Annex's Point of View #People'sChoiceFYWC2017

einundzwanzig

"What the hell, Winston!" I blurted out when I realized what he just said.

"Are you telling me that Lyra cheated on you? Or she's cheating on you?" Kuryoso kong tanong, di makapaniwala sa narinig.

He nodded, never tearing away his gaze outside.

I slouch on my seat and started massaging my temple. What the hell. What the hell is happening? What did I get myself into?

-----

He showered me with attention the week after that incident. He never failed to visit me in my school. We're not in the same school, that's why I only see him when it's dismissal.

"Naks. Excited umuwi ah?" Natatawang komento ni Flam.

Napatingin ako sa cellphone ko at napagtantong walang ni isang notification galing kay Theodoro doon. I pouted. That bastard.

Maswerte siya I've been occupied with someone. Naku, kung hindi, baka na rak ko na yung inbox niya.

"Oh. Ayan na sundo mo." Tinuro ni Flam ang papalapit na si Winston tsaka niya ako tinulak patungo sa direksyon nito.

"Go! Shoo!" Pagtataboy pa niya sa akin. I rolled my eyes at her.

Sinalubong ko si Winston and gave him a beaming smile. He smiled in return. "You're... happy." Komento nito. Tumango-tango ako. "Of course! You being here means libre, cigarette boy." I said candidly.

Totoo naman eh! Pag sinusundo niya ako, isa lang ibig sabihin niyan. Ililibre na naman niya ako sa kung saan-saan na mall.

"So, where to?" Tanong ko habang naglalakad kami patungo sa SUV nila. I saw mang Romeo, his driver.

"I saw this cafe when I was going home from my grandparent's house. I want to go there with you." He turn to me and smiled before opening the back seat.

I blush, I freaking did.

Cold coffee, was the name of the cafe. The ambiance is really nice. It's located in a boulevard.

"Wow! I love it here!" I exclaimed when he returned to our table with a frapuccino and americano in hands.

Pinatong niya ang frappe sa harap ko.
May kasunod itong staff na may dalang isang slice ng chocolate cake at isang jar ng cookies.

"I'm glad you do." Nakangiti niyang sagot tsaka ibinaling ang tingin sa labas.

Agad napawi ang ngiti ko. Last night, I stalked him. And stalking got me nowhere good because I found out several things about him that I was better off not knowing.

Isang malalim na buntong hininga ang aking pinakawalan, nakuha nito ang attensyon niya.

"What's wrong?" Nag-aalala nitong tanong. He took a sip of his americano.

"What am I to you, Winston?" That was supposed to come out casual, but my tone turned out longing. Sumandal ako sa upuan at tinitigan siya.

He looked surprised at my sudden question. Nang makabawi, he gave me a playful smile.

"What do you want me to say?" Maloko nitong tanong.

"I want the truth."

"You're someone special." The sincerity in his voice made my jaw drop. This man! Hindi ba niya maramdaman na alam ko? That he has a girlfriend? I clenched my jaw at kinuyom ang kamao ko.

"Come on, Winston. Tell me the truth." I urge.

"But... it's the truth." He looked lost and confused.

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. I give up! "Okay." I relaxed a little bit. "I'll believe you."

Stupid, Anne. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

I got an earful from mamita when I went home. She found out na hindi ako sumabay kina Flam. She scolded me for one whole hour and dismissed me afterwards.

A ping caught my attention.

+63999999999

Good night, beautiful.

I smiled at the unknown but really known number.

But that bliss was short lived. It was saturday, I decided to go out with myself and window shop. I went to the first mall that Winston brought me for the first time.

I smiled at myself in the mirror. Nakasuot ako ng isang body hugging dress na nakuha ko sa isang rack dito sa Chanel. Abot tenga ang ngiti ko nang makita kung gaano kabagay ito sa akin.

I twirl around the mirror happily.

"Bagay po sa inyo ma'am!" Nakangiting sabi ng babae. I smiled at her when something caught my peripheral vision.

A couple entered the shop's premise that wiped away the smile on my face.

Nakaakbay yung lalake sa babae habang masaya silang nag-uusap. Tinalikuran ko sila bago pa man nila ako makita, walang anu-ano ay pumasok ako sa fitting room.

Napahawak ako sa aking dibdib. It's... it's hurting and the room is suffocating me.

I closed my eyes in pain when images of Winston and his girl crossed my mind. It's his girlfriend. I'm certain, I saw her picture while stalking his fb account.

That's what you get, Anne. That's what you get when you let your stupidity win.

-----

He must be kidding right? He cheated in the first place. It's not the other way around. Lyra can't do that.

Napatingin ako sa tahimik niyang pigura, I shook my head lightly.