16 The Time You Looked At Me

Napatingin ako agad kay Mary Rose. Yung first time ko siyang nakita kahapon, napansin ko agad ang mga branded niyang mga gamit, mula sa suot niyang damit na naka Hanes hangang sa dala niyang bag na naka Chanel Flap Bag. Gosh! Branded lahat.

I rolled my eyes sa kasama niya, as I remembered she was Erika. Dun ko nahalata na lagi siyang nasa likod ni Mary Rose.

And even though she also talks like Rose, but she hasn't disobeyed all she asked her. Then I realized - she is that girl's maid servant, but they look more like in a friend-friend relationship than master-servant.

"Glad you know my name. Well, I take that as a compliment that you stalked me kahapon. Don't worry, hindi malalaman ng ibang tao na may gusto ka sakin. I'll just give you calling card."

Tumaas bigla ang kilay ni Rose as she put her hand on her waist. Saka naggesture kay Erika na parang may hinihingi. Erika quickly opened yung bitbit niyang Hermes Kelly na bag saka kinuha ang maliit na wallet then binunot ang isang card.

Kinuha naman ito ni Rose saka iniabot kay Cody.

Shocked by how she reacted to what he said, he just clenched his fists and his teeth yet didn't say anything. Nag-creased ang noo ni Cody na parang napupuno na kay Rose.

"Here." Sabi ni Mary Rose but Cody didn't even move in an inch. Napatingin ako kay Rose. Gosh! Nakakahiya yung ginagawa niya ah! But then napabuntong-hinga siya when Cody just stared at her.

"Hays. Okay. I understand you. Sadyang wala talaga akong magagawa kung talagang mastarstruck ka sa ganda ko."

Napanganga ako. I glanced towards Arvin, he was just staring coldly the girl. While si Ken naman, hindi maawat ang pagsmile na parang matatawa na.

"Here." Ulit na sabi ni girl, saka kinuha ang kamay ni Cody.

Cody suddenly flinched as Rose tried to open his clenched fist. Because of that mas itinikom niya yung kamao niya para mahirapan si girl. Her face suddenly crumpled as she struggled.

"Pft!" Hindi na napigilan na matawa ni Ken as he grabbed his belly. "Haha. Akin nalang." Sabay offered ng hand ni Ken kay Rose when she gave up. Baka para na rin maiwasan ang embarrassment, she flipped her hair saka ibinato ang calling card kay Ken.

"Mukhang hindi naman kami invited dito. We will take our leave first." Sabi niya.

Kumunot bigla ang noo ni Cody as if he was thinking. "You don't have to leave, I'll just kick you out!"

Si Arvin nagbow kay Mary Rose. "I am very sorry for this young man's rudeness."

Aalis na sana si Rose ng mabigla sa sinabi ni Arvin. She hesitated na magsalita na para bang naguilty siya nangyari na para ring maiiyak. But then she suddenly looked at me na punong-puno na naman ang bibig.

"ajdlafpdnrfjakdbfk!!!" I thought. Napayuko ako agad since I really felt embarass.

"Tch!" She scoffed and after that she just left with Erika.

Napabuntong-hininga ako as I looked on the pitiful chocolate cake na nasa mesa ko. Ang kalat ko kumain! There were smudges nang chocolate sa white cloth ng mesa and there were bits of chips na nahulog sa sahig. "Do I look like a pig?" Tanong ko sa sarili ko.

"Hahaha!" Tawa bigla ni Ken. "Looks like meron nang katapat si Cody ah! Hahaha."

"Ha?!!" Ruthless reaction ni Cody sabay nanlisik ang mga mata kay Ken.

"Pft! Kitang kita sa mukha mo eh! Hahaha. Maalburuto ka na sa galit."

"You-"

"Enough." Cold voice resounded. At the moment na marinig ko yun I immediately thin it was Arvin.

Bigla niyang tiningnan si Cody.

"What?" Tanong ng binata na parang nanliit siya sa cold gaze ni Arvin.

Arvin pinched his forehead as he let out a long sigh. "Ken, samahan mo muna si Bea."

Eh?? Lahat kami napatingin kay Arvin as he continued..

"I'll discipline an idiot youngster." Sabay grabbed sa shirt neck ni Cody saka siya kinaladkad palabas ng restaurant.

"Oy! Vinvin!" Nabigla si Cody nang wala siyang nagawa kundi ang magpumiglas sa kamay ni Arvin. I was really shocked on how those two interact. Yung nung nag-away sila Maam Rose and Arvin, Cody interrupted and sumunod agad si Arvin kaya't all this time, I thought under ni Cody si Arvin, but ngayon, Cody was acting a little brother in a rebellious phase.

Ah! Kinilig agad ako. I don't know kung bakit. Hahaha. Fujoshi bloodline.

I shook my head para mawala ang forbidden na iniimagine ko. Nabigla nalang ako ng nasa harapan ko na si Ken sa harap ko. Bumagay sa kanya ang suot niyang jacket na medyo nakabukas. Napatingin ako sa straight hair niya na really shiny at parang ang lambot lambot. It's kinda brownish in color.

"Pft!" Natawa ulit siya ng makita ang mukha ko. "No wonder kung bakit nilalait ka ni Rose." He bent his leg saka umupo sa dating pwesto ni Cody. He streched his arms towards the case of tissues sa mesa as he threw pieces of table napkins to my face. And a hoarse laugh came.

"Eh!" Napapikit nalang ako nang humaplos ang mga tissue saking malambot na face. But-

"Huh?" Dumikit yung tissue sa mukha ko. Mas lalong lumakas ang tawa ni Ken. I slowly cupped my face with a very puzzled look. Dun ko nahawakan na ang lagkit ng mukha and when wipe it with the soft paper, saka ko lang nakita ang black sticky foam.

"Chocolate icing!"

Dali-dali kong pinunas ang pisngi ko. Gosh! Nakakahiya! Kaya pala she called me a pig.

"Meron pa. Dito sa kabila." Sabi ni Ken saka niya tinuturo ang mukha niya para makita ko kung saan ako pupunas.

"Hindi diyan. Hahaha!"

Tumawa ulit siya nang hindi ko nahanap yung icing. Napatingin tuloy ako sa mga waiter. Ken is really loud person. Kung hindi lang dahil sa attractive niyang face baka marami na sa kanya nagalit.

"Hindi nga diyan. Sa gilid pa." Tawa ni Ken as he pointed at my face na.

"Saan? Dito?" Unconsciously natawa na rin ako. Nakakadala kasi mga tawa ni Ken. Paunti unting tingin, tatawa. Magkakamali lang, tatawa. Para siyang bata na ang daling surpresahin.

"Hindi nga dyan. Ahaha" Mas tumawa siya saka dinuro duro niya ang mukha ko.

"Ahaha. Hindi ko naman kasi nakikita eh!" Sabi ko as I put down my hand sa table saka icrinumple ang tissue paper.

"Akin na nga yan." Sabi niya as his lips curved up. Hinablot niya yung tissue paper sa kamay as he stood.

Actually na realize ko kaagad ang gagawin ni Ken and for a second nabigla ako kaya't napa urong ako ng kunti.

"Oy. Wag magalaw." Ken smiled even more as his eyes rolled at my face. I can't help but to stare at his face too. He gently held my head para hindi ako makagalaw as his other hand soflty wiped the black cream on my face.

Gosh! We're too close! Almost 4 inches na lang ang agwat ng face namin and I could almost hear his warm breath. Naconscious ako bigla. Iginilid ko ang mata ko as I searched the faces of the waiter na nasa gilid. Nanlaki agad ang mga mata ko as I saw their mouth widely opened. Gosh! "Don't misunderstand!" I thought.

My heart skipped several beats which made my cheeks to blush. His fingers felt like he caressed my face as I felt a hot feeling surging up to my head. I glanced his cheeks. His long eyelashes curved above his korean-like eyes and his brownish eyebrows blended with his smooth white face.

Napalunok ako as he still wiping my face. Gosh! Ang tagal! Nakakaconscious masyado.

"Yan." Sabi niya as he put down the tissue saka umupo and made a sigh. He looked at my face. Hindi ko napigilang umiwas sa mga tingin niya as I gazed towards my side saka nag continue siya sa pag salita.

"Ang duming bata." Saka niya pinunasan ang dalawang kamay niya with another tissue na binunot niya sa lalagyan.

"Wha- Yah!" Napabulalas ako.

"Ahahaha." Biglang tawa ni Ken.

Maiinis sana ako but I realized maybe he said that to clear the misunderstanding sa mga mata ng mga waiter.

"Well, thanks." Sabi ko pagkatapos mag clear ng throat. "Actually, you sound like my older brother kaya papalagpasin ko panlalait mo sakin." I said habang paunti unting ibinabaling ang mata ko sa mga waiter with a malakas na boses para madinig nila.

Parang nahalata ito ni Ken kaya't natawa ulit.

"You're really an interesting girl, you know that." Sabay turo ng kamay niya sa mukha ko. His eyelids went tiny na parang ineexamine niya ang mukha ko.

"Hmp." I harrumphed. "Well, if you stared at me for a little longer you might fall in love with me." Sabi ko in a chin up attitude. It was a joke.

"Pft! Talaga? Why don't we try it?" Sabi ni Ken na natatawa-tawa but the last thing he said, his eyes went serious all of a sudden.

"What?"

Nabigla ako sa sinabi niya. I don't even thought na seseryosohin niya ang sinabi ko.

"Hahaha. Just kidding." Natawa na naman siya bigla.

Gosh! Ang hirap ihandle nito ah. Mas mahirap pa kaysa kay Cody.

"Ah. Eh. Ehehehe." Naawkward ako bigla. Itinuon ko nalang ang tingin ko sa natitirang pagkain saka ko pakunti-kunting kinakain.

"Excuse me po Sir Ken, but ito na po yung americano ni Sir Cody and Bea."

Napatingin ako agad sa nagsalita. It was Hiro. Napasmile ako bigla sa kanya as he gave me a sweet smile too.

"Ah okay okay. Akin nalang yan kay Cody."

"Huh?" Napatingin ako kay Ken.

"Mm? Haha. Don't worry. If Arvin caught Cody, matatagal-tagalan pa siya makakabalik. Baka nga hindi yun bumalik eh."

"Mm?" Sabi ko nang mashock ako sa sinabi niya. May laman kasi ang bibig ko. "Punishment?" Tanong ko.

"Hahaha. Hindi ko alam. I don't dare to look. Ayokong madamay. Hahaha." Explain ni Ken habang kinuha niya ang americano saka inamoy ito. He slowly crossed his legs saka inilean ang likod niya sa cushioned chair.

Nasilaw ako sa aura he emitted. Para siyang super high class guy na nakaupo habang umiinom ng kape.

"Well, I am really shock nga na ganun si Arvin kay Cody. Akala ko nga masungit si Arvin eh." I said. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko as I realized kung ano ang sinabi ko. I quickly bit my lips.

Nahalata ako ni Ken saka tumawa.

"Don't worry. Hindi ko sasabihin kay Arvin. But Arvin is not what you first think. Maybe dahil na rin sa nun nakita mo siya saktung-saktong nag-aaway sila ni Sis Rose." He took a sip on his americano.

"Yeah." Sabi ko as I agree on what he said. "That time I was really afraid with Arvin. I never really think that he has this overprotected side."

"Actually yan nga ang dahilan kung bakit sila nag-away ni Sis Rose nun. Overprotective."

Hindi ako agad nakapagsalita sinabi ni Ken. Hindi dahil sa wala akong sasabihin but because I am not in the position to comment. Although nadawit ako sa gulo but I don't know the whole story. Baka may masabi ako na mali.

"Mmh." Tumango na lang ako as I grabbed my americano matapos kong ubusin yung chocolate cake. Simot na simot. I took a sip of Americano. Gosh. Ang intense ng taste ah, o sadyang nasanay lang talaga ako sa Latte.

"But you know, I really like that kind of Arvin." Sabi ni Ken.

Napabuntong-hininga ako. Buti nalang hindi nauubusan si Ken ng topic, kung hindi baka maging awkward ang atmosphere.

"Alin?" Sabi ko. Nalito kasi ako kung alin yung tinutukoy niya, yung galit o yung overprotective na Arvin.

"Mm?" Sabi Ken as he took a sip too.

"Overprotective. Nung wala pa si Cody, his somewhat like a cold, brutal Arvin but ever since na dumating yung batang yun, Arvin felt like he has a younger brother that he needs to protect and disiplinahin."

"Woah." I thought saka itinuloy ni Ken ang sinasabi niya.

"And then he just changed. He became a gentle Arvin yet sa tingin ng ibang tao he's just a cold guy na nanlilisik ang mata."

"I think I'm one of those." Sabi ko.

"Well, it cannot be help. Hindi naman tayo nabuhay para iplease ang ibang tao." Sabi ni Ken.

Napatingin ako agad sa kanya. My eyes widened when I saw a different face of Ken. Almost all the time, when look at his face lagi nalang siyang nakasmile, his eyes and his lips always curved up. And pagminsan naman, a glaring look. But never this one.

He curved his lips up. But I really felt different when I saw his smile this time. His eyes went curved but the feeling was so deep. His aura suddenly became really warm. My heart suddenly skip beats. Hindi dahil sa kinilig ako but because I felt really glad to see his face that way.

He felt really happy seeing Arvin to change. I suddenly got curious kung ano ba ang dating Arvin but when I remembered yung away nila Maam Rose, I just shook my head.

"I am really happy to see that kind of Arvin." I just agreed saka inilapag ang cup sa table.

I gaze ulit kay Ken and a flash of memory suddenly stroke my head.

Bigla kong naalala yung time na tiningnan ako ni Ken bago sila umalis. I can't help but to be curious. Gusto ko sanang magtanong but parang lumalabas na assuming ako. Argh. Ang hirap ah.

Mmmm. Yeah. I've decided.

"Um. Ken. Ahh."

"Mmm?" Napatingin siya sakin.

"Um. Actually nacurious lang ako nung pag-alis niyo nung nag-away si Maam, and you suddenly looked at the back."

Biglang tumaas ang corners ng lips ni Ken. It was an evil smile.

"Bakit, did you think na baka nagkagusto ako sayo?"

"Eh?" Napanganga ako sa sinabi niya.

Whaaaat?!!! Yan na nga ba ang sinasabi ko eh! Nagmukha tuloy akong assuming.

"Ah. Hindi hindi. Ahaha. Nabother lang ako since baka nagalit ka sakin nun." Sabi ko.

Yes! Lusot ah!

"Weh? Is it really that important kung malaman mo na baka nagalit ako sayo nun? Hindi pa ba obvious ngayon?" Sabi niya sabay smile.

"Ha?" Waaaaaahh!!! Ang hirap ilusot ah!

"Wala. Wag na nga lang." Sabi ko sabay naggesture na parang papaluin si Ken.

"Ahahaha." Biglang tumawa si Ken. "Just kidding. Hindi. Sadyang nagglance lang talaga ako. Para kasing pamilyar ka sakin." Sabay sabi ni Ken.

"Huh? Pamilyar? Di ba first time palang tayo nun nagkakita?" Kumunot ang noo ko as I also think kung nakilala ko na si Ken dati pa.

"Oo nga eh. But it was strange that time. I felt like I already saw you. Hindi ko alam. Baka nakita lang kita sa mall bago pa tayo magkakilala. Baka lang. Pero don't mind it. Walang kwenta yung bagay. Hahaha. I never thought you would be bother by that. I apologize." Sabi ni Ken saka nagbow.

"Ay hindi hindi. Wala yun. Sadyang naparanoid lang ako." Tanggi ko.

"Well, I should say you're not that bad. You are really an interesting girl." Sabi niya as his finger caressed his lower lip.

"Huh? Is that a compliment or what?" Kumunot ulit ang noo ko.

"I should say it's a compliment...for now. Hahaha." Sabay tawa ni Ken.

"For now." I repeated yung sinabi niya.

"For now. Gusto ko pang makilala kung sino ba talaga ang Bea na reason kung bakit patay na patay si Cody ngayon."

"abflaorfqognakdoanfwncjgj!!!!!" I thought. That topic. I really can't handle it. Mukhang nagsisink in na ngayon sakin ang mga embarrassment tungkol kay Cody. I felt my stomach was really full na.

"Ah. Ehehe. About that..." Sabi ko. Habang iniisip ko kung ano tamang words na sabihin.

"No comment." Dagli kong sambit as I gestured my hand na parang isi-zip ang lips.

"No comment? Hahaha. Don't be like that. Share naman. Tutal alam na rin naman natin na patay na patay si Cody sayo eh."

"Eh? Kelangan pa ba talagang ulit-ulitin?" Tumaas ang isa kong kilay.

"Ahahaha. Hindi naman. Sadyang patay na patay lang talaga siya."

My eyes went indifferent. Ang kulit ni Ken ah.

"Isa pa."

"Ahahahaha. But no kidding. Ahahaha." Hindi tumigil sa pagtawa si Ken. Ba't ang hilig nilang mangtease ano. Lalo na kapag may nalalaman silang story tungkol sayo. Lalo na kung patungkol sa crush, sa love. Hahanap at hahanap talaga sila ng paraan para makapagtease. Not to mention, ginagawa ko rin yan eh.

"Ahahaha. Pero seryoso. He's really inlove with. So please don't break his heart. Mabait naman na bata yun si Cody."

"Ba't yan kasi ang topic eh." Sabay kong kuha ng tissue saka tapon sa mukha ni Ken.

"Syempre. Yun yung hot eh. Eh sa sobra ngang inlove sayo ni Cody, gumawa pa siya ng isang notebook na puro pictures mo ang laman, tyaka mero-" Nanlaki bigla ang mata ni Ken sa nasabi and he immediately retreated his tongue back saka itinikom niya bibig niya.

Nanlaki rin ang mata ko ba't hindi ko pinahalata.

"Nope. Hindi. Hindi. Hindi yun totoo. Hindi yun totoo." I thought as I constantly telling myself na hindi totoo yung sinabi ni Ken. Ayokong paniwalaan ang sinabi as I got mixed emotions on my heart. Hindi naintindihan ba't one thing for sure HINDI AKO KINILIG sa sinabi ni Ken.

Saka ko narealize yung tropa notebook namin nung high school. My eyes lit up.

"Ah. Yun ba!" Sabay kung turo kay Ken.

"Eh, notebook namin nung tropa namin eh. Dun namin nilalagay mga pictures namin nina Justin dati." Paliwanag ko kay Ken.

"Yeah. It was the tropa notebook." Sabi ko sa sarili ko. "It was the notebook."

YUNG TROPA NOTEBOOK YUN!