Rules Of Attraction

Chapter 6

"Ouch," mahinang bulong ko nang maramdaman ko ang hapdi sa tenga.

"Hingang malalim lang po," the man instructed. I did what he said. I closed my eyes and squezzed Zion's hand. He rubbed my hand using his finger.

"Okay na po."

I opened my eyes. Inabutan ako ng lalake ng isang maliit na salamin. Kinuha ko ito at tinignan ang tenga ko. Napatango ako ng dalawang beses pagkakita dito. It's pretty.

I turned to Zion.

"Ganda," he gave me a thumbs up. Tumayo ako mula sa kinauupuan. May sinulat ang lalake sa papel na ibinigay ko kanina at muling binalik ito sakin.

"Sa labas po magbabayad," he said.

"Okay po. Thank you po!" I bowed a little.

Lumabas kami ni Zion ng kwartong yun. I went to the counter and got my wallet out of my bag to pay. Mayroon pa akong sukli pero hindi ko na yun kinuha at sinabing tip na lang.

"Don't you want to get a tattoo?" biro ko kay Zion paglabas namin ng shop.

"I already have one," he said. Nanlaki ang mata ko.

"Really?! Where? Let me see!"

"You want me to strip?" tawa niya.

"Kung ano ano na naman sinasabi mo!"

"Nasa likod ang tattoo ko. Malamang kailangan kong maghubad para makita mo," he explained.

"Then you should've told me. Anong design ng tattoo mo?" I asked.

"It's an eagle. Maliit lang yun. It's on the upper right part of my back."

"Why eagle?"

"King of birds. I'm king of basketball," he shrugged. Binuksan niya ang sasakyan nang marating namin ito.

"Yabang!" I jokingly told him. I put on my seatbelt while he started the car.

"Just kidding. In the US, eagle represent freedom. I was always following my father's commands so when I turned 18, I moved out from our house and got a tattoo," he told me.

"I see. But you know, regarding your studies, you could've chosen what you really want. College is hard and studying something you don't really like makes it even harder," I said.

"I know. But I'm doing this for my mother. She's growing old. Mas-stress lang siya kapag nakita niyang kaming nagtatalo ni Papa."

"Hmm, I get your point. But you should start doing things for yourself," I gave him a smile.

"I'll keep that in mind," he replied then flashed me a smile.

"Uwi na ba tayo? I mean, hatid na ba kita?" tanong niya. I looked at my watch.

"I don't wanna go home yet. Can we go somewhere?" I replied.

"Sure. Saan mo gusto?"

"You decide."

"Balik tayo MOA?" he asked.

I nodded at him even though he's looking at the road. "Okay. Let's play bowling!" excited kong sabi.

"Whatever you want," he chuckled. Gaya kanina ay mabilis lang ang byahe. He parked again and we went to the bowling center. Pagpasok ay nauna ako sa kanya at nilapag ang bag ko sa upuan. Maya maya ay nakasunod na siya sakin. We started playing.

"Daya!" I whinned nang maka-strike siya. Bakit pag ako laging napupunta sa gilid yung bola?! Magiisang oras na kami dito hindi pa din ako nakakastrike!