How to Avoid Heartbreaks

8

"I think... you just fell for me." Orion's voice echoed in my ears. Umayos ako ng tayo at binigyan siya ng matalim na tingin.

"Baliw!" I hissed but he only laughed at my reaction. Nanliit ang kaniyang mga mata sa kakatawa. His laugh was contagious that I suddenly felt like laughing as well. Kung hindi lang umubo-ubo ang mga kaibigan, nakitawa na rin siguro ako.

Bumaling ako sa kanila at nakitang naaaliw ang mga ito sa nangyayari. Hindi man lang nakonsensya ang mga ito sa pagtulak sa akin! Bago ko pa sila mapagsabihan, nagsialisan na sila na may mga tagumpay na ngiti.

"Uh... sorry and thanks for catching me." I turned towards Orion's direction but didn't look at him. I was a bit embarrassed on what happened. Hindi na ako elementary para itulak ng mga kaibigan sa lalaking gusto. At isa pa, hindi ko naman gusto si Orion kaya ba't nila ako tinulak?

"Of course," aniya, may kung anong emosyon sa mga namumungay na mata. "Shall we go back to our seats?"

Tumango ako at sumunod sa kaniya pabalik sa upuan namin. Gusto ko sana siyang tanungin tungkol sa sinabi niya ngunit mukhang nagbibiro lang siya at wala na iyong ibang kahulugan.

Rule #5: don't assume. I reminded myself.

Nang makaupo, hinubad ko ang heels. Susuotin ko nalang ulit mamaya kapag uuwi na. Tahimik kaming umupo habang pinagmamasdan ang mga nagsasayawan. Nang mainip, sa desserts corner ko naman itinuon ang pansin. Gusto ko sanang kumuha ng makakain ngunit tinatamad na ako.

"You want more desserts?" he asked.

"Oo," I pouted.

Huli ko nang napagtanto na ang arte pala ng inasta ko. Bago pa ako makapagsalita ulit, nag "okay" na siya at tumayo. Hindi nagtagal, bumalik siyang dala-dala ang dalawang pinggan puno ng desserts.

"Baka hindi ko maubos."

Kung nasa Pilipinas sana ako, kanina pa 'ko nagtago ng mga pagkain para i-takeout.

"I'll help you," aniya at nagsimula nang kumain.

I was staring at him while he ate a forkful of cake. As much as I don't want to admit it, his gesture was really... sweet.

Kinain namin ang mga desserts habang nag-kukuwentuhan. Feeling ko tuloy, kilalang-kilala ko na siya!

Naputol lang ang usapan namin nang may naghiyawan sa dancefloor at napatingin kami roon. Napailing-iling na lang ako sa nakita.

There, on the dancefloor were my friends; Vanilla was doing some body-waves; Euxine was doing some headbangs as if she's in a rock concert; while Oceanne was twerking! The two cousins who spread the fake news about Orion and I were also there.

Milena looked really awkward while dancing "watch me whip". Martini, who I think is really drunk, was doing the "dolphin dive". Nandoon din ang iba pa nilang mga pinsan.

"Why don't you join them?" I said, turning to Orion who was now filming his cousins.

He shook his head. "Nah, I'd rather be here."

You'd rather be here with me? Napangiti ako dahil sa naiisip.

"My sister offered to take you home, right?" he asked. "I don't think she can do that in her current state."

Hala oo nga!

"Let me drive you home," he offered.

Mabilis akong umiling. The thought of me alone with him in his car made me nervous; not because I don't trust him, but because I might say or do something I shouldn't... baka mapaamin pa ako nang wala sa oras.