Coming Back To You

“Where are you now ba?” mahina kong bulong kahit na inis na inis na ako. I removed my sunglass and put them back in my Gucci bag. I also removed my Channel jacket and hanged it on my left hand. I furiously looked at my phone to wait for the driver to inform me where the hell he is. However, no response of my text from him. I even did a call but it was unattended. My irritation aroused as I looked at the time. I have been waiting here for almost five minutes but nothing came to fetch me. I tried to call again but the result was still the same. No one answering my phone calls. Ganito talaga ang ibubungad nila sa'kin! I feel like I can break this phone of mine. I bombarded my driver with tons of texts and call! I got jetlag and no one is coming. Damn it! If there is, that person should be here earlier than me. My driver should be here before the takeoff of my flight. I must report this to my parent to fire my driver. How irresponsible! “Ave!” I looked around to find who called me. And it turns out someone I wasn’t expecting to see. He waved his hand, genuinely smiling. Why is he here? “Dad…” I know my parents are both busy. That’s why seeing him here shocked me. I didn’t expect him to be here at all. Dad started the engine as I took the seat in front. “Aren’t you busy? Hindi ba dapat ‘yong driver ko ang magsusundo sa'kin… hindi ikaw Dad.” Dad glimpsed at me. “Ayaw mo ba ako?” kunwaring nagtatampo niyang sabi. I laughed as I shook my head. “Of course not! I’m just not used to it.” “Don’t be.” Napairap ako sa hangin. “Bakit nga pala hindi sinasagot ng driver 'yong text at tawag ko Dad? Nakakainis kaya.” He grinned. I narrowed my eyes at him because I might know the answer. “Dad, don’t tell me…” my eyes widen as he laughed. “I’m sorry. I just want to surprise you.” I pouted my lip as I crossed my arms. “You’re making fun of me.” When I was in State almost texts were the only responses I received from my Mom or Dad but sometimes if they were ‘free’ they intended to call me. They were both busy with our family business. They occasionally visited me there however they only stayed just for a week. I understand them though. I could say that I grow there independently. I didn’t let anyone know that I am back except for my best friends. My parents want to retrieve the lost time when I was in the States because they both missed me. Kaya naman pagkauwi walang oras na pinalampas, Mom and I spend most of our time shopping and we went to the salon spa. We do girls-things-bonding as being mother and daughter. For the whole week, they let me buy what I wanted. I'm totally spoiled. "Kailan ka pa nakabalik dito?" Zach asked me loudly. I am here with my friends at a famous bar in the city. Hindi kami masyadong magkarinigan kung hindi mo lalaksan o kaya bubulong ng malapitan sa kausap mo. "Last week lang." "Do you have a boyfriend there?" he smirked I knew it. He still can't get over me. One year lang naman ako mahigit sa State. I study there and vacation na rin and finally after a year, I decided na ipagpatuloy na lang sa Pilipinas so, balik Pilipinas na. Nakakahomesick rin kasi but this guy beside me is my 'ex- boyfriend' and I know his style. Zach was my serious first boyfriend when I was in highschool but we are both immature when it comes to relationship kaya hindi kami nagtagal. Sobrang protective at mabait sya at syempre gwapo. He has brownish eyes, thick eyebrow, thin lips,narrow nose and curly hair. He is also lean and tall pero kaibigan na lang ang tingin ko sa kanya ngayon. "You know Zach, I know you at 'wag mo nang subukan." "Ohhh!" sabay na sabi ng ilang ko pang kaibigan. They all laughed. "Wala ka pala eh. You're not Ave's type anymore so better back off, man." Blake said. "Nahh, I'm just checking if there is someone na nakapasa sa standard ni Ave." Zach said and drinks his beer while staring at me. They are all staring at me now waiting for my answer to Zach's question. Ano bang sasabihin ko eh wala naman talaga! I've been with guys in State pero di ko rin sila type, flirt lang naman. "I don't wanna a serious relationship. I've been dating some guys in state but I find them boring so I just play with them." I drink my beer. Medyo nahihilo na at alam kong tipsy na 'ko but I don't mind. "So, you like playing games with fire. If that's what you want. Let's play. I dare you Ave." Fern said. "Baka naman ikapahamak yan ni Ave. Medyo lasing na sya eh." pailing na sabi ni Zach "Nope. I'm not. Spill it Fern." They challenge me and I'm gonna take it. "I dare you to go to that guy." she pointed the guy on the sofa, he's also with his friend at nasa kabila siya pero tanaw na tanaw siya mula dito sa pwesto "and get his name and number. Simple as that. Oh! Wait better play with him... just a bit." Fern winked at me and cheer me up. "No that's not gonna happen." tutol ni Zach. Tatayo na sana si Zach kaso pinigilan siya ni Blake. "Zach, don't be such a KJ. It's just a simple dare." si Blake "pupusta ako, ano game?" "Ginawa nyo pa kong pustahan pati yung lalaking yun." "Malay mo manalo ka" Blake smirked at me. Umirap lang ako sa hangin "Come on, Ave! I'll give you free vacation to our resorts, if nagustuhan ka niya." "And pag 'di na gawa ni Ave? Ano namang kapalit?" si Zach Tinignan ko siya. Minamaliit niya ba ang kakayahan ko. I grinned at him. "I'm going to date you again. Happy?" Naghiyawan silang lahat dahil sa sinabi ko maliban kay Zach na titig na titig sa'kin. He swallowed hard and licked his lips. Parang may gusto pa siyang sabihin kaso pinili niya na lang na hindi magsalita. Kahit medyo lasing na 'ko. I notice how Blake's arm shake to Fern waist dahil nahalata ni Fern na nakatitig ako dun tinapik niya ang kamay ni Blake. May hindi sinasabi ang bestfriend ko at na pailing na lang. "Oo nga. Tsaka keri yan ni Ave no! Basic lang sa kanya yan. Baka nga paglapit niya pa lang eh kusang pang ibigay pangalang niya." sabat naman ni Fern. "Pusta din ako. Pag nakuha mo siya within 2 months, gagawin ko kahit anong gusto mo o hingin mo?" patuloy niya pa. "Kahit ano ha." That was true. I'm eighteen and I'm gorgeous and having this kind of sexy body I know I going to catch him. I shot the drink in front of me at agad akong tumalo mas lalo akong naging confident dahil na rin siguro sa mga nainom ko. Nag hiyawan sila ng lumakad na ko papunta sa pwesto ng lalaki. I heard Zach calling me pero di ko na maintindihan. Medyo kinakabahan ako dahil habang palapit ako, I think I know this guy but I don't care kailangan ko 'tong gawin. I sighed. Sabi na eh siya talaga yun. Pero bago pa ko makalapit sa kanya ng tuluyan, umalis sya pumunta siya sa stool bar. "One cocktail" I smiled but I kind of nervous. At least now I get his attention. Tumabi ako sa kanya, he glance at me and then return it to his drink. He is wearing a polo long sleeve na nakatupi hanggang ilalim ng siko, mukhang galing pa 'tong office. "So... alone?" He just nodded. Liar! Gusto kong sabihin eh nagpalusot pa nakita ko naman may mga kaibigan siya iniwan niya lang. Technic niya siguro yun. Hindi man lang sumagot, napakasungit talaga nito. Ang blangko ng expression ang hirap basahin. Kukunin ko lang naman number niya then aalis na ko dito tutal I know his name naman. Gusto ko nag-isip muna ng sasabihin dahil baka mataray ko 'tong lalaking ito pero dahil sa nainom wala na kong maisip pa. "Are you single, right?" "Yes." "Looking for hook-ups or one night stand?" medyo pataray kong sabi. I saw how his blank expression turns into irritation. Bakit may mali ba sa tanong ko?! His a type of a man na hookups lang ang hanap. Takot sa commitment and I know him, madaming babae ang nagkakandarapa sa kanya eh. "What the hell are you talking about?" he is irritated to me now. Humarap siya sa'kin ngayon at hinilot ang sentido parang ang laki ng problema niya sa sinabi ko. Naipikit ko ang mata ko dahil sa nainom kong alak. My heart beats so fast. Maybe because of alcohol and adrenaline. Yeah, I don't know what I'm talking about. "Madaming babae ang nakakandarapa sayo. Madali kang makakakuha ng mga ba-" Hindi ko mapigil ang bibig ko. Gusto kong patukan sarili dahil sa sinabi ko. Wrong expression! Pano ko makukuha ang number nito. Mukang talo na ko sa dare. "Young lady, excuse me but you're drunk. Do I even know you?" His head c****d to the other side a little bit. Nakakunot noong nakatingin sa'kin. Ano ba kasing pinagsasabi ko. But my irritation towards him aroused what tf? He doesn't know me?! Of course, hindi naman pala ako nagpakilala. Hindi na talaga ako iinom. "Wow" I fake laugh. "Ok. I'm Ave." Inabot ko ang kamay ko and I fake my smile dyan naman ako magaling ang magkunwari kahit naiirita na ako kasi ang sungit. Pero imbis na tanggapin niya yun, tinignan niya lang ang kamay ko at bigla na lang tumayo at umalis, bumalik dun sa mga kaibigan niya. I stiffed pero nakabawi naman agad, kunwari hindi talaga ako makikipag-shake hands. Sinundan lang siya ng tingin, hindi ko siya hahabulin. Bakit naman kasi yun yung mga tanong ko?! Ngayon ko lang narealize na ang pangit ng tanong ko, masyado akong nadala dahil kilala ko siya. Gusto kong sakalin sarili ko. I sighed and bumalik na 'ko sa table ng mga kaibigan ko. Pagpunta ko sa table namin expected na kakantawyan nila ako. "Totoo ba yung nakita ko?!" "I hate you!" I crossed my arms in my chest at umupo na sa dating kong pwesto. "My goodness! Avestine Kiera Del Dior, ini-snob ng isang unknown guy" tumawa pa sya lalo. "sino ang matapang na lalaking iyon? Grabe ang pagtitimping ginawa nun para di sya maakit sa kagandahan mo." "Shut up, Fern!" umirap na lang ako sa inis. "That guy is asshole." "I told you, 'wag mo ng gawin." halata sa tono ni Zach ang pagkairita. "That was really unbelievable." pailing-iling pang sabi ni Blake. "I never been humiliated like that." pabulong kong sabi. "Ano ba kasing sinabi mo?" si Fern "I asked him if he is single and then he say yes. Tapos sinabi ko" sasabihin ko ba? Nakakahiya kasi mali naman talaga yung tanong ko. "Then what?" sabay nilang tanong. Pinilig ko yung ulo ko at yumuko medyo mahihilo na talaga ako. "Ano bang sinabi mo?" natatawa ang nagsabi nun. Inangkat ko ang ulo at nanlaki ang mata ko sa nakita ko. Matagal ko na siyang di nakita at sobrang miss ko na siya. "Cleaaaaaa" sobrang saya ko na makitang muli ang bestfriend ko. Hindi kami nagkita sa States dahil busy siya sa family business nila. Bestfriend ko na siya since highschool kaming tatlo nila Fern, same school kami galing. Tumabi sa'kin si Clea at niyakap ako. Hinarap ko siya. "Akala ko ba hindi ka makakapunta dito?" nagtatakang tanong ko. "Ako pa ba! Palalagpasin kong makita ka. Sobrang miss kaya kita. Tsaka yan" turo niya kay Fern "alam niya na pupunta ako." she laughed. Masamang tinignan ko si Fern. "You know? Why didn't you tell me?" "'Coz it's a surprise. May surpresa bang sinasabi?" si Fern. "But of course, I really appreciate it! I love you guys!" "So anong 'tong naririnig kong sinabi mo?" nalilitong tanong ni Clea. Si Blake naman ang sumagot sa kanya. "Kasi may lalaking nag-snob sa kanya." then he pointed me and I rolled my eyes. "My gosh!" napatakip si Clea sa bibig niya. "Really?" sabay tumawa at napahawak pa sa tyan nya. "Yes. Sabi ko na kasing 'wag gawin eh." si Zach naman. "Ok tama na. Sinabi ko lang naman dun sa guy na hookups or one night stand lang ang hanap nya?" Lahat sila nagulat sa sinabi ko at 'di agad na ka pagsalita. Alam ko ng mali yung tanong ko pero dahil sa may tama na 'ko ng alak. Hindi ko na napigilan ang bibig ko. "What?! Yun naman ang hanap ng mga lalaking tulad niya." pagalit kong sabi at kinuha ang drinks ni Zach at iinumin sana kaso "Hey! That's my beer" inagaw niya yun sa'kin bago ko pa mainom. "at lasing ka na so stop it." seryosong sabi ni Zach. Hindi na lang ako nagsalita. Tama siya lasing na 'ko pero naiirita pa rin ako sa tuwing aaalala ko yung lalaking yun kahit alam kong mali ako. "Bakit mo kasi sinabi yun? Kahit ako iiwan ka kapag ganon ang tanong mo?" sabat ni Fern. "I know pero hindi ko napigilan ang bibig ko. Tsaka yun naman hanap ng mga lalaki diba?" Tumingin ako sa kanilang lahat para ma-prove ko yung point ko and they all nodded and Blake gives me thumbs up, ang lalaking 'tong talaga. "Absolutely not." mahinang sambit ni Zach pero sapat lang para marinig ko. Napairap ako sa hangin at buti na lang nagsalita si Blake. "Kilala mo ba yung guy Ave?" Nagkibit balikat ako at umiling. "Nah, I don't know him and let's forget about that guy. Sabihin nating 'di nangyari yun." Blake chuckled. "Sabi mo e." "Cheers!!!" Fern shouted. Ngayon hindi lang pagdating ko ang sini-celebrate namin kundi pati ang pagtanggi ng nakakainis na lalaki na yun. Of course, I know him. Samuel Modecillo pero ewan ko bakit hindi ko sinabi at nagsinungaling ako. Pero hindi ako papayag na ganon na lang yun. Sigurado akong pagtatagpuin pa kami ng tadhana. I still have two months. Maybe I'm gonna regret this tomorrow but today I don't care.