Purro: Your not so Ordinary Love Story

xvii

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
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Danielle talked about herself for ten solid minutes. She keeps on boasting about how good she is on almost everything, except for well, having common sense and humility.

Okay lang naman for my part because I've always preferred listening than talking. Kaso kung paikot-ikot lang naman kami tungkol sa kung gaano siya ka-perfect, aba kailangan ko ng time out.

"Do you understand my point? I mean, I don't want guys lurking around our apartment for no reason." She continued blabbering. "I'm not craving for attention, attention gets to me." Mukha po talaga siyang ipit na ipit sa problema niyang super bigat. And from my point of view, hindi nga siya nag-ccrave kasi desperate na siya for attention.

I blurred out her nonsensical talk and start to look around the hall. I knew going to this retreat was a bad choice, bakit ba kasi ako nagapapilit?

I saw Blanc and Nina having a serious conversation at the farthest corner of the hall. Nina must have said something intriguing, given how furrowed Blanc's brows are. How I wish Nina would not say anything that would destroy my reputation.

Why are we still here? I gained friends, I kind of like my highschool life already and I'm in that point where my body goals are definitely within reach pero bakit nandito pa rin ako? Nandito pa din kami ni Blanc?

Blanc and I locked eyes for a brief moment before I pulled myself out of the trance. Minsan ang lakas talaga ng pakiramdam ng lalaking yun, palagi akong nahuhuling nakatingin sa kanya.

"Are you still listening?" Danielle reached out for my arm and I automatically gave her my rehearsed smile and nodded.

"Going back,you know I don't feel beautiful at some times pero there would always be guys who would lift me up everytime I feel down." She starts bragging about herself again and I can't take it anymore.

"Washroom." I immediately interrupted her. Sumimangot muna siya saglit with her infamous are you serious face. "You don't want a peeing partner later, right?" Pagdadahilan ko pa sa kanya, a few seconds passed before she made a way for me.

I half sprinted towards the washrooms. Mabilis akong naghilamos, pwede bang wag nang bumalik dun? Ayoko nang marinig pa ulit yung boses ni Danielle.

"Dad, I told you I'd be home in no time. I just need to convince Blanc." Mabilis akong pumasok sa cubicle when I heard Georgina's familiar voice.

"I won't be coming back without Blanc." Pagpapatuloy niya pa. "I don't know. He told me that he wants to stay here for good." Ayoko na sana maki-chismis pero rinig na rinig ko kasi. "I'll call you soon, bawal ang phone dito sa retreat house dad. They just allowed me because they thought this is an emergency." She said, bumukas yung pintuan ng cubicle sa tabi ko. "Okay, bye. I love you too."

Lalabas na sana ako sa cubicle nung meron na naman akong boses narinig. Dalawa sila this time.

"It was hilarious." High-pitched yung boses nung isang babae. "I feel for that former fatso, biruin mo bibigyan ka ng atensyon ni Jao out of the blue? For sure he's getting ready for something big."

"And that fatso was trampling around like she's the most beautiful girl in the world. Pumayat lang ng konti akala mo kung sino nang maganda. Feelingerang nasa kanya lahat ng atensyon ng lalaki." The girl with a smooth, clear voice said.