War Has Begun (War Series #1)

Chapter 37

I hissed and he grinned at me. Ang magkakaibigang 'to, pinanganak na yata para maging mga bolero. 

Eventually, Jadon was forced to leave my side because he had to talk to someone. Naiwan tuloy akong kasama si Adonijah na mukhang willing namang samahan ako.

"Look at that selfish brute," ani Adonijah habang nakatanaw kay Jadon na nakapamulsa at nakangisi habang may kausap na kakilala.

Natawa ako nang kaunti.

"Selfish?" Tanong ko.

I don't think that Jadon's selfish. He has always been considerate of me and the people around me.

"Nagbago na kaya umayos na," natatawang sabi ni Adonijah sa akin at napangiti ako.

Natahimik kaming dalawa ni Adonijah at tinatanaw lang namin si Jadon na mukhang may mahabang pag-uusapan sa kausap. When Adonijah spoke again, I shifted my gaze back at him.

"Before, Hanani would ask us random questions about almost everything. I remember, one time, Hanani asked us about our plans for the future," ani Adonijah at tumango ako.

Parang naikuwento na sa akin 'yon ni Jadon noon pero hindi ko maalala ang detalye. He said that Hanani loves to open conversations.

"Do you know what his answer was?" Lingon sa akin ni Adonijah at tinitigan ko s'ya, hinihintay ang sagot. "He said he'd get a girlfriend at college and marry her after he graduates."

Agad na umawang ang mga labi ko at uminit ang mga pisngi ko dahil doon. That was Jadon's plan?

Nilingon ko ulit si Jadon at nakita kong nakalingon s'ya sa amin. Dumilim nang kaunti ang tingin n'ya at may pagbabanta ang titig para kay Adonijah. Adonijah raised both of his hands and grinned at his friend. Ibinalik ni Jadon ang tingin sa kausap.

Habang iniisip ko na 'yon ang sinagot ni Jadon, parang hindi ako makapaniwala. If that's how he plans before... then why are we here now? Sobrang laki ng pagkaka-iba ng nilalakaran naming dalawa sa plinano n'yang lakaran noon.

Kinagat ko ang labi ko at dumiin ang hawak ko sa baso ng inuming hawak-hawak. He went through everything he didn't expect that will come his way for me? 

"But ever since he met you, I've seen a part of him I've never seen before," ani Adonijah. "I'm not even kidding."

Napangiti ako at hindi napigilan ang tawa. Pero kasabay no'n, may mainit na kamay ang humahaplos sa puso ko. It is a good feeling. It makes me want to think that this is all just a sweet dream. 

"Jadon and Asiel are probably the most impatient bastards I know. But look at Jadon now," he said.

Tumango ako at kinagat ko ang labi ko. I didn't know he'd stay with me for this long. There are times that I'd think that he'll probably get tired of waiting for me eventually but nothing has changed with how he treats me and how he looks at me.

"He's been patient with me for the past years, Adonijah," I told him.

Napangiti si Adonijah habang nakatitig sa akin. He nodded.

"Because he knows you are worth all the efforts, Az. Because he knows you deserve it."

I know. I know Jadon... He only invests his time and effort on things he knows are worth the try. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang nakita n'ya sa akin. Kahit sa mga lumipas na mga taon, hindi ko pa rin alam kung ano ang nakita n'ya. Pero ang isiping ibinubuhos n'ya ang lahat ng 'to para sa akin... dahil iniisip n'yang deserve ko na matanggap 'to galing sa kan'ya, parang may humahaplos sa puso ko.

Jadon isn't the most perfect guy I know. He has so many flaws--just like everybody else. But his efforts, love, and respect make up for all of the lacking.