All For Show (COMPLETED)

Chapter 19

Chapter 19

"Parang gago naman," Jana said nung magkita kami.

"Agreed," I replied. "Sobrang gago."

"Did he even ask kung okay ka lang? Kasi 'di ba nung nakita ka niya, yakap mo si Leo? Siguro naman nakita niya how upset you were?"

I just shrugged and focused on my wine. It had been a week simula nung mangyari iyong kay Pablo. I was so upset with everything na gusto ko nang umalis sa lugar na iyon. Para kasi talagang may sumpa na every time babalik ako roon, mayroong kagaguhan na nangyayari sa akin. It's like the universe was already giving me clear signs na 'go far and never return' pero itong si gaga, bumabalik pa rin.

I really was my worst enemy.

"I don't even know for sure if nakita niya ako," sabi ko sa kanya.

"Pretty sure nakita niya because out of nowhere lang na bigla niyang binanggit si Leo."

"I don't know," sagot ko. "And at this point, I honestly don't give a shit anymore."

Jana patted my head like I was some child. Hinampas ko iyong kamay niya at saka inirapan siya.

"So, done na talaga kay Mr. Pablo Narvaez?"

"Yup. Done and dumped."

Natawa siya. "Grabe naman sa dumped. Basura 'yan?"

I shrugged. "Any guy who plays with your feelings is trash," I said and then poured myself another glass of wine. Nandito lang kami sa condo ko ngayon. Hindi na ako lumalabas masyado sa gabi. Ewan ko. For sure naman hindi kami magkikita ni Pablo dahil nasa bar niya lang naman 'yon kapag gabi, but still. Also, hindi na ako pumupunta sa grocery. I just order my grocery and pick it up kapag nasa labas na ng building iyong delivery guy.

Tss. I was doing a lot para lang hindi siya makita.

"Amen to that, sister," sabi ni Jana.

"Tigilan mo nga ako."

"Bakit ba? Supportive nga ako!"

"Never ka naman naka-encounter non kasi swerte ka sa lovelife."

"Gusto mo ba i-break ko muna para sabay tayong broken?"

"Gaga," sabi ko tapos nagusap na lang kami tungkol sa ibang bagay. After a while, umalis na rin siya dahil nasa baba na iyong sundo niya. I wanted to sleep already, but I couldn't. I felt like I had all this energy. In the end, I decided to go for a run. Safe naman sa neighborhood ko. Ayoko rin kasi na sa treadmill sa gym. I wanted fresh air—I mean, as fresh as the Manila air could offer, I guess.

I just threw on my running shorts, some dri-fit shirt, and my running shoes. Paglabas ko, dumiretso na akong tumakbo. I liked running because it allows me to free my mind. I was only focus on running—sometimes nga, parang hindi ko na rin napapansin kung ano iyong mga nasa paligid ko. It's a nice way to recalibrate.

After a while, I stopped by a convenience store to buy some water. Nang makakuha ako ng tubig doon sa may ref, pagtalikod ko ay nakita ko si Paul. Just my fucking luck, really.

"Hey," he said with that usual smile of his.

"Hi," I replied, smiling back just to be polite. Why couldn't I just be rude, really? Kahit sa pamilya ko, it took a long time bago ako nagsimulang sumagot-sagot sa kanila. For the longest time, I was just quietly taking the hits.

"Just finished running?" he asked.

"Yup," I replied. "Nice to see you."

Sinubukan kong umalis pero agad akong napatigil nang tawagin niya iyong pangalan ko. I stopped on my tracks, closed my eyes, and took a deep breath.