Thorns After Everything (Completed)

Chapter 38

"The hell— you guys are gross." We heard Maro as soon as he entered my Apartment. Yep, Zadist has finally let me go from his residence but he still followed me.

Zadist let go of the hug and went to focus his attention on the TV Screen. And then he acted like Maro just arrived.

"Oh hey, Man. How ya doing?" Sabi ni Z and I just can't help but chuckle.

Maro punched Z sa balikat niya at kaagad namang napa-aray.

"Watch it, Maro. Baka ma-hospita ulit yan." Sabi ko sabay nagpunta sa kitchen.

Naghuhugas ako ng pinggan habang rinig na rinig ko naman ang mga bangayan ng dalawa habang naglalaro na nang online mobile games.

Puro trash talk lang naman ang mga naririnig ko sa dalawang ito kaya after I washed the dishes— I went to my room.

My phone rang.

I closed the door and answered the call. It was Paolla.

"Pao?" I said.

"Hey, uhm, how are you?" Sabi niya. Napakunot ako ng noo. She sounds... off.

"I'm fine. I'm at the apartment. Why?" Sabi ko.

"Uhm, I'm sorry—"

"Oh come on, Pao. If this is about the grad ball after party— it's totally over. Please let's forget about it and move on." Sabi ko.

"No, no, no— I just—"

I heard her sniffed.

"What's going on, Pao?"

"It's my last day here."

"Last day from what?" I asked. Napaseryoso ako. "Pao, what is going on?"

"I'll be staying with my family for a long time. Then, get a job and hopefully have a family there, too." Sabi niya.

"Wait— Can I see you today?" I said.

I heard sobbed and I knew she was crying on the other line.

"I'm coming. I mean, we're coming." Sabi ko sabay hang up sa phone ko. Nagbihis ako at saka ko kinuha both phones ng mga lalaki sa bahay ko.

I throw Zadist's keys to him and he catches it. Maro on the other hand was pissed and wanted his phone back.

"Paolla." I said and everyone was alerted to take off. Now, this is what teamwork is.

"What's the story?" Maro asked as he drives the car on our way to Paolla's house because Zadist suddenly wanted to cuddle with me in the back seat. I can't believe this guy.

"She said it's her last day here in the Philippines. Baka somewhere malayo siya abroad." Sabi ko.

Inalis ko ang kamay ni Zadist that sneaking behind my back under my t-shirt.

"Stop it," I whispered.

"Oh no, you don't whisper to me like that." He said and slightly poked my side and I burst laughing.

"You guys are weird," Maro commented.

Dumaan kami sa drive-thru for 2 buckets of Fried Chicken. Tapos we planned on drinking soju bomb. As soon as I entered again sa car kasi kakabili ko lang sa store and both of them are like stupid boys who don't want to be a gentleman for the night kaya hindi na nila ako sinamahan at naglalaro na naman.

But as soon as I opened the car's door, I figured they're having a real conversation while playing mobile games again.

Zadist's attention was on his phone but he helped me with the stuff I bought without actually looking at me.

"Hey, Maro— who's your Girlfriend by the way?" Z started.

"Aint no girlfriend. Too young for that shit." Sabi ni Maro.

"Wow, you should date someone for sure." Sabi ni Z.

"Guys..." I said but no one's listening.

"Shut up, Z. And play hard. You are such a softie." Sabi ni Maro.

My jaw dropped.

No, Maro— You don't talk to Z like that.

And then, Z spoke up.

"That's savage mother fucker!" He shouted as his attention are fully on the game. So is Maro.

These boys.

Napatingin ako sa wrist watch ko. Ang watch na bigay ni Z noon.

"I'm a legend, fart face," Maro said.

"GUYS!" I shouted naman this time.

"What??" Both of them said in chorus.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko kasi sinigawan din ako pabalik. Mga animalisms.

"What was it, baby?" Biglang change ng tono ni Z at saka niyakap ako. Maro on the other hand continued driving.

"So, uh, which way was it?" Maro asked.

Z kissed my cheeks.

"My baby's pissed." He said.

"You're getting cornier and cornier and clichè, Z. You know that?" I said as I watch him cuddles me. He is babying me and I loved it at first pero kapag madalas na kasi niyang ginagawa ay na-annoy na ako.

"Oh come on, baby. Just chill. Let's take our time being 24/7 together and have all the sweetest moments in the world kasi we are gonna be working soon." He said while his hands snaked under my t-shirt to hold my bare skin. I can't believe you, Zadist Cruspero.

Hindi ka lang corny. Horny din.

Napatingin ako kay Maro na busy sa pagtingin sa location GPS niya sa phone.

"The only amount of time we will be having in the future as we're too focus on our careers— is every time we're off duty or coming home early." Sabi niya nang pabulong at inilapit ang bibig niya sa leeg ko.

Kaagad kong tinulak ang sarili niya paalis sa akin at pinisil ang dalawang pisngi niya.

"Yes, po. Now, behave ka na." Sabi ko.

Zadist smiled at saka ako inakbayan.

"Maro, turn right. That should be Paolla's house." Sabi ko.