Here's the update [b]Chapter 16[/b] [i]"..But how come you didn't even mention her?"[/i] I asked the question that's been bothering my mind all the way. He seemed unsurprised. Siguro alam na niyang itatanong ko rin ito sa kanya. He just let out a sigh. "You didn't ask. I thought it wouldn't matter." "Damn it, Jake. Of course it matters!" "Sorry, okay?" I sighed too, gave him a glance and start to walk away. Pero maglalakad pa lang ako, hinawakan na niya ang kamay ko. "San ka pupunta?" "Aalis. Uuwi." "Bakit? Hindi na tayo....tuloy?" "Ewan ko." I rolled my eyes. He looked at me intently, tapos biglang boom! Hinalikan niya ko. Di joke lang.. He just leaned closer, I could feel his breath. "Ililibre kita, wag ka lang aalis." [i]wag ka lang aalis. wag ka lang aalis. wag ka lang aalis. wag ka lang aalis. wag ka lang aalis.[/i] "Huyy." He waved his hand in front of my face. "Oh?" "Ano na?" "Okay. Sige." I agreed. Who could resist him? "Wait lang, I'll just check on Christine." "Okay. I'll be here." Malumanay kong sinabi habang napa-upo sa upuan sa labas ng patient's room. It got me thinking, what am I even doing in this hospital? Bakit ko sila sinundan? Bakit nag-effort pa ako? If Jake's just a normal guy in my life, I wouldn't even bother. But.. why? [b]Why the efforts, Rish? What's wrong with you?[/b] And then I slapped myself lightly. Napatingin naman sa'kin yung naka-wheelchair na lola. Siguro akala niya baliw ako. Pasensya, lola. May pagka-ewan lang talaga tong babaeng nakaupo dito. Hindi niya alam kung anong nararamdaman niya. Kung mahal na ba niya si Jake. [i]Kung mahal na ba niya si Jake.[/i] *sampal ulit* "Aisshh.. Ano ka ba, Rish? Baliw ka na talaga." I whispered to myself. Napatingin ulit si Lola. Napa-smile na lang ako. Eeek. "Iha, o-okay ka lang?" "Uhh, opo, lola. Hihi." I laughed a little. Damn. Nakakabaliw. - "Nurse, will she be alright by herself?" "Yes, sir. Okay na po siya." The nurse said. She looked hesitant, for some reason. Pinabayaan na lang siya ni Jake and looked at Christine. [i]"Sorry, Tine. Hindi ko lang talaga...kaya."[/i] He sighed, and left the room. Christine opened her eyes and blurted out, [b]"Damn it!!"[/b] "M-miss?" "San siya pupunta?" "Aalis na po ata siya eh." The nurse said while reviewing the diagnosis. "Shit! I have to follow him!" "Wait po, uhmm.. Ma'am. Wala naman po kayong, complications based sa diagnosis? It says here na wala namang finding and you obviously didn't have a heart attack." "Isn't it obvious?! I'm faking, you idiot!" Christine yelled. "Uhh, Ma'am.. I suggest you leave now po, wala naman kayong sakit." The nurse struggled to add politeness to her voice, pero halatang naiinis na rin siya. "Wait, you're not going to contact Jake, are you?" "Miss I need to-" "No, you don't." She said calmly. She opened her purse and let out 10,000 cash. Kinuha niya yung kamay nung nurse, at nilagay niya ang 10k dito. "Keep your mouth shut." She said and left. Tumakbo si Christine papunta sa ground floor, she asked a nurse kung may nakita ba siyang lalaki, and then described Jake. "Kakaalis lang po Ma'am. May kasama po siyang babae eh." Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Christine. Whaaat!? Si Jake, may kasama? This couldn't be it.. Arggh. Gigil na gigil na siya, so she ran faster. She called a cab and started to wander through the streets, hoping to catch Jake in sight. -- "Here." Jake handed me a Cappucino from Starbucks. I half smiled. Nandito kami ngayon sa Seaside malapit sa MOA. We decided to chill out first before dinner. Treat na rin daw niya ang dinner, so I guess he's really determined to pay for his sins. MUAHAHHA~ "Why Starbucks?" I asked. "E diba, eto gusto mo?" "Sino namang nagsabi sa'yo?" "Mayaman kayo. Siyempre ganito ang iniinom niyo." He said. "FYI, Starbuck's not pangmayaman talaga. Do you know na sa New York, cab drivers are hanging out on Starbucks? Dito lang naman sa Pilipinas yan naging pan-sosyal. I don't even know why." "Alam mo naman ang mga Pilipino eh, stereotypes ang iba." we both laughed. I looked at the Cappucino drink and started to realize something. "You know what, forget it.." Tinapon ko yung drink sa may dagat banda. Jake looked confused. "Ba't mo ginawa yun?" He asked. "To prove to you na hindi ako kagaya ng iba." I stood up and approached a coffee stand. Parang hotdog stand lang. I bought two cups of coffee and handed him one. I looked at him, he looked unhappy. "O, ba't hindi maipinta yang mukha mo?" "Sayang.. yung.. pera.. ko." Oops. "S-s-sorryyy." I blurted out. "Ikaw kasi eh, may pa-prove prove ka pang nalalaman diyan. [i]You don't need to prove anything. I already know na iba ka sa kanila[/i]." I blushed a little. Damn it. :"> "Dinner na tayo?" "Yeah, it's getting late." And we both stood up, sabay pasok sa MOA. We found a cute resto, Mckingley's ang name. Sa pinsan ko to eh. Kaya medyo may discount. I told Jake that I'll pay for it, para naman hindi masayang yung pera niya. Sinayang ko na nga dun sa Starbucks eh. HIHIII. We ordered two steaks and drinks. Sapat na to. Busog naman kami pareho. Nabusog sa kape. ) "Excuse me, restroom lang ako." I excused myself and went to the CR. Pagdating ko dun, todo retouch ng make up and apply ng lip gloss. I was busy with my face when suddenly, a girl tapped my back. [i]"Why hello there."[/i]