KABANATA 10

MARI

Seeing that disappointed expression on SJ’s face after all that I said made me feel guilty.

Because yeah, hindi nga naging maganda nag unang pagkikita namin. But for me, that is still not an enough and justifiable reason to be rude on someone. Kahit pa sabihing siya naman ang unang nang asar sa akin kung tutuusin.

“I-I’m sorry. I-I didn’t mean to—”

“It’s okay. You don’t have to worry ‘bout me. It’s fine.”

Nakagat ko na lang ang ibabang labi ko, lalo na nang hindi siya tumingin sa akin nang sabihin niya ang mga katagang iyon. He just paid attention to the girl doing his drink.

“N-No, I really mean it. I’m sorry. I-I didn’t mean to be harsh on you. Masyado lang talaga akong nadala sa unang encounter natin sa… alam mo na. And I am just not used to it and—”

“You don’t have to explain yourself.” putol niya ulit na hindi pa rin tumitingin sa akin. He just took his drinlk from the crew and uttered, “Thank you.”

Ngumiti pa siya sa babae, pero nang bumalik ang tingin niya sa akin ay wala