Hands in Heaven (Louisiana Series #3)

Kabanata 3

03 – Kid

"Daia, patingin!"

Hindi ko napigilan ang sarili kong sumunod sa loob. Ang plano naming magbubukas na ako ng regalo ay hindi natuloy dahil sa pagdating ni Zion. Humahabol sa akin si Jewel na gustong tignan ang regalo. I looked around to find him.

"Ayaw! This is for my eyes only!"

"Ang damot naman, e!"

I spotted him on a small table with his friend. Malapit doon ang kapatid at mga magulang niya. Kahit sa malayo ay siya ang nakakakuha ng atensiyon ko. Muling bumaba ang mga mata ko sa kahon at binuksan iyon para silipin.

"Is that a bracelet? Bracelets means friendship.." ani Gigi na nakatingin sa akin. "So if someone gave you that as a gift, that means he wants to be a friend."

Ngumuso ako at bumaling kay Zion. He was busy talking to his friend and brother. Totoo ba ang ganoong meaning? Dahil kung totoo, ayaw kong maging friend lang! Gusto ko, girlfriend!

"That's not true. You're making up things, Gigi."

"Uh huh? Deianira Katana doesn't want to be friendzoned."

"Don't tease me!" nahihiya kong sabi.

She laughed and shook her head at me. Huminga ako nang malalim at inayos ang sarili ko nang makitang wala na ro'n ang kapatid at kaibigan niya. He walked to get a wine glass. Nagsimula akong maglakad patungo sa kaniya.

"Where are you going?"

"Doon!" turo ko.

"And? What are you gonna do?"

"I'll talk to him. I'll say thanks!"

Umusbong ang kaba sa dibdib ko nang makita ang ngiti ni Gigi na parang nang-aasar pa. Napalunok ako at bumaling sa gawi ni Zion. I'll just say thank you! Iyon lang!

"Good luck!"

Hindi ko na pinansin ang sigaw ni Giselle at tumungo na lamang doon. Nang malagyan ng wine ang baso ay hindi siya bumalik sa table. He was just standing there, looking at the guests. I inhaled deeply as I approached him.

"Hi!"

Simple niya akong tinignan habang sumisimsim ng wine. He was leaning onto the post with his left hand inside his pocket. Ang kanang kamay niya ay mayroong hawak na wine glass. He licked his lips after drinking another.

"Thank you pala rito, ha? Nagustuhan ko."

"You're welcome. That's from mama." he answered.

"Pero, ikaw ang nagbigay kaya sa'yo ako nagpapasalamat."

Hindi na siya sumagot at tumingin lang sa mga bisita. I don't know if he's just serious or he's pissed at me already. He deeply breathed and sipped on his wine again.

"Does this mean that you want to be my friend?" I asked. "Ang sabi kasi ng kaibigan ko, iyon daw ang ibig sabihin nito."

Ipinakita ko sa kaniya ang regalo niya. Sa totoo lang ay iyon naman talaga ang pinunta ko. I want to confirm if that is true. Friendzoned na ba agad ako? Seryoso niya akong tinignan at bahagyang umiling.

"That doesn't mean anything. It's a simple gift."

His voice became deeper. He cleared his throat before standing properly to greet other visitors he knew. Pilit akong ngumiti at sinilip ang mukha niya.

"But do you wanna be my friend?"

His eyes looked so done with me when he turned to me. Walang anu-ano'y tinalikuran niya ako para maglakad palayo. Namula ang pisngi ko sa kahihiyan at sinundan siya ng tingin. He walked away from me!