Just The Benefits (PUBLISHED)

Kabanata 51

#JustTheBenefits

Kabanata 51 

I never thought working with Shiloah would be this devastating.

Nandito siya sa harap ko pero hindi ko siya maabot. Para bang sa panahon na hindi ko siya nakita, gumawa siya ng harang sa pagitan namin—para hindi ko siya mabasa... Parang hindi ko na kilala iyong tao na nasa harap ko. It was frustrating as hell! He looked the same but it was different altogether.

He was gone for barely two weeks! What could have happened in that short period of time for him to turn 360 degree on me?

Dalawang araw pa lang simula nung nagtrabaho ako kasama siya pero pakiramdam ko, ubos na lahat ng lakas na meron ako. It was exhausting seeing him but not being able to reach out to him. Lahat ng pag-uusap namin, sobrang superficial.

'Saan ang next location?'

'Nasaan si Marga?'

'Kailan tayo matatapos?'

Sa dalawang araw na magkasama kami, puro halos ganyan ang naririnig ko sa kanya. He really changed. I knew I contributed to that change but it still stings seeing him being cold and distant.

Hindi ako sanay and damn it ayokong masanay.

And when it was finally weekend, I was just too happy to be finally free. Hindi ko akalain na dadating iyong panahon na sasaya ako na hindi ko makikita si Shiloah. He was frustrating the hell out of me! I was pissed off every time. Kung hindi lang dahil kay Marga, malamang kung ano na ang nagawa ko kay Shiloah.

He wasn't an ass towards me but he was hurting me nonetheless—isang bagay na ni sa hinagap ko hindi ko inakala na magagawa niya.

He promised to love me and to never hurt me... but I guess promises are just meant to be broken or bent.

I tried calling Mari but she was busy with her OJT. Si Quin naman, ni hindi ko matawagan. Was he avoiding me? Dahil ba 'to sa mga nasabi ko nung huli kaming nagka-usap tungkol kay Parker? I was just being honest. I wanted to move on. I wanted to feel how to be happy again... but that didn't mean that I will forget his friend because to be honest, I don't think I ever will forget Parker. He once meant everything to me.

So I was practically stuck with one person.

"What?" he sounded bored when he answered my call.

"May ginagawa ka?"

"I was sleeping before you called. Ano'ng kailangan mo?"

Napailing na lang ako. He was grumpy whatever he does. Kailan ko kaya makikita na masaya itong tao na 'to? Subukan niya kayang mag-girlfriend at baka mabawasan naman iyong pagka-sungit niya. Mabuti na lang at hindi ako nahahawa sa mood ni Tobi.

"It's Saturday."

"So?"

"Gusto mong magmall?"

There was silence for a while and then I heard him yawning. "What do you take me for? Your friend?"

I nodded though he couldn't see me. "Oo naman. Ilang beses mo na akong natutulungan and minus your rude attitude, you're tolerable as a friend," I told him. Mabait naman si Tobi kahit na minsan binabara niya ako. Exterior niya lang na maging masungit but I know he's a good person... well, in some levels.

Naniniwala ako na mabait naman lahat ng tao... depende sa kaharap nila. You can't expect people to be nice when you're being rude to them.

It was as if I could see him shaking his head. "Fine. Text me where and I'll meet you," he said and then ended the call. Ni hindi man lang ako hinayaang magsalita. I let that pass and began taking a shower. Mabilis lang akong naligo dahil excited na akong lumabas.