Stuck in Between

Chapter 9

"Sorry I left your daughter outside the resto. I'm Theo po." he said.

I was shocked to see him.

"Kaano-ano ka ng anak ko?" my dad asked.

"Her boyfriend po." he said.

He went to get my hand from kuya Anthony.

"Ako na po maghahatid sakanya." sabi nito kay dad at hinawakan ako sa bewang.

We started walking to his car.

"Oh tubig, inom ka muna." sabi nito sakin habang hawak ang isang bote ng tubig.

"Okay ka lang? Nangangatal ka." sabi nito bago hawakan ang mga kamay ko.

"Breathe. Inhale, exhale." dagdag nito.

We stayed like that for a few minutes.

"Thank you." I managed to say.

He just smiled in return.

"Where should I drop you?" He asked.

Di ko tuloy alam kung sa Tagaytay ako or sa condo.

"Oh wait." I said.

I searched for my keys inside my bag, I can't find it anywhere. Di ako makakauwi sa condo.

"Uhm, I'll commute nalang." I said out of embarrassment. Ang layo ng Tagaytay.

"Why? I can't let you commute at night."

I was flustered when he said that. I felt something.... Different?

"Thalie? San ka ba uuwi?"

"Oh I'm sorry. Tagaytay. It's a bit far, magcocommute nalang ako."

"No I'll drive you there." he said as he started the car.

Hindi nalang ako nagsalita.

Mga ilang minuto nagpatugtog sya sa sobrang tahimik namin.

Double Take was the song he played.

"In the midst of the crowds, in the shapes in the clouds—I don't see nobody but you." he started singing.

Like the last time, I'm lost for words. His voice is calming me, parang walang nangyari kanina.

"Tell me, do you feel the love?" this line, I could feel my cheeks heating up.

"Okay ka lang?" he glaced at me.

I didn't realize I was staring.

"Oh? Yeah, wait. What?" I panicked.

"Woah there chill." he chuckled a little.

Masyado ba 'kong napatitig?

My phone started to ring.

'Lei'

"Thalie? Hello? San ka uuwi? Anong nangyari?" bungad nito sakin pagkasagot ko sa tawag niya.

"Hello, I'm on my way there."

"Kamusta yung punta mo doon sa loko?" tanong nito.

"Ano... Di ako tumuloy." I said nervously. Naalala ko nanaman, muntikan ko na ma-meet.

Kasi pag nameet ko yung lalaki, there's no way out.

"Ka? Ikaw? Hindi kayo ng dad mo? Baka sugurin tayo niyan? At saka andito kotse mo, commute ka?"

"No, hindi ako nagcommute." sagot ko.

"Naglakad ka?!" sigaw ni Yanz

"Gaga anong maglalakad naman. Sa kupad nitong si Thalie." sabi ni Lei.

"Pero san ka sakay?" tanong ni Lei.

"Kay... Theo."

"Ay... Ah sige, ano, see you. Ingat kayo." sabi nito sakin, then the call ended.

Mga isang oras bago kami nakarating.

"We're here." he said.

"Thank you nga pala Theo."

"No problem." then he gave me a soft smile.

"Theo! Pasok ka muna!" sigaw ni Yanz pagkalabas nya ng front door.

"Ah no need." he said.

"Pasok ka muna." offer ulit ni Lei.

"I have to go somewhere, sorry hehe." he said.

"Is it important? Hala sabi ko kasi sayo magcocommute nalang ako." sabi ko sakanya.

Di naman sya magmamadali kung hindi importante, diba?

"Don't worry about it. Sige una na ko. Thank you though." sabi niya bago umalis.

Nag-shower muna ako at pagkatapos ay dumeretso sa kwarto.

Mga ilang minuto dumating sina Lei at Yanz.

"Okay ka lang?" tanong ni Yanz

"Yeah I'm fine. Thank you sa savior ko kanina." I said.

"Buti hindi mo nameet. You know if ever, game over na." sabi ni Lei at niyakap ako.

"I'm sorry you have to deal with this." she whispered.

"I'm fine." sabi ko.

"Bakit si Theo naghatid sayo? Ano– Panong nangyari?" tanong ni Yanz.

"He, well... He said to dad na siya boyfriend ko." sabi ko.

"What? That's–"

"A problem? Yes." tuloy ko sa sasabihin ni Lei.

I know it's a problem, dad would do anything just to make me marry that guy. Especially it's for business.

"Girls. Can I have some time to think." I suddenly said.

"Yeah sure." sabi nung dalawa at ngiti ng kaunti bago lumabas.

Paano na? Ang alam ni dad, si Theo boyfriend ko. It would be suspicious pag di kami nagkikita atleast once a week.

How could I tell Theo? Nahihiya ako. Alangan namang sabihin ko "Theo pretend to be my boyfriend."

On the other hand, ano sasabihin ko kay dad? I'll do anything para lang hindi ako maikasal. That's hell.

I started to play some songs to calm myself.

I fell asleep, I think for an hour and a half? I woke up because of my phone ringing.

"Hello?" I said half asleep.

"Oh sorry did I wake you up?" tanong ni Theo.

"Yeah." I said with a raspy voice while sniffing.

"Did you cry?" he asked.

"No uhm, I fell asleep and the ac is on. It's cold in here." I said and tried to laugh a little.

"Stop lying." he said.

I'm now holding back my tears. Ayokong madamay sya dito, but I also don't want to be involved with that random guy.

"Go on cry. It's fine. Everything will be fine."

"I'm sorry." I said.

"Okay lang. What happened? If comfortable ka mag share."

"Why... Why did you tell dad na boyfriend kita?" I asked instead of answering his question.

"Narinig ko yung call nyo ng dad mo. I didn't mean to eavesdrop." he said.

I didn't know what to say. Pag sinabi kong "Alam mo ba pinasok mo?" ang weird.

"I know your dad. And I know what's about to happen. I can pretend to be your boyfriend. I'll help you."

"Pero–"

"I'll be here to help. Nagprisinta nalang din naman ba't hindi pa ituloy."