Chapter 2

"Please tell me you're dating Ysac, darling."

"For the last time, Mother. Me and Ysac are only friends." Paulit-ulit nalang!

My mother was disappointed by my answer, "I like him for you dear. May iba ba siyang gusto kaya di ka niya niligawan?" Damn it!

I showed a fake smile to my Mom. "Mom."

"Yes sweetie?"

I immediately push her lightly to the door, "Get out, I'm gonna study."

"But don't you want to talk about Ysac first baby? I could arrange a date for----"

"Mom if you're worried about my love life, don't be okay? Now please stop annoying me with the 'Date Ysac' thing. He doesn't like me, period."

I stopped pushing her, she's now in the hallway, I slowly closed my door but she talked, again! "How about I talk to his mother? I'm sure Yaqena would love the idea of---"

"Gotta study, goodnight!" I gave her a quick kiss on her cheeks then closed the door.

I breathe in and out, I was gonna walk to my table when I heard my mother yelled something outside my room, "If you want me to arrange you and Ysac just let me know!!"

I held my hair in frustration. When will she stop pursuing me to date Ysac?!!

I walked to the table, sat down, and opened my books; I started studying for the competition. Minutes later, I grabbed my earphones and plugged it in my phone, I played some relaxing music. I continued studying again but nothing seems to get inside my head. What in the world is wrong with me?! I read again the previous page but it still didn't get stuck in my head. Oh bloody hell!

Inis ko tinapon ang libro kung saan, bahala na! Ginulo ko ang aking buhok, anong nangyayari sakin?! Kainis!! Paano kapag dumating ang competition tapos wala akong masagot?! I am the leader (which I didn't like) but I don't know anything! Siguradong pagtawanan ako! And I don't like the feeling being laughed at!

Paano kapag ma-dissapoint sakin si Mommy at Daddy? Paano kapag pagbabawalan na ako mag phone dahil 'di ako nakapagsagot? Paano kapag ipapatanggal ako sa school?! Paano kapag magagalit na sa'kin ang mga teachers?! Wait, I don't care if they get mad psh.

But what if my parents will get mad?! NOOOO!!!!

Am I over reacting? Am I being paranoid? Can someone slap me?!

Tumayo ako at naglakad patungo sa aking higaan. Umupo ako at patuloy sa pag-isip.

Hindi kaya baliw na ako kaya ako nagkakaganito? Pero ano naman ang rason para maging baliw ako? Acads? Posible! Pero ano pa? Wala na akong masisip na dahilan kung bakit ako magiging baliw.

Teka, di ako baliw! Argh!! I'm being weird now!

"Kanina mo pa ginugulo ang magandang buhok mo. Maawa ka naman sa buhok."

I was shocked to hear a voice in my room. May multo ba? Lumingon ako sa likuran, gulat akong nakita si Ysac na naka upo sa aking bintana. Kanina pa ba siya diyan?

"What the hell are you doing here?" tanong ko.

Ngumisi siya, "Wala lang. Gusto lang kita makita."

I smirked at him, "Really Ysac?"

He nodded, "Really Jamilla."

Tch. Whatever.

Lumapit siya sakin at umupo sa tabi ko. He placed his head on my lap and looked at me innocently, "Play with my hair?"

I look at him like he was being weird but I'm gonna play with it anyway. Umayos muna ako sa pag-upo, sumandal ako sa headboard, pinatong uli ni Ysac ang kaniyang ulo. I touched his hair freely, his hair is so soft, one of the reasons why I play with his hair. This is not the first time I played with his hair, honestly speaking.

Ysac is my childhood friend, nagkakilala kami dahil sa parents namin. Close friends ang Mom niya at Mom ko. Nung mga bata pa kami once a month kami magkasama ni Ysac, he was living in Australia when he was 5 years old, twice a year nung lumipat naman sila sa London he was around 7 or 8 that time, they came here in the Philippines when Ysac became 11 years old. He told me that they are going to stay here for good, if, he does well with his studies.

Believe it or not, Ysac had no brains when we were young, his Mom would always complain to my mother about his grades, when I check at it, it was pretty much horrible. I can't even imagine me having a grade of 89% but Ysac beat me with a lower number, lower than 75! At least now he is serious with his studies, unlike before.

"I really like your dress. It suits you." tanong niya.

"I don't really know, I mean it's okay I guess. But I don't like the color."

Kumunot ang noo niya, "White suits you."

"No it doesn't." against ko, "Para akong mabuting tao pero hindi naman talaga. I am no angel."

"So what are you a devil then? You should have picked the black one."

"Oh shush. Mas masama ka pa sakin 'no."

Tumawa siya sa sinabi ko "Whatever. So what are you then?"

I grinned first before answering, "An alien."

"Ha-ha. Very funny" note the sarcasm. "Anyways, di kita nakita sa library kaninang umaga. I was looking for you because your brother called me again."

"I went to the canteen." sabi ko.

"With a friend?" I shook my head as a no.

He sighed, "Seriously babe, you gotta learn how to socialize. You don't have much friends and I----"

"Shut it, Ysac."

He pouted like a kid. To be honest, he looks like a duck.

"Is Isac your friend?" biglang tanong niya.

Di ako makatingin sa kaniya. I was frozen like an ice in a freeer, I stopped playing with his hair. Bakit niya binanggit ang pangalang yun?

"You know, I miss my brother. How about you? Iniisip mo ba siya?"

No, I don't miss him and I don't think about that gago.

Di ko siya sinagot. I pushed away his head off my lap, bumangon siya at umupo sa tabi ko. I know he can see that I'm affected by his questions. I mean who wouldn't? What would you feel if someone asks you if you're friends with a person who tells you promises but never fulfilled them.

I heard Ysac let out a short sigh, "Come here," he said.

Siniksik ko ang aking katawan sa kaniya, I hugged him by his said placing my head on his chest. His arm is around my waistand the other one is caressing my right hand. He brings my hand to his lips and gave it a kiss at the back of it, then caressed it again.

"Sorry if I bring him up to the conversation."

"It's okay." It's not okay.

Tumahimik kaming dalawa sandali. I want to know what he is thinking right now. I'm really curious.

"Ysac."

He looked at me, straight to my eyes, "Hmn?"

I hugged him tighter, closing my eyes as I felt being comfortable and safe between his arms, "Sing for me please?"

He let out a soft chuckle which I find it cute. I waited for minutes till I get to hear his smooth and relaxing singing voice.

[Now Playing: Say You Won't Let Go by James Arthur]

I met you in the dark, you lit me up

You made me feel as though I was enough

We danced the night away, we drank too much

I held your hair back when

You were throwing up

Then you smiled over your shoulder

For a minute, I was stone-cold sober

I pulled you closer to my chest

And you asked me to stay over

I said, I already told ya

I think that you should get some rest

He kept on caressing my hair while singing beautifully. Kung pwede lang di ko na siya ipapatigil sa pagkanta dahil sa ganda ng boses niya.

I knew I loved you then

But you'd never know

'Cause I played it cool when I was scared of letting go

I know I needed you

But I never showed

But I wanna stay with you until we're grey and old

Just say you won't let go

Just say you won't let go

While he was beautifully singing to me, nararamdaman kong unti-unti akong matutulog. Pero pinigilan ko dahil ayoko namang tulugan si Ysac.

"Bakit ang bilis naman natapos?" tanong ko habang nakapikit parin.

He chuckled, "Ayoko kasing magsawa ka sa boses ko." biro niyang sabi.

Kelan naman ako magsasawa sa boses neto? Eh kahit na unggoy ang mukha nakakaya ko naman ang boses.

Tumahimik kaming dalawa hanggang sa nagsalita siya uli.

"Hey babe." His voice was smooth and low, like he was whispering to me.

"Hmn?"

"You still awake? Go to sleep now, alam kong pagod ka."

I shook my head slowly. I still don't want to sleep even if my body and brain tells me to rest already.

Nakapikit parin ang akin mata, I know any moment now, tutulugan ko si Ysac. Should I open my eyes? But I'm too tired to do that though.

"Should I sing another song for you?"

I yawned, "No. Enough of singing. Just tell me a story."

"What are you a kid?"

"Please?" I said in my soft and gentle voice.

I heard him sighed before telling me a story, "There was this little girl who was so pretty. Isang tingin mo lang sa kaniya ay mapapa-inlove ka sa ganda niyang mukha. Girls would join her just to be her friends but she only had 2 true friends but the problem was they were boys."

"Still awake?" tanong niya.

I nodded my head slightly then he continued the story, "Tumanda na ang babae kasama ang kaniyang dalawang kaibigan na lalaki. Hanggang sa nagkatrabaho silang tatlo ay di parin sila nawawalan ng oras para sa kanilang pagkakaibigan. Akala ng mga tao ay mahal ng dalawang lalaki ang kanilang kaibigan pero hindi........."

Unti-unting naglalabo ang boses ni Ysac. I'm getting much sleepy due to his soft voice. But before I could get to sleep I heard Ysac say something.

"I love you babe, sweetdreams."

***

I woke up due to the knock loud knocking outside my door. Argh! I still want to sleep!!

"Princess! Wake up! Time for breakfast!" it was my brother, Kuya Jake.

"It's still early!"sigaw ko.

"It's 10 in the morning, stupid girl. Get up, Ysac's waiting for you."

Oh, Ysac's waiting for me.....YSAC?!

Agad akong bumangon, lumingon ako sa tabi ko at wala si Ysac. Hindi ba siya natulog dito?

I went to the bathroom to do my daily routine, take a shower, brush my teeth, and talk to myself in the mirror. Yeah I know, that's weird but I still do it. I'm crazy.

After that, I went down to the dining room. Nakita ko ang aking pamilya kasama si Tita Yaqena and Ysac. Why are they here?

"Goodmorning sweetie! Come and sit down." Said by my mother.

Umupo ako sa gitna ni Ysac at Kuya Jake. I look at Ysac who is smiling at me. "Goodmorning." He pinched my cheek left after.

"Morning."

"Ehem." Lumingon kami kay Kuya Jake na tumikhim. What's his problem?

I started eating along with them. My parents were talking about stuffs with Tita Yaqena. They would ask questions to us also.

"Jake, I heard rumors that you are dating Dhanna." Ani ni Tita.

Kumunot ang noon i Dad, "The daughter of Mr. Salvador?"

tumango si Tita bilang sagot.

"We're not dating. I'd rather date the nerd in Biology class than her." Para namang idedate rin siya nun. Ang pangit niya kaya, pareho lang sila ni Ysac.

"Son, it's been years since you've dated someone. You're not getting any younger you know. Gusto ko na magka-apo." Mom looked at me sweetly, tch.

"Don't look at me. I have no plans on getting into a relationship."

My mother pouted, "Kawawa naman si Ysac, sweetie."

Biglang nabulunan si Ysac.

I quickly grabbed a glass of water and handed it to him, "Drink slowly." Sinunod niya naman ako.

I placed the glass of water after he drank, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." Tumango pa siya. I looked at my mother and glared at her.

She made a peace sign with her hands. Oh gosh this is so embarrassing.

"Why don't you try to date my daughter Ysac?" nakakainis na sabi ni Dad.

Can't they stop shipping me with Ysac?! He doesn't even like me! And we're only friends! FRIENDS!!

Ysac showed a small smile, "Sorry Tito I don't want to be rude but I think we shouldn't insist Jamilla on dating me. Let's respect her."

"My ship is sinking babe," my Dad pouted to my Mom. DISGUSTING!!

"Stop that 'mang-iiwan'. The rest of us here are gonna puke because of your disgusting face."

"What the?! You just told me last night that I'm the most handsome man you ever met! And don't call me that babe, ang tagal na nun pero naalala mo parin? Move on ka na!"

Tiningnan ng masama ni Mom si Dad, "Are you shouting at me, Ashton Charles Evan Quino Garcia?"

Napatawa kami dahil halatang natatakot na si Dad kay Mom. Usually, he's serious but when it comes to my Mom either he's Under or being a big baby.

Pinakita ni Mom ang kaniyang necklace na may nakalagay na sulat sa pendant, "What does it say Ashton?"

"I surrender," he sighed after.

My mom smirked and smiled widely, "Good."

Mas lalo kaming natawa. Nakakatuwa talaga ang ganitong moments dito sa bahay.

Nang matapos kaming kumain ay pumunta kami ni Ysac sa pool. We both are sitting at the end of the pool while our feet are dipped in the water.

Tumingin ako kay Ysac, seryoso ang kaniyang mukha. Does he have a problem?

"Everything okay?" I aksed him.

"Huh? Oh yeah. Everything's great."

Something's wrong, "You look serious."

"I-it's nothing, Jamilla." nauutal niyang sagot.

I stared at him straight to his eyes, "You call me Jamilla whenever you are serious."

'Di siya nakasagot sakin at tumingin na lamang sa pool. Mukhang malalim ata problema niya.

I know it's none of my business but I'm concerned about him because sometimes he can't handle stress or problems. Kung stress na masyado siya ay umiinom yan sa bar ni Kuya at ayokong maglasing nanaman siya. Nakakapagod mag-alaga ng unggoy na lasing.

"Tell me what's wrong Ysac." I said with my serious tone.

Tumingin siya nang may pagkaalanganin and what he said next made me nervous and scared.

"Isac's coming back."

****

Dun-Dun-Dun!!!! Charot hahaha. Inisip ko na ring i publish ang Chapter 2 since medyo dumami ang reads which is weird haha pero thank you! Nung last ko 'to ginawa 500+ lang ang words. The total words now is 2387. Ngayon ko lang rin nadiscover na mabilis pala ako magtype haha.

Again sorry sa typo and grammar. Tao lang po ako nagkakamali lang rin po.

Enjoy your day! Don't forget to wash your hands and pray!!