Conquering Territories: Completed

17

"Kami man, pare," Blake answered, which somehow made Irvin clueless. He really looked like an innocent child because of his facial expression, causing me to chuckle. Hindi ko pa pala nasasabihan ang mga kaibigan ko na hindi pa marunong mag-Filipino si Irvin.

"He couldn't understand much of the Filipino language," I said when I recovered from Irvin's priceless reaction. Hindi ko kasi mapigilang matawa. Para ksi talaga siyang bata.

"Foreigner?" Aris and Clarisse said in unison before they eyed Irvin, who was now shyly scratching his nape. I bet my friend's actions somehow made him conscious. Minsan talaga ay ang gaslaw ng kilos nila.

Irvin cleared his throat, getting their attention. "I'm actually Chinese but, like what I've said, I'm not fake."

I thought they won't get along but, my worries faded after I saw the boys laughing over a certain thing. Mabuti na lang hindi nila pinaulanan ng tanong si Irvin. They quite became comfortable in a short span of time. Iba talaga ang social skills nilang tatlo. Irvin's also easy to be with.

"Do you want to join us tonight?" Clarisse asked Irvin. He looked at me, as if he was asking for permission. Hindi ko alam kung bakit kailangan pa niyang tumingin sa akin. Mukha ba akong nanay niya?

"Let's just roam around together." I looked at Irvin before plastering a soft smile on my lips. I thought he would disagree but, he slowly nodded, causing the whole group to cheer. Hindi rin nakaligtas sa mga mata ko ang mga tingin ng mga kaibigan ko. Them and their thoughts.

The entire night was ecstatic. I don't know how did the four of them instantly clicked but, it was good news for me. The calm ambiance and chaotic companionship brought by my friends put a smile on my lips. It has been weeks since we went out together. Irvin's addition to the group really added some sparkle. Pakiramdam ko ay nabawasan ang pagod sa katawan ko.

"Saan na tayo?" Aris asked before taking a bite of his cotton candy. Hindi ko alam kung saan niya nakuha ang kinakain niya. "May gusto pa ba kayong puntahan?"

I didn't bother translating those words for Irvin since Blake and Aris told him several words that he could use when he's inside a park or carnival. Akala ko puro kalokohan lang ang ituturo nilang dalawa. Mabuti na lang at hindi nila sinimulan ng kaabnormalan si Irvin. Baka mabaliw na kami kapag nagsama-sama na silang tatlo.

"Doon tayo!" Clarisse pointed at the stalls along the side of the carnival. A smile was formed on my lips as I saw the shooting range. That place somehow became permanent inside my mind. Iba na talaga ang epekto sa akin ng lugar na 'to.

The three of them walked towards the stall. It was Clarisse who would take the turn first, followed by Aris and Blake, respectively. Hindi na ako magtataka kung sila na mismong tatlo ang magbabarilan. Knowing them, their anger management issues couldn't.

While looking at my friends, I felt a hand on my shoulder. I tilt my head to see who it was. Irvin's stare welcomed me as I turn around. He pointed to my friends using his lips, which caused me to turn again.

"You know what, you looked like that when I first met you," Irvin commented. I couldn't help but to feel ashamed because of my innocence during those times. Para akong bata noon na hindi marunong bumaril.

"It's just that I'm just a beginner during that time." I playfully rolled my eyes after that. Since we're quite far from them, I could see how chaotic they play. Aris was continuously blabbering things, causing Clarisse to lose focus. Halos wala na silang natamaan dahil sa pag-aaway nilang tatlo.

"So, you're not a beginner this time?" Irvin asked. "Can you take down those things?"

"Are you challenging me?" I glanced on his direction, causing me to see a smile plastered on his lips. "Of course, I can."

With that, I walked towards my friends to see if they already hit the spot. Gaya ng inaasahan, puro bangayan lang ang narinig ko nang makalapit ako.

"Sinabi ko naman kasi sa'yo na duling ka," Clarisse told Blake before rolling her eyes. It looks like it was already Blake's turn.

"Nagsalita ang walang tinamaan kahit isa kanina." Blake aimed for the cans yet, nothing was hit.

"Grabe pa pagbwelo, wala naman palang tatamaan," Aris commented before he handed the gun to the stall owner. It looks like the three of them didn't hit even a single can.

I glanced at Irvin, who was still standing a distance from the stall. His eyes were still looking at me, as if he was challenging me to score. He shrugged his shoulders before pointing me the stall. Bahala na.

"Kuya, ako pa po," I said before I handed my payment. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang mangyayari sa akin pero, bahala na. The only thing I need to do right now was to remember all Irvin's instructions last time.

Ready. Aim. Fire.

I closed my eyes the second I pulled the trigger. Nervousness enveloped my whole body. It's just that, I want to show him that I could do it too.

"Gago. Khaydel napabagsak mo."

I opened my eyes after hearing that comment from Aris. All the cans were now down. It looks like I hit the lowest part, causing the foundation to rumble.

"Kailan ka pa natututo bumaril 'ha?" Clarisse asked. The owner gave me a turtle stuffed toy identical to the one Irvin and I won the last time we played here.

"A couple of weeks ago? Someone taught me how to aim properly," I said before plastering a smile on my lips. "Mabuti na nga lang at may naintindihan pala ako sa mga itinuro niya."

I glanced at Irvin, finding out that he was now walking towards our direction. Hindi na ako naghintay na makarating siya sa pwesto namin at sinalubong na siya.

"Thank you." I smiled at him before handing him the stuffed toy. He deserved it.

"You really taught him how to aim?"

I slightly brushed my hair because of the embarrassment I'm feeling right now. After the shooting stall, Aris, Blake, and Clarisse bombarded Irvin with questions. Halos hindi nila tinigilan si Irvin nang malaman nilang siya ang nagturo sa akin. Literal na nakalapit na sila kay Irvin dahil sa pagtatanong nila, Ako na tuloy ang naiilang para sa kanya.

"Well, that was one time." Irvin shyly scratched his nape. Isang maliit na ngiti ang makikita sa mga labi niya. He looked shy but, he looked proud at the same time. I guess it was his first time to receive such kind of treatment. Sa laki niyang tao, para siyang bata tignan dahil sa asta niya.

I couldn't help but to smile as I looked at them, especially at Irvin. He actually looke blooming because of the shy smile he was exhibiting. Hindi ko alam pero bigla na lang bumilis ang tibok nang puso ko habang tinitignan siya.

"Khaydel!"

My senses came back as I heard Aris' loud voice. I mentally facepalmed myself after realizing that I spaced out. All of them were now looking at me. Nakakahiya. Lumipad na naman ang isip ko sa harap ng mga kaibigan ko.

"Sabog ka na naman ba?" Aris jokingly said before he snaked his arm around my neck. Napa-irap na lang ako dahil sa sinabi niya. "Saan daw last na pupuntahan natin?"

I playfully shoved his arm before fixing my pullover. Aris really knew when to mess with me. "Ferris wheel?"