Kabanata 2

Tatlong linggo na ang lumipas at hindi na ako muling sumama sa mga night out. I always say some stupid reasons just to refuse from going parties again. Today's Sunday. Kuya picked me in my unit and we went to church first. Then, we headed at the mall.

"Don't you have readings, kuya?" I asked him while drinking my milktea. I cling in his arm. Ganito kami ka-close. Madalas 'nga kaming pagkamalan ng mag-jowa.

"I don't. Tinapos ko na kahapon para ma-ilabas kita ngayon at makasama. Malapit na ang pasukan niyo ah, kelan ka bibili ng mga panibago 'mong gamit?"

"Hmm, maybe next week kuya. Ako na lang bibili."

"Nah, we'll buy now." I didn't refused and just nodded. Bumili kami ng mga kakailanganin 'kong gamit at mga libro na may kinalaman sa kinuha 'kong kurso.

Makalipas ang halos dalawang oras ay nagpasya kaming kumain sa Greenwhich. Sa kamalas-malasan pa ay nakita ko sina Sefa at Kyopid.

"Oh, Sherwin! May readings uli tayo bukas, let's share about our ideas about the reading yesterday." masiglang alok ni Sefa. I just continued eating while Kuya's attention were in Sefa.

"Okay, Sef." I raised my brow on him.

Sef? Sherwin? Did I heard it right? Ayaw na ayaw ni kuya na tinatawag siyang Sherwin. Katunog daw kasi ng Shepherd. Tch, arte. And besides, ayaw din ni Sefa na tinatawag siyang Sef dahil parang panlalaki lamang.

"Kyo, lipat ka muna dun sa table nila Ayii. Mauna ka na lang umuwi, okay?" Kyo nodded like he's not interested. I didn't look at him when he seat infront of me. Inubos ko na ang pagkain ko at sumandal muna sa upuan.

I'm full.

"I didn't see you these past 3 weeks." panimula niya.

Oh, he was there? Of course, because of Sefa!

"A-ahm, yea. Kind of busy." he nodded like he's not contented in my answer.

"Busy? Sa boyfriend mo?" I chuckled.

"He's not! That's my kuya!" I rolled my eyes. Napatigil naman siya at nagkibit balikat.

"Why are you here ba? Your girlfriend is with my brother, aren't you jealous?" I crossed my arms.

"She's my sister." halos malaglag ako sa upuan ko dahil sa hiya.

What the fuck?

"Kyopid Philae Zasterius. First year college taking up Civil Engineering in UP Diliman. How about you?" pagpapakilala niya. Tumikhim ako bago nagsalita.

"Aesther Rosetta Grospe. First year college taking up Architecture also in UP Diliman." nagulat siya sa pangalan ko.

Rosetta and Philae... Anak ng, akala ko walang lalaki ang may pangalan ng Philae!

"Do you know the novel about Rosetta and Philae?" he asked.

"Yea, Europe launched a spacecraft named Rosetta and was descended to comet 67P/ Churyumov-Gerasimenko. Philae was a little lander disconnected from Rosetta. But after 13 months, Rosetta found Philae. That was year 2004." pagkwekwento ko. I heard him chuckled.

"You really are smart. Anyway, what do you do?" I smirked.

But, I am weak. Like what you said, you freaking weirdo.

"I do dance. You?"

"Archery." I stunned and stared at him.

I smiled a fake one before getting up. Aalis na ako dahil magaayos pa ako ng mga gamit ko. Since bored naman ako sa unit, I'll just make plates.

"Kuya Maui, I'll go na." I kissed him on his cheeks and also on Sefa.

"Kyo! Ihatid mo na si Ayii." I glared at her but she just winked at me.

Umalis na kami at dumiretso na sa parking lot.

"Hey," I look at him when I enter his car. Nakisakay lang kasi ako sa kotse ni kuya kanina para tipid din sa gas.

"O?"

"I want to apologize about---"

"Nevermind that." I cut him off.

Nasaktan mo na ako e, ano 'pang magagawa ko?

"Uhm, I really am sorry."

"I said, nevermind that." hindi na kami muling nagusap at nagpatuloy na lamang siya sa pagmamaneho.

Tans Calling...

Oh?

(Girl! EK bukas, 10 am!)

Sino-sino kasama?

(Tayong apat, si Jerv tapos 'yung girlfriend niya, si kuya Maui, si Unra at si Jaque!)

Putangina. Sino 'yung girlfriend ni Jerv? Sino 'yung Unra at Jaque?

(Di pa namin knows kung sino ang girlfriend ni Jerv, si Unra ay date ni El. Si Jaque naman nabingwit ko! Tapos si kuya Maui ang date ni Sefa.)

Wow. Seriously? Yayayain niyo pa ako?

(Kaya 'nga bumingwit ka na, girl! Para naman may maka-date ka!)

I prefer doing plates than boys. Kayo na lang magpunta ng EK! Jusme.

(Ay, wala 'pang pasukan gaga! Sasama daw si Kyo bukas!)

Share mo lang?

(Anak ng, maghanap ka ng ka-date mo!)

Hanapan mo ko ka-date, Tans. Love'you.

(Osige, hahanapan kita sa IG. Love'you!)

Natawa naman ako sa kagagahan namin. More like, kalandian. Tangina, ang awkward naman kung lahat sila may ka-date tapos ako wala? Punyeta.

"Wala ka na 'bang ibang pupuntahan?" napatingin ako sa relo ko. 2pm pa lang naman.

"Wala na, e. Ikaw?" tanong ko pabalik.

"Wala. Gusto 'mong gumala?" my eyes widened.

"Where?"

"Basta." he smiled. Napatakip ako ng bibig.

"You smiled!" sigaw ko.

"Is it weird?" tanong niya. Dahan-dahan akong tumango.

"Anyway, daan muna tayo sa unit ko. I need to change."

At ganun na 'nga ang nangyari, pinapasok ko siya sa unit ko at dumiretso na sa kwarto para makapagpalit. I just wear a pastel blue off-shouldered dress. I wear my white pumps and my white handbag. I braid my hair and put some light makeup.

"Arat na, Kyopid." saad ko. We went back to the car and drove to Tagaytay. Kyopid is really that handsome. Napaka-simple siyang magsuot pero malakas ang impact. Simpleng puting v-neck shirt, black ripped jeans and white addidas.

I stalked at my IG while he continued to drive. Napamura ako ng makita ko ang post ni Tanya.

tan_tans: Open for DM. We need instant fafa for our bestfriend @aesthersett. ASAP.

Anak ng, pinost ba naman 'yung profile ko IG! I was drunk that time when Tans took a picture of me! I was wearing a black two piece bikini while holding a glass of wine. My hair in a bun was indeed a mess! That photo was taken in a yacht when we had a dance troupe celebration in Boracay. Nanalo kasi kami sa Division Level.

"Wait here, I'll buy something." we stopped in a convenience store. Nanatili akong nasa loob ng kotse at nagi-scroll habang nagaantay kay Kyopid.

kyophilerius started following you

Natawa ako. This will be exciting! Pucha, peymus si koya. Infairness, ang cute niya sa profile niya. I stalked his account at napansin 'kong halos lahat ay puro family gatherings. Madalas siyang nakaakbay sa isang babae. That girl also kissed Kyo's cheeks. I rolled my eyes. Why do I suddenly feel anger? Tch, this is not so you, Aesther!

kyophilerius: DM.

I was shocked when he commented at Tans post! I was going to reply but suddenly I received a message from Tans.

tan_tans: Nahanapan na kita, girl! Archer pa, naks naman! Papanain niya 'yang puso mo pero ingat ka baka iba matusok niya ha? Maharot ka pa 'man din bruha ka!

Anak ng, iba na naman kasi ang iniisip netong babaeng 'to. Tsk!

aesthersett: Duh! As if papatusok ako 'no! Woi, maharot ako pero mas maharot ka!

tan_tans: Thank you, babe! Mwa!

aesthersett: Ew.

I rolled my eyes and hide my phone. Bumalik si Kyopid dito sa loob at may hawak na hawak na mga pagkain and beer.

"Hey, I saw Tanya's post." he chuckled habang nasapo ko naman ang noo ko.

This is so awkward!

"Yea, hinahanapan nila ako ng ka-date bukas. Since, lahat ng barkada ko ay may ka-date." umiling ako habang sinasabi ang mga katagang 'yun.

"Well, can you be my date?" he looked at me seriously.

I think my heart skipped a beat.

****

8 am ako sinundo ni Kyopid sa unit ko. Tanging navy blue pullover sweatshirt, a high waist black shorts and a white addidas shoes ang suot ko. Nagsuot naman ako ng itim na sando sa loob ng sweatshirt ko. I tied my hair in a bun and didn't put makeup. Naglagay lamang ako ng nude lipstick and foundation.

"Kumuha ka ng extra shirts mo?" he asked.

"Yea, ikaw?" I asked him back. Dala-dala ko ang maliit na kulay itim na bagpack na naglalaman ng mga extrang pamalit ko. Together with charger, foundation, lipstick, toner, cream, money and my phone.

"Yes. Kumain ka na?"

"Hmm. I just drank tea." napansin ko naman siyang umiling. I raised my eye brow. He looks like mad. Tch. I don't care.

"That's not healthy."

"I am on diet! I have to balance my weight. Duh!" I rolled my eyes.

"Sa tingin mo ba papayagan kitang sumakay sa extreme rides kung hindi ka kumain? Argh!" hinawakan niya ang kamay ko at binitbit ang bag ko. Siya na rin ang nag-lock ng mga bintana't pintuan.

"Hey, are you mad?" kabado 'kong tanong. He remained silent and went drive-thru at Jollibee.

"Goodmorning, Ma'am/Sir!" bati ng babae.

"One order for 2pcs. burger steak, 2 yum burgers, One order for 2pcs. pancakes and 2 coffee."

Nagutom tuloy ako sa inorder ni koya. Huhu, tinatamad naman kasi talaga ako magluto kanina kaya nag-tsaa na lang ako. Hindi naman ako nagda-diet e kaya palaging napapagalitan ng coach namin o di kaya ng choreo dahil anlakas ko raw kumain.

"Finish, that." kumuha siya ng isang burger at ang kape niya. Binuksan ko naman ang burger niya dahil nahihirapan siya. Ang isang kamay niya kasi ay nasa manibela.

"Here." abot ko.

"Thanks," sambit niya.

Halos wala 'pang 30 minutes ay naubos ko na lahat ng pagkain na binigay niya. Ang kape na lamang ang iniinom ko. I am not fan of coffee. I mean, madalas akong tumambay sa coffee shop lalo na if I am doing some research, activities, homeworks, reviews, or such. But I am fan of milkteas and cakes. Madalang lamang ako uminom ng coffee. And cappuccino, frappe or americano lamang ang inoorder ko.

"Stop that diet thingy, See? Ginugutom mo lamang ang sarili mo. Do some workouts, instead." I rolled my eyes on him.

"You sound like kuya."

"Am I?" I nodded and gave a small smile.

Makalipas ang isang oras ay nakarating na kami sa Enchanted Kingdom. Naghanap muna kami ng parking space bago bumaba.

"Dapat si Sefa ang kasabay mo ngayon tutal she's your sister, not me!" I crossed my arms.

"She's not my date." nagpapadyak akong umalis sa harap niya at sakto namang nakita ko sina kuya at Sefa. I ran towards him and cling on his arm. I kissed them both on cheeks.

"Kuya, may hindi ka sinasabi sa akin." bulong ko.

"What?"

"Are you guys in a relationship?" he immediately blushed. I laughed at him kaya naman kumunot ang noo ng dalawa sa akin.

"Of course, not!" sigaw niya pero tinawanan ko na lamang.

"Kumain ka na ba? Wait, let me re-phrase it---- Kumakain ka ba ng tama?" I pouted at kuya.

"Sabi ko na 'nga e. You don't eat because you are lazy to cook your meal." he glared at me.

"Woi, sherwin! Nandito tayo para magsaya at para hindi sermonan ang kaibigan ko. So, arat na okay?" Sefa saved me! Sefa grabbed Kuya's arm and cling.

"Akala ko ba 'you're on a diet'?" he mocked me.

"Yes. Kase papagalitan na naman ako ng choreo namin if I won't balance my weight. But in addition, I am too lazy to cook." he sighed and held my hand.

"Then I guess, I'll choose the unit beside yours." natulala ako at hinayaang hatakin ako papasok ng EK.

We took a lot of pictures and since halos 11:30 pm na ng makumpleto kami ay nagdecide kaming mananghalian muna. May maliit na stage sila rito kung saan duon nagpeperform ang mga mananayaw o mang-aawit.

We ate a lot, indeed.

Nagsama-sama kaming sumakay sa space shuttle. Parang nawalan ako ng hininga ng makita ko kung gaano ito kataas.

"Puta, kayo na lang sumakay," sabi ni Jerv.

"Ulul! Sasakay tayong lahat, wag 'kang duwag 'pre!" tinawanan naman namin siya dahil sa sinabi ni Unra.

Ow, I remember him! Siya pala si Mirgo! 'Yung bumeso sa amin ni El nuong uminom kami sa BGC.

"Andito naman si Ayii e!" sigaw ni El. Agad naman siyang siniko ni Tans at nginuso ang girlfriend ni Jerv. Tumingin naman ito sa akin at nang magtama ang paningin namin ay umiwas ito.

"She's not my girlfriend. She's my date. Guys, meet Chandria Keith Quezon. She used to call Cassie." pagpapakilala ni Jerv.

"Hi! I'm Sereniah Phayii Zasterius, call me Sefa. If you need anything regarding in fashion, just call me dear!" bumeso pa siya kay Cassie.

"Tanya Guerrera, Tans na lang! I like you for our Jervi!" tulad ni Sefa ay bumeso din ito.

"Elissa Daphne Masche. El." pansin 'ko ang malamig na pakikitungo ni El sa kaniya. Ni-hand shake ay hindi nito ginawa.

"Aesther Rosetta Grospe. Ayii." nagkatitigan sila dahil alam 'kong alam nilang ayaw namin kay Cassie para kay Jerv.

"Uhm, arat na sumakay!" pag-iiba ng topic ni Sefa. Siniko ko naman si El.

"Bakit?" bulong ko.

"Anong 'bakit'? E, ayaw ko jan sa babaeng 'yan!" inis niyang binulong sa akin at lumapit kay Unra. Napa-iling na lamang ako at tumabi kay Kyopid.

Sa pinaka harap umupo sina kuya Maui at Sefa. Sa likuran nila ay sina Tans at Jaque. Sunod naman sina Jerv at Cassie. Tapos sina El at Unra. Kami naman ni Kyopid ang nasa likod nila El.

"Do you like him?" kumunot ang noo ko sa tanong ni Kyopid.

"Who?"

"Jerv."

"Of course, not! We're just friends. Sadyang ayaw ko lang talagang mapunta siya sa maling tao." I denied immediately.

"Tch, really? You sound jealous." I glared at him.

"Manghuhula ka diba?" I smiled a fake one.

"That's what they say."

Kapal. Nanisi pa ang gago.

"Then, sino sa tingin mo ang para sa akin?" I asked him while smiling.

"Ako." he smiled at me. I was left stoned.

What the hell?