The Spaces In Between

[47] Of V-Day Madness and Second Dates

Ayun, bumigay na rin si Ms. Marisse at tumawa na nang malakas. First time ko siyang makitang tumawa nang ganon, walang poise and everything. Super weird. Hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko so kay Andreau ko na lang tinuon ang pansin ko. "Hoy Francisco, what the hell's going on?"

Turning to me, Andreau must have sensed my confusion. He sighed before answering. "Don't mind them, Zades. Nababaliw na sila. Kung anu-ano na ang iniisip." With that, he got up and headed towards the front door. Hala, anong ganap ba talaga? Mas naguluhan ako sa sinabi niya eh!

"O Andreau, where are you going? I thought dito ka magdidinner?" Ms. Marisse said. "Magluluto pa naman sana ako ng beef stroganoff for you."

He shrugged. "Nah. I have to go back to editing anyway. Palagay na lang sa tupperware yung leftovers, will get it tomorrow morning."

"Sure ka, Kuya Andreau? May dala pa namang cupcakes si Ate Zade oh! Ayaw mo ba?" Tristan suddenly piped in cheerfully.

And the next thing surprised me: Andreau glared at Tristan. A death glare. Sinong gagawa no'n sa charming na bata kagaya ni Tristan!? May sapak talaga 'tong si Francisco ngayong araw! Nakakairita ha! "Stop eating sweets, Tristan. You're getting fat. Puno na rin ng cavities yang mga ngipin mo so evaluate your life choices. See you later." And with that, tuluyan na siyang umalis ng pad nina Ms. Marisse.

Malakas na tawa mula kina Ms. Marisse at Mars ang pumuno sa sala nang mawala na si Andreau. Oh my god, they're so hysterical. What's with people these days ba? Kagabi si Kesh, tapos ngayon silang dalawa naman? Buti pa 'tong si Tristan, chill lang sa tabi ko! Siya na lang ang chinika ko para maliwanagan sa mga pangyayari kanina.

"Mr. T, anong meron sa pinsan mo at tinamaan ata ng sapak ngayon?"

"Si Kuya Andreau po ba? Wala lang po. We're just talking."

Huh. "About what?"

Tristan flashed me a secretive smile. "About things."

"Hay nako, Zades! Buti na lang wala ka rito kanina!"sabi ni Mars sa 'kin, na umupo na sa armchair ni Andreau kanina. "I swear, maloloka ka! The tension will kill you!"

"Tension? Tension about wha--"

The front door opened suddenly, and Andreau walked back in fast. Present pa rin ang kunot noo niya. Hindi uso ang pagkalma, Francisco?

"What brought you back?" Ms. Marisse asked, relaxing into the sofa. "Dahil ba sa beef stroganoff or cupcakes?"

"I left my iPad here." Oo nga, nasa center table ang precious niyang girlfriend. Kaunti na lang ibabato ko na 'yan mula rito sa 47th floor eh! Hindi naman siya mamahalin no'n pabalik! He passed right in front of me pero dineadma lang niya ako at kinuha agad ang epal niyang iPad. Cold shoulder ba ang labanan, Francisco? Hah, expert ako dyan.

Lumakad na ulit siya papunta sa front door.. at doon ko lang naramdaman ang tension na sinasabi ni Mars. Oh, it's definitely there in the air, super electric. But.. tension between who?

Tatanungin ko sana si Mars nang biglang magsalita si Andreau. He stood by the open front door, holding the doorknob. "Oh by the way, kid. Another tip: your date hates flowers. Don't give her those."

And that's when everything clicked.

They were talking about me.

***

Sobrang binagabag ako ng usapan nina Andreau at Tristan noong Sunday. Ayaw kasing sabihin sa 'kin nina Ms. Marisse at Mars kung ano 'yon, at lalo na si Tristan na may nalalaman pang "Kuya Andreau said it's a man talk, just between the two of us. Sorry po, Ate Zades."