Chasing in the Wild (University Series #3)

01

"Happy legality, Eli!" 

I smiled awkwardly while the whole cheer dance squad was singing me a birthday song. Umiinom ako ng tubig habang hinihintay silang matapos, pawis na pawis pa sa suot na dolphin shorts at white shirt. Gabing-gabi na nang matapos kaming mag-training for the upcoming UAAP Cheerdance Competition. More extensive na ang training namin kasi malapit na! 

"Thank you, guys." I smiled when they finished singing. "Attend my debut party this weekend, okay? Coach, sorry, absent that day." 

"Hay nako, Ledezma." Our coach laughed. 

"Anyway, here na 'yong sundo ko so I need to go na! Bye guys!" Bumeso ako sa kanila bago kinuha ang duffle bag ko at saka nagmadaling umalis.

It was already around eleven in the evening, and my driver was not around, so my half-brother, Shan, had to pick me up. Pagpasok ko sa kotse ay nakasimangot na siya at nagce-cellphone. It looked like he waited for too long.

"Hi!" I smiled and wore my seatbelt. "Let's go na, Kuya!" 

"Ang tagal mo. I missed a date," my brother shook his head.

"Wow, you still have so much time to date when you're already in law school, huh!" 

Tumawa lang siya at nag-drive paalis. I was on my phone the whole time, checking some online shops. I wanted to buy a new bag or new shoes, or maybe a new case for my laptop? Tumingin ako sa taas, nag-iisip ng gustong bilhin. Birthday ko naman today, eh!

"One hour before your day ends. I'll treat you to dinner," suggest niya. 

"Really?!" I clasped my hand together and looked at him with my puppy eyes. 

Excited akong nag-search ng 'Most expensive restaurant in Metro Manila.' Duh! It was my chance, okay?! I hoped restaurants were still open. It was so late at night already.  

"Ugh! Bakit close lahat?!" reklamo ko habang nagii-scroll at nakikita ang closing hours.

"You know what's open at this hour?" He raised a brow. 

"Yesterday's Coffee?"  

"McDo. 24/7." 

"Nakakainis ka naman eh!" Hindi ako nagtagumpay sa plans ko! Sigurado akong pinag-isipan niya na lahat ng 'to bago pa 'ko alukin ng libre! He knew limited restaurants lang ang open, 'no! I wanted to eat steak pa naman!

We really ended up eating at McDo. Nakasimangot ako habang sinasabi ang order ko. I wanted Kuya Shan's wallet to suffer, but I had no choice. I was also on a diet. Nag-take out na lang kami so we can go home early. If not, magagalit si Daddy sa kaniya. 

Ihahatid niya lang ako because he was staying in his mom's condo near his law school. But he already moved out when he went to college. I thought he hated dad, which was why he moved out.