Us Against the World (Louisiana Series #5)

Kabanata 13

13 – Truth

The routine in Manila continued like before. One academic year ended and we were able to go home for summer break. Marami ang nangyari sa halos sampung buwang na sa Maynila ako. I can't tell it all, and Rihann doesn't even know any of it. Alam kong wala naman akong dapat na itago sa kaniya, ngunit ayoko pang sabihin. Hindi pa naman sigurado. I don't even know if we're on mutual understanding or not.

I zipped my jacket and looked around the house. Walang tao sa salas kaya naman sinilip ko ang kusina. Dad was there, making his brunch. Hindi siya sumabay kanina gaya ng nakasanayan. Hindi ko na siya hinarap ngunit nagpaalam ako.

"I'm out with Rihann and Addie, Dad!"

"Come home before lunch!"

I nodded and ran outside of the house. Nang mapagbuksan ng gate ay tinahak ko ang gilid hanggang makarating sa likod ng halamanan. I climbed over the bench and jumped on the grass before running again towards the wooden gate.

Zachary was leaning onto the gate while waiting for me. Napangiti ako at lalong binilisan ang takbo. Nang makita niya ako ay binuksan niya ang pinto para sa akin. Hinahabol ang hiningang nilingon ko ang bahay namin. His jaguar was parked in front.

"What did you tell them?" he asked.

He opened the door of the passenger seat for me. Walang alinlangan akong pumasok at mahinang tumawa. I am actually nervous but I can't really say that I am out with him. Hindi lang ako papayagan.

"I said I'm with Rihann and Addie."

He smirked. "Bad girl."

Isinara niya ang pinto at umikot upang pumasok sa driver's seat. I chuckled and bit my lower lip. I know it's bad. It's bad to lie, but everyone does it. I've been good my whole life. What's wrong with a little lie? Besides, I'm a grown up.

"Turuan kita?" aniya nang makapasok.

"Manonood lang ako."

"Alright."

Zachary asked me yesterday if I want to come with him play golf with his brother and cousin. I am not interested to learn but I want to see him play. Wala rin naman akong gagawin kaya naisipan kong sumama na lamang.

I took my phone out and find Rihann's number to give her a call. Dad doesn't usually call my friends, but just in case I can't come home before lunch, Rihann's gonna be there to make an excuse for me.

"Rihann."

"What?" she yawned. "I'm sleeping all day today. I can't come."

"I'm not going to ask you to join me today."

Hindi agad siya sumagot. Hindi gaanong mabilis ang naging pagpapatakbo ni Zachary ng sasakyan. I glanced at him silently before looking at my screen. Muli siyang humikab.

"Ano pala?"

"Tell Dad I'm with you if he ever asks."

I inhaled deeply after saying that. Hindi ko agad narinig ang kaniyang sagot. Background noises were on the other phone. Matapos iyon ay narinig ko ang malakas at gulat niyang boses.

"Julianna!"

"What?"

"Where are you? Who are you with, huh?"

Hindi ko na iyon inabala pang sagutin. I never told her that I'm with Zachary whenever I am not with her back in Manila. Kadalasan naman ay sa bookstore kami pumupunta kaya hindi siya naghihinalang mayroon akong kasama. Sometimes we go on the rink.