My Other Half

7

“Eat this. It’s your favourite food.” I looked at the guy sa harap ko. Green eyes, black hair. He was talking in chinese but I understood it.

Meron siyang binigay na tupperwear sa harapan ko at binuksan niya ito.

“Say ahhh.” He said and I did so. I smiled it tastes nice. Did he make this?

Last day ng school namin today bago mag Christmas vacation. Since half day lang kami, niyaya kami ni Leighton na pumunta sa bahay nila. Hindi sana ako sasama dahil ngayon na sana ako uuwi ng Plymouth para bisitahin ang mama ko.

Dale is driving the car now. He’s wearing a black Hollister t-shirt under a leather jacket. Hindi ba siya nilalamig? It’s freaking winter. Nasa passenger seat ako sa harap at si Cole, nasa likod kasama ang FOTW niya. Nagulat ako dahil sumama si Cole ang akala ko magkaaway parin sila. Naghahalikan sila ngayon sa likod ng babae niya. I wouldn’t be surprised if they have sex there. Me and Dale are trying to ignore them by talking.

“Are you not coming to our birthday?” Malungkot na tanong ni Dale.

“It’s my birthday too Dale. Gusto kong i-celebrate ito with my parents.”

“I won’t be seeing you for two weeks Ly.  Can I go visit you?”

“No Dale!” I answered louder than I intended to. Napatigil din sa paghahalikan ang dalawa sa likod.

“Why not? It’s only half an hour drive. It will be boring to just stay in Exeter for the whole break.”

“Just no.” I replied quietly. Hindi ko pweding i-reveal sa kanya kung anong klaseng pamilya meron ako. He has such a perfect family while mine is so broken. I think I can’t tell him now. Sooner maybe pero hindi pa ngayon. Nagpapasalamat naman ako dahil hindi niya na ako kinulit. Napakalayo naman ng bahay nina Leighton, kanina pa kami dito sa sasakyan.

Then the car stopped. I looked outside and my jaw dropped. Like really drop. I don’t know kung ito talaga ang bahay nila pero this is insane! This is huge!

“It’s really big right? Leighton’s dad used to be a football player.” Sabi ni Dale at lumabas ng kotse. Nakalabas narin si Cole at and babae niya kaya lumabas narin ako.

“Lyraa!” Sigaw ni Leighton when he saw us. Nakahawak ang kamay niya sa baywang ng dalawang babae sa kaliwa at kanan niya. Inalis niya ito at linapitan ako at niyakap.

“I missed you!” He said.

“You saw me earlier.” I said.

“I still missed you! Every second without you is enough for me to miss you.”

Tumawa ako. “Go back to your girls.” And he followed. Hindi pa siya kontento sa isa. Dalawa talaga.

Pagpasok namin sa bahay nila, nahiya naman ang labas ng bahay nila dahil the interior beats the outside. This is so grand. Nasa loob sina Pace, Aidan, Charlie and Jem. May mga kasama silang babae aside from Charlie kaya nilapitan ko siya. Nakabusangot ang itsura niya and he looks so troubled.

“Charles, what’s wrong?” Tanong ko.

“A girl finally kicked your ass?” Dale joked.

Hindi sumagot si Charlie. Usually he would shout at Dale a ‘shut up’ or ‘go away’ pero this time, he just ignored Dale at uminom siya ng Jack Daniels.

 “Fuck Charles, talk!” Dale said while laughing.

Hindi parin sumagot si Charles at mas lalong tumawa si Dale. Baliw talaga ang lalakeng ito. Tumingin na sa amin ang mga boys. They all looked at Charles habang hawak hawak ang mga babae nila. They all have a serious face at tumingin sila sa isa’t isa. Tumahimik ang paligid and the loud music from the stereo is the only source of sound.