Kazee's POV
Hindi na ako nakatulog dahil sa sinabi ni Nathan. Instead of worrying about my issues, I am hearing his last words. It echoed in my head.
"Mahal na ata talaga kita." bulong ko at inulit ang sinabi niya.
"Ahhhhhhh!" I buried my face in my pillow and screamed so loud.
I can't contain what I feel inside, it's just too much! It's too much for me to take!
"Dapat ba hinalikan ko siya?" Tanong ko sa sarili.
Nang hawakan ko ang dibdib ay mas kumbog pa ito. What should've I said? The feeling is mutual? Arghh! This is so frustrating!
Napabalikwas ako nang marinig ang katok sa kwarto. "Kaz, dinner is ready." Rinig kong sambit ni Nathan.
Agad akong naalarma. Pumunta ako sa closet ko at nagbihis. I wore blue halter top and high waisted shorts paired with black heels. I even tied my hair into a bun and put make up!
I clapped when I looked at myself on the mirror. Did I overdress? Bakit ba? He said dinner, I have to look pretty okay?
Nang makalabas sa kwarto ay dumiretso ako sa kusina. Nathan is already preparing our food. Halos napatigil siya nang makita ako.
"Are you going somewhere?" His voice was cold. What is he saying?
"Wala bakit?"
Nagtataka ko siyang tinignan. I cleared my throat when I realized I overdressed. Bakit pa kasi ako nagpalit?
"Let's eat." aya ko at naupo na sa hapag.
His eyes remained serious but eventually his lips rosed. Nangaasar ang mukha niya habang kumukuha ng kanin. I felt so embarassed but I remained stoic.
"Did you dress up for dinner?" He teased me.
"It's our first dinner as a couple." I nonchantaly blurted out.
He bit his lip as if very amused. "You should've told me so I wore tuxedo." asar pa niya.
"You know what? Kumain ka mag isa mo." Pikon kong sambit at hindi ginalaw ng pagkain.
Tumawa lang siya habang ako naman ay parang sasabog na. Agad kaming nagkatinginan nang marinig ang tunog ng doorbell.
I raised my eyebrow. "Who are you expecting?" I glared at him.
Nagkibit balikat lang siya at tumayo para tignan ang bisita. Agad ko naman siyang sinundan. The sound of my heels echoed as I tailed him.
Kumunot ang noo ko nang pumasok sina Zach, Brock at Roemer nang buksan ni Nathan ng pinto.
Bihis na bihis silang tatlo. Sa aming lahat, Nathan looked out of place because he's only wearing sweatshorts and plain white shirt. The other three were wearing buttondown long sleeve paired with pants. Zach really looked so playful even with semi formal look.
"Bakit hindi mo pa sinabi kay Nathan na magbihis, Kazee?" tanong ni Zach.
"Huh?"
"I texted you!"
Nathan glared at me as if accusing me that I did something bad. Ano nanaman?
"Kaya naman pala bihis ba bihis." rinig kong bulong niya.
Naunang pumasok sina Brock at Roemer. They comfortably threw theirselves in the sofa. It looked so small!
"Hindi ko nabasa ang message mo Zach e. Saan ba ang punta?" I tried to act cool when Zach remained standing.
"Night out. Libre ni Roemer!"
"Gago ka, Zach!" I heard Roemer's protest from the living room.
"Sige usap lang kayo, gutom ako man. Antayin ka na lang namin na magbihis." ani Zach at lingpasan kami.
Nathan glared at me. We're still standing where we welcomed his friends.
"You even exchanged numbers huh?" Mapait niyang sambit.
I pursed my lips. What is making him so mad? Hindi ko nga alam na nagtext si Zach sa akin!
I scoffed when he walked out. Pumunta siya sa sarili niyang kwarto, maybe to get changed?
Wala na lang akong nagawa kundi ang makipaghalubilo sa kaibigan niya. Of course Zach is already telling stories when I arrived at the living room.
Napailing na lang ako sa kagulo nila. Roemer lied on the sofa while Brock is sitting on the side solo sofa while Zach? Nasa sahig lang naman.
"Like bro, papatulan ko sana kaso ang clingy!"
"Gago ka Zach, sana mahanap mo katapat mo!" Roemer spat.
Nanatiling tahimik si Brock kaya siya ang naasar. "Yung isa diyan, hindi pa nakakapagmove on." Pagpaparinig ni Roemer.
Tumawa ng nakakaloko si Zach. "Ikaw Roemer baka ikaw ang unang makakabuntis!" Asar pa niya.
Roemer threw the small pillow right through Zach's face. "Gago! I don't believe in commitment!"
Pinagmasdan ko na lang si Brock na naiiling at tumatawa. I don't know if he's just really silent or what.
"Hoy Brock, katukin mo nga si Nathan. Ang tagal parang babae!" Reklamo ni Zach.
Nang magtama ang mata namin ay parang lumiwanag ang mukha ni Zach. Agad niya akong linapitan at inakbayan.
"Alam mo Roemer, si Nathan nagpapabayad ng renta sa condo niya." pagsusumbong niya.
Kumunot ang noo ni Roemer. "Dumbshit. Ang yaman yaman niya na nga." Sumbat ni Roemer.
Siniko ko si Zach dahil sa sobrang kadaldalan. I would believe it if he'll say he's gay!
"Sabunin natin mamaya." tuwang tuwang sambit ni Zach.
"Don't meddle with them. You're being so nosy." Brock interrupted.
Zach made a face. "Lasang ampalaya." Rinig kong bulong niya kaya natawa ako.
I excused myself to get my phone and purse. I just brought powder and lipstick. I texted Dhelia to invite her but...oh well, as expected.
Fr: Dhelia
Knock yourself out, Kazee. I'd rather review.
Fr: Lorah
Game! I'm changing! Don't tell kuya! Hindi niya ako papayagan.
Napatalon ako sa tuwa nang nagreply si Lorah. She's a breath of fresh air. Really!
They were already waiting for me in the living room. Halos maatake ako dahil sa sobrang kisig nila. Imagine four handsome, tall, masculine hot men waiting for me?
"Let's go." matigas na sambit ni Nathan. Brock was silent while Roemer and Zach were fighting of I don't know why.
"Why didn't you bring your damn car?" inis na sambit ni Roemer.
"Nakakatamad magmaneho, Kazee sabay ako sa inyo ni Nathan ha."
Nathan glared at me as if telling me to refuse his friend. I pouted more.
"Ayoko. You're too loud." reklamo ko.
Pati sina Brock at Roemer ar natawa. Nathan smirked.
Zach's face screamed betrayal, he even acted as if very hurt.
Nagkatinginan ang tatlo na tila ba may pinaguusapan sa isip.
"Taxi ka na lang bro. Sagot ko pamasahe mo." Brock teased him.
Sobrang ingay nila hanggang makababa kami sa parking lot. Nanguna siyempre ni Zach at inaaway ang tatlo.
Walang nagawa si Roemer nang pumasok si Zach sa back seat nang mabuksan ni Roemer ang kanyang sasakyan.
I even heard him say. "Tara na, bihag."
Brock entered his car and I did the same when Nathan opened his.
"Babe, paabot nga yung water sa likod." I made my voice sounded cute but Nathan just glared at me.
I'm trying to strike a conversation here! He's so harsh! Ano ba ang ginawa ko sa kanya?
"I'm driving." malamig niyang sambit.
I pouted and got the bottled water. I sighed when I saw how tight his grip with the steering wheel.
"Are you mad?" I was so careful on asking. Trying not to make any mistake.
"Do you like Zach?"
What the actual fuck. Is he jealous? Akala ko na kung anong seryoso.
"Ikaw ba si Zach?" tanong ko pabalik.
Natawa na lang ako nang hindi siya umimik. "Huwag mo ngang pagselosan si Zach, parang bakla."
"You think so?" He chuckled.
I nodded. "I think so too. But that's his charm though. Madaming nabibiktima dahil sa pagkabolero niya." He uttered.
Mas natawa ako sa isip ko, Zach is handsome really. But my heart belongs to Nathan.... Thinking of Zach's reaction once he finds out that we're backstabbing him made me laugh harder.
Nauna silang dumating sa club, nailing ako nang makitang nag-aaway pa din ang dalawa. At si Brock ang referee.
"Tara na." pag-aaya ni Nathan.
I bit my lip and looked around. Bakit ang tagal ni Lorah?
Nathan hands automatically rested on my back. Zach covered his mouth as if very shocked. He pointed at us kaya napatingin din sina Roemer at Brock. Isa pa Zach, pepektusan na kita.
"Got a problem?" Nathan smirked.
Umiling lang ang dalawa pero tumalak nanaman si Zach. Bumulong pa kay Roemer pero narinig ko naman.
"Ang landi ni Nathan bro. Nakakadiri."
Hindi ko alam kung matatawa ako o ano. Agad naman siyang sinaway ni Brock pero hindi paawat.
"Wait up people!"
Napalingon kaming lahat sa bagong dating. Mabuti naman at nakahabol. Papasok pa lang sana kami e.
Lorah with her silver shiny tube dress, partnered with high black heels. Hair brushed up, and dark make up, she totally looked so gorgeous.
"The fuck Lorah! Anong ginagawa mo dito?" galit na sambit ni Nathan.
"I invited her, Nathan." Maalumanay kong saad.
"But she's only 18." Nathan argued.
I chuckled and pinched his cheeks. "I'm only 18 too. Let her please? Para may kasama ako."
Nathan closed his eyes. Nagpabuga muna siya ng hangin bago tumingin sa amin ni Lorah. He looked like he surrendered.
"Don't you entertain boys, Lorah." banta ni Nathan.
Napatalon kami ni Lorah sa saya nang pumayag ng kanyang kapatid.
Agad na lumingkis si Lorah sa braso ko at itinulak si Nathan palayo. Lorah and I ended up being together while the four men surrounded us as if we're being guarded.
Kaya naman nakuha namin ang attensiyon nang pumasok kami sa club.
"You know what? This is not my first time here. Tumatakas ako kapag may night outs, kapag nalaman ng mga kuya ko, for sure I'm a dead meat." bulong ni Lorah.
"What the! We're the same! Sanay na sanay na akong akyatin ang matayog na gate namin!"
We both laughed. We are so the same. Maybe because we're in the same age? We wanted freedom, we wanted to enjoy our youth.
"Bottoms up!" Lorah cheered.
We are in the same table, pinaggitnahan ako ng magkapatid. Brock is drinking cooly while Roemer is looking for some hot chick. Si Zach? Nasa kabilang mesa at pinalibutan na ng mga babae. Most of them were laughing as he cracked maybe a joke? Tama nga si Nathan.
"Lorah, you got low alcohol tolerance!"
Nagkatinginan kami ni Lorah at sabay pa kaming natawa. Napailing na lang ako dahil sa walang kamalay malay na si Nathan. He still thinks that her sister is a baby girl?
Dahil sa sobrang lakas ng musika, inilapit ko ang mukha kay Nathan at bumulong.
"Loosen up babe."
He just glared at me and clenched his jaw.
"Nathan, stop babysitting! Chill bro!"
Sabay pa naming sinamaan ni Lorah ng tingin si Roemer dahil sa sinabi. Babysitting huh?
"They are my babies." Nathan uttered. Mukhang si Brock lang ang nakarinig kaya umasim ang mukha niya.
"Tangina." I heard him cursed. Lorah also shrugged her shoulders as if very disgusted. Bakit mukhang ako lang ang nakilig?
"Let's dance, Kaz!" Lorah pulled my hand and dragged me out of our table. Walang nagawa si Nathan dahil mukhang pinigilan din siya ni Roemer.
Nathan remained serious as he looked at us walking away. Agad na humalo kami sa dagat ng mga tao.
With the dj playing rock music, everybody seemed so wild as they dance their heart out.
Nagheheadbang na si Lorah ngunit nanatiling nakahawak sa papulsuhan ko. Para siyang nakawala sa kulungan.
Tinuro turo niya pa ako na tila ba ako na ang susunod na sumayaw. I rolled my eyes.
Tinanggal ko ang tali ng buhok ko at ginulo bahagya. I moved my hips and touched my waist up to my neck while dancing. Lorah laughed, we both danced and danced.
Napatigil ako nang may lumapit kay Lorah at hinawakan ang beywang. Lorah looked at me as if asking for help.
Agad kong hinablot ang papulsuhan ni Lorah.
"The fuck is your problem?!" galit na sigaw ng lalaki.
"You touched my girlfriend!" I sounded so mad. I felt Lorah chuckled behind me.
Umirap na lang ang lalaki at umalis. "Woah that was intense."
"Well, at least it worked right?"
Natawa kaming dalawa at napagdesisyunan nang bumalik sa mesa namin.
I felt pain in both of my ankles after dancing. Lorah really owned the night and drank endlessly. Kahit saway ng saway si Nathan ay pinagbibigyan naman ni Roemer si Lorah.
"Knock yourself out cousin!" Pag eenganyo pa niya.
They're cousins? Woah, then how come I never seen Nathan and Lorah in social gatherings?
Agad kong tinanong si Nathan. Kumunot lang ang noo niya.
"I am not fond of attending those. And Lorah hated it also. My older brother is a soldier so you can't expect him." paliwanag niya.
"Then your mother is a de la Vega then?" I asked curiously.
He nodded. I closed my mouth when I realized who's her mother.
"Your mom is Tita Penelope?!"
Mas kumunot ang noo niya pero tumango din kalaunan. "Gosh! I love her fashion sense! Though mas close kami ni tita Theriah." Referring to Dhelia's mom.
He chuckled a bit ang pinched my nose.
"I am not sure if she remembers me though."
"Uhuh." ani ni Nathan na tila interesado sa sinasabi ko. He leaned on the sofa and rested his left arm on my back, while his eyes fixated on me.
"She barely attends social gatherings!" I squealed.
I remember how unapproachable her mom is. Indeed a de la Vega.
"It should've been nice if I attended those." He uttered.
"Bakit naman?"
He licked his lips and pulled me nearer to him. I can almost feel his breath on my neck.
"Mas maaga sana kitang nakilala." bulong ni Nathan.