The Crown Sinners

23: Unknown Enemy

"Teka, nasasakal na ako! Lemme breathe!"

We all laughed and slowly released her and I hurriedly went to the dinning table for the cake. Nailagay ko kanina rito sa sobrang shock ko 'nung makita ko si Rebel. Mabuti na nga lang nasa tamang katinuan pa ako at hindi ko nailaglag.

"Here!" I said while smiling wide. "Blow you candle and make a wish!" I added as Theon lit the candle and we let Luna said her wish quietly and we all sang happy birthday when she blowed the candle.

"Thank you pasaways!" She told us merrily and kissed us in the cheeks, for the girls. And for the boys she fist-bumped them. I couldn't help but smile as I saw how genuinely happy she is in our little surprise. She also expressed her gratitude to each one of us.

I stared at Rebel while he's sitting beside Honoka. They were conversing silently. Rebel's smiling face while retorting something to Honoka made my heart at ease. It was like one of my dreams came true.

This was completely different from where Gabby appeared in front of us. We did not know Gabby existed until our Tita and Tito informed us. But this one... it made me feel like I reached something impossible, something unreachable.

Sila kasi 'yung hinahanap namin. Sila 'yung nawala sa 'min. Sila 'yung nakasama namin—nakatawanan, nakakulitan, nakasamang lumaki. And seeing them well... it was more than enough. Truly...

"Baka matunaw si Rebel." I heard Theon chuckled beside me. Nasa tabi ko na pala 'tong isang 'to.

"I was just wondering if he's really here and real. This might me a dream, as far as I'm concerned." I said in a joking manner. It's just hard to believe but you just wanna believe. Gosh, I don't think, I'm even making sense.

"Then, I must be included in your dream too."

Wow, 'yun 'yung napansin n'ya sa sinabi ko.

I laughed at his reply, I slightly punched his arm. He just smirked at me.

"Pareng Rebel!" Bati ni Cleon, hindi nakatiis dahil kaharap na namin si Rebel. He sat between him and Honoka, making Honoka scoot a little to give him space, the calm one kept her sweet smile while the other looked annoyed.

"Hindi mo ako pare." Biblee's laughed thundered in the room. Natawa na rin ako saka si Theon. Halos umupo na ang barkada sa harap ni Rebel.

Luna, on the other hand, sat beside Honoka. She kept wiggling her brows to Honoka, making me curious. Para kasing nang-aasar si Luna.

"Kuya mo na lang kung ayaw mong pare." Hataw ni Cleon.

Lalong nagkatawanan. "So you admitted that you are old, Cley?" Biglang sabat ni Biblee.

"Asa ka!" Cleon protested.

I pressed my lips because of the laughter escaping from my mouth, oddly, I looked at Theon teasingly. "Should I also, Kuya you?"

"I dare you to try, Amythee." His deep voice made me gulped. Goodness, I shouldn't have jested with him because I knew I'd lost. Mata pa lang, tingin pa lang talo na ako! Psh!

"Okay, Kuya Theon." I replied in a nonchalant manner, but my heart was beating in double speed. I also looked away and focused in Rebel. I heard Theon's sounding smirk and I stiffened when I felt his breath near my ear.

"You sure are good in taunting me, Hopie." I froze! I freaking froze for almost ten seconds and when I recovered I quickly walked away and sat on the sofa just across Rebel.

Goodness, Theon wouldn't even let me breathe!

Hopie?

HOPIE?