Drowning Emotions (Isla Series #5)

07

"Why?" he asked with furrowed brows.

I shrugged. "Women are easily attached. Men gets easily detached." That was all I said. That was a fact I learned during college.

Marco nodded in approval. "Tama iyan. Proven sa 'yo. Marupok ka." Tumawa siya, nang-aasar.

"Hindi nga ako marupok!" Inis ko siyang sinipa. Umarte siyang nasaktan. "Ungas! Ang hina lang noon!"

"Hindi marupok. Uto-uto lang," he rephrased.

I faked a dramatic gasped. "Napakabastos mo, Marquenzo! Kaya ka hindi minahal ng babaeng gusto mo dahil napakasahol ng ugali mo! Sana tumanda kang mag-isa!"

He squinted his eyes playfully, warning me. "Below the belt ka, Zychela."

"Oh, talaga? Kwento mo rito at baka willing makinig." I showed him my hand, smirking. Tinulak niya ang mukha ko. Napasinghap ako. Nagkatinginan kami at bigla siyang natawa. "Tiningnan mo lang ako, tawang-tawa ka na?"

"Mukha ka kasing clown!" Hayop!

"Mukhang happy pill mo kamo! Palagi kang tumatawa at ngumingiti kapag kasama ako." I waved my index finger in front of him repeatedly, boasting. "No! Don't deny it! Masaya kang nakilala mo ako! Maganda, mabait, may sense of humor pa!" I continued teasing him.

"Nasaan na ba iyong pamalo ko at parang may naririnig akong langaw." Tinapik-tapik niya ang tenga niya, umaaktong naiirita.

I frowned at him fakely. The ends of his lips rose into a triumphant smirk. Bigla niyang tinulak ang mukha ko. Sininghalan ko siya. Hindi siya nagpatalo. Kaya iyon, nauwi na naman kami sa pag-uululan buong madaling araw.

"Sorry, I can't join you girls tonight mag-review. You know naman na kumakayod 'to." I pouted at my friends.

"May shooting ka?" Inangkla ni Sab ang kamay niya sa braso ko habang naglalakad kami palabas ng campus. Kakatapos lang ng last class namin for today. Kaunti lang ang papalabas ng campus pero madaming papasok para sa night class.

"Nope. I need to get my hair done. New look."

"Just tell me if you want some notes. I'll send you mine para naman gumaan ang load mo. Intindihin mo na nga lang ang panget kong sulat, ah?" Paige offered, smiling at me.

They were going to have dinner at Wildflour just around the corner kaya doon na ako nagpasundo sa driver ko. I was buying myself a cookie for snack when someone approached me for a picture. Even the cashier asked for a fansign. Pinagbigyan ko sila dahil mabait akong tao.

Nakatulog ako sa pagod habang inaayusan ako ng buhok. I was half-asleep when they guided me to stand up so they can wash my hair.

Umiinom ako ng kape ko habang binoblower ang buhok ko. Kulay ash grey iyon at layered with curtain bangs na ang haircut ko. It looked so beautiful! Bagay sa akin! Alangan naman i-down ko ang sarili ko?

"Ang taray naman ng hitsura. Malayo palang kumikinang na buhok mo." Boses ni Marco ang bumungad sa akin pagkababa ko palang ng van.

My head snapped towards his direction. He was leaning on the patio, lighting the cigarette on his mouth with the lighter he was holding. Nakasuot pa siya ng med uniform niya at specs.

"Veronica." Inagaw ni Gia ang atensyon ko, nakataas ang isang kilay niya. "We will pick you up around 3 AM tomorrow. I will send you a follow up e-mail later. Are you sure you don't have class?"

"Yup! It's Sunday tomorrow. I have some readings to do but I can do that while getting ready for the shoot or between breaks."

"That's nice to hear. I'll see you tomorrow." She closed the door of the van from the inside. I watched them sped off before walking towards my apartment.