When the Ex Returns

Chapter 9: Another Clever Deceit

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*** Another Clever Deceit ***

JUST LIKE WE talked about, naghintay ako sa kanya sa SM Ecoland. Ideal naman yun for him dahil sigurado ako, galing naman siya sa Regional Training Center nila sa Tugbok District, just a 30-minute ride.

He shouldn’t make pranks this time. Seryoso ako. I don’t mean anything other than just settle the score between us. Gusto ko lang malinis ang konsensiya ko. And, if there really is something na nangyari, I can plan on what to do next. Maybe, pwede ko lasingin si Fred then something will happen and I will just say that we lost senses and control. Sana nga lang hindi maging singkit ang bata para makalusot ako. (Lesson learned: go for men with almost similar features para walang bulilyaso. Not that I’m planning to get into one again.)

I saw this beautiful petite floral dress sa window ng Mags. Just as my cellphone started ringing…

“Yes?” I didn’t dare look at the caller’s name. Ako lang naman mag-isa so there is no point in being very cautious.

“Hi, Ana! Nasa SM ka na ba?” Of course, there is no doubt. Si Vic na to, though I don’t quite recognize the tone of the voice marahil siguro sa maingay na background na naririnig ko from his end.

“Yes. Bakit? Are you anywhere near?”

“Pwede sa main entrance na lang tayo magkita para hindi na ako mag-park and we can leave immediately. Is that okay with you?”

“Yeah, sure. No prob. I’m on my way out now.”

“Okay. See you in a bit.”

Nagmadali akong lumabas ng mall para salubungin si Vic. I really don’t know what to expect. I didn’t even know na may sasakyan na pala siya ngayon. Well, ang tagal na rin naman naming walang communication. At isa pa, how would I know that it’s already him. I should have asked. Hindi yung sugod lang ako ng sugod. Magmumukha lang akong tanga sa labas nito.

I slipped through an inconspicuous place sa may entrance area. Inconspicuous in the sense na walang mga barker/conductor na mangungulit sa akin kung saan ako pupunta at kung ano ang dapat kung sakyan. I understand that it is their way of earning money pero, patawarin Niyo po ako, it’s a bit annoying.

Kunting-kunti na lang talaga, lalapit na sa akin ang isang barker ng may tumigil naman na isang puting Starex van at bumababa sa harapang passenger seat si Vic. Not that I paid attention to the van pero I just have a gut-feeling na yun ang hinihintay ko. Pero, why a Starex van?

“Ana! Here!” Tawag niya sa akin. I felt offended kasi parang hindi naman gentleman ang pagka-approach. But shouldn’t care naman talaga diba? Who cares if he is chivalrous or not. Not that it matters to me. So, sinundan ko na lang siya at nagtungo sa van. I also saw the disappointment on the face ng barker na lalapit na sana sa akin. Sorry, kuya.

Laking gulat ko lang kasi sa loob ng van, marami palang sakay. First that strike my eyes ay si Darvie. Katabi niya sa second row ng sasakyan ang kanyang asawa. Sa third row naman ay nandun si Mark, kapatid ni Vic, at si John, pinsan nila. Si Gil, isa pa nilang kabarkada, ang nagda-drive ng sasakyan.

As much as I want to ask kung bakit nandito sila when I clearly told him na kelangan ko siyang makausap (though I didn’t say, sarilinan or privately), hindi ko na nagawa. That will be rude. And Darvie is all too close to me. Lumipat pa nga siya sa first seat row to talk to me.

“Ana! I missed you.” Sabay yakap sa akin ni Darvie when I finally got to sit.

I missed her, too. Especially na I confided to her how hurt I was nung ginago ako ng pinsan niya. She has been very supportive to me. Inaway pa nga niya si Vic noon. I just didn’t bother asking what was his reaction.