Oren will bite on his burger then place it near the mouth of the child. And the two will take a bite alternately until the last piece. Oren said something I didn't hear and he divided it into two. For him and the little kid. They high five after.
My eyes wander around and that's when I notice he got everyone's attention. I shake my head as I walk over them.
A girl behind the counter smiled and greeted me using their terms of asking what I needed. I just shake my head at her.
"What are you doing? I thought you're hungry?" I asked when I stopped beside them.
Oren gazed up at me. "Hi there, honeybunch. We're sharing because sharing is caring."
I just ignored what he called me. I now understand that there's no sense arguing with him because he will do what he wants.
"And who told you that?"
"Cocomelon." Then he looked at the kid. "Oh, by the way, this Clay."
I gave Clay a smile and wave. "Hi,"
"Hi, Ate honeybunch." The child with cute noodle hair giggles.
Oren's face contorted, his hand stopped mid-air. "Don't call her that, her name is Eirene."
The little kid had a confused expression. "Huh? 'Di po kita maintindihan."
I chuckled as Clay said he didn't understand what Oren said.
"Toy, sabi niya, Eirene raw itawag mo kay Ate." The girl explained it to the little boy.
"Okay po!" He cheerily responded.
Oren looks like he doesn't understand a thing so he just feeds the little kid again.
"Make it quick, we're going," I told Oren.
"Why don't you join us? I still have one burger."
It's not that bad so he made Clay sit on his lap while I sat on Clay's empty seat. But he only feeds the both of us.
I heard the girl behind the counter giggle. "You seems like a happy family, Ma'am." She said.
"I like you already," Oren told her.
Goodness gracious, I almost choked! What the hell? Are they right in the head? 'Cause I will never imagine it even in my wildest dream.
Oren and I? Just no.
- Writer
