"Thank you." I said to Zeyn. We're on our way to my friends. He just smiled and nodded. Malayo pa lang ay kita ko na ang mga nag-aalalang mukha ng mga friends ko. I sighed heavily.
"You okay? Saan kaba kasi nagpunta at nahiwalay ka sa 'min?!" Primo asked frowning. He looked at the man beside me and his brows furrowed. Tiningnan ko naman si Zeyn pero walang emosyon siyang nakatingin kay Primo. My body shivered.
"Uh... I'm okay, Primo." I said and his gaze went mine. He just nodded and encircled his arm on my waist. I looked at Zeyn and he's now clenching his jaw. Why he always do that?!
"Shutacca! 'Kala namin kung saan ka nagpunta." Louis said. Naglalakad silang apat sa gawi ko at napatingin sila kay Zeyn. The two girls smiled at him and the boys just nodded.
"You all left me there kaya!" I said rolling my eyes. Louis and Claire both laughed. Si Edward ay kausap ni Zeyn at sina Primo and Yohan ay nakatitig lang sa kanya.
Because Louis and Claire force me to tell them what happened, I told them. Tumango-tango lang naman sila and tatawa kung meron man nakakatawa. After I told them what really happened, I looked at Zeyn and he's smiling at me.
"Alis na 'ko. Ingat ka pauwi." he said before ngumiti kina Louis and Claire. Tinapik naman niya sa balikat si Edward bilang paalam. But he just nodded to Primo and Yohan. He looked at me for one last time and smiled. Gosh!
"Halika na, kumain na tayo. Tom jones na akis." Louis said so we all walked towards to the parking lot. Van nina Yohan ang gamit but si Primo ang nagd-drive. Tahimik lang ako and sasagot lang kapag kinausap nila. I remember all the gesture of Zeyn and I could say that he's pa-fall. I sighed heavily.
After we arrived in McDo, we walked inside and naupo kami sa may sulok. Although wala ng masyadong tao since what time na din. Louis and Edward volunteered to order our food. While we were waiting for them, Yohan and Primo are talking about basketball and Claire just browsing on her phone. Tahimik lang naman akong nakatingin sa labas, na puro mabibilis na sasakyan ang makikita mo dahil walang traffic.
"Hoy! Boracay tayo this sem break?" Louis asked while chewing her food. I looked all my friends and tumingin lang sila sa 'kin na parang nagtatanong din.
We have two week break kasi since all Soul's day is coming. We always do out of town every end of semester as a treat to ourselves, hindi pa namin kasi kaya ang out of the country since it's too expensive.
"I'm in. I'll bring Rei na lang din siguro if she's not busy." I said. They all nodded and told na in din. Yohan also planning to bring Jin, his cousin. We all continue eating while laughing because of Edward and Louis. I bet na magkatuluyan sila. Joke!
While I'm eating sundae. My gaze went to the door when I heard someone talking, then I saw Zeyn with Troy and Arthur. It's seems that they teasing Arthur since the latter looks annoyed. I stared at Zeyn for a second and I found out that he's cute when he's smiling. Gosh! Stop it self.
Napatingin siya sa gawi ko at naabutan niyang nakatingin ako sa kanya. I can't read his eyes since he staring at me without any emotion. Kinalabit siya ni Troy kaya napatingin siya dito. Tumingin ulit siya sa 'kin bago inayos 'yung buhok. Nagpapa-gwapo ba siya sa paningin ko?
I sighed heavily before eating my sundae again. My friends are still talking about something and I think that they didn't recognize Zeyn and his friends. I can't count kung ga'no kami ka-dami nagkatinginan ni Zeyn. I don't know why I felt shiver down my spine everytime he stare at me.
After naming kumain ay naglakad kami papuntang parking lot. Nang makasakay ay nag-uusap pa rin si Louis and Claire sa mga kalandian.
I'm recording the high-way since it looks aesthetic, but I immediately look at Louis and Claire when they both pinched my arm. The heck!
"Why?!" I asked frowning.
"Bakla, kalmahan mo lang naman! Tinatanong ka kasi namin kung go-gow ka ba sa pa-gig ni Mayor bago mag Christmas pero tulaley ka diyan!" Louis said rolling her eyes. I also rolled my eyes at her before sighing. This bitch!
"What band ang magp-perform?" I asked.
"Hindi ko pa alam. Malayo pa naman kaya sabihan na lang kita. 'Tsaka mura lang naman 'yung VIP ticket since pa-gig kineme nga 'yon ni Yorme." she said. I looked at Claire and she's busy typing on her phone.
"Okay, just tell me if what band ang magp-perform, but kapag hindi ko bet 'yung banda, I won't go, huh." I said pouting my lips. She just rolled her and sighed.
"Arte! Sige, basta i-messages na lang kita kapag alam ko na kung anong band and magkano 'yung VIP tickets. Papa-reserve na kasi tayo kay Harry baka kasi magkaubusan."
"Oh, so you still flirting with him." I said arching my left brows. Hinampas naman ako ng gaga sa braso bago umirap.
"Oo naman 'kala mo sa 'kin malande?! Che!" she said and rolled her eyes. I just laughed because of her face. She think na cute siya everytime na nagtatampu-tampuhan siya. She look insane kaya.
Today is Saturday and I took a bath early not because I had errands, but because I will do some Tiktok videos and do photoshoot. I just wore a cute loungewear and put light make-up.
Naka-ilang take ako bago natapos sa pag-shoot ng Tiktok videos. I changed my clothes to do some photoshoot na i-upload ko naman sa Instagram. Then after a couple of takes, I'm done.
After ilang minutes na naka-upload ang videos and photos ko, I received a lot of likes and comments. Some are goods and some are bads. But I just don't mind the basher and lie down on my bed.
Saktong paghiga ko ay lumabas ang pangalan ni Zeyn sa notifications ko. My heartbeat fast and I immediately pressed his username. Ni-like niya 'yung videos ko sa Tiktok, lumabas siguro sa fyp niya. I saw his account and he's not following anyone and his account says that 'this user has not published any videos.'
He's using Tiktok lang siguro for watching some videos. I just shrugged, but he has 11k followers. Ang gwapo niya kasi sa profile niya. Oh, I remember sinabi ko nga pala na he's not handsome but now... ugh! Nevermind.
My forehead creased when someone replied on my Instagram story. I pressed the account and found that it was Ash.
eagutierrez: beautiful.
eagutierrez: btw, how are you.
ris: i'm fine, how 'bout u?
I replied. He is Eltom Ash Gutierrez, a grade 12 student taking STEM in EU. He's my fling last month but when I found out that he's Sue's ex, I ghosted him. Nice naman siya and the tea is, he's daks. I chuckled when I remember what Louis told me. That girl talaga.
Since I'm bored, nakipag-usap ako sa kanya. Okay naman siyang kausap kaya nag-enjoy naman ako. We talked until mid-night, he called pa kasi. He mentioned me pa on his IG story, the reason why Claire and Louis teased me. Bitches!
All Soul's day came and I'm now wearing white racer back tank top and denim short shorts. I also wore my jewelries and my oran sandals. Pagbaba ko ng sala ay nandon na sina Manang Ine, Ate Sarah, and Rei. Well, nasa garage na siguro si Mang Andoy.
We brought the cookies that we made yesterday. Tahimik lang naman akong nakaupo sa back seat while listening music on Spotify.
Mabilis lang naman kami nakarating sa puntod nina Mamita and Daddy-Lo, parents ni Daddy. 'Yung parents kasi ni Mommy ay sa Manila nakalibing since Manila Girl talaga ang Mommy. Tumira lang naman siya dito sa Bulacan when she married Dad.
Nagsindi kami ng kandila ng makapasok sa museleo nina Mamita. Halos parang bahay 'yung puntod nina Mamita since meron kaming sariling bathroom and second floor. Malamig din dito dahil naka-tiles.
"Ate, I'll come with you sa Boracay, huh." Rei said after we prayed. I nodded at her and smiled. I roamed my eyes in the whole place and it was really beautiful and relaxing.
"Labas lang ako sandali." paalam ko dahil nangasim bigla 'yung dila ko. Nakasabit naman 'yung pod vape ko sa leeg.
Lumabas ako para mag-vape baka kasi multihin ako nina Mamita kapag sa loob ako nag-smoke. While I'm smoking, I noticed a man who's wearing sweatshirt and taslan shorts.
It's was Zeyn. I don't why I walked to his direction and namalayan ko na lang na malapit na 'ko sa gawi niya. He's talking to someone over the phone and he seems problematic since his brows are furrowed.
"Bobo ka ba?! Pa'no ko sisindihan 'yung kandila, eh, wala nga akong dalang lighter. Basta bilisan mo dyan at sumunod ka dito!" he said bago binaba ang cellphone. His gaze went mine and he looked shocked after seeing me.
"I think you need this." I said showing him my lighter. I brought this kasi everytime kahit vape na 'yung gamit ko. For emergency purposes lang. Like this one.
Tinanggap niya 'yung lighter bago nagkamot ng kilay. "Uh, salamat." he said shyly.
Napatingin naman ako sa puntod nila and kagaya sa 'min ay maganda din iyon. After that, I looked at him and he also looking to their tomb pala. I swallowed hard after staring at him for a seconds. Bakit bigla siyang gumawapo sa paningin ko?! Shit.
"Uh, pasok ka." he said. Since I'm curious kung sino 'yung nakalibing ay tumango ako bago kami sabay na naglakad papasok sa museleo nila.
Binasa ko 'yung pangalan ng nasa lapida. 'Maria Jimenez Mercado', kelan lang din siya namatay based sa nakalagay sa lapida niya. I faced Zeyn and he's also looking to their gravestone. He faced me and smiled.
"Mama ko 'yan." he said smiling. Even though he's smiling, I know that he's not geniunely happy because his eyes can't lie. Sinindihan niya 'yung kandila saka nilagay sa tapat ng lapida.
"Anong kinamatay ng Mommy mo?" I asked. He faced me after makatayo sa pagkakaupo dahil nasa ibaba 'yung puntod ng Mommy niya.
"Inatake sa puso. Okay pa naman siya 'nong umaga pero biglang inatake 'nong tanghali, dahil siguro sa init. Sabi naman 'nong iba traydor daw talaga ang atake." he said seriously.
"Your Mom is pretty, huh." I said smiling. Napatitig kasi ako sa picture ng Mommy niya and napansin ko 'yung ganda niya. Baby face.
"Syempre kaya nga gwapo kaming magkakapatid, eh." he joked. I looked at him with disapproval but he just chuckled. Pinagmasdan ko naman siya habang tumatawa. Manly talaga siya. I bit my lower lip when he stopped laughing and stared at me seriously. Shit!
"What?!" I asked raising my brows. He shooked his head before akong inaya na maupo sa lapag. Inalok din niya 'ko ng biscuit and I accept it since I love Presto.
Nag-kwento siya tungkol sa pamilya niya. Nakinig lang ako habang tumatawa siya minsan. His Dad and older brother are a soldier, then his younger brother naman planning din na mag-soldier. Him is taking criminology so he's planning to be a police man.
Hindi ko maiwasan matulala sa mukha niya dahil hindi ko alam kung bakit naging gwapo siya bigla sa paningin ko. I'm definitely sure that he's not my type because he's appearance was too strong. I sighed heavily.
"'Ma, ganda ng bisita mo, 'no?!" sabi niya na tumingin sa 'kin bago tumawa ng malakas, I smiled at him before averting my gaze. I felt my faced heated because of what the asshole said. "Anak 'to 'nong dating sexy star na si Rica Alajar."
My smile fade out after what he said. I'm not offended because it's not the first time I've heard that. Tumingin siya sa 'kin at na-realize din siguro ang sinabi niya. I force a smile because he look tensed.
"Sorry, na-offend ba kita? Hindi ko naman gustong sabihin talaga 'yon. Hey, I'm sorry." he said and held my hands. His left hand cupped my face. "I'm sorry."
I sighed heavily. "No, it's okay. Hindi naman ikaw ang kauna-unahang nagsabi 'non. And what's wrong sa sinabi mo, you're right naman, eh. My Mom was not just a former actress, but she also a former sexy star."
"Sorry ulit." he said. Mababakasan mo sa boses niya ang lungkot kaya binigyan ko siya ng isang ngiti.
Natahimik na kami after that. I felt the awkwardness all of a sudden but thank god because we both heard the shout of a ice cream vendor. He faced me and smiled.
"Nakakain ka na ba ng dirty ice cream?" he asked and I nodded. Nakita ko naman na nagulat siya bago ngumiti.
"But once lang." I said shyly.
"Edi gawin nating twice. Tara." he said smiling. He held my hands saka kami lumabas ng museleo nila. Tinawag niya si Manong na nagtitinda ng dirty ice cream.
"Ilan, boss?" the ice cream vendor asked. Meron din palang nagtitinda ng ice cream vendor na naglalakad, 'yung bang hindi nakasakay sa motorcycle or bicycle. Ngayon ko lang kasi nalaman, eh.
"Dalawa, boss." Zeyn said.
Kinuha ni Manong 'yung dalawang ice cream and inabot sa 'min, nanlaki pa ang mata niya ng makita ako at nahinto sa pagbibigay ng dirty ice cream. My forehead creased. What his problem?!
"Boss?" Zeyn said.
"Uh, pasensya na, boss." the ice cream vendor said and faced me. "Kayo po ba 'yung nasa Tiktok na anak ni Ms. Rica Alajar?"
I nodded and smiled. "Yes, po."
"Ay, ma'am! Kay ganda niyo ho sa personal naman pala talaga. Aba, ang kutis ay halatang pang mayaman!" he said and giggled. I just smiled because he's too cute. "Pwede ho ba akong kumuha ng litrato kasama ho kayo?"
"Yes naman po." I said smiling. May kinuha siya sa bulsa niya at isang iyong cellphone na dipindot. Meron naman camera sa likod, but makikita kaya kami 'don. "Uh, Manong, if you won't mind. I have instax, mas maganda po kapag ito po 'yung ginamit natin."
"Ay, ganon po ba. Sige po."
Kinuha ko 'yung instax ko sa bag and gave it to Zeyn. He just smiled and nodded. After four shots, I saw how Manong happy in the photos. My heart melt, I miss my Dad so much.
Binigay ko kay Manong 'yung three photo paper and tinira ko sa 'kin 'yung isa. Nagpasalamat siya sa 'kin bago umalis. After that, Zeyn and I both went inside their museleo. He teased me pa nga that I'm fame daw. I just shrugged and smiled.
We sat on the floor while eating the dirty ice cream. I suddenly faced him when he fake a cough. My forehead creased.
"Uh, nanliligaw ba sa'yo si Eltom?" he asked and averted his gaze. My brows furrowed because of his question.
"To answer your question, it's no. But how do you know him?" I asked frowning. Napangisi naman siya sa sagot ko.
"Pinsan kasi siya ni Troy, 'tsaka pina-follow namin sa Instagram 'yung isa't isa kaya nakita ko 'yung IG story niya na nag-video call kayo." he said so I nodded. That's why.
Nag kwento pa siya ng kung ano-anong nakakatawang nangyari sa buhay niya then I suddenly noticed that he has dirt on the side of his lips. I wiped it using my thumb and I felt his body stunned. Pinahid ko sa tissue 'yung dumi bago siya hinarap ulit.
When I faced him, he's looking at me with his puffy eyes. Nabitawan ko bigla 'yung kinakain kong dirty ice cream when he suddenly grabbed my nape and kissed me. Nabigla man ay ginantihan ko siya ng halik.
I slighty sat on his lap and encircled my both hands to his nape. Nilaro-laro ko 'yung buhok niya sa likod habang nagtatagisan pa rin kami ng halik. Iba ang halik niya ngayon, may diin at baon. Nalasahan ko bigla ang kinain niyang ice cream ng sipsipin niya 'yung buong dila ko.
Dahil nadadala ako sa nangyayari, ginalaw ko 'yung pang upo ko sa alaga niya at maya-maya lang ay naramdaman ko ang pagtigas nito.
"Ugh.." he moaned and inalayo ako sa kanya. He stared at me for a seconds but hindi ko na pinatagal dahil gusto ko pang halikan siya.
I kissed him and he kissed me back. Habang ginagalaw ko 'yung pang upo ko sa alaga niya ay sinasabayan naman niya ng pagbayo. Because of what we're doing, I can't help but to feel heat.
Tumagal ng ilang minuto ang halikan namin bago ako huminto at tinitigan siya. He also looking at me intently while I'm still sitting on his shaft. He cupped my face and looked at me carefully.
"Pwede bang tigilan mo ang pagiging maganda, kasi ginugulo mo talaga 'yung isip ko." he said and tsked. Oh, so being beautiful now is a sin. Jerk!