"Tingin niya naman swerte siya para ma-welcome ko?" Umisimid si Echo at pabirong nilahad ang mga braso sa ere. "Hindi siya nagkakamali! Welcome back agad to my life, ganoon!"
My loud laugh echoed the garden. "Marupok, Echo. A little humility wouldn't hurt you once in a while." I scrunched my nose, acting disappointed.
"Biro lang. Bye na. May lakad pa ako." Echo winked at me and went through the gate before he would cross paths with his ex. I concluded they didn't end on good terms. And was he hiding from her? That's just sad.
Just as the food were arranged on the table, Cali, Koa, Luca, and who I assumed was Esme, entered the gate. May dala silang boxes at bote ng sodas.
"Ica, what are you doing here?" Tumakbo si Cali sa akin para yumakap. I tapped her back a little, laughing. "Oh, wait! Neighbors nga pala kayo! Silly me!" She hit her palm on her forehead when she let me go.
"Good evening. Sorry, it was kind of traffic," Esme said in a soothing tone, smiling.
"Oh my gosh, ang gandang mukha niyan," manghang bulong ko kay Marco. I was tugging on his shirt like a kid who saw something very amazing. Natatawang inakbayan niya ako. "Ew! You're sweaty, babe!" I pushed him a little because his sweat was sticking on my cheek.
"Sus. Ngayon ka pa umarte, ah?" sarkastikong tanong niya at niyakap pa ako nang mahigpit para mang-asar. "Gustong-gusto mo nga kapag pawis ako!"
I tsked and nugged him, trying to kick his shin. He put his hand over my face as he tried to stop me. Para tuloy akong bata na sinusubukan siyang sipain pero wala talagang laban!
Sinubukan kong kagatin ang palad niya kaya agad siyang lumayo. I grinned evily while he chuckled loudly, finding me funny. Hindi talaga kami naiinis sa isa't isa.
"Violent. I like it," he teased.
Cali gasped so dramatically when Marco announced that I was his girlfriend. Esme grinned. Koa nodded. They all look so happy.
"Talaga?!" Luca, on the other hand, faked an exaggeration. Napaismid tuloy si Maki. "Pakunwari lang naman na hindi ko alam para may thrill!" he exposed himself.
"Hi, Ica," bati ni Koa at ngumisi.
"Hello!" Kumaway ako sa kaniya.
"Pwede nang kumain? Nagugutom na ako," matamlay na singit ni Ares at pinaghila ng bangko si Esme sa tabi niya. "Upo ka, Ate."
"Thanks, Ares. By the way, sapin-sapin ito and maja blance." Esme placed the dessert on the table. Binuksan niya iyon para maipakita sa amin. Natakam kaagad ako sa maja blanca dahil ang linis nang pagkakagawa. They were even nuts on top of it!
"Favorite iyan ni Ica," pagbibida ni Marco at kumuha ng isa para ilagay sa plato ko. "Ginawa iyan ni Esme. Paniguradong magugustuhan mo. Masarap iyan. The best iyan gumawa, promise! May café na rin iyan!" He sounded so sure and proud of his friend.
Esme covered her face, shy. "Marco, gosh! You didn't have to announce it."
Natawa ako at nagtanong tungkol sa café niya para makabisita ako sa susunod. We all sat down and started eating before the food will get cold. Marco was really a great cook. Ang sarap ng timpla sa lahat ng ulam, lalo na sa inihaw.
"Sa 'yo na 'to. Hindi ako kumakain nito." Nilipat ko sa plato ni Maki itong taba ng pork inihaw.
"Hindi rin ako kumakain niyan, baliw." He chuckled and pushed it aside on the edge of the plate. "Gusto mo tubig? Kuhanan kita."
During dinner, I didn't feel left out because all of them were including me and also asking if I was okay. Especially the girls. Kapag hindi ko talaga alam ang pinag-uusapan nila, Marco will start whispering the details to me so I can relate.
ESTÁ A LER
Drowning Emotions (Isla Series #5)
RomanceISLA SERIES #5 Marco, the luckiest surfer in the island but was unlucky when it comes to love. Rejected countless of times by his first love. Ica, an actress, on the other hand, was there willing to give him everything... until it turned to nothin...
