It Started in the Library (Completed and Editing)

Chapter 16: Lessons In Love

"Si Alfredo ang pinaka-epic, twenty seven girls. Pucha, isang kita pa lang kay Diosa, hiwalay na. Paano 'tong Kuya natin, avenging angel lagi. Hahaha!"

"Baliw yang si Kuya eh, hula ko iiyak yan sa kasal ni Diosa. Baka matindi pa yan kay Tita Delia,"

"Buti na lang si Ali, hindi nag-gi-girlfriend," I frowned as I leaned down at Aidan, "may problema kaya yun?"

"Si Ali? May makakatagal ba sa saltik nun? Kay baby girl lang yun malambing," Inilagay namin ang huling crate at itinali ito ng maayos, "Pero I wonder kung kelan siya makakahanap ng katapat."

-------------------------

"So you think you can hide from me?" I grinned as I toyed with the edge of the slide function. "Amateur." I closed my tablet when I saw Aidan and Adam finish with their task. I switched to my mobile and used the Bluetooth headset. Pathetic. I turned my attention back to the miniature screen. I would have preferred my LED screen para kitang-kita yung facial expression niya, but I didn't want anyone to notice what I am doing.

"Sisirain ko sila, akin lang si Prince," her eyes darted around the room trying to look for me.

"I see you," I laughed softly as she pulled off the white covers of the paintings. Lahat, sira na. Black paint covered most of the canvasses. Napamura siya at natawa ako.

"Hayup ka! Hindi lang ito ang meron ako against Prince!" her eyes were wide and dilated. Bangag na bangag. What is it with people that they choose to destroy themselves with illegal substances? Sayang... I researched her background and found out what a gifted painter she is. Sinayang niya lang.

"You mean this?" I pushed a button and the screen of her computer monitor lit up. She stared in horror at the 45-second clip that I lifted from her hard drive, "Walang kwenta. However this..." The scene changed and she fell to the floor sobbing.

"Stop trying to go between Aya and Prince."

-----------------------

"Okay ka lang, baby?" Prince put his scarf around my neck. Shocks, ang bango ng cologne niya. Madali talaga akong lamigin kaya nanginginig ako kahit naka-long sleeves na ako at jacket. I rubbed my hands together to create friction heat. Inabot ni Prince yung kamay ko and he breathed on them to keep them warm.

"Thank you," I smiled at him. He took my hand and entwined it with his bago ipinasok sa loob ng bulsa ng jacket niya.

"Stop over muna tayo dito sa Baguio para makapag-stretch," Kuya Alphonse announced. "Kain tayo ng lunch sa Mario's bago tayo tumuloy sa Burnham Park." He held his daughter Allison's hand as he guided his wife and year-old son, Aaron out of the car.

"Instagram tayo," I smiled up to Prince and he immediately took out his phone and aimed it at the two of us.

"Okay, yung sa akin naman para ma-chronicle natin," I took out my phone and took photos para gawing pic collage. I immediately uploaded the images and labeled it, 'Second monthsary with My Prince'. May nag-notification sa akin and I saw yung upload ni Prince, 'In-love with a Goddess'.

"Para tayong mga sira," I laughed and hugged his arm.

"Okay lang yun Goddess, love is crazy di ba?" He rubbed my arm, "Nilalamig ka pa rin?" I nodded at him.

"Aya, group pic tayo!" Kiko hollered and we went to where everybody was gathered to take the obligatory group photo.

I stood beside Prince pero bigla akong hinatak ni Kuya Alfredo sa tabi niya. "Dito ka baby girl." Natawa ako. Itong si Kuya parang baliw lang. Kanina pa sila may staring match ni Prince at feeling ko may usapan sila na di ko alam.