Something That Will Last

2 // The Warfare

2 // The Warfare

"What now?" tanong ko. Medyo calm pa ako.

He seemed awfully quiet for a guy who wanted to kill me. Dinala niya ako sa tapat ng field at umupo sa isang bench. Nanatili akong nakatayo, cautious for something to happen.

Sumulyap siya sa akin at tsaka humigop sa kape niya, ngumisi siya pagkatapos at umiling. And then one second later his focus was on the field again. If I didn't know some of his history, I'd peg him as someone who has achieved the utmost peace in life. And only if it weren't for those lips that were always smirking, I knew I'd dream of having those... on mine.

I cleared my throat at the thought. Mahimasmasan ka, self!

"Look, Sir. Shift ko sa café ngayon. Kung wala kang sasabihin, I'm gonna go," maldita kong sabi.

Please don't say anything... please don't say anything...

He didn't but then he stood up and towered over me. He crushed the cup and managed to shoot it from the nearby trashcan without analyzing the angle to accomplish the move.

"Viv. Is it short for Vivien?" was the first thing he said after we went out of the café.

I gulped and lied, "Yes."

"Alright, Vivien, let's cut to the chase and be straight over here. You apparently dislike me, I'm fully aware of that, but why?"

Ay, shocks. Masyado nga siyang straight, ha. 'Di ako nakapag-ready.

"Wala lang," sagot ko. May pag-kibit pa ng balikat 'yan para mas maasar siya.

"Please." He sounded frustrated. His brows pinched together as he sighed.

"Wala nga. I just didn't like the curve of your face. It's just annoying, that's all," I even grinned to add more effect.

Nagulat siya sa sagot ko. I badly wanted to laugh but that's gonna ruin the mood. Mamaya ko na lang 'to itatawa 'pag balik sa café.

"And you think you aren't annoying, dollface?" he retorted, scoffing out his oozing frustration.

Wow, did I really hit a nerve? I like it.

"Who, in their right mind, would throw a fit to someone she hasn't even known all her life?" he bitterly added.

Trust me mister, I know you and your life decisions. Plus, you're a regular in Mostaccio. I knew your face ever since, your story just trailed a little bit behind.

Gusto ko pa sanang sabihin sa kanya na idonate na lang kaya niya ang puso niya kung pwede dahil hindi naman niya yata ginagamit.

"Look, kung hindi mo ako masikmura, 'wag ka na lang po bumalik sa café. You're just one in million."

I stomped away. Naglakad ako nang mabilis, hanggang sa napatakbo na ako nang makita ko siyang sumusunod sa akin. He was just walking with hands on his pockets, and boy oh boy, damn those legs. Isang hakbang niya ay ilang hakbang ko na.

Nakasalubong ko sa entrance si Tita Lar. She looked like she was looking for me. And when Tita found me, she automatically frowned.

"You left the counter unattended, Vie! Saan ka ba nanggaling? Humingi ka na ba ng paumanhin kay Jerrick?" tuloy tuloy na sabi ni Tita Lar.

Sabay kaming pumasok sa loob ng cafe. Nakita kong nag-aaral na sina Lesly at Cara kaya hindi na ako nang-istorbo. Hindi ko sinagot si Tita dahil alam kong madi-disappoint na naman siya sa ginawa ko. That became my habit—disappointing people.