I was busy looking at Kai who is seating on a table alone. He is busy flipping through his phone and flirting with me.
Dalawang linggo na si Kai na pumupunta dito sa coffee shop, walang sablay. He was like a stalker. Kung nasaan ako ay naroon din siya, para ko siyang buntot.
Stacie quitted too after a week of her summer job. Nagpaliwanag pa siya sa akin na tinanguan ko lang. Pinagpustahan pa namin ni Ryko iyon. Ang sa akin ay hindi tatagal si Stacie na magtrabaho ng isang linggo at ang sa kaniya ay tatlong-araw lamang. I was so proud that I won. Ryko gave me one thousand as the price. I know Stacie too well so I used it on my advantage.
"Boyfriend mo?" Nguso ni Kristine sa akin kay Kai.
Napatingin ako sa kanya at agad na umiling.
"Nope, just a friend." Sagot ko sa kanya. "I guess?" Mahina kong bulong na hindi na niya narinig.
"Sayang, ang pogi!" Kurot niya sa akin.
Louie patted Kristine's shoulder. Kristine look at him with annoyance.
"Ano na naman?!" Iritadong tanong ni Kristine kay Louie na parang kakainin na niya ito.
"Huwag mo na iyang pagpantasiyahan kay Amara na iyan. Sa akin ka nalang." He smoothly said and wink at Kristine who's face suddenly turned into disgust.
Piningot niya ang tenga ni Louie at hinila sa may pantry.
Ang kalat, ha!
I swear those two will be together before the end of the summer break. I just hope Louie will confess his feelings to Kristine.
Nang matapos na ang shift ko ay agad kong inialis ang apron at name tag ko at agad iyong inilagay sa aking locker.
Lumabas na ako papuntang parking lot dahil alam kong inaabangan ako doon ni Kai.
Pinapasok niya ako sa sasakyan. I sighed.
"You don't need to stay at the shop everyday." I said straightly to him.
He look at me. We are still in the parking lot.
"And why is that?" Tanong niya sa akin.
I sighed.
"Stop spending me all your time! You should be with your friends and cousins, hanging out instead of staying at that coffee shop." Paliwanag ko sa kaniya.
I'm sure he miss a lot of 'gala' with his cousin's and friends because of me.
Hindi ko naman siya boyfriend. Paano pa kung boyfriend ko na siya? Not that I am thinking of having him as a boyfriend.
"I like hanging out with you more than hanging out with them." Seryosong tingin niya sa akin. He clenched his jaw. "Matagal ko na silang kasama. I just started hanging out with you so I'll give you my full attention." Paliwanag niya.
I've been telling him to go out with his friends and cousins since last week too but he told me that it was fine.
"Don't you have any plans for summer?" Takang tanong ko.
"We have, pero next month pa. You want to come with us?" Alok niya sa akin.
No way. Sawang-sawa na ako sa mukha niya. Char!
"My friends already planned our trip. Next month din kami." Tanggi ko sa pag-aya niya.
One of the reasons why I decline coming with him and his cousins is because I want him to be away from me so he could spend some time with his cousins. Hindi iyong puro ako lang eh hindi ko naman siya boyfriend. Hindi din siya nang liligaw. Yeah, He told me he likes me. Pero hindi ko alam kung gusto niya ba akong jowain lang o kaibiganin.
But clearly, this is not what friends do. Friends do not spend weeks staying with his friend at her job.
Kahit anong tanggi ko ay hindi ko padin maipagkakaila na isa sa mga rason kung bakit ko siya tinaggihana ay dahil ayokong magsawa siya sa akin.
I think people get tired too when they are always spending time with someone. I don't want him to grew tired of seeing me.
And I was scared because of these reasons. I was scared that I am developing something that could be bad for me, something that could hurt me.
"Where are you going?"
Ngayon ay nakaalis na kami sa parking lot. Hindi ko alam kung saan niya ako dadalin. Noong mga nakaraang linggo kasi ay kung saan-saan niya ako dinadali.
"I won't tell you. Baka mamaya sundan mo pa kami." Irap ko sa kanya.
"Susundan talaga." Tawa niya.
See? He's like a stalker.
"You're so creepy! Stalker ba kita?"
"Ang pogi naman ng stalker mo." Taas noong sabi niya.
Sobrang yabang! Kung hindi lang totoo ang sinabi niya ay baka nahampas ko na siya
Marami na kaming nalaman tungkol sa isa't-isa sa loob ng dalawang linggo. I know his favorites and he knows mine too. I know what he doesn't like and he knows mine too.
I think I am starting to like him. It is not hard to like someone like him. Sobrang mapagpasenya niya sa akin kahit lagi ko siyang tinatarayan. He always make sure that I eat at the right time. He always text me whenever we are not together to remind me to drink water. He's just so great!
"I heard your cousins are throwing a party?" Tanong ko sa kaniya.
"Oh, they are?" Tanong niya.
Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin.
"Just kidding," dugtong niya. "You want to come?" Tanong niya sa akin.
"I will If my friends are going to be there. Pero kapag tinamad ako ay hindi na." Sagot ko sa kaniya.
Bukas ay day off ko kaya pwede naman akong uminom mamaya kaso nga lang ay baka tamadin ako na madalas na mangyari.
"Come on! Day off mo naman bukas and don't you want to be with me?" He look at me with his puppy eyes. Hinampas ko siya.
"Hindi bagay." Tawa ko sa kanya.
"Tayo bagay." Sagot niya sa akin at tumawa.
Napatigil agad ako.
"Is there anything I can do to change your mind?" Umaasang tanong niya sa akin.
"It still depends." Sagot ko.
"I promise it will be fun because I'll be there!"
"I've got enough of you already." Sagot ko sa kaniya.
Napatigil siya dahil doon. That's when I realized what I said. I mentally slapped my head.
I didn't really mean what I said! I was just joking.
I look at him. He is now serious.
"Hoy, galit ka? Joke lang naman 'yon!" I look at him closely.
Hindi niya ako pinansin. Itinigil niya ang sasakyan sa harap ng apartment ko. I thought he would bring me somewhere?
Hindi ako bumaba ng sasakyan at tinignan lang siya.
"Kai? I didn't mean what I said." Paliwanag ko sa kaniya.
"Okay." Maikling sagot niya kaya napairap ako.
"Okay what?"
"It's okay. Am I pushing myself too much?" Tanong niya na ngayon ay nakatuon na ang pansin sa akin.
"No!" Tanggi ko agad. "I was just kidding, earlier."
Hindi agad siya nagsalita at tinignan lang ako sa aking mata. Sinusuri kung totoo ba ang sinabi ko.
"Tell me If I am pushing my self too much okay? I don't want you to hate me." He put his attention in front.
He unlocked the door.
"Hey, uhm. I don't hate you okay? It's fine. You are not pushing yourself to me."
I reach for his hand. I hold it, waiting for his reaction. He looked shocked but he didn't said anything.
I sighed.
"Sorry." Mahinang bulong ko at lumabas na sa sasakyan.
Tuloy-tuloy akong dumiretso sa apartment ko at umupo.
Am I being too much to him?
I think I might go at the party.
I texted my friends if they are going to the party of the Vasquez. I was glad when they all replied that they are going. They sent the details at our group chat.
It was a party which be held at house of the twins. I heard Nixie, their sister is the one who will throw the party. It's theme is a pool party so I guess I should wear a bikini? Mamayang 9 pm ang simula nito.
I look at my watch. Mayroon pa akong ilang oras bago magsimula ang party.
I decided to text Kai.
To: Kai Vasquez
Hey, I am so sorry. I didn't really mean what I said earlier.
I waited for an hour for his reply but he didn't.
I guess he is mad, huh?
I just decided to sleep it off. I set my alarm at 6:30 pm so I could get ready.
I was awaken not by the alarm I set but by the call of Ajax at our group chat.
I lazily reach out for my phone before I answered his call.
My other friends also joined the call.
"I'll pick you all up!" Anunsyo niya.
"You called us because of that?!" Bakas ang irita sa boses ni Rei ng tinanong niya iyon.
Siguro ay katulad ko, nagising siya dahil sa tawag na iyon ni Ajax.
Ibinaba na namin ang tawag ng makapag-usap-usap. Ajax will be the one to pick us up, siya rin ang mag-uuwi sa amin. Mayroon siyang dalang driver dahil baka malasing din siya.
I started to take a bath and get ready. I air dry my hair and then made two braids. I pulled out a pair of black bikini. I wore a black tattered shorts and a black halter top. I put on a lip and cheek tint so I won't look to pale.
I brought extra clothes with me incase I would get wet. I put it on my black bag.
Lumabas ako ng mag text sa akin si Ajax na nasa labas na sila. Bago pumasok ay tinignan ko muna kung kumpleto na kami. Umupo ako sa tabi ni Stacie.
Sobrang ingay ni Ajax at Ryko dahil nag-aaway sila. Sina Rei, Nadia at Frei naman ay nag-uusap tungkol sa mga lalaki.
"How's it going with Kai?" Kuryosong tanong ni Stacie.
"We are hanging out."
Tumili siya kaya napatingin sa amin si Ajax at Ryko. Itinaas nila ang kilay nila sa aming dalawa.
"What's the tea sis?" Sabay nilang tanong sa pang babaeng boses.
Inilapit nila Nadia, Frei at Rei ang ulo nila sa amin upang makinig.
"Doon nga kayo! Mga chismoso at chismosa!" Taboy ni Stacie sa lima.
Sabay-sabay nila kaming inirapan at ibinalik ang atensyon sa pinag-uusapan nila kanina.
Ibinalik naman ni Stacie sa akin ang atensyon niya.
Hindi ako nito titigilan hangga't hindi ko sinasabi ang gusto niyang malaman.
I sighed. Ikinwento ko sa kanya ang nangyayari sa amin ngayon ni Kai pati ang pagtatampo nito sa akin.
"O my!" Paypay niya sa sarili niya. "Bakit mo naman kasi sinabi 'yon?!" Galit na tanong niya sa akin.
Wow! Just, wow! Pati siya galit din sa akin?
"I was just kidding! I didn't know he would take it seriously." I said defending myself.
"Kawawa naman si Kai!" Tinignan niya ako ng masama. "You should make up to him."
"How?" Takang tanong ko.
"Do you like Kai?" Seryosong tanong niya sa akin.
I was caught off guard. Hindi agad ako nakapagsalita.
"I don't know. But I think I am starting to like him." Mahinang sagot ko.
She sighed.
"That's good but you need to be sure. You should figure out your feelings for him."
I know. I am trying to figure out what I really feel about him.
"Yeah, I would."
We arrived at the house where the party will be held. Isa-isa kaming bumaba ng Van at dumiretso sa gate at pumasok na.
The house look quite big. I think this is a mansion, not a house.
Marami-rami na din ang tao at karamihan sa mga kalalakihan ay naka topless na.
I started to roam my eyes, trying to find Kai.
Pumasok kami sa loob.
"Oh! Hi!" Bati sa amin ni Nyxie na nakasuot ng bikini top at shorts. She is holding a beer in her hands.
Binati namin siyang lahat. She talked to us for a while before leaving to talk to her other guests.
"That's your guy!" Turo sa akin ni Stacie sa may pool area. Si Kai ay mayroong kausap na babaeng nakasuot ng bikini at basa.
I suddenly felt a pang on my chest.
I looked at them. Imbis na pumunta sa direksyon na itinuro ni Kai ay kumuha nalang ako ng drinks at uminom.
"Hi!" Bati sa akin ni Clary na kumukuha din ng alak. Kasama niya ang kapatid niyang si Raika.
"Hello!" Bati ko pabalik.
"We didn't expect to see you here." Sabi ni Raika habang umiinom ng alak mula sa kaniyang baso.
"I didn't expect myself to be here too." Sagot ko sa kaniya.
I look at Kai who is still busy talking to a girl at the pool. He is now topless.
"You should go to him." Tinignan ko si Clary.
Makahulugan siyang tumingin sa akin.
"Nah, He's still enjoying." Tanggi ko.
Biglang ngumiti si Raika. Nagkatinginan silang dalawa ni Clary.
"Oh! Payback time." Tumatawang sabi ni Clary.
"You should get change! Look at your friends, they are already wearing their bikini's." Itinuro niya sa akin ang mga kaibigan kong babae.
I saw Stacie flirting with a guy. Also Nadia, Frei and Rei! They got their own guy! Si Ajax at Ryko naman ay nakahubad na at mayroong kausap na mga babae sa pool area
Hinatak ako ni Clary at Raika papauntang bathroom upang makapagpalit. Pu-pwede naman na doon na lang ako magpalit sa pwesto namin dahil huhubarin ko lang naman ang top ko pero bago maka-alma ay napapasok na nila ako sa bathroom sa 2nd floor.
Hinubad ko ang top ko at lumabas na agad. Hindi ko hinubad ang shorts ko dahil wala naman akong balak na mag swimming sa pool.
"You look good! And let's drink!" Hinila nila ako ulit.
Binigyan nila ako ng binigyan ng alak hanggang sa mahilo ako. I still know what's happening, I am not drunk. I am just little bit tipsy.
Raika and Clary started to introduced me to other guys. Nginitian ko ang mga iyon at nakipag-usap.
"You got a boyfriend?" Tanong sa akin ni Jayson.
"Wala," Sagot ko sa kaniya.
He smiled at me then continued to flirt. He was about to ask for my number when Uno suddenly shoo the guy away from me.
Tumingin akk sa kaniya.
"Hello, Amara! Lasing ka na ata. Tara puntahan natin si Kai." Aya niya sa akin.
He is also topless. Kakagaling lang niya sa may pool area.
"I don't want to go to Kai." Iling ko sa kaniya.
"Why?"
I pointed Kai who is now talking to a different gurl.
Great!
"Oh! You jealous?" Binigyan niya ako ng mapagkahulugang ngiti.
"Asa! Mas maganda naman ako dyan." Irap ko sa babaeng kausap ni Kai.
Stacie approach us while laughing.
"Let's go to the pool area!" Hila niya sa akin.
Sinubukan ko siyang pigilan ngunit ayaw niyang magpapigil. Tinignan ko si Uno, nanghihingi ng tulong ngunit sumunod lang siya sa amin.
"You're drunk, Stacie!" Bulong ko sa kaniya.
"Take off your shorts!" Sigaw niya sa akin. She dived to the pool.
Lasing pa naman siya!
"Hey Uno! Can you look out for her? I'll just call our friends." Mabilis na sabi ko kay Uno na nasa gilid ko.
Sandali akong napatingin kay Kai ngunit nilagpasan ko siya.
Sakto ay nakasalubong ko si Ajax at Ryko na mayroong kausap na babae. Hinatak ko agad sila at hinila sa pool area.
"We should go home." Sabi ko sa kanila. "Stacie's drunk." I pointed at Stacie who is now busy swimming and flirting at the pool.
"Nah, the party is just getting started. I'll pull Stacie out of the pool." Tanggi ni Ryko.
Napailing ako. Pinuntahan nilang dalawa si Stacie at inayang umahon na. Ibinigay ni Ryko ang kamay niya dito. Iniabot iyon ni Stacie at tsaka hinila siya. Agad na umalis si Ajax upang hindi mahila ni Stacie na ngayon ay tumatawa.
"Shit!" Mura ni Ryko na ngayon ay basang-basa na.
Umalis na kami sa malapit sa pool at umupo sa isnag sun lounger.
"Babantayan naman ni Ryko 'yon." Sabi ni Ajax. "Daming chikababes dito ah!" Sinundan niya ng tingin ang mga babaeng dumadaan sa harapan namin.
Ang landi talaga!
"Go on! Flirt!" Tulak ko sa kaniya sa isang babae.
Agad niya naman itong kinausap.
"Hey," Kai approach me. I looked at him.
"Hey," Walang ganang bati ko sa kaniya.
Asan na iyong mga babaeng kausap niya?
"I thought you are not going here?" Takang tanong niya sa akin.
"Akala ko din." Sagot ko. "Asan na iyong babaeng kausap mo kanina?" Sarkastikong tanong ko.
Kumunot ang noo niya.
Ano? Sa dami ng babaeng kausap niya hindi na niya maalala?
"Let's not talk about that." He tried changing the topic but I didn't let him.
"You like that girl?" Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay.
"Sino doon?" He replied.
Napairap nalang ako.
"The girl who's wearing a red bikini." Tukoy ko.
Why do I sound like a jealous girlfriend?
"Oh, You mean Anna?"
"I don't care about her name." Maarteng sagot ko.
Tumawa naman siya.
"I don't like her. I told you, you are the one I like."
Kung ako 'yung gusto mo bakit iba ang kausap mong babae kanina?
"You jealous?" Nakangising tanong niya.
God knows how much I wanted to erase that smirk on his face.
Umirap ako sa kaniya.
He tried talking to me but I stayed quiet, ignoring him.
"Damn, I should be the one who's mad right now. How come you are the mad one now?" Kamot niya sa kaniyang ulo.