Chapter Nineteen
"I hate my life" reklamo agad ni Jace nang marinig ang malakas na drums parasa pep rally namin ngayon. He still has a headache and he suffered yesterday and today because of it. Naka kunot ang noo niya and he covered his ears with his hands while a DSLR camera slung over his neck. Hindi na siya naka attend ng mga meetings nila and he told me he'll just wing it.
"Life hates you too Jace, don't worry"
"You should've been a cheerleader" commented Vini kaya my head whipped to his direction. Naka tingin siya sa akin.
"Uh gusto mo bang kuyugin ako dyan?" maarte kong sabi sa kanya. I considered na mag try out sa team but then nalaman ko na may plano rin si Natasha so wag nalang. Hindi ko pahihirapan ang sarili ko.
He just smirked.
Stupid smirking enigmatic monkey. Nakakainis.
"Think of this, Master" Jace said and pointed at the dancing balls of energy sa harap namin. "Kung naging cheerleader siya then she'll be wearing those teeny tiny skirts. And you know what happens when she wears skirts. We'll get into a fight and the rest will be history" he finished with a wide grin.
"Now that he said it, buti nalang pala hindi ka nag cheerleader" Vini grinned.
"Getting into a fight won't be necessary if you just control your temper. As if naman may makakalapit sa akin" inirapan ko siya. "And I prefer dresses than skirts" dagdag ko pa, pointing an accusing finger at him.
"Your legs are for our eyes only, baby. Always remember that" Jace grinned and winked at me. And that wink earned him a slap on the back of his head courtesy of the guy next to him.
"What'd I miss?" Rix tiredly asked slipping next to me, I hid my smirk as the girl, that was supposed to be next to me bago pa sumingit si Rix, stiffened.
"Nothing much" I shrugged. "Just dancing, and a lot of yelling, and school spirit too"
"Go Falcons. Yay" tamad na tamad na inangat ni Rix ang kanyang kamay at napaka malumanay pa ng boses niya, making me laugh.
"I can feel the school spirit man" pag tawa rin ni Vini.
Nilingon naman ni Rix si Jace na ngayon ay naka suot na ng Ray Bans dahil sa araw. Nasa open field kasi kami ngayon, kung saan palagi ginaganap ang pep rally.
"Diba you're suppose to be running around there doing your job?" he points at the field.
Napa kamot ng ulo si Jace. "Fvck"
"Yeah dude 'Fvck'' tumango si Vini at tinawanan siya. "Fill your camera with girls!"
Tinulak ko naman siya pababa ng bleachers and he smiled sadly at me. "Now I regret joining the newspaper committee"
"Oh shush. You love it and it's your fault dahil nagdudusa ka ngayon. Bye bye, I'll see you later!" tuluyan ko na siyang ibinaba sa bleachers at bumalik na ako sa pwesto ko kanina.
"Saan ang victory party after the game?" Rix asked. Nilingon ko siya.
"Hindi pa naglalaban victory party agad?" I raised a brow at him. I know one thing in his mind right now, Alcohol.
And girls, so make that two.
Saka the game's on friday pa. Tuesday palang ngayon. Puro activities at pep rally palang. May mga booths rin na naka tayo, para ngang foundation week ngayon e imbis na intrams. May mga iba pang sports matches but basketball talaga ang pinaka hihintay. Naka post na yung sched. namin sa tapat ng school at sigurado akong susuyurin lang namin ang mga booths, kasam ko 'tong dalawang kumag, dahil sa Black Blade sila lang ang walang silbi pag mga event na ganito.
He snorted. "It's a sure ball win"
"Logan's house, his parents will be out of town" Vini replied and crossed his arms.
"Party again huh? Bahala na kayo sa mga buhay nyo. I'm starting not to care now dahil wala namang silbi ang pake ko sa inyo"
"You love it when we're suffering" Vini smirked.
Yes, yes I do.
He slung his arm over my shoulder. "Keep saying that, baby. We both know it's not true. Kahit na ayaw mo, you'll still care cause it's in your nature"
I hate him because what he said was true.
"Saka kasama ka namin. Since when did you last Party? Nung bumalik sila sa Seth dito?" Rix had a sour expression on his face na para bang napaka disgrace dahil ang tagal ko nang hindi nag party.
"Bakit? May kailangan ba akong tamaang target like you guys? That I-need-to-party-twice-a-week-even-on-school-days thing? Uh, no. I prefer to stay home and be away from booze, smoke, and cancer. Thank you very much"
"Very well said!" Vini clapped his hands, praising me. His expression then turned serious.
"There's no harm in partying once in a while. Saka bahay naman nila Logan, though hindi nga lang yung bahay sa village natin kasi bawal"
"Duon sa bahay nila sa Dasma gaganapin?"
He nodded. "We can crash there after, dahil alam kong ikaw nalang ang sober pagkatapos non"
"Fine. In one condition," I pointed at both of them. "I'm going to wear what I want and I am wearing jeans"
"Bummer" Vini pouted but he grinned naman nang inirapan ko siya. "Just kidding. Mas gusto ko 'yon dahil we'll be too drunk to protect you"
Pinag tripan lang namin ang mga booths, Josh and Logan joining us. We had fun, at busog pa kami. Para kasing food festival ang intrams namin. Main event ngayon ang volleyball game. Nanuod naman kami but we got bored kaya nang magpalabas na sila ay nag aya na silang umalis. The two players stayed for training, and Jace dahil kailangan niyang i-cover yung game.
To my surprise, Vini followed me home and to my room. He casually strolled in our house like he owned the place but when I was about to open my bedroom door. Hinarap ko siya.
"Hanggang dito talaga?" I asked at tinaasan siya ng kilay.
"What? Bawal ba?"
"Hindi naman," I shook my head. I was just planning to talk to Ethan maybe skype na rin dahil hindi namin nakita ang isa't isa ngayong araw. Alam kong attendance was a must, kaya alam kong hindi siya absent.
Siya na mismo ang nagbukas ng pintuan ko. My cheeks immediately turned red when I saw my clean underwear, neatly folded on top of my bed.
Vini laughed and picked one up. "Pink"
I glared at him. "Put that down!"
He didn't though, instead nilagay niya ito sa underwear drawer ko and the white ones in my bathroom dahil may mga damit rin ako duon. I'm not surprised na kahit lalagyanan ng underwear ko alam niya, only Rix knew that. Madaldal rin yong adik na 'yon.
I changed into comfortable clothes and jumped on my bed. I don't care what he does, oras na namin ni Ethan ngayon like the old times. Nag online ako sa Kik and I saw na may message kaagad siya.
My attention was then diverted to Vini when he got out of my bathroom, wearing sweatpants.
"You have clean shirts in my closet" I told him at the same time my phone beeped.
Etc: Nahaharangan ka kanina, di ako makalapit :(
Calleeyop: Huh? What do yah mean by that?
Etc: You were with them. Hindi naman kita pwedeng agawin ng basta basta. I know my limits.
I fell silent. Hindi ako naka reply agad. I jumped a little when I felt Vini's hair touch my feet. Ginawa niyang unan yung paa ko kaya pinagdikit ko nalang at itinaas yung tuhod ko para makahiga siya ng maayos. Wala na naman tong kasama sa bahay nila kaya nandito to.
My phone beeped again.
Etc: Wag mo kong i-recieve zone ganda. Masakit.
I rolled my eyes. Bakit pa kasi nauso ang recieve na yan sa Kik.
Nakiliti ako bigla nang gumalaw si Vini. Kinuha lang pala yung remote sabay humiga ulit. My forehead creased, kung sa normal na sitwasyon, nakatabi na siya ngayon sa akin at nakiki epal sa kung ano ang ginagawa ko but now kahit isang word wala akong narinig galing sa kanya at naka talikod pa siya sa akin.
Buti nalang ay naka talikod talaga siya kaya hindi niya nakikita ang itsura ko ngayon. Nakapanibago lang kasi.
I pursed my lips and started typing a reply to Ethan.
Calleeyop: I'll talk to you later. May gagawin lang ako.
Etc: Ay ang daya. Oras natin e.
Mag re-reply na sana ako nang mag beep ulit, may message ulit siya.
Etc: I'm kidding! Take your time :) just message me when you're done ;)
And that is the end of our conversation. Hindi ko na nasabi sa kanya ang reaksyon ko sa message niya kanina. Ni hindi nga iyon nag sink in masyado sa isip ko, Vini kasi e! Ang tahimik niya, nakakapanibago.
Alam ko namang nag paparamdam na si Ethan. Our friendship is too prescious para pang itigil ko dahil sa rason na yon. He's still cool, he's still my friend. Hindi ko lang talaga alam kung paano ko tatanggipin yung mga pagpaparamdam niya. I'm sure the guys won't be okay with it, they may be okay with us being friends dahil miraculously na wala talaga silang reaksyon. They haven't opened up the topic, not even once. Saka Ethan is not around me palagi sa school, he has other friends naman. Well not really friends, more like acquiantances lang. Saka alam ko namang kalat na sa school na kaibigan ko si Ethan, that fact was surprising for others dahil ang alam lang nilang kaibigan ko ay si Bommie at ang limang kumag. Buti nalang ay walang masyadong nosy para halungkatin kung paano kami nagkakilala.
Inangat ko ang katawan ko. I rested my chin on my knees. Nakita kong naka pikit si Vini but he's awake. I know he is.
Tinusok tusok ko ang pisngi niya.
"What?" he asked, annoyed, still not opening his eyes but his brows furrowed.
"You're not talking" I stated.
"Bakit? Kailangan ba maya't maya akong nagsasalita?" minulat na niya ang mata niya at tinignan ako.
"Hindi naman"
He sighed but then a small smile took over his lips. "You want me to entertain you?"
I nodded, smiling.
"You want me to strip?" he suggested, raising a brow at me.
I rolled my eyes. Iba ang definition niya ng entertainment.
He propped himself on his elbows and smiled. "What do you want me to do then baby?"
"Oh I know!" bigla siyang tumayo at pinatay ang tv. He grabs my hand and pulls me out.
"Saan tayo pupunta?" I asked once were running down the stairs.
"HQ"
Bigla siyang tumigil nang nasa pinto na kami. I gave him a 'What' look, he motioned me to stay put. My jaw dropped when he ran up the stairs, I think back to my room.
I waited for a few seconds bago ko siya makitang pababa ng hagdan holding, wait...is that my pillow?!
"What the f? Put that down. Baka madumihan!" reklamo ko agad at kinurot siya. Ayaw na ayaw kong nadudumihan ang nga gamit ko, he knows that by now. Bakit nya dinala yung unan ko? Unan ko pa talaga?!
"You'll love this" he smiled. Hindi man lang niya ininda ang kurot ko. Lumabas na kami ng bahay. Dire-diretso kami palabas, hanggang sa makarating kaming HQ. Inilapag niya muna ang unan ko sa sofa, yung unan kong 'to yung gamit ko pa nung bata ako. Disney princess pa nga ang cover, I never liked barbie. I know I grew out of that phase but I love the pillow very much.
Narinig ako kumalampag kaya sinilip ko kung ano ang inaatupag niya. He's running down the stairs now, holding yet again, my pillow. I only raised a brow but hindi niya nakita. Ano kayang binabalak niya?
Sinundan ko nalang siya ng tingin. Pumunta naman siya duon sa cabinet namin na lalagyanan ng spare pillows at comforters. Kumuha siya ng tatlo kaya napataas na naman ang kilay ko.
Siya magbabayad sa pagpapa laundry nyan! Ang hirap kaya maglaba ng comforter!
Inilapag niya iyon sa sofa kasama ng unan ko. Ni hindi man lang niya ako tinignan nang dumiretso siya sa kitchen, he came out holding a tub of ben and jerry's Late Night Snack.
"Where did that come from?"
He looks up at me. "I bought it last night since naubos mo na yung isa"
Pagkatapos niya sabihin iyon ay kinuha na niya ang lahat ng unan at comforter. Inilagay niya ang susi sa bibig niya and he motions for me to go out. Kinuha ko na ang ice cream para di na dagdag pa sa bitbit niya. I really don't know what he's planning but I'm starting to get excited. Akala ko dito sa HQ but lalabas kami ngayon. We went in the garage kung saan naka park ang mga sasakyan nila, but dalawa lang ang narito ngayon. Ang puting Vios niya at isang black na pick up truck ni Jace. They have a lot of cars, trust me. Boys and their toys nga naman.
I pulled the key off of his mouth dahil pinandilatan niya ako.
"Start it for me, baby. I'll be there in a sec"
Sinunod ko naman. Marunong naman akong mag start ng car dahil palagi ko naman 'yong nakikita sa kanila. Minsan talaga ma a-adapt ko nalang talaga ang mga ginagawa at ugali nila. After a few seconds sumakay na rin siya. We drove out of the house, ako na ang nag volunteer na bumaba para isarado ang gate.
"Nakita mo ba?" he asked once we're on the road again.
"Ang ano?"
"Good" I pursed my lips at his answer. Good? Anong good? Saka ano ang nakita ko? May dapat ba akong makita?
Nang tumingin ako sa labas, I noticed na nasa pamilyar kaming daan. We're heading to the lot.
He was just tapping his finger on the steering wheel while driving, I can see the hint of a smile on his face though. That's his excited face.
"Do you mind kung mag drive thru muna tayo? Mcdo okay na?"
"Yeah sure"
Nag drive thru nga kami. Siya ang nag order, sasabat pa sana ako ng caramel sundae but naalala ko na may ice cream na nga pala ako dito. So he ordered tons of fries nalang. I watched as the girl fluster nang ibinigay na niya ang order namin, Vini flashed her a grin. Landi nito.
Nakarating na rin kami. Mag a-alas syete palang kaya kita pa rito ang mga sasakyan na dumadaan. I think last na punta namin dito ay nung nag sexy dance si Josh. Nag park si Vin sa bandang dulo na, yung hindi kami mapapansin.
"Why are we here?" I asked once we were out.
He points up. Tumingala naman ako.
"Stars?"
But then nakita ko na kung bakita siya maraming dalang comforter.
He placed it of the back na para bang malaking kama. Naka latag ang mga unan namin 'don, hindi ko naman maiwasang hindi ngumiti.
"Stargazing won't bore you right?" he asked and jumped in dala ang mga pagkain namin.
Tumingala muna ako sa langit. I smiled. Parte lang ang magandang kalangitan ngayong gabi sa pag ngiti ko, I really smiled because of his effort. Ginagawa niya ito just to entertain me and keep me out of boredom.
"Thank you for this" I said once I was beside him. Napangiti nalang siya, that knowing smile he always does.
"Anything for you" ginulo niya ang buhok ko.
We ate everything we bought, laughed, and talked like best friends who haven't seen each other for years.
I watched as he laughed so loud at my lame attempt to copy Thor's voice. He even did Jarvis, napaka yabang nga lang nang magaya niya nga. Binato ko nga ng unan. At some point nag patugtog rin kami, and nag lip sync. I won that game. Nagsisi ako bigla dahil ang dami kong kinain tapos tawa pa ako nang tawa. Naghalo nalang ang boses namin because of our crazy antics.
"Sa daming pwedeng gawin, you thought of this" I gestured sa buong make shift higaan namin ngayon. We're staring at the sky now, our food was long gone and Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol playing in the background. I don't care what time it is or kung may pasok pa bukas, I like this. Scratch that, I am completely loving this thanks to him.
"I saw it on 9gag, kahit na alam kong corny I know you'll like it" he smiled. "You're such a girl kasi e"
And that earned a pillow smack in the face.