What Makes Phoebe Different

- 07 -

"What are you doing?"

Agad na binalik ni Terrence ang phone ni Gray sa table.

Napailing si Timothy. "Ayaw magpapigil e."

"I was just checking something."

"What were you doing?" mas may diing tanong ni Gray.

"Fine," pasukong sabi ni Terrence. "I was going to reply to Phoebe."

Agad kumunot ang noo ni Gray. "If you like her so much, then be the one to message her. Hindi itong nakikialam ka sakin."

"I just wanted you to have some fun."

"Right," nagsimulang ipagtanggol ni Timothy ang kaibigan. "He just wanted the best for you. Kahit medyo sa masamang paraan."

"I understand," sabi ni Gray atsaka kinuha ang phone at ibinulsa. "But I don't have time for this. I have so many other important things to do than have a conversation with a person who I don't even know."

Napatango si Timothy. "Nagets mo naman siguro noh?"

"Y'all are no fun!" pagmamaktol nito.

"Yes. He understands," pag-aassure ni Timothy kay Gray na tumango nalang.

Natahimik nalang si Terrence at nagfocus sa phone niya. Pero maya-maya lang ay ngumisi na ito sabay tingin sa dalawang kaibigan niya ng nakakaloko.

"I don't like that look," sabi ni Timothy. Nanatili lang na tahimik si Gray.

"I saved some of her photos," sabi nito. "Are you sure that you're not going to consider messaging her?"

"No. You can have her."

Bigla nitong ipinasilip sa kaniya ang phone niya. Kumunot muli ang noo ni Gray dahil sa sobrang lapit ng phone ni Terrence. He moved back para maadjust ang tingin. He saw a very endearing picture of a woman. She's smiling so wide, making her more beautiful.

"Ano? Type mo?"

"You really want me to answer that?"

Nabuhayan ng loob si Terrence. "Is that a yes?"

"No," mabilis na sagot ni Gray at agad na tumayo. "Babalik nalang ako mamaya pag hindi na namimilit ang isang 'to."

Napailing nalang si Timothy nang makalabas ang kaibigan. Naglipat siya ng tingin kay Terrence.

"You know that he likes Lisa."

"And we know that you like her too."

Nagbago ang ekspresyon ni Timothy.

"Plus she likes you too," sabi pa nito. "Kaya nga siya umalis muna diba? She wants you to tell him. Baka nakakalimutan mo?"

Bumuntong hininga si Timothy. "No. I remember."

"Mabuti," sagot ni Terrence. "Tinutulungan ko lang naman ang kaibigan natin. Para makakaahon siya agad. Kaya tulungan mo nalang akong kupal ka!"

"Right," pasukong sagot ni Timothy.