Not A Happy Story

I was in the middle of composing an email when my phone rang — it was C. “What could it have been that made him call me?” I asked myself. I went out of the room, went near the fire exit and answered the call.

“Yes babe?”

He was asking for directions to a certain tea shop near my place. I’d, initially, tell him to hail a cab, but he wanted to really commute. So after giving him specific instructions,

“Call me when you think you’re lost.”

I’m sure he won’t; it’s just my way of caring.

I received a text from him saying he’s near the tea shop. I let out a sigh of relief. I texted him, asking if he’s going solo, he replied with,

“Prolly. I’ve asked someone to go with me pero baka di siya makapunta so I’ll just sit there, sipping my wintermelon milktea like a boss.”

Since the tea shop is near my place, I decided let him know I’ll drop by,

“I guess, I’ll see you there…”

Then, he replied with something that made me feel a little annoyed,

“Ngek. Ok lang ako. Take your time.”

That’s odd. He’s usually excited to see me. In fact we’ve been talking about hanging out to the said tea shop for a change, since we usually hang out at his turf. I still went on my way.

I went inside the tea shop, and immediate saw C. “Hey there,” I greeted. He looked stunned.

I went near him, and was supposed to give him a peck on the lips, but then he was with some guy. I stepped back.

He stuttered, “Uhm, friend si P… P, si friend…” I gave his friend a fake smile. WTF?! I’m sensed an awkwardness between the two of them. Dead air. Then, C broke the ice,

“San ka galing?”

“From the office” (Malamang diba? San pa nga ba? Hindi ba I texted you that I took the Shuttle bus going home?)

“Uhm, Lady in Black called, let’s meet her daw sa coffee shop.”

“Oh…”

(Bat iniba ni C ang topic? Why did he suddenly bring up Lady in Black?)

“Upo ka,” said C’s friend, trying to be courteous. In my head, “kung gusto mo kong paupuin, dun ka sa seat na inooffer mo sa akin, and you’d let me sit beside my boyfriend.”

(Tumaas ang left kilay ko ng mga 1 meter ganyan)

Then I said,“No thanks, kanina pa ako nakaupo sa Shuttle on the way here. I want to stand a little bit naman.”

Tengene. The awkwardness between the two of them increased. Now I’m the one who’s starting to feel awkward. Parang hindi dapat ako kasama sa eksena. It’s as if they weren’t expecting me to be there.

And then, yun na… Kinutuban na ako… (Could it be? Tengene… May samteeng sa kanilang dalawa.)

I suddenly felt my body shaking, and feel weak.

“C, I gotta go…”

“Oh, akala ko ba we’re gonna have dinner? Let’s go to my turf and meet Lady in Black?”

“No, it’s ok. I’ll just go home.”

“Oh, sige, go home and get changed, tapos we’ll have dinner, ha?”

“Yeah, whatever…”

I walked out of the tea shop feeling weak, my right hand clenching my left chest. Parang dinudurog ang puso ko.

Lutang ang pakiramdam while walking on my way home. Disoriented.

“I’ll call you na lang ha. Let’s have dinner.”

(Don’t call me. I don’t wanna hear from you.)

I told him not to bother inviting me for dinner. I’m already having dinner at home.

“Hala. :( I thought you wanted to have dinner.”

I lied, I’m not eating dinner. I couldn’t even eat. I felt really weak, that I just curled up in bed.

He called. 5 missed calls. Na–guilty. I gave him an attitude via text.

“Well I’m going home na. I wanted to go to your house. But I don’t know where it is…”

May mga kasunod pa yung text, but I’m already tearing up. Hindi ko na binasa yung iba pa. I felt betrayed.

***

“So are you?” C’s friend asked.

C neither confirmed nor denied. (Bakit? Ok na sana, he could’ve told him I’m just a friend. I would understand. Pero yung hindi nya sinagot yung tanong? OMG…)

Tengene. Was he cheating on me? I think he is… My gut feel tells me he is.

***

“I’m sorry babe, your friend made me feel really uncomfortable…

I’ve been shaking like crazy since knna pa.. nanghihina ako.. Feels like I wanna cry and faint at the same time.. :(

Oh, and about dinner... hindi ako nakakain...

I only had mango juice.”

***

Block C in Twitter, done. Block C in Facebook, done.

Block C in my life?

To be continued…