Scripted Relationship

ROSE

Ininom ko ang aking Venti Hazelnut White Chocolate Mocha (nakuha kong kape kay Erik ito) while I took a break on finishing the final touches ng aking story treatment. Finally, matatapos ko na rin ang aking story treatment para maibigay ko na kay Alex. Hopefully, ma-endorse niya sa Star Bright Pictures.

Tumingin ako sa labas ng Starbucks and simply gazed at the horizon na parang napakalayo. Suddenly, I remembered that first moment when Erik and I met in Starbucks.

“Anong ginagawa mo dito?” Tanong ko kay Mr. Antipatikong-Naka-Boxers-Lang.

“Anong ginagawa MO dito? This is my place.” Sagot niya na parang may pagyayabang pa.

“Wala ka nang pakialam dun. And don’t act as if you own this place.” Then I gave him a sarcastic look. Nakakaasar naman ito! Nawala tuloy yung sinusulat ko na idea.

“I never said I ‘own’ the place.  I live here.”

SHIT! Ito na naman siya! This time, pilosopo naman siya. Nakakaasar. Tiningnan ng masama at dahan-dahang tumayo sa aking kinauupuan.

“You know what? Tama na yung sinabi mo at pagtrato mo sa akin kahapon sa parking lot. Ngayon, kung wala kang magandang sasabihin, maari ka nang umalis sa harapan ko. Sa ibang babae mo na lang ibaling yang kayabangan mo,” mahinahon pero may dating na sabi ko sa kanya. Tsaka ako naupo ulit at pinagpatuloy ang ginagawa ko.

He remained standing there. Hindi siya gumalaw man lang. Tiningnan ko siya ulit. Nagbago ang itsura ng mukha niya, nag-iisip. Parang hindi mapakali.

“Ano? Gusto mo pa bang hilahin kita papa—“

“I’m sorry.” Napatigil ako sa sinabi ko at napatingin sa kanya.

“What did you say?” Tanong ko sa kanya.

“I said, I’m sorry,” he said.

“Bakit ka nagso-sorry?”

“Because I may have been mean to you yesterday. Well, I made you feel less than the person you are. I realized I may have said things that may have annoyed or embarrassed you.”

----- O -----

ERIK

I was driving my way out of New Manila when I saw a girl of my age crossing the street. Her things fell while in the middle of the road so I stopped the car to help her out.

“Are you okay, miss?” I asked the girl as I gave her other things.

“I am okay,” the girl replied as she smiled at me and got her other things from me.

She walked away and stared at her as she continued walking. I then remembered the time when Rose slipped on her way to chase on me that day when we went to National Bookstore.

“Erik!” Rose shouted as she was chasing me. I walked through these dozen of people when suddenly:

“Aray!” I turned my back as I heard Rose shouted the word. I immediately went back to her direction and saw a teenage uniformed student went to her.

“Miss, I am sorry. Hindi ko sinasadya. Okay ka lang ba?” The stupid teenager said.

“Okay lang. May hinaha—“