2

"One and two and three- Jace you're doing it wrong." I said almost getting irritated. Kanina pa kasi nagkakamali si Jace.

"You're supposed to do it this way and not that." I continued demonstrating him the correct steps.

"Sorry, 'di kasi ako marunong eh." he frowned.

I just sighed and took my phone sending the video. 

"I sent you the video of the dance. Panoorin mo at pag-aralan mo. I'll only give you three days para mapraktisan na rin natin 'yong formations natin sa sayaw." I explained.

"Lux? Hindi ba ang bilis ng three days? Why don't you give him a week?" ani Aeron.

"Then we won't have much time to practice the whole dance." I pointed out.

"Lux, bro kaya 'yan. Trust us. Diba Jace?" sabi ni Tantan at agad namang tumango si Jace.

"Fine then," I sighed.

Ngumiti naman sila habang ako napakamot nalang ng ulo. Kaya ba talaga namin ng one week practice? Nagpractice na kami uli hanggang 5:30 pm. Nang matapos kami, nag-ayos na kami ng gamit at nagsiuwian. I went inside my car and was about to drive when someone knocked on the window. I rolled down the window and looked at him.

"Uhm... Lux? puwedeng magpahatid? Doon lang sa Bonchon." He asked sounding shy.

"Get in," I told him.

Ngumiti naman siya at pumasok sa sasakyan. 'Di na ako nagtanong kung bakit sa likod siya sumakay kaya nagsimula na akong magdrive. Ang tahimik lang namin sa loob. The only thing that made the car noisy was the radio. I'm not a fan of listening to news but I'm a big fan of listening to music. 

"Buti nalang 'di traffic." Jace mumbled but it was loud enough to hear.

"Oo nga, buti nalang." I said.

"Narinig mo sinabi ko?" tanong niya.

"What do you think?" I looked at him through the mirror.

"Narinig mo nga." he pouted.

I just chuckled and stopped the car in front of Bonchon.

"We're here," sabi ko.

"Thanks," ngumiti lang siya at lumabas na ng kotse.

Tinignan ko lang siya hanggang sa nakapasok na siya sa loob. Napakunot ang noo ko nung nakita kong may niyakap siyang babae. Mas matangkad si Jace ng konti. Hindi ko nakita 'yong itsura nung babae. Pfft. Why do I need to see her face though? I don't care about it. 

Umuwi na ako at naghalf bath. After dressing up and eating, same routine lang. I did my plates and some assignments. Agad ko namang natapos 'yong plates ko since patapos na rin 'yon. Sa assignments naman, medyo nahirapan ako. I might be part of the dean's list, but I'm not that smart. I stopped doing my homeworks nalang since sa friday pa naman ang pasahan. I opened my phone and went to twitter. 

Mga ogags<33< strong>

aeronbenson: G*go ka talaga tantan!

tristanchandler: Nagbibiro lang naman ako kay tita eh

isaacmaxwell: Nagbibiro ka nga. Ang gandang biro nun ahh totohanin nyo kaya HAHAHAHAHA

Napakunot ang noo ko sa mga chats nila. Anong meron?

aeronbenson: Isaac mananahimik ka o kakatayin kita ng buhay?

isaacmaxwell: Mananahimik na po

elsage: Tristan ang lt nun ha HAHHAHAH

drianchavez: Oo nga! Ang ganda ng reaction ni tita, kinongratulate pa kayo HAHAHAHAHAHA

aeronbenson: T*ngina tinatanong tuloy ni mama kung puwede raw sumama si tantan sa family dinner.

sebastianflurry: Edi maganda yun HAHAHAHA

luxphinx: what the heck's happening?

aeronbenson: Lux, pagsabihan mo yang kaibigan mo na wag nang magpapakita sa'kin.

Lalong kumunot ang noo ko.

luxphinx: why?

tristanchandler: Hindi mo nga ako gustong makita, gusto naman akong makita ni tita

sebastianflurry: Ayun naman pala HAHAHAHAHA legal na kayo kay tita HAHAHAHAHA

elsage: */nagpafiesta; congrats sainyo dejoke HAHAHAHAHA

luxphinx: wait, sila na?

aeronbenson: HINDI BAHALA NGA KAYO

Natawa ako sa reaksyon ni Aeron. Napagtripan ata 'to ni Tristan.

luxphinx: totohanin niyo na kasi.

aeronbenson: AYAW.

drianchavez: HAHAHAHHAHAHA

aeronbenson left the group

isaacmaxwell: Hala kayooooo

elsage: Wag kang painosente, inaasar mo rin yan

luxphinx: all of you did.

drianchavez: Kasali ka kaya

luxphinx: I didn't tease him, nagsuggest lang ako na totohanin na nila.

tristanchandler: Add nyo ulit dali!

Lumabi ako at saka agad-agad na binalik si Aeron sa gc.

luxphinx added aeronbenson to the group 

luxphinx: yan, wag na magleave.

tristanchandler: Aeron sorry na, babawi ako pramis:(

aeronbenson: Whatever.

Btw, nakita nyo si Jace? ang tahimik ng acc nya

sebastianflurry: Oo nga, ang tahimik ni Jace.

Ngayon ko 'yon napansin. Oo nga 'no?

elsage: Natulog na ata

drianchavez: Matutulog ng 7:48? Ang aga pa ah

isaacmaxwell: Oo, ang aga pa

luxphinx: he's hanging out with someone.

sebastianflurry: Sinabi sayo?

luxphinx: no, hinatid ko siya sa Bonchon kanina.

elsage: ayy sanaol bonchon

luxphinx: yeah, brb nagugutom ako.

drianchavez: Eat well, mabulunan ka sana, dejoke

Napasimangot ako sa sinabi ni Drian. Ang g*go nga naman.

luxphinx: 🖕

elsage: G*go HAHAHAHAHAAHAHA

Pinatay ko na 'yong cellphone ko at nilapag 'yon sa desk. Lumabas muna ako ng kuwarto at pumunta ng kusina. Gumawa lang ako ng sandwich since gutom talaga ako. I sat on the couch while eating my sandwich and turned on the tv. Nanood ako ng documentary film. While watching it, I saw someone familiar. It was Patricia, my sister. I proudly smiled as I saw her acting for a documentary film. Being an actress was really her dream. And now she's one, I know that she's happy. 

"Patricia Lindsey Vergara." I just smiled as I said her name.

I opened my phone and looked through my instagram. As I scrolled down, post ni Pat ang bumungad. I looked at the pictures and smiled. 

Jake Oliver Quinto. Patricia's suitor before, ka-love team nya na ngayon. What if sila na pala? Patricia would never tell me. She knows I'm so protective of her. I even remembered, I almost punched Jake when I first found out that he's my sister's suitor. 

After eating my sandwich, pinatay ko na 'yong tv tsaka dumeretsyo sa kwarto para matulog. The next morning, same routine as always. Bibihis na sana ako ng uniform kaso nagnotify ang group page namin ng architecture students. 

'ATTENTION!

There will be no classes for Architecture students since the professors will have their team building. The classes will resume on Monday. 

For now, do your assignments and plates. That's all. Thank you.'

I just sighed when I saw the announcement. I prefer going to school than doing nothing. For now all I want to do is visit my sister and mom. Hindi kami iisa ng tinitirahan since nasa Katipunan sila. It's funny nga kasi I'm a Thomasian but my sister's Atenean.

Nagbihis nalang ako ng T-shirt na may tatak na Penshoppe. Naghoodie na rin ako since umuulan ng konti, malamig rin naman kasi. I just wore jogger pants. After I dress up, I took my wallet, car keys, and phone then headed out. While driving, I saw Nash walking. I just stopped the car and opened the car window.

"Nash? Saan ka pupunta?" I looked at him.

"Oh, Lux. Dyan lang sa pharmacy," He replied.

"Why?" I asked.

"Nilalagnat si Ash, you know we're living in the same house." he answered. "Sige una na ako." pagpapatuloy nya.

I just nodded and drove again. Hindi traffic kaya mabilis akong nakadating sa bahay. I parked outside the house since andyan yung kotse ni Dad. So he's home. Lumabas na ako ng kotse para pumasok sa loob, aaktong magdodoor bell na ako nang makasalubong ko si Dad. We looked at each other but I looked away. Galit parin ako sakaniya eh.

"Nga pala dad, my friends will visit here puwede ba? Puwede naman right? I mean it's just us girls no bo- Kuya?!" Ani Patricia kaya napangiti ako.

"Hi Pat, kamusta kayo ni mom?" Niyakap ko agad siya.

"We're fine kuya! Ikaw? Kamusta ka? You know it's been two years ever since you left here!" Sabi niya.

"I know, but I'm doing great. How about your acads?" tanong ko.

"Nakakastress. Medyo nahihirapan akong ipagsabay yung career ko and my studies. But I'm sure masasanay rin ako." ngumiti lang siya. "Ikaw? Kamusta 'yong engineering?" Aniya kaya napatahimik ako.

Lumingon naman siya kay Dad who shook his head kaya narealize niya kung anong tinanong niya sa'kin.

"I- I mean architecture! Kamusta?" She just awkwardly smiled.

"It's fine." I smiled a bit while taking glances at Dad.

"Lux, do you want to come? Kakain kami sa labas." He asked.

I couldn't say no, so I just agreed. Humiwalay kami ng kotse. I used my car while he used his. He was with mom, Pat wanted to ride in my car so kasama ko siya. I drove peacefully since kausap ni Pat 'yong manager nya.

"Okay, I'll be there tomorrow. Bye. Hay nako, may dance performance na naman. Anyways, kuya okay na ba kayo ni dad? Like this is the first time you agreed to come with us." She said.

I just shook my head and smiled. No we're not Pat. We will never be okay. She frowned and looked outside the window. She crossed her arms and asked me.

"Kailan kayo magiging okay?" 

I just kept quiet and focused on driving. If she only knew na gusto ko ring maging okay kami ni Dad. Pero galit parin ako. I'm not ready to forget what he did. I can't forget how he broke our family.

Nang makadating kami sa restaurant, lumabas agad si Pat, mukhang nagtampo since I didn't answered her question. I just sighed and followed her. We just ate breakfast. I was just quiet all the time while they were chit chatting. After that, umuwi na ako. I can't stand seeing him. Why am I even calling him dad? He's not even my real father. Tatay lang sya ni Patricia pero hindi ko sa ama.

I sat down the couch, I suddenly remembered everything that happened. I really hate him for that. Agad ko namang kinalimutan yung iniisip ko nang may nagdoor bell. I stood up to open the door. It was Nic, my high school friend.

"Hey, what's up?" I greeted.

"Doing great, and you?" he said as I let him inside.

"Same," I just smiled and closed the door.

"Wait, may kasama ako," he looked at me.

"Sino?" I opened the door and surprisingly he bought our squad.

"Luxury!"

"Yaman!"

"Lux!" All of them said which made me smile widely.

"Kamusta na kayo?" tanong ko.

"Ayos naman kami, ikaw?" ani Gio, my best friend since elementary.

"Okay lang rin naman ako, pasok kayo." sabi ko at pinapasok silang lahat.

Umupo naman sila sa couch, ang iba nasa sahig since medyo marami sila. Ngumiti nalang ako habang tinitignan sila. Mukha tuloy akong proud na tatay. I went to the kitchen para kumuha ng snacks at drinks. 

"Here," I distributed some snacks.

"Thanks!" sabi nila.

"Lux dito ka nga!" hinila ako ng isang babae, it was Trixie.

"Aight- grabe ka naman kung makahila ah." natawa ako.

"Sorry! By the way, kumusta 'yong plates mo? Third sem nyo right?" aniya.

"Yeah, pero next month pa talaga sisimula." ngumiti ako.

"Ahh, so asan ka aaral ng architecture? Sa UST parin ba?" she leaned on my shoulder and I just nodded.

"Guys! I ordered pizza!" Ani Ash.

"Teka ba't andito 'yan? Kala ko ba may sakit ka?" I asked.

"What? Me? No, it's Nash who's sick. Nagsinungaling na naman ata pinsan mo." he chuckled.

I just sighed and turned on the tv. Nanood muna kami ng movie habang hinihintay 'yong pizza. I stood up nung may nagdoorbell. It must be the pizza. Binukasan ko 'yong pinto at si Jace, Isaac, at Adrian 'yon, may dala pang pizza.

"Pizza raw na inorder mo," Ani Isaac.

"I didn't, Ash did. But it's for us so... Anyway, join us." ngumiti lang ako sa kanila at pinapasok sila.

Pumasok naman sila at nakilala ang mga kasamahan ko. They were also the ones we were hanging out at the bar. Some of theme weren't, but most of them were. I placed the pizza boxes on the small table in front of the couch. I took more drinks since paubos na 'yong drinks.

"Kain na!" Zed said.

"Ang takaw mo talaga Zed," Ani Sky.

"Kakain lang nga eh," sabi naman ni Zed.

Tumawa lang kaming lahat sakanila. Kumuha ako ng pizza para kila Jace, Drian, at Isaac.

"Here," I gave them the pizza and drinks.

"Salamat!" Sabi naman nila.

"If you need something dito lang ako," I said and pointed the seat beside Trixie, they just nodded.

Umupo na ako ulit and kumain ng pizza. I really missed this kind of bonding. Parang nung high school lang.

Jace's P.O.V

Nakaupo lang kami sa gilid since 'di naman kami close sa mga kaibigan ni Lux. Habang kumakain, pinagmasdan ko lang si Lux kasama 'yong babae. Siya 'yong sa bar diba? Napanguso nalang ako nang makita silang nagtatawanan. Inubos ko na rin 'yong pizza ko at uminom nalang ng coke.

"Uy, si Jace mukhang may iniisip." pang-aasar ni Drian.

"Wala ah!" pag dipensa ko sa sarili ko.

"Wala raw, eh kanina ka pa nakatitig dun kay Lux pati sa babaeng katabi niya." nakangiting pang-asar na si Drian.

"Wala nga eh ang kulit!" Iritang sabi ko.

"Nagseselos ka ba?" biglaang tanong ni Isaac kaya napakunot ang noo ko.

"Ha?" nagpanggap akong 'di ko naintindihan kahit naintindihan ko. 

"Sabi ko nagseselos ka ba. Hindi ba crush mo si Lux?" Pag ulit niya.

"Hindi no! Baliw ka ba?" Dineny ko kaagad. Pero oo, nagseselos ako.

"Sige. Sabi mo yan ha," tinawanan lang ako.

Napasimangot tuloy ako. Binalik ko ang atensyon ko kila Lux. Mukhang ang saya nila. Pa'no kung girlfriend nya pala yan? Bahala na nga lang. Hindi rin naman kasi ako gusto ni Lux eh. 

"Hi, you're Jace right?" Tanong nung lalaki.

Tumango lang ako at ngumiti ng tipid.

"Hi I'm Sky. And uhm.. kanina pa kitang napapansin na nakatingin kila Lux at Trixie." Aniya.

So Trixie pala...

"H-ha? Hindi no? Bakit ko naman tititigaan 'yang si Lux?" dinepensahan ko ulit ang sarili ko.

"Probably because you like him?" tumawa sya.

Napasimangot nalang ako. Pinagmasdan ko sila ulit at kumunot ang noo nang may binulong 'yong Trixie kay Lux. Ate! Tabi! Akin 'yan. Char.

"Hey, if you need help about Lux, I can help." panimula ulit ni Sky.

Tumango naman ako. Tanga.

"You agreed! So you do like him." he smirked.

"Ha-" I soon realized what I did.

"Don't worry 'di ko sasabihin. Just tell me your twitter and sasabihin ko lahat tungkol kay Lux." He just smiled.

Binigay ko naman ang twitter username ko at ngumiti. At least diba may tutulong para mas lalo ko pang makilala crush ko. Tumingin nanaman ako sakanila at ngumiti. Soon, ako na 'yong katabi mo, kasama mong tumawa, at syempre mamahalin mo... Soon.

______________________________________

Characters I added;

ITZY's Ryujin as Patricia Lindsey Vergara

Treasure's Hyunsuk as Jake Oliver Quinto