The Opposite of Hate (Upper Crust #1)

Chapter 9

Chapter 9
"Unsuccessful"

Dumaan ang mahabang katahimikan bago siya nagsalita ulit. Kanina nakakaramdam na ako ng antok, that's why I was contemplating kung pupuntahan ba siya; now I am wide awake. Mabilis pa rin ang tambol ng puso ko. But I relaxed and get myself comfortable with the gentle caress of evening with.

Lumingon siya at may inabot. Pagharap, hawak niya na ang isang roses na nakapaloob sa glass—just like the one in Beauty and the Beast.

"Here," marahan niyang sabi. "Mabuti at umabot pa."

I just stared at him, namamangha. Sinamahan kong manuod last month ang mga kapatid ko ng palabas na 'yon. He was there too. I mindlessly searched for product similar to the film. Gusto ko sanang bumili. May nahanap ako but it was expensive, it's only available abroad. May nasa malapit pero hindi ko naman nagustuhan ang pagkakayari. I just disregarded the idea dahil hindi rin naman kailangan.

"Is this real?" tanong ko pa rin kahit palagay kong totoo ito.

"I guess? The store was legitimate."

Siya ba mismo naghanap o nag-utos lang?

"Spending another nonsense, Aris." Tinanggap ko at pinatong sa hita. It's kinda big, handful. Medyo mabigat din.

"It isn't nonsense kung nagustuhan mo naman 'to."

"Well, I like this."

Tiningnan ko ang bulaklak. It's in full bloom. Very beautiful. The color is so vivid, animo'y dugo. It has a built in lighting inside. Pinindot ko ang buton and it glowed. It was enchanting to stare.

Naramdam ko ang hawak niya sa palapulsuhan ko kaya my eyes drifted to Aris. Ang isa niyang kamay ay binubuksan ang maliit na velvet blue na kahon. Kinuha niya ang isang chain... it's actually a bracelet. My eyes widen a fraction nang mapansin ang palamuting maliliit na dyamante sa mga nakasabit na pendants: book, heart, soccer ball, the Radcliffe Camera, graduation cap, L and then A. Kinabit niya 'to sa akin.

"What's this for?" malamyos kong usal.

Tiningnan ko siya sa mukha.

"A charm."

"For what?"

"Para hindi ka na masungit," he said with a chuckle.

"Very funny, Aristotle."

Hindi ako mahilig sa jewelry and accessories, but this is beautiful. It's quite extravagant but tolerable for me. I won't mind wearing this everyday.

Tumayo siya, pulled his shirt out, removed his slides and sport a dive on the pool. Nakasunod lang ako ng tingin sa kanya. What has gotten into him? I stood up too. Lumapit ako naupo sa ledge ng pool, siya namang pag-ahon ng ulo niya. Sinuklay ng mga daliri niya ang basang buhok. Mas mahaba na itong tingnan.

"You'll get cold," sabi ko.

"I might," balewala niyang sagot.

"Don't you have plans to fly to LA?" For sure his grandparents want to see him. He is so spoiled by them or maybe everybody spoils him.

"I don't know," aniya at lumangoy na ulit.

His movements were fluid. Nag-butterfly stroke siya and I was once again envious that it looks easy for him. I know how to swim but not really well. Just for survival, in case.

Lumangon siya pabalik sa akin.

"Don't you want to swim?"

"Gabing-gabi na."

"So?"

"Magkakasakit ako."

"I'll take care of you kung mangyari 'yon."