Unbind the Strings

Thirty Two

"Natawa nga ako dyan kay Kai noong-" I was about to share something when my friends stood up, looks like someone came who kind of interrupted my talk.

"Jay pare! Kamusta?" Andito na pala siya. They went to hug him and dahan-dahan akong tumayo para makita siya ulit. Nasaan na ba si Liam? Bakit ang tagal? Konti lang naman gamit no'n eh.

"What's up, men!" he said and nakipag bro hug na kila Kai.

I heard his voice again. His voice that makes me calm, that no matter how horrible my day was, listening to him makes me feel so much better. His voice that soothes everything broken inside me. His voice that makes my day complete, pero ngayon, hearing him shatters my heart.

I let out a deep sigh and turned around to see him. Napatingin siya sa 'kin at tipid na ngumiti.

"Hey." he said and went closer to me, kissing my cheek. His scent is still the same. Argh, fuck. I just smiled back and went back to my seat.

"Oh nakita mo na room mo?" Gab asked Jay while they're heading back to their seats.

"Nope, not yet. Kakarating lang namin so we decided to say hi muna." he chuckled. Namin? So may kasama siya.

"Cal, I already transferred my things to your ro-" Liam said and stopped when he saw Jay's face. Awkward moment 'to ah.

"Uh, okay. Halika na kain na tayo ulit." I said to break the silence. Liam went beside me and he keeps on glancing at Jay.

"Oh Jay, this is Liam. Liam, that is Jay." Gab said, introducing them to each other.

"Yeah, I know him." Liam said, facing Jay. "I've heard a lot about you, pare. Nice to finally meet you." he said and gave him a forced smile.

"Likewise, pare. Nice to meet you." Jay said and turned to face our friends. "I'll be right back, check lang namin 'yung room." he said, nodding and turned his back on us.

"You okay, Cal?" Liam said, caressing my hand. I nodded and gave him a smile. "Tell me if he bothers you, okay? Eat up." he said, habang nilalagyan ako ng pagkain sa plate ko.

We continued our talk and kwentuhan but I became a bit off, kind of quiet. Bakit gano'n? I'm okay na eh. Bakit parang nabobother parin ako? "Cal, do you want to go to the beach later?" Liam said, trying to draw my attention to something else.

"Yeah, sure. Kain na." I said and we ordered a bunch of foods again. Here goes round 2 for our eating session. I was back to my normal self when I heard his voice approaching, with a female voice.

"Uh, guys..." Jay said when he reached our table. "This is Sophie." we all looked at the skinny girl beside him. She looks cute though, but I'm cuter. She is wearing a tank top tucked in on a denim shorts and topped with a cardigan.

"My girlfriend." Jay emphasized.

"Hi.." Sophie said shyly, waving her hands to us.

"Woah, hello there Sophie. Anong ginawa sa'yo ng tropa namin at nabingwit mo, ha?" Kai said, offering his hand to her.

"Hi, you must be the boyfriend of Gab?" Sophie said. Hindi mo sure?

Natawa kaming lahat sa kanyang sinabi. "No, baliw! Kay Alonzo na 'yan, 'yung nakasalamin, ayun." Kai said, pointing out Alonzo's seat.