Chapter 40 : The Bet

Nyeta! Ilang mata na kaya ang dapat kung tusukin? Sino ba kasing may sabi na mag sando lang 'to at mag brief? Charot! Naka shorts siya, 'no, pero huta, parang ang sexy niya tingnan, kung bakla ako siguro nahalay ko na 'to. Chares! Pero seryoso, ang astig niya kapag nakasando, mighad, ang mga biceps niya—hoooh! Pahawak naman, man! Kung makikita niyo lang 'yong broad chest niya, hindi na kayo kukurap. Charot! Basta, ang gwapo niya, bitamina siya sa mata. HAHAHA—

"Eat, don't just stare at me," nakangisi talagang sabi niya. Psh, kala mo kung sinong gwapo, pwe!

"Ba't ba kasi ganyan ang suot mo?" tanong ko habang nag-uumpisa na rin akong ngumuya. Kaya lang ay naaasar na talaga ako sa malalagkit na tinginan ng mga babae rito sa resto.

Duh, mga Day, back off, akin—este, bakla 'to!!

"Why? May mali ba sa suot ko?" inosenteng tanong pa niya. Ang cute! Sarap tusukin ng tinidor! Anong mali? Marami! Nyeta!

"Siguro? Pinagtitinginan ka, eh," nakangiting sabi ko, ngiting pilit.

"Baka gwapong-gwapo lang sila sa'kin. Hayaan mo na, sanay na ako."

W-Wow! Totoong kahulugan ng humble!

"Sa susunod mag off shoulder ka tapos literal na maiksing short, 'yong kita na pisngi ng pwet mo, ha, huwag 'yong ganyan kasi lumuluwa 'yong biceps at broad chest mo," napatingin siya sa'kin kaya tiningnan ko rin siya mata sa mata, "pinagtitinginan ng iba, eh, nakakaasar," wala sa sariling usal ko ulit.

"Gusto mo bang ikaw lang ang makakita?" mapilyong tanong pa niya.

"Hindi, 'no," angal ko naman agad. Napakafeeler naman nito! Naaasar lang, gusto ko nang ako lang ang makakita? Wow, nice logic!

"Eyes really can't lie," super ngiting-ngiti niya talagang sabi.

"Hindi naman kasi nagsasalita kaya hindi nakakapagsinungaling," sabi ko, kaya ayan tinarayan niya lang naman ako. Okay lang, ganyan siya magmahal, eh, okay lang ako. Sa sobrang okay ko nga ay nailagay ko 'yong ice sa sabaw imbis na sa juice, huta lang talaga.

"Masarap ba sa sabaw ang ice, Mon?" tanong pa niya kaya tumango na lang ako para hindi nakakahiya.

"Try mong tikman," nakangiting usal ko.

"Taste it first," aniya.

"Ikaw na."

"No, you do it first."

"Ikaw na nga."

"Ikaw na."

"Ikaw na."

"Mon, ikaw na, taste it."

"Ikaw na sabi. Kailangan mong uminom ng may yelong sabaw nang maging cold ka naman. Sa sobra mong hot kasi ay 'di nila mapigilang mapatingin sa'yo. Nanghihigop ka, eh," hindi ko alam kung ano ang nakakatawa kasi bigla siyang natawa. Siraulo rin 'to.

"Is that how you show your jealousy, Mon?" tanong niya na agad kong ikinagulat.

Jealousy? JEALOUSY?! Ako? Nagseselos? Hoy! Sa tanang buhay ko kay IU lang ako nagselos dahil ang dami niyang boys sa Scarlet Heart Ryeo, do'n lang!

"It's cute, ha," muling usal niya dahilan para magbalik ako sa sarili.

"Hindi ako nagseselos," nakangiti ko pang sabi. "Kung may dapat man akong kaselosan, 'yon ay ang hot mong pigyura, hindi 'yang mga mahaharot na babae na tingin nang tingin sa'yo, ang sarap nilang bigwasan," dagdag ko pa.

"You really are not jealous," nakangiti rin niyang sabi. Well, hindi naman talaga, huwag siyang assuming diyan. "Kaya bilisan na nating kumain nang makapagpahinga na tayo para bukas marami tayong energy at para wala kang mabigwasan."

Sinong mangbibigwas? Ako? Hala, sinabi ko ba 'yon? Story maker 'tong taong 'to. Kakain na nga lang ako, ginugutom ako ng mga mahaharot na babaeng 'to! Kaloka!

Chal Raed's POV

I went straight to my room right after ensuring that Maundy is safe and secure in her place. I wanted to call her, but she might probably asleep now dahil mukhang kanina pa 'yon pagod.

I lay in bed and stare at the ceiling with a smile. Every time I remember how she reacted to those girls who had been staring at me earlier, I couldn't help myself but to smile, smile, and smile. Nakakatuwa na gano'n siya mag react, affected siya, and it seems like she's quite jealous. Hahaha, so cute!

My imagination was interrupted when I suddenly received a phone call. It's Spade. "Hey, Bro," I greeted him.

"Kuya! Did she get mad after knowing that you really didn't go to Canada and you were just preparing for your surprise for her? Come on, magkwento ka," his voice really sounded so excited.

"No, she was surprised and...she's happy," I answered.

"I knew it! Kuya, no doubt, you got a big chance."

"What do you mean?"

"I bet, she will like you soon!"

"I pray."

"I'll pray for that, too. So anyways, what are your plans for tomorrow?"

"Actually, I still don't know what shall we gonna do tomorrow. Kung ano na lang 'yong mangyayari as long as I'm with her and she's with me, that's more than enough."

"You really sounded so in love, Kuya," his tone seems like teasing me. Tss, whatever! Reacting with what he'd said is no use, he's right after all, "just make her happy, Kuya, that's the best thing you must do to win her heart."

"I know. I won't ever make her feel sadden, it will probably breaks my heart."

"Hoooh! In love na in love," he then burst out into laughter. Maybe this man calls just to make fun of me. Pasalamat 'to at masaya ako ngayon.

We just talk and talk and I even told him about Maundy's reaction after seeing those Girls who can't take their eyes off of me. Spade was just laughing and he keeps on saying my effort will be worth it soon.

Oh how I wish!

Our conversation ended at around 8 o'clock PM, ganyan kadaldal si Spade. I was knocked down at exactly 9:30 PM after imagining my desired future together with her. And, I pray that it will happen, that she'll be the girl who will walk down the aisle while I am waiting for her near the altar.

***

We're both sitting in the sand,  happily looking at the sea, it's sparkling. I remember how she glistened at the time I started to develop my feelings for her. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala sa mga nangyayari. I still can't believe that I began to change myself. I don't have any girls' stuff, I gave it to those people who are in need. I am now showing my real voice and not that girly tone. My gestures? Minsan ay pumipilantik pa rin 'yong kamay ko, nahahawi ko pa rin 'yong buhok ko papunta sa tenga ko, minsan feel ko pa ring mahaba 'yong buhok ko, but I am trying my all best to avoid it and totally get rid of those gestures. Gusto ko talagang maging isang tunay na lalaki na maipagmamalaki ni Maundy.

"Lalim, ha, mas malalim pa sa deep," I faced her when she suddenly speaks, "ano bang iniisip mo?" she asked.

"Wala naman," I replied. Ayokong sabihin na siya na naman ang iniisip ko, she'll think highly of herself again.

Nagulat ako nang inakbayan niya ako bigla. She often do this, but every time her skin touches mine parang kumakawala 'yong kaluluwa ko ng ilang segundo. This is the effect when she wrapped her arms around my shoulder, ano na lang kaya kapag hindi na akbay 'yong gagawin niya? I mean, such as she'll hug me first, hold my hand first, and kiss me first?! Tuluyan na sigurong mawawala 'yong kaluluwa ko. Damn!

"Chal Raed," she called me, and that how sweetest my name is because she's the one who says it.

"Y-Yes?" I am stammering and to hell was that? Tsk.

"Hoy! Ba't ka nauutal? Natetense ka ba?"

I calmed myself down, "no, ano ba 'yong sasabihin mo?"

"No raw, pero nilalamig."

Sh*t, and I also don't know why. Kinakabahan ako for some unknown reason.

"It's because the weather is cold," nice palusot.

"Kahit tumitirik 'yong araw?"

Wrong answer, Raed. Tsk.

"The sea breeze is cold, Mon, natatabunan niya 'yong init ng araw," nice, another palusot.

"Sus! Daming dama. Gan'to na lang, let's make a bet, don't worry this is interesting."

Interesting, ha. Mamaya kalokohan lang 'to, eh. "Okay, spill it."

"Maghanap ka ng gwapong lalaki, tutal super magaling ka riyan," my left eyebrow raised up. What is she up to? Ito yata ang dahilan kung ba't kinabahan ako bigla, "ano? Hanap na," she added.

"This is weird, Mon," I complained. "Why look for a handsome man when I'm already here?"

"Ha ha ha, nice joke! Try again next time. Dali na kasi, promise masaya 'to," inaalog-alog niya pa ako. Mapilit talaga kaya ito ako inikot 'yong mga mata sa paligid. "Meron na?"

"Don't get too excited. Hindi ko trip 'tong bet-bet mo na 'to, ha," mahinahon ko lang na sabi, pero swear, ayoko nito! "That guy in a blue shirt, he got the looks," walang ka gana-gana ko talagang sabi.

"Oo nga, gwapo!" she exclaimed. Psh! "Ang galing mo, ha," she added.

"Mas gwapo ako riyan, aanhin mo ba siya?" kunot-noong tanong ko talaga.

I was startled when she looks at me with a smile, "mas gwapo ka naman talaga, ha, sino bang kaaway mo?" after asking she then stood up. Okay, I am now smiling so damn wide. It's good, she isn't blind, "tayo ka rin," then I followed her, "nakikita mo ba 'yang lalaki na naka topless?" she asked.

"Oo, ano na naman ba 'to?"

"Relax! Masaya 'to," hindi ako nasisiyahan, Sis!! "lalapitan mo siya at lalapitan ko si Kyaah na naka blue, tapos unahan tayong makuha ang pangalan nila—"

I cut her words, "are you out of your mind? Ayoko nito!" I was about to walk away, but she grabs me immediately.

"Kung sinong unang makakakuha ng pangalan ay siyang mananalo at ang matatalo ay manglilibre," she continued stating her plan. This is really no good. "Game?" she added.

"Mon, kaya kitang ilibre kahit minu-minuto pa, o kahit saan mo gustong kumain, kahit sa ibang bansa pa dadalhin kita agad. We don't have to do this."

"Dali na kasi, ang KJ mo, eh. Mas mabuting maghirap muna saka makuha 'yong libre 'no."

Argh! Minsan talaga ay hindi ko magets 'yong trip niya. Bakit ba kasi lalaki pa? There are lots of girls here, ba't 'di na lang babae?!

"Chal Raed, please," she then shakes my arm like a child asking for her Dad to buy her an ice cream. Haaay!! I really don't like this.

"Okay! Let's do this nonsense bet of yours," she even clapped her hands because of happiness, "sige na, tara na," then I started walking through this topless guy. Yes, he's hot, but I'm no longer get attracted to guys. Para ngang nandidiri ako sa gagawin ko, eh.

When I almost reach the guy, I stopped and look for Maundy who's already talking to that Guy in blue shirt. Naningkit talaga 'yong mga mata ko, when the guy hold her arm while he's smiling so damn wide!

May pahawak na? Feeling close!

At imbis na puntahan si topless guy ay agad kong nilapitan si Maundy.

"So, why are you here, Maundy?" the Guy in blue shirt asked. They knew each other already? Akala ko ba kukuhanin lang ang pangalan, ba't may follow up question?!

"We're having a honeymoon," biglang usal ko kaya sabay silang gulat na napatingin sa'kin.

"H-Honeymoon?" he confusedly asked and I immediately nodded. "Is it true, Mon?"

"A-Ah, h-hindi. A-ano, andito kami kasi, haaay...hindi kami naghahoneymoon, Kuya Ion, nililigawan niya ako at andito kami para mas lalong kilalanin 'yong isa't isa, masyado lang siyang advance mag-isip."

K-Kuya?!

"Oh, may nanliligaw na pala sa'yo? Alam ba 'to ng mga Kuya mo?" this man named Ion asked.

"Oo, Kuya. Actually, siya talaga 'yong nagpunta sa bahay. Lakas ng loob, 'no, buti 'di ginisa nila Kuya, pero muntik nang 'di mapayagan ni Kuya Mico," natatawang sagot naman ni Maundy.

"Si Mico pa. Alam mo bang sa'min siya naglalabas ng sama ng loob kapag may nasasaktan siyang maliligaw mo? Siya talaga ang pinaka balakid sa buhay pag-ibig mo, but don't worry he's doing it for you. Lalaki si Mico kaya marunong kumilatis ng lalaki," he replied. "But, then I'm happy dahil may pinayagan na rin siya sa wakas. So, hey, Dude," he said while he's looking at me. Ang swerte ko pala talaga. "I'm Ion Marice, magkapatid 'yong Daddy ko at Daddy ni Maundy, it's nice to meet you," he then extended his hand.

"I'm Chal Raed Alonzo, it's nice to meet you, too," then I accepted it.

"You're an Alonzo?" parang gulat niya talagang tanong.

"Yes, why?"

"W-Wala lang. Mon, I need to go, may kailangan pa akong kitain, eh," he was about to go, pero muli siyang lumingon at tumingin sa'kin, "good luck sa panliligaw mo, Chal Raed, and if ever na maging kayo man, please stay strong. Nawa'y 'yong mga balakid na darating sa buhay niyo ay hindi maging dahilan ng pagkasira ng relasyon niyo," matapos niyang sabihin 'yon ay tuluyan na siyang umalis.

Napatingin kami ni Maundy sa isa't isa. We both have question mark on our face.

That Ion guy, it seems like he's giving us a warning and that makes me feel so nervous. Tsk.