And They Say...

Track 14: Obviously Jealous

"Chill," I smirked. "It's just how you see it."

"I can clearly see kung gaano kayo kaclose sa isa't isa."

"May sagot ka naman pala. Bakit nagtatanong ka pa?"

"I need to confirm kung gaano kayo kaclose at kung ano ang meaning ng closeness na 'yon."

I put my elbow on the table and my chin on my hand. I tilted my head to the side and raised an eyebrow at her. "Why are you so insistent on knowing what's the deal between us? Are you sure curious ka lang kay Dex? You should see yourself in the mirror. You're so transparent right now. Tone down the jealousy, Kelsey. Unless pinapahalata mo talaga kung ano ang tinatago mo."

That seems to catch her off guard. Iniwas niya ang tingin sa akin, sumandal sa upuan at pinaglaruan ang tissue na nasa lamesa. "I don't know what you're talking about. I'm not jealous. I'm just really curious. Huwag mong ibahin ang usapan."

I sighed and looked at her. "Whatever's between us is none of your business. Go ask Dex if you're too curious. Bakit ako lang ang tinatanong mo?"

Ah. She's pissing me off. Ganito 'yung mga hindi ko gusto.

Should I cross her out on the list as early as now? She seems serious anyway. I'll be doing her a favor kung gagawin ko 'yon.

Should I tell Dex about this? Hmm.

Nevermind. I don't want to think about unnecessary things. Bahala sila sa buhay nila.

"Nakakakilabot naman ang aura sa side na 'to ng cafe," sulpot ni Venice kasama si Melody. Naglabas pa siya ng panyo at saka 'yon pinagpag para raw tabuyin ang masasamang espiritu na nakapaligid sa lugar na 'to.

Umupo naman si Melody sa tabi ko at indinukdok ang mukha sa lamesa. Pusta ko may nangyari na naman dito. Given na naman 'yon pagkatapos silang makita ni Jarvis sa convenience store at ihinatid pa siya kahapon sa dorm.

Maingay na naman ang mga tao. Palibhasa walang thrill ang mga buhay nila kaya mas nag-eenjoy silang pag-usapan ang buhay ng iba.

Umupo naman si Venice sa tabi ni Kelsey at nagfocus sa phone niya. "Some people's comments aren't so bad. I mean, yeah sure, marami pa rin hate comments," she said to Melody which earned her a scowl. "Pero mas marami naman ang supporters mo this time compared noong first rumor about sa inyo."

"Ah, whatever," iling niya at umayos ng upo. "This is my life. I'll do whatever I want. I won't let other people's choices affect me."

"Nice." Pagtango ko sa kaniya.

"Anyway, change topic. I saw Dex outside kanina. Dito ba siya galing?"

"Yeah. Pinuntahan niya sandali si Ingrid," sagot ni Kelsey na kanina pa nakatahimik.

Napahinto naman si Venice sa pagscroll ng phone niya at saka ako tiningin. "I forgot to ask. Bakit nga ba parang sobrang close niyo ni Dex? You know him even before you enter the academe? Are you really that close?"

"Of course they know each other," sagot para sa akin ni Melody at natatawa pa. "Alam niyo ba once nga noong highschool sa sobrang suplada ni Ingrid may umaway sa kaniya na grupo ng babae to the point na may nagtatago ng P.E. shoes niya at tatapunan ng kalat ang locker and the usual bullying acts bullies do. Hindi naman nagsasalita si Ingrid kasi for some weird reason, wala siyang pakialam. Kaya when I caught those girls in the act, tinawagan ko agad si Dex. Sobrang bilis dumating ni Dex at pinagsabihan ang mga bullies. He's not shouting like the usual. He's just speaking calmly, but seriously. He was rarely serious it's so scary. Even the bullies were scared I can clearly see how their hands are shaking. After noon wala na ni isa man ang umaway kay Ingrid. Dex is that protective and scary when it comes to Ingrid."