Elysian (Samantila Series #1)

25

After running some errands, like setting up my condominium, I can finally say that I'm now settled here in Manila. Dalawang linggo nalang bago ang pasukan at nakapamili narin naman kami ni Stage ng mga school supplies. Kaya ito, isa sa mga plano namin this week ay ang pakikipag kita sa mga pinsan na'ming nag-stay dito sa Manila since last year pa.

As for my other cousins who graduated with me, Xautheus, Mazikien, and Briseis are also now here in Manila. Settled narin sila sa kanya-kanya nilang condominiums. Habang si Guinevere naman ay nasa Cebu parin, inaantay ang pagbubukas ng universities sa Australia which will happen early next year. She still have many months left.

I think I heard her saying that she'll take her time to travel first before leaving the country. Lalo na't she'll be studying medicine sa ibang bansa. She'll stay there for a very long time.

Ngayon na ang get together naming magpipinsan, but, I think it's not only us 'cause Stage said my cousins and his invited some of their Manila friends, too.

It's okay. I could handle socializing with other people, but not so much. Hindi naman ako yung klase ng taong friendly agad sa unang pagkikita palang. As long as I only need to interact to them civilly.

I just wore a simple baggy jeans and a beige tank top. Pinatungan ko naman ito ng isang black jacket 'cause it's already past 7 PM.

"Let's go." sabi ko pagkalabas ko ng aking kuwarto kay Stage na naghihintay lamang sa sala ng aking condo.

Nilibot nya muna ang kanyang mata sa'king suot bago pumunta sa'kin.

"You're so gorgeous." he complimented me.

Sinandal ko naman ang aking ulo sa kanyang dibdib, "Yeah and this gorgeous is for you."

He just kissed my forehead and we carried on to the main plan for the day.

Mabilis lang ang byahe dahil hindi naman rush hour. So, we quickly arrived at the restaurant.

Hindi na ako nagulat nang may makita akong iilang 'di pamilyar na mukha sa long table kung saan nakaupo rin ang mga pinsan naming dalawa ni Stage.

Pinauna muna ako ni Stage umupo bago sya umupo sa tabi ko.

"Yon! Dito narin ang mag-jowa ng taon." Zaire said as soon as we sat.

Pagod ko syang tinignan, "Shut up."

He looked at me amusingly, "Wow, after one year of not seeing each other."

Pinutol lamang ni Tyler Lacsamana ang pag-uusap namin ni Zaire para ipakilala ang mga 'di pamilyar na mukha sa aming lamesa.

"Stage, Ame, meet our friends.."

Unang lumingon ang maputing babaeng nasa tabi ni Yeuane, she's wearing a black spaghetti strap top. Her hair is brownish, katulad ng kay Stage at ang mata nya naman ay may pitch black.

If only she doesn't have her hair in a brownish color, iisipin kong mala-Guinevere din sya.

"Paisley Arcenal." ngiti ng babae. Tinanguan ko lamang sya, "Ame Samantila."

She looked playfully shocked, "Woah. Samantila ka rin pala."

"Yeah, I guess so."

Sumunod naman sakanya ang medyo maskuladong lalake na tanned ang kulay, mas tanned pa sakin, sa totoo lang. He looks like a model. Kulay itim na buhok, at kulay brown na mga mata. I won't be shocked if someone say to me right now that he's modeling for a known brand. He looks handsome. Everything in his appearance compliments each other.

"Hanz." pakilala nya.

I lightly smiled, I like his aura. "Ame."

Nagtuloy-tuloy pa ang pagpapakilala sa sumunod na lima pa bago kami nag kanya-kanya ng kausap. Doon ko napansin ang nakabusangot na mukha ni Maze na nasa tabi ko.

"Why?" I asked.

She rolled her eyes, "Sabi ko kasi kila Cazian 'wag na iimbita 'yang si Paisley saka Amber. Tapos inimbita parin nila."

She's pertaining to Amber Feliciano, a blonde girl, well, I think it's dyed since I can see the few black roots of her hair from here.

"Why so? Maybe they find them kind.." sagot ko. Maze is really moody. Like really, really. Kaya kung hindi sya pinakinggan nila Cazian ay naiintindihan ko. She just hate people for nothing. Pakiramdam ko nga ay mannerism nilang dalawa ni Briseis iyon.

"You know Reischa Eros, right? She told me that that Amber is practically obsessed on Kuya Phoenix. Hindi naman sya gusto nito pero pinagpipilitan ang sarili. Until now, she's still eyeing him. Sakit sa mata." Maze spilled. My mouth o-ed.

Eroses are a bunch of attractive people. Kabilang na sa mga Eros ang bestfriend at pinsan ni Acee, si Yaschna Eros. At ang sinabi ni Maze na si Reischa Eros ay pinsan naman ni Yaschna. Reischa Azirei Eros is not like Maze or Bri who just hates on people randomly. If she ever tells you a story, it's 100% true.

I looked suspiciously at Amber. She doesn't certainly looks like someone who's obsessed on Kuya Xariel (I call him Xariel 'cause I thought Xariel was his first name. Second name lang pala).

Kuya Phoenix Xariel Eros is indeed an attractive man. But to get obsessed over him is an another topic. Hindi lang sa creepy, kundi di rin sya nagkakaroon ng freedom para makapag-girlfriend kung ganoon ang babae sakanya.

"Is she really obsessed?" tanong ko, di na nakayanan dahil mukha namang mabait si Amber.

"Not to the creepy point but, I think, medyo close to that. Reischa even mentioned that Kuya Phoenix can't court someone because of her shoo-ing the girl." paglilinaw ni Maze.

"Ah. She's just desperate pa lang."

"Yep."

Tinignan ko muli sya, "How about Paisley. What's wrong with her?"

Nahihiyang ngumuso si Mazikien, "I just think that she'll do something that won't please me in the future."

Hindi ako makapaniwalang tumingin sakanya.

"Don't look at me like that, okay! Alam ko. Not everyone needs to please me. It's just my instinct." she admitted.

"Maze," kalabit ni Xautheus kay Maze. Kaya napunta sakanya ang atensyon naming dalawa.

"They only ordered snacks. Hindi kapa kumakain ng dinner, diba? Let's order your dinner."

Hindi na ako nakinig pa sa pag-uusap nilang dalawa at nilingon si Stage na nakikipag kuwentuhan sa mga pinsan nya habang ang isang braso ay nasa sandalan ng inuupuan ko.

"Are you hungry?" bulong ko.

Nilingon naman nya ako, "Hindi. Why? Are you hungry?"

"No. But I am craving for burgers."

He licked his upper lip while staring at me, "Aw. Bakit hindi ka nalang mag-crave sa akin?"