Next to You (COMPLETED)

7 - Look

The next half of the day went well. Di gaanong naging busy since walang masyadong problem tickets na dumating. My new teammates were cool, too. Somehow I think hindi naman ako mahihirapang makatrabaho sila. Mabait din ang team lead ko. I mean, that is my observation as of now but of course, it's too early to judge. Nakakatuwa din ako kasi madalang sa IT department ang mga girls but sa bagong team ko, mas lamang kaming babae.

Napag-usapan din namin kanina ni Tonie na sabay kaming uuwi. I just have to wait for him for an hour though since mas una ang tapos ng shift ko sa kanya. I stayed in the lounge while waiting for him and just read a book. I'm trying to finish Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell. I like to read pero di naman ako yung bookish talaga.

Napatingin ako sa may lounge entrance and I saw Colton coming in. May vendo machine kasi sa malapit sa entrance and looks like he will buy some drinks. He glanced my way while waiting for his drinks and nakita niya akong nakatingin sa kanya. After getting his cup, he went on my direction.

"Hey"

"Hi"

"End of shift?"

"Yep. Hinihintay ko si Tonie, sabay na daw kaming umuwi. Papatulong ata kasi medyo madami siyang dala and di sya masusundo ni Jordan."

"I see."

"Kayo po? Break?"

"Nope. Actually I'm heading home too. Naisipan ko lang bumili muna ng iced milo." he explained and lifted his cup a bit.

"Hmmm."

"Mind if I stay and samahan kang maghintay sa pinsan mo?"

Okay? This move. I know exactly where this is going. Not that I am assuming or anything, pero sa mga past experience ko, I know when a guy is trying to make a move on me. Not boasting pero madalas akong maligawan or madalas may mga nagpaparamdam. This time though, I really am not looking for any romantic relationship. Parang nadala ako na gusto ko nalang talagang maging single habangbuhay. I can be a friend, though and yeah, in my new environment, that is exactly what I need. New friends.

"Okay lang. No problem." I said and close the book I am reading.

While we wait for my cousin, he asks questions about Manila branch. Napag-usapan din namin si Tonie and I asked how's my cousin as a team member.

"He's good. Actually, siya ang POC ko. He has a lot of potential, too. If may mag-open na slot for a team leader position, I would definitely recommend him and will push him to apply."

I also took this chance to ask the incident last Sunday. Bakit nga ba hindi nya nalang sinabi na di siya yung dapat ay sundo ko. Why did he let me ride in his car that time. I mean, I am actually a stranger. Ganun ba talaga siya?

"Ahm, Colton.... if you don't mind. I just want to know if bakit di mo sinabi last time na I have mistaken you for someone?"

"Oh. That.... Honestly, di ko rin sure. That time kasi you really look.... in a hurry? You said din na masakit na ang ulo mo so I decided to be of help. You don't look dangerous naman... so.. ayun."

"Are you really like that? Like if that happens to you again, will you still let a stranger ride with you and will you drop them off to where they want to go?"

This time, before responding, he looked at me first. That kind of look I am sure has a meaning.

Not sure if this is an intuition or talent, but I can tell when a guy is liking me or a friend of mine. I remembered Kelvin, Mary's boyfriend and just recently, her fiancee. First meet palang namin, napansin ko na that he is interested with my friend. Even back in college, I can easily tell when a classmate of mine likes me or another classmate. I have never been wrong when it comes to this. The thing now is, I don't have plans to be involve with a guy in a romantic kind of relationship.

Before Colton can speak again, my cousin arrived already. He saw me and his team leader talking and when I looked at him, he has this look in his face that shouts he is thinking something is up. A malicious smile is plastered in his face.

"Nakakaistorbo po ba ako?" Tonie said with a hint of tease in his voice. Napakalandi din ng pagkakasabi niya.

Colton laugh then stood up from his seat. Sabay-sabay naman kaming naglakad palabas ng building. Colton even helped my cousin sa mga gamit nya. Para makabawi sa pinsan ko, inasar ko din silang dalawa.

"Alam nyo, bagay kayong dalawa. Bakit di na lang kayo?" asar ko sabay tawa.

Nanlaki naman ang mga mata ng pinsan ko dahil sa sinabi ko.

"Gaga ka! Alam mong may boyfriend ako. At saka kahit crush si sir noon, loyal ako sa jowa ko noh!"

Sabay nanlaki ang mga mata namin ni Tonie dahil sa pag-amin nya na may crush sya sa TL nya. Natawa din ako ng malakas dahil alam kong nadulas lang ang bruha kong pinsan.

"Ay sir! Wag ka magalit na crush kita ha. Pramis, noon yon. Zeroret na ngayon."

"Sus. Parang di naman yan ang sinabi mo kanina sa'kin. Sabi mo kahit may bf ka na, crush mo pa din boss mo."

"Tumigil ka!"

Nakikitawa lang naman sa amin si Colton at wala naman siyang naging comment sa revelation ng pinsan ko.

Once we were out, Colton offered to drop us off sa condo ni Tonie. Ang mahadera ko namang pinsan ay pumayag agad kahit na pinandilatan ko siya ng mata.

While waiting for Colton who get his car sa parking, ako naman ang inasar ni Tonie.

"Iba talaga ang ganda nating mga Hernan. Ang haba ng hair, pagupit mo na yan." asar nya sabay hila sa buhok ko.

"Sira. Ang malisyoso mo." sagot ko sa pinsan ko kahit alam ko ang tinutukoy nya.

"Sige. Sabihin mo sa akin ngayon na di ka napapaisip sa mga actions ng boss ko. Alam ko na alam mong may something. You know when someone likes you or is interested in you. Don't me."

Yes. Tama si Tonie, malakas talaga ang pakiramdam ko sa mga ganong bagay. Personally, yung mga hinala ko na may gusto sa akin, they all ended up confessing to me and most of them courted me.

"Well, if that's the case then walang mapapala TL mo. I can only offer friendship. Nothing more."

"We'll see. Nararamdaman kong di matutupad yang single forever plan mo."

Umiling na lang ako sa pinsan ko. Bahala siya kung ano man iniisip nya. Basta ako, paninidigan ko to. No more boys. Lalo pa't I think I haven't forgive my self because of what happened in my last relationship. And not sure if I ever will.