Decoding Independence (Monte Llana Series #1)

07

"May gagawin ka bukas?" he asked to ease the silence.

He caught me off guard. The conversation got too personal and it was starting to bother me kaya hindi na ako sumagot pa. Clive fortunately seemed to have gotten the idea at mabuti na lang, hindi na siya nangulit pa.

"Wala naman. Why? I wanna rest lang," I thought about my schedule tomorrow and aside from going to the gym, free na 'ko the whole day. But I didn't want to go out after. I just wanna rest after working out.

I saw how his face got dull. "Okay. I'm not gonna bother you tomorrow."

Hinatid ako ni Clive sa condo. Hindi na siya bumaba 'cause I told him not to. He respected it naman.

"Thank you for tonight," I said. He looked shocked with what I blurted pero nginitian niya naman ako agad.

"Sorry for having to deal with Ileana."

I just gave him an assuring smile before finally going inside. Pagdating ko ng unit, I took a half bath and did my skincare. And then I lied on my bed to get myself to sleep.
I was still thinking about our conversation earlier. I realized I'm still not ready to be open to another person... to share my vulnerabilities to another person. I'm still not ready to show my bare and raw self to someone. I don't know, I'm just not ready yet to face this new chapter.

"Hey, you're not paying attention, Lau!" I had to snap my fingers in front of Lau's face 'cause she seemed out of this world while running on the thread mill.

"Ang lala! Nagsesenti na 'ko, e," inis niyang sambit. I just rolled my eyes.

"Do you have any problem?" I finally took the courage to ask.

She shrugged. "Ulol! Anong problema? Wala lang akong mahanap na story. Yun 'yon!"

I raised a brow. "Liar!"

Napabuntong-hininga lang si Lau. I knew it! Something's bothering her!

"Osh, nakakapagod maging mabait, alam mo 'yon?"

We already stopped running at umupo na lang muna sa mga benches doon.

"Did anyone hurt your feelings? Who? I'll teach that bitch a lesson!" galit kong sambit. I was really mad! No one has the right to hurt my girl friends! No one!

"Oo, ikaw! Hindi ka na nagkwekwento sa'kin. Ano na estado nyo ni daddy Clive?" she changed the topic real quick. Lau really hates to talk about her personal feelings.

Oh, I almost forgot about Clive for a moment. And then I suddenly remembered the IG story that Lau uploaded on my account. Inambahan ko siya agad ng sapak.

"Ouch!" she remarked while holding her head. Masama pa ang tingin niya sa'kin.

"Akala mo I won't know, huh? That was so embarrassing, Lau! My god!" sabi ko sabay hawak sa sentido ko 'cause I really can't picture myself saying that. Tapos nakita pa ni Clive!

"It worked anyway," she winked at me before drinking her water.

The following day, I just wore a halter top and denim shorts to class. Bumawi na lang ako sa peachy makeup and nude lipstick. These days, I don't use the red one anymore. It just too dark for my mood.

"Hey!" I was busy looking for my car keys sa suot kong tote bag nang marinig ko ang bati na 'yon.

Nang inangat ko ang mukha ko, si Clive agad ang nadatnan ko na nakasandal sa kanyang Lambo. He was wearing a fitted black shirt, silver metallic necklace and denim pants. He was also wearing an axe brown Daniel Wellington watch.