#MMIM07
From: Unknown Number
Wru
From: Unknown Number
Sabi ni margaux sunduin daw kita
Kumunot ang noo ko nang makitang kay nagtetext sa akin habang nagppractice kami. Back-up ako ngayon para sa youth service bukas at medyo na-late na rin kaming mag-start ng practice kaya ginabi kami dito sa Church.
To: Unknown Number
New fone hudis
From: Unknown Number
??
To: Unknown Number
Anong question mark??????? Tingin mo pangalan yan??
From: Unknown Number
Who else would be fetching you dumbo
To: Unknown Number
DUMBO KA REN!!!!!! KAPAL NG MUKHA MO VALE
From: Unknown Number
Siyempre kung manipis edi mabubutas
Agad kong pinatay yung phone ko at huminga ako nang malalim. I can't stand him! And we're almost done with worship practice so I don't want to be angry.
Kinuha ko ulit yung phone ko nang makita kong mag-on dahil sa notification galing sa kabilang upuan.
From: Unknown Number
So where are you? I'm sleepy
To: Unknown Number
Church namin pasundo after 15 mins tingz patapos na rin kami
From: Unknown Number
At this hour? Ano ginagawa mo jan, nanggagayuma?
Inirapan ko yung cellphone ko at binalik 'yon sa kabilang upuan. After a few minutes, natapos na rin kami sa practice at nag-dasal. Pagkalabas ko ng Church ay nakita ko na kaagad yung Ford Ranger ni Vale na naka-park.
It's been days now since we've been forced to get along. Nung Monday, true to his word, hinatid niya ako pauwi after Giligan's. Nung Tuesday naman, hinatid niya rin ako pauwi para may ma-report back kami kina Franco na magkasama kami. Yesterday, though, we both had excuses as to why we couldn't be together.
I was already sick of him!
And, he had a practice thing with his band, I had a prayer meeting. The squad gave us a free pass naman.
And today, I went straight to Church after school, so I didn't see him. Nag-tanong na sina Margaux kung magkasama ba kami today, and we both couldn't answer. I guess she figured I'd be at Church so she told him to pick me up.
"Ang pangit mo!" sabi ko kaagad pagkapasok ko ng sasakyan niya. "Anong amoy 'yon? Bakit amoy Jollibee dito sa sasakyan mo? Gutom na ako, nang-iinggit ka ba?!"
"Kuya doesn't like it when people bring food inside the car." Rinig ko galing sa likod kaya naman muntik na akong mapa-sigaw.
Madilim lang sa likod kaya akala ko walang tao! Sino 'yon?!
"Valir, say hello Ate Panget."
Sinamaan ko ng tingin si Vale na nagmamaneho na ngayon. I smiled at the little guy who was eating ice cream at the backseat. He was wearing blue pajamas with little pandas on them.
"Your name's Ate Panget?" tanong sa akin nung bata.
"No." I smiled at Valir. "Your kuya's the one who's panget. I'm Ate Nat!"
"Nat like the peanat?"
I laughed and nodded. "Like the peanat."
"Okay, cool." He giggled. "Hi, Ate Peanat."
"Hi, Little Vale," I greeted him back. "You're definitely the Vale I prefer."
Binalik ko yung maayos na upo ko sa passenger seat at nakitang naka-kunot ang noo ni Vale sa akin. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay kaya naman napa-iling siya.
"You suddenly become a saint around kids, huh?"
"Excuse me," I firmly said. "Anghel talaga ako. Ikaw lang ang demonyo sa ating dalawa."
"I doubt it." He chuckled while shifting the gear.
Inirapan ko na lamang siya dahil pagod na ako galing practice. Halos apat na oras rin kami doon kasi pumili pa ng line up si Kuya Elijah.
"Bakit pala kasama mo kapatid mo?" I asked, already assuming that Valir was his brother.
They had similar features, and I could already tell that the little kid would grow up to look very pogi.
"Tulog na 'yan kanina, eh," sagot niya sa akin. "Nung aalis na ako, sabi niya gusto niya ng ice cream."
Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay.
Is he really that good of a brother? I expected him to be a snob.
Well, he is! Plastik lang talaga siya sa ibang mga tao!
"Ba't ang late niyo sa Church?" he asked out of nowhere.
Ngayon ko lang napagtantohan na... we're actually having a normal conversation.
"Practice," tipid kong sagot.
"It's..." Tinignan niya nang mabilis yung relo niya. "10:30."
Ngumuso na lang ako at humalukipkip. "You're not my driver. I don't need a personal uber. Kung hassle, hindi mo naman ako kailangan sunduin. I think Margaux and the others can understand that we have our own-"
"I didn't say anything." He chuckled. "Ang dami mong energy magalit, 'no?"
"Hindi ako galit!" I immediately defended myself.
What annoyed me even more was his smile! He looked like he enjoyed getting on my nerves!
He continued to laugh, which made Valir at the back laugh as well. Bakit ba nagtatawanan 'tong magkapatid na 'to?!
"You're right, kuya!" Valir laughed. "She's like lola."
"Ha?!" Kumunot ang noo ko kay Vale. "Hoy! Sinisiraan mo pa ako sa bata! Tantanan mo naman ako!"
"Sabi ko lang-"
"He said you're a war freak like our lola." Valir giggled. "But she was nice before she died. She just liked annoying grandpa."
Napaawang ang bibig ko dahil mas maayos pa kausap 'tong bata kesa kay Vale!
"Huh." I looked at Vale with a death glare, and he just laughed and rubbed his eyes.
"Ano?" he innocently asked. "He agreed naman."
"Valir, I'm not a war freak." I smiled at the little brother. "I'm very very nice!"
"H'wag kang naniniwala d'yan," ani Vale sabay liko patungo sa Suello.
"You're mean to her, Kuya," sabi naman nung bata kaya napangiti ako.
See?! Even his brother sees his true colors!
"Kids don't lie." I snickered.
Sinamaan lamang ako ng tingin ni Vale ngunit binalik rin agad ang tingin niya sa harap. I gave myself a big smile because of the satisfaction of getting on his nerves.
"Thanks!" Ngisi ko sabay tanggal ng seatbelt. Lumingon ulit ako sa kapatid niya at kumaway. "Bye, little Vale."
"Bye, Ate Peanat!"
Lumabas ako at sinara yung pintuan ng sasakyan. I opened the gate and went straight to the door. Lumingon naman ako at nakitang nandoon pa rin yung sasakyan ni Vale kaya nagbigay ako ng malaking kaway.
I opened the house and went straight for my room. It was days like these that had me so drained and exhausted. Medyo thankful pa akong sinundo ako dahil mahirap ang taxi kapag gabi.
I mean, I love my Church. It's basically my family now that I'm alone. But sometimes you just do so much and it makes you so... tired.
I groaned and stood up once I heard my stomach growling. Hindi pa ako nagdidinner. And I didn't eat breakfast this morning either. Umaalis ako nang maaga dahil malayo yung campus namin. Sina mommy, dati pa ako kinukulit na matuto nang mag-drive. I didn't listen, so now it's shooting back at me.
I just thought I'd have Claude forever. I thought I wouldn't need to learn because he'd be there to fetch me when I needed him.
Umiling ako habang nagsasaing dahil naalala ko nanaman si Claude. How is he? I never got to ask Raffy if they're still talking. I... miss him.
Nagpainit na lang ako ng corned beef sa microwave at kumain sa counter nang mabilisan. The house was really quiet. Malaki rin siya, halos parehas sa bahay nina Claude. And it was a quiet subdivision as well. I never really noticed how quiet it was until they left.
Naghugas ako ng plato at nagshower bago humiga sa higaan ko. It's that time of the night again. I knew I had to review since prelims are coming up, but I had no energy.
I had no energy to do anything.
Nakapikit na ako nung biglang tumunog yung phone ko dahil sa notification galing sa messenger.
Vance Lawrence Enrique wants to send you a message.
Vance Lawrence Enrique: hey smartass I dropped off something at your door
Natalia Samson: hindi po kami dropping area check mo sa mabini maraming dropping area doon
Vance Lawrence Enrique: what is wrong with u
Bumaba ako at binuksan yung pintuan. Nakita ko na lang na may paper bag ng Jollibee na nakalagay sa welcome mat. I looked around and found no traces of Vale's car, so I immediately smiled and took the paper bag. Nilabas ko naman yung phone ko at agad na minessage si Vale.
Natalia Samson: bakit malamig na bwisit
Vance Lawrence Enrique: thanks vale you're very nice
Natalia Samson: plastik!!!!!!!!!
Vance Lawrence Enrique: it wouldn't have been cold if you waited for it before leaving the car
Natalia Samson: whatever panget mo
Inexit ko ang conversation namin ni Vale at nag-video call sa group chat naming magkakaibigan.
"Ano 'to, late night talks?" tanong ni Hanzo na mukhang naglalaro sa PC niya.
"Okay ka lang, Nat?" tanong ni Lance na tulad ni Hanzo ay may headphones na suot at may pinipindot na mouse.
"Grabe kayo, hindi pa ba kayo matutulog?" tanong ni Margaux habang humihikab.
Si Franco naman ang huling sumagot at mukhang naglalaro rin siya sa PC niya.
"SINO SA INYO NASABI KAY VALE NA BILHAN AKO NG JOLLIBEE!!" sigaw ko sa cellphone ko.
Tumingin silang apat sa camera nila. They all had confused and shocked expressions, which made me realize... wala ba sa kanila?!
"Kalaro namin siya ngayon. Andito sa discord," sabi ni Hanzo. "Tanong ko ba?"
Tumawa naman si Franco habang inaadjust yung headphones niya. "Rinig daw ni Vale. Naka-loud speaker si Nat."
Nanlaki ang mata ko nang sabihin 'yon ni Franco.
Shunga, Natalia!
"Ay kanina daw kasi pinaguusapan ka namin na baka di ka pa kumakain ng dinner," sabi naman ni Lance. "Sweet namin 'no?"
"Whatever." Umiling ako. "Matulog na kayo! Magreview kayo! Magpe-prelims na!"
Bago pa sila makasagot ay inend ko na kaagad yung tawag. I took the box of chicken joy and soaghetti and heated it in the microwave. Hindi naman kasi pala nakakabusog yung isang maliit na delata ng corned beef!
Nakita ko rin na may peach mango pie sa loob kaya napangiti ako. My favorite.
"Good morning!" bati ko kina Lance na nakaupo sa isang table dito sa canteen.
Si Hanzo ay patapos nang kumain ng breakfast niya na inorder niya dito ay si Lance naman ay mukhang kape lang ang binili.
"Morning." Ngiti ni Lance. "Kumusta linggo mo? Have you strangled anyone yet?"
Kumunot ang noo ko pero napagtantohan ko na isang linggo na pala bukas! We made the deal last Saturday night, at mag-iisang linggo ko nang kasama ang demonyo! I survived!
"One more week to go." I took a deep breath. "Sana naman kayanin ko."
I looked around and there weren't much students. Malamig dito sa baba at bagong bago pa ang araw. There was always something so calming and refreshing with sitting here in this canteen on early mornings like this. May 8 AM class kaming tatlo kaya maaga kami ngayon, eh. But I liked our campus, so 8 AM classes never really bothered me.
Hinatid ako ni Hanz at Lance sa classroom ko kaya nahalata ko kaagad yung ibang mga kaklase kong excited na makita sila. Lance was always the intriguing one for the girls, since he barely talked to them. Mas dumagdag ata 'yon sa kapogian niya. While Hanzo, on the other hand, was well known for his mouth, because he just wouldn't shut up. It amazes me how girls still fall for his crap every single time.
"Ireto mo naman na ako kay Lance!" sabi ni Freya, isang kaklase ko. "Napaka-pogi!"
"Eh kaibigan mo na rin si Vale, diba? Yung taga Main?" sabi ni Inez, isa pang kaklase ko. "Yun yung crush ko!"
"Kilala mo si Vale?" sabi naman ni Zoe sa tabi ko.
Umiling ako at ngumiwi.
"At ayokong kilalanin," sagot ko sa kanya.
"Napanuod mo best friend mo kagabi sa interview? UAAP player na siya, o," sabi ni Odette na kapapasok lang. "Halimaw na Claude talaga 'yan. Napaka-galing."
Umiling ako at kinuha yung yellow pad ko sa bag. I didn't want to think about boys this early in the morning. Mabuti na lang at pumasok na kaagad yung prof namin at dumiretso sa discussion.
Pagdating ng lunch ay pumunta kami nina Zoe at Odette sa canteen na malapit sa court. I opened my messenger and checked to see if the guys were here, too, but Franco suddenly messaged our groupchat.
Franco to Disciplechips: Happy weeksary kay Vale at Natalia hihi
Margaux to Disciplechips: OMG has it been a week na
Lance to Disciplechips: Bukas pa daw weeksary hahahaha
Natalia to Disciplechips: dami niyong alam
Margaux to Disciplechips: so does this mean he's going sa youth night niyo? OMG???
Napaawang ang bibig ko. Nakalimutan kong kailangan ko siyang isama.
If he's free! I'm sure they'd understand kung may gagawin rin si Vale.
Pumunta kaagad ako sa messages namin ni Vale kagabi at nagsimulang mag-type.
Natalia Samson: hello pano mamaya sama ka ba sa church namin
Natalia Samson: nvm baka masunog ka
Vance Lawrence Enrique: i'm surprised you haven't burned yet
Umismid ako at tumayo para bumili ng pagkain. Sabay kami ni Odette na pumunta sa loob habang si Zoe naman ay nasa mesa lang at binabantayan yung mga gamit namin.
"Adobo daw kay Zoe," sabi ni Odette.
Tumango ako at inorderan na rin yung kaibigan namin.
Nagulat na lang ako pagkabalik ng mesa ay malaki ang mata ni Zoe habang nakatitig sa phone kong tunog nang tunog. Agad ko 'yon tinignan at nakita yung mga messages ni Vale.
Grabe, hindi niya ba kayang isabay sabay nalang mga sinasabi niya?!
Vance Lawrence Enrique: franco just messaged
Vance Lawrence Enrique: I guess I gotta go with u?
Vance Lawrence Enrique: ay hanggang anong oras ka
Vance Lawrence Enrique: hatid ko muna si valir
"Omg, Vance Lawrence Enrique?!" sabi ni Zoe sa akin. "Sabi mo hindi mo kilala, bruha ka!"
"Not by choice." I rolled my eyes. "Annoying kaya niya!"
"Talaga?" tanong ni Zoe. "My friend from STELA has a crush on him too. Sabi niya suplado daw 'yan, e!"
"We went to Sunday School with him," sabi ni Odette habang sumusubo ngpagkain. Napakunot naman ang noo ko nang sabihin 'yon ni Odette. "He's a year younger, I think? Pero ka-age mo lang, Nat, diba? Since one year advanced ka."
"Wait, what?" I was confused! Anong Sunday School?! "Did you say Sunday School?"
"Hala, oo." She laughed. "Diba, siya yung loko loko na hindi mapakali. Yung humila ng upuan ni Brandi! Yung nag-cut sa hair mo!"
Nanlaki ang mata ko nang maalala ko ang mga malalabong pangyayari nung bata kami.
He was that kid! That kid who cut my hair!
"Siya 'yon?!" I raised my voice. "Bata palang pala, bwisit na 'yon!"
"Omg, this is amazing," ani Zoe habang nakikinig sa amin ni Odette.
"Hindi mo ba friend sa facebook?" Odette asked with a confused look. "Vale! I'm sure Claude remembers him, too."
"Ah kaya pala hindi ko siya maalala." I shrugged. "Yung mga nasa utak ko lang mga magagandang memories kaya si Claude lang meron."
"Ilusyonada!" Batok sa akin ni Odette.
"JOKE LANG EH!" I laughed.
Si Zoe naman ay tumatawa na rin ngayon habang patapos na siya kumain.
The rest of the day went by as it normally would. Sobrang saya ko dahil maaraw ngayon! It looked so peaceful in our campus and I couldn't wait to go to Church. Sobrang ganda ng line up tonight!
"Sabay ka ba, Nat?" tanong ni Lance sa akin habang naglalakad kami patungo sa sasakyan na dala niya.
"Ah, baka hindi," I mumbled.
Lumingon sina Franco sa akin bigla nang sagutin ko 'yon. Tumaas ang kilay ni Hanzo habang si Franco naman ay ngumisi.
"May sundo, eh!" Sabi ni Hanzo.
"Hoy! Libre naman gas niya! Dapat lang na sunduin ako! Lugi si Ezra kung hindi niya ako sunduin!" I defended.
Tumawa lamang si Lance at binigay sa akin yung libro na pinahawak ko sa kanya habang naglalakad kami.
"Una na ngarod kami," sabi ni Lance.
"Okay." I nodded. "Ingat kayo, ha!"
"Wait mo lang si Vale, lapit na 'yon!" sabi ni Franco. "Lapit lang naman bahay no'n, yung samay Camp 7. Yung subdivision na puro malalaki ang bahay. Alam mo na 'yon."
Nanlaki naman ang mata ko nang sabihin niya 'yon. Malapit?! Eh Camp 7 na 'yon! Akala ko ba Bakakeng lang sila ni Lia?! Parang ang lapit lapit nung hinatid niya si Lia, ah!
Agad kong nilabas ang cellphone ko at tinawagan yung number ni Vale. Matagal 'yon nag-ring bago pa niya sagutin.
"Ang layo mo naman pala!" I said once he answered the phone.
"I'm on my way, dumbo."
"Napaka-bagal!"
"Sabihin mo 'yan sa taxi na nasa harap ko."
"Sige, pakausap ako sa driver," sagot ko sa pilosopo niyang sagot.
Nagulat na lang ako nung bigla niyang inend yung tawag! Napaka-bastos!
Tatawagan ko na sana siya pero biglang kay bumusina sa harap ko. Umirap ako sa kawalan nang makita na Ranger pala 'yon ni Vale.
"Tagal!" I told him once I entered.
"It's five minutes before your dismissal. Maaga pa nga ako." He defended.
"Late ka pa rin. 30 minutes early kami dinismiss." I argued.
"Alam ko ba 'yun?" he answered while driving.
"Whatever!" I scoffed. "Ang pangit mo!"
"Why are you talking to yourself?"
Kumunot ang noo ko nang sabihin niya 'yon. "Excuse me! Tinatawag mo ba akong panget?! Sa ganda kong 'to?!"
Kumunot rin ang noo niya sa akin. "Okay ka lang? Kita mo na ba sarili mo?"
At this point, my whole face was already fuming! Kinuha ko yung buhok niya at agad na hinila 'yon.
"ANG KAPAL NG MUKHA MO!"
"Aray! Natalia!" Ngumiwi siya at sinubukang tanggalin yung kamay ko pero yung isa niyang kamay ay nasa manibela kaya hindi siya maka-laban. "Nagd-drive ako!"
"PINUTOL MO PA BUHOK KO NUNG BATA TAYO! ANG KAPAL KAPAL NG MUKHA MO! DEMONYO!" I continued to pull his hair with both my hands.
"Anong buhok?!" He grabbed both my wrists with his hand while shifting the gear. "Wala akong ginawa, ah!"
"Utot mo!" sabi ko sabay bawi sa kamay ko.
"I didn't even know you before-"
"Utot mo ulit!" I cut him off. "Ikaw yung nag-cut sa hair ko! Grabe, demonyo ka na pala simula pa lang pagka-bata!"
Naka-kunot ang noo niya, pero agad 'yon nag-iba. Napa-awang ang bibig niya habang tinitignan ako.
"No way." He laughed and shook his head. "You... you're-"
"Oo! Ako yung kinalbo mo sa Sunday School!"
He bursted out laughing while looking at me. "Bagay mo nga ata ang kalbo."
"Ikaw bagay mo ang kabaong!" I clenched my fists.
Tumawa lang siya at umiling habang ako naman ay pigil na pigil sa pag-suntok sa kanya.
Bakit ba sobrang nakakairita 'tong lalaking 'to?! Ngayon lang ako nainis nang ganito! Gusto kong sampalin!
Lumabas kaagad ako ng sasakyan pagkarating namin sa Church. Dumiretso ako sa tech booth at humingi ng tubig dahil sobrang init na ng ulo ko! Hindi naman ako pwedeng mag-worship na may galit sa iba. Sabi sa first John, if anyone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar!
Lord, sige, para sa'Yo, hindi ko muna siya ihe-hate. Hehe. Mamaya na lang po.
"Oh, Nat!" bati ni Caleb sa akin. "Kita mo si Raffy? Ang aga niya dito kanina."
Tumaas ang kilay ko nang sabihin 'yon ni Caleb. Raffy... as in, Rafaela, as in Claude-Rafaela Raffy?
"Talaga?" I asked.
"Oo. Nakaka-tuwa nga, eh, tumulong pa siya sa set-up sa labas." Ngiti ni Caleb. "Ganda niya, solid!"
"Oh, patay ka kay Claude." I laughed and shook my head.
I have to admit that Raffy really is beautiful. She didn't even need heavy makeup or anything. Sobrang natural ng ganda niya. She's taller than me pa nga ata, eh.
"Sino kasama niya?" tanong ni Caleb sabay nguso sa labas ng tech booth.
I immediately saw Vale sitting beside Raffy.
"Si Vale 'yan," sagot ko kay Caleb.
Tumango si Caleb at inayos yung sarili niyang buhok. "Tangkad niya."
"Mas matangkad naman si Claude." I chuckled. "Andito na sina Kuya Elijah?"
"Nasa baba," ani Caleb. "Tara, magpe-pray na ata sa baba."
Tumango ako at sumunod sa kanya patungo sa baba. The worship set was so beautiful, and it's actually amazing how even just one song, or one word from God, can instantly change your mood. How it can instantly lift off some weight you've been carrying for the past months. And I praise God that He has given me opportunities like this to be able to listen to Him, to worship Him, and to commune with Him.
"Natalia! Kunin mo kaya si Raffy sa care group mo?" sabi ni Ate Jules sa akin. "I met her a while ago. She seems like a good kid."
I smiled while helping the others fix the chairs. Maingay at medyo siksikan dito sa loob dahil maraming mga youth na naguusap usap pa. Mukhang yung mga nasa care group ko, nagdidisciple na rin ng iba.
"Pwede naman po, Ate." I smiled. "Kausapin ko po siya mamaya."
"Coolio!" She gave me a thumbs up. "I'm sure you two will get along!"
Nag-lakad ako patungo sana kay Raffy, ngunit nakita kong hindi sila magka-sama ni Vale. In fact, he was in the corner being surrounded by girls!
'Yun pala balak niya dito, ha! Mang-disciplechicks! Evangiligaw!
"Lexie," Tawag ko sa isang babae na kausap ni Vale. "Tawag ka ng care group leader mo."
Hinila ko kaagad si Vale at nginitian yung mga babae. I'm not saving him! I'm saving them from him!
"Hoy, Vance Lawrence." I said through gritted teeth. "Demonyo ka talaga! Pati mga senior high, chinichix mo?!"
He looked shocked with my statement, but he chuckled. "Hindi ko nga sila sinasagot. I was answering out of courtesy. They were the ones who came near-"
"Palusot mo!" Humalukipkip ako. "Hanapin mo si Raffy, kailangan ko siya kausapin."
"Oh, yeah." He nodded. "Hahatid ko rin pala siya pauwi."
Wala pang sampung minuto ay nahanap na rin namin kaagad si Raffy. Nagiimbita pa yung ibang leaders na kumain sa labas pero mukhang may hinahabol pa yung dalawa na assignment na due bukas kaya hindi na kami sumama.
Once we got to Vale's Ranger, I stopped.
Saan ba usually umuupo si Raffy? I don't want to intrude.
"Vale, sino mauunang ihatid?" tanong ni Raffy kay Vale. "Kung si Nat, sa likod na lang ako."
"Nako, sa harap ka na, Raffy." I smiled and opened the door of the backseat. "Baka masampal ko pa 'yang kaibigan mo d'yan sa harap."
Raffy laughed and nodded. Mukhang kumportable rin naman yung dalawa sa isa't isa kaya mas maganda nang si Raffy yung umupo sa harap.
"Grabe naman kasi si Sir Dmitri," reklamo ni Raffy. "Hindi man lang inintindi na marami pa tayong due bukas! Tska may quiz bukas, diba? Last semester pa siya ganito."
"Kunin mo na notes ko," sabi naman ni Vale sabay turo samay paanan ni Raffy. "Nasa bag ko."
Nanliit ang mata ko habang inoobserbahan ang tono ni Vale kay Raffy. It sounded almost... soft and... sincere?
"Ayoko nga. Wala kang gagamitin," sagot naman ni Raffy kay Vale.
"Raf, just take them." Siko ni Vale sa kanya sabay ngiti.
Namilog ang mata ko nang makita ko ang ngiti ni Vale.
Oh my gosh. He likes her! He head-over-heels likes her! Oh, he is so whipped! He looks like a little boy just doing everything his crush wants him to do!
I smirked and looked outside. Bingo. May magagamit na ako against him!
"Raf, may growth group ka na ba?" tanong ko kay Raffy nang makita kong nasa Naguilian na kami.
"Ay wala pa," Lingon niya sa akin sabay ngiti. "Leader ka, diba? May kilala ka bang tumatanggap ng alaga?"
"You're welcome to my growth group!" I smiled. "We meet on wednesdays after the prayer meeting!"
"Talaga?" She smiled even wider. "Okay lang ba? Nakakahiya naman-"
"Nako, walang hiya hiya! Chat kita sa Wednesday!" I cheerfully said.
"Sige, sige," sagot niya sabay tingin ulit sa harap. "Dito na rin ako, eh. Thank you, Nat! Buti naman at naimbita mo 'tong si Vale."
Tinignan ko si Vale. Naimbita? Akala ko ba alam ni Raffy na kailangan kong kasama 'yang demonyo na 'yan?
"Bye, Nat!" Ngiti ulit ni Rafaela sa akin. I waved her goodbye while she shifted her gaze upon Vale.
"Bye, mami!" Pisil ni Raffy sa pisngi ni Vale. "Natalia, dito ka na sa harap!"
"No, thanks." I chuckled.
Bumaba rin agad si Raffy at sinara yung pintuan. Agad namang nagmaneho si Vale paalis. Nanliit ang mata ko kay Vale habang nakahalukipkip ako.
"Raffy ka lang pala, eh." Halakhak ko.
Lumingon siya kaagad sa akin. "Ha?"
"Hala ka jowa." I laughed and clapped my hands at my pun.
Sinamaan niya ako ng tingin kaya naman mas natawa ako.
"Parang ikaw meron?" He chuckled and shook his head.
Napatigil ako sa tawa ko at napa-tikhim.
"Hindi ba niya alam yung deal?" tanong ko sa kanya. "Bakit sabi niya inimbita kita?!"
"Ang alam niya ilang araw lang," mahina niyang sagot.
Humalakhak nanaman ako at bahagyang pumalakpak. "Ayaw mo magselos? H'wag siya mag-alala, kamo. Hindi kita type."
"As if." He scoffed. "Crush mo nga ako, eh."
"Excuse you, may taste ako sa lalaki!" I rolled my eyes. "Gano katagal mo na ba 'yang crush? Mukha kang asong nawawala yung may-ari kapag kausap mo siya, e. Yabang yabang mo sa akin, Rafaela lang pala katapat mo!"
"I don't like her." He immediately denied. "I mean... I like her as a friend-"
"Pero mas like mo as a girlfriend!" I laughed again. "Grabe, ang saya pala kapag hindi na ako yung pinagti-tripan!"
"As if you don't have feelings for Claude." Umiling siya at lumiko.
Napatahimik naman ako nang sabihin niya 'yon.
Paano niya alam?!
"Kung saam mo man 'yan nakuha, fake news 'yan." I cleared my throat.
"Kitang kita ko mukha mo kapag lumalabas si Claude sa usapan, Samson." He looked at me through the rear view mirror.
"Oh, whatever!" Kumunot ang noo ko. "At least ako, naka-move on na. Ikaw, hanggang ngayon asadong asado ka pa! Hindi mo nga sure kung naguusap pa yung dalawang 'yun o ano, e!"
"He left without saying goodbye to her," sabi ni Vale.
Malapit na rin kami sa bahay pero parang hindi ako makagalaw dahil dina-digest ko pa yung sinabi niya.
So si Raffy rin? Naiwan rin? Wala ring paalam?
"Bahala ka d'yan." I told him and got my bag.
Binuksan ko yung pintuan at kumaway sa kanya.
Pagkarating ko sa pintuan, lumingon ulit ako sa labas ng gate at nakitang nandoon pa rin yung sasakyan ni Vale.
Wala namang Jollibee sa sasakyan niya kanina?
Ah, baka nagdadrama. Baka iniisip si Raffy.
Nagbigay ulit ako ng malaking kaway gamit ang buong kamay ko, kasama ang braso. I entered the house and smirked with the information I've received that I can use against him.
Raffy pala, eh.
This deal just got a little more interesting.