Complicated Love Affair

Chapter 05

Lorenzo

I took a deep sigh when I realized that I was already in front of Nadia’s house. From inside my car, I look around and I see that there’s already alot of people inside her house. People whom I recognized and very familiar with me. Nadia and I have lots of common friends and we are on the same circle so I am not surprised to see familiar faces here.

I hesistantly get out of my car and took a deep. My soul almost left my body when I heard someone talking behind me and when I turned around I saw Lucas standing behind my back.

“Look who’s here, kala ko ba ayaw mo?” Maloko at nakangising sambit niya nung napalingon ako sa kaniya.

“Past is past and I don’t want them to think that I didn’t go because I am still into it.” Pailing iling ko pang sambit habang sabay kaming pumasok sa loob.

Napahinto ako nung makasalubong namin ni Lucas si Harry. Damn, mali yata ang desisyon ko na pumunta dito. Sigurado akong hindi na naman ako titigilan ng dalawang ito eh. I will just get tease by them for the rest of the day.

“Lorenzo! I was surprised to see you here, I didn’t even mentioned it to you.” Bungad ni Harry kaya napalingon ako kay Lucas na nakangisi sa likuran ko.

“I gave him a call bro, we couldn’t let people to have wrong assumptions about our friend!” Sagot nito sa mga sinabi ni Harry kaya napangiti na lang ako. At least, my friends are trying to protect my image but I’m still hesitant about this.

“Tss. That’s completely nonsense. I don’t care what people think about me.” I whispered at napailing iling na lang ako sa mga sinabi nila.

I left my friends and was about to look for Nadia to personally hand her my gift and leave, while walking around the house. I left stunned to see Nadia walking down the stairs. I found myself smiling, she never changed, she is still the same Nadia I know who always stands out in the crowd, always smiling and being charming all the time.

“Lorenzo?” Bumalik lang ako sa katinuan nung marinig ko si Nadia na tinawag ang pangalan ko, I was now standing in front of her looking like an idiot.

“A-ah. Hi, Happy birthday.” I don’t know what got in me and I immediately hand her the gift.

“Oh, thank you! I’m glad to see you here despite your busy schedule, just enjoy the rest of the day ha?” Nakangiting sambit niya nung iabot ko ang regalo ko sa kaniya.

Magsasalita pa sana ako at makikipagusap sa kaniya pero maya maya pa biglang may tumawag kay Nadia, it was a guy. That same guy she told me not to worry about nung kami pa lang. iyong lalaking sinabi niya noon na huwag kong pagselosan at naging dahilan ng madalas naming pag aaway noon, funny isn’t?

Hindi na ko kumibo at napangiti na lang ako. Oo, alam ko naman sa sarili kong naka-move on na ko pero bakit gano’n parang may tumusok pa din sa puso ko habang nakikita ko silang masayang magkasama?

“I just stopped by, Nadia. I need to go, I have a lot of works to do pa kasi.” Nakangiting sambit ko kina Nadia bago niya ako iwan mag-isa dito. Hindi ko na hinintay ang sasabihin nila at tinalikuran ko na sila tapos ay nakasalubong ko ang mga kaibigan ko na mukhang nagulat sa nakita nilang ekspresyon ng mukha ko.

“Bro, are you okay?” I heard both Lucas and Harry both asked looking worried about me.

“Lorenzo, why did you attend ba kasi, you don’t have to if you don’t like to.” Komento naman ni Aniya kaya napatingin ako kay Lucas at napanguso.

“He told me to go. But don’t worry it’s fine.” Sambit ko pa kay Aniya pero sinamaan niya pa din ng tingin si Lucas.

“Stupid.” I heard Aniya exclaimed.

“Guys, to be honest, I don’t have plan on staying any longer. I just dropped by to give my gift and greet her. Baling ko sa mga kaibigan kong patuloy pa din na nagtatalo-talo sa harapan ko. Nadia and I is on the same circle but it all changed when we broke up and it will never be the same again, it’s better to avoid than to be in some dramas!

I heard the three of them calling my name but I didn’t bother to look back. I am not bitter over the past but it’s still makes me uncomfortable. I drove as fast as I can and go to the nearest convenient store to get some beer.

Nung nakuha ko na ang mga beer nabibilhin ko ay nakita ko si Estelle na nakapila sa may cashier kaya hindi ako nagdalawang isip at nung umalis sa pila yung mga nauna sa akin ay agad akong lumapit sa likod ni Estelle.

“Hi, Essie.” I whispered and I think I startled her dahil halos mapatalon na siya sa gulat nung marinig niya ang boses ko sa likuran niya.

“Ma-mayor…” Gulat na sambit niya tapos ay napatingin siya sa mga beer na bitbit ko.

“Ah.. are o-okay? Ang d-dami niyan ah?” Nag aalangang sambit niya pa nung makita niya ang bitbit ko.

“Yeah, I’m alright by the way, wanna drink with me?” I don’t know what got into my mind and invited her. Bakas sa mukha niya ang pagkagulat at pag-aalangan at parang iniisip niya pa ang magiging sagot niya.

“Oh.”

“A-ah, okay lang naman po, w-why not.” Nakangiting sambit niya sa akin kaya naman I proceeded and payed for all the liquor I bought.

“Where’s Sir Harry?” She suddenly asked kaya napaangat ako ng tingin sa kaniya.

“Ah, they are in a party, birthday party of a friend.” Nakangiting paliwanag ko sa kaniya pero kita ko pa din ang pagtataka sa mukha niya.

“L-Lorenzo!”

“If you don’t mind, I discovered a place to go where in tahimik at kita mo ang city lights!” Napahinto ako sa sinabi ni Essie habang naglalakad kami palabas ng convenient store.

“Teka nga, saan ka ba talaga pupunta prior to this?” Takang tanong ko sa kaniya kaya napangiti siya.

“Doon! You know, I’m just new here and I feel a little bit strange here. I need a hideout place where I can relax.” Nakangiting paliwanag pa niya.

“Okay, lead the way and tell me the direction.” Sambit ko sa kaniya at nilagay ko lang sa backseat ‘yung mga binili ko at pati na din ang mga binili niyang pagkain at inumin tapos ay pinagbuksan ko siya ng pintuan at pinaupo do’n sa may passenger seat.

“M-mayor.. I mean.. Lorenzo. Are you really okay?” Basag nito sa katahimikan namayani sa amin pagsakay ko sa driver’s seat.

“Of course, why?” Nakangiti ngunit tipid kong sagot sa kaniya.

“That’s not what I see in your eyes and-“

“Essie, I’m fine.” Putol ko sa sinabi niya lalo na nung tinignan niya sa back seat ang mga alak na binili ko.

I took a deep sigh and I also heard Essie’s heavy breathing. “Okay, I actually came in my ex girlfriend’s birthday party and I see her with pero, the reason why our relationship crumble. Akala ko kasi okay na ko pero hindi pa pala. I felt a sudden pain, Essie.” Kuwemto ko pa sa kaniya habang tahimik lang siyang nakikinig sa akin at ako naman ay nakatuon ang atensyon ko sa pagmamaneho.

“Eh bakit ka naman kasi pumunta kahit alam mong hindi ka pa talaga okay?” Rinig kong tanong nito.

“Because I don’t want them to think that I hadn’t moved on and I am still bitter about the past.” Sarkastiko at napapailing iling kong paliwanag sa kaniya, kita ko ang seryosong ekspresyon sa mga mukha ni Essie and I see her sympathy towards me. Hininto ko ang sasakyan sa isang lugar na pamilyar din sa akin. Right, this is the same place where I go everytime na gusto ko ng sariwang hangin at tahimik na kapaligiran. Who would’ve thought that Essie will discover this place.

“Sorry ah, hindi kasi ako magaling magpayo payo pagdating sa ganiyan eh pero nandito naman ako, handang makinig kung kailangan mo ng makakausap.” Sambit niya pa habang tinutukungan niya akong ilabas ‘yung mga pagkain at alak sa paper bag. Natawa rin ako nung makita ko na naglabas siya mg blanket. She is really this ready at may dala dala pa siyang sapin?

“Don’t worry, I understand. I only need someone to listen to all my rants and here you are, that’s why I am grateful for you.” Nakangiting sambit ko sa kaniya. Sa totoo lang ang hirap para sa akin na mag-move on lalo na at naging malalim na ang pinagsamahan niyo at nasa iisang circle of friends lang kami.

Tinapik tapik niya ang balikat ko kaya nag angat ako ng tingin sa kaniya. Kita ko ang inosenteng ngiti sa mga labi ni Estelle. She looks like an angel and I can’t but to look at her and be stunned with her beauty.

I don’t know what got into my mind but I lean towards Essie’s direction and pulled her closer to me. I was looking at her soft pinkish lips.. “Loren-“ and started to gently kiss her on the lips. I can feel that she’s nervous, the way he held my neck syas it all. I didn’t even receive a response but she didn’t push me away and I think she was shocked on what I did.

Bumitaw ako mula sa pagkakahalik ko sa kaniya at kitang kita ko na nanlaki ang mata niya sa ginawa ko. I gulped out of nervousness and I took a deep sigh. “I’m sorry.” I whispered while still looking into her eyes. Nakahawak pa din siyang sa mga balikat ko at parang hindi niya alam kung saan siya titingin at habang nakatitig siya sa akin ay mas lalong humihigpit ang pagkakahawak niya sa collar ng polo shirt na sout ko.

She bite her lips and let go of me then she look away and didn’t say any word. I pulled her again when she tried to stand up. “Estelle, please, I’m sorry, don’t leave, just stay here.” I whispered while holding her wrist.