Starts at Ends

17 - Chlorine

Chapter XVII

“I’m sorry miss, but I think you’re in a wrong room.”

I looked at the guy who was seated next to me.

“This is not a funeral mass.”

Kinuha ko sa gilid ang regalo para sa kanya at marahas itong inilahad sa kanya.

“Shut up, will you?”

He laughed. “That’s it? That’s how you greet a birthday celebrant?”

I rolled my eyes.

“Kidding! Thank you dito, nag-abala ka pa.”

I boringly turned to him.

“Pero dapat lang.” He chuckled.

"Buang."

Happy Birthday Neecho!

He excused himself as another visitor greeted him. Thank God!

It’s the last day of March and Tita Tania invited us to come over; they held it here in Au-hotel. Malaki naman ang bahay nila, I wonder why they chose here instead.

“You don’t want to join us?”

Huminga ako ng malalim na hininga nang makabalik ang kumag. I looked at the pool side and saw my friends enjoying the water.

“Am I welcome?”

Umusog ako ng konti nang umupo siya sa tabi ko. 

“You’re friends, so of course.” He shrugged as he sipped his drink.

Inis ko naman siyang binalingan ng tingin. “Manhid ka ba o tanga?” Irita kong tanong.

“Ouch! HAHA. Nakakadalawa ka na ha. Hindi ko lang birthday, hindi kita pagbibigyan.”

I didn’t utter a word which makes silence cover us. Ilang araw na ang lumipas pagkatapos ang nangyari sa bahay. Ilang araw na rin akong hindi pinapansin ni Zeah. Pinipilit nga kaming pagbatiin nung dalawa pero ewan ko ba, alam ko kasing magbabati lang kami ni Ze kapag pumayag ako sa gusto niya; sa kondisyon ng parents niya.

I was alone for the past few days, but I felt loner today. Nadagdagan pa na umuwi na si Alex sa Canada kaya palaging tong kumag nato ang kasama ko. Axi can’t accompany me, he’s with Zeah.

“Magkaibigan pa rin naman kayo kahit magkaaway kayo.”

"Ha!?" Napakunot ang noo ko.

“Malabo ba?” He laughed.

Baliw!

“Walang kwentang kausap, potassium.” Bulong ko na siyang nagpalakas ng tawa niya.

“Bad girl.” Umiling siya. “Pero alam mo kung sino ang mas malabo sa’ting dalawa?”

"Sino?"

“Ikaw.”

“E-excuse me!?” Singhal ko.

“Wag ka munang dumaan kinakausap pa kita.”

"HA HA HA HA" I rolled my eyes as he gagged.

He madly laughed. “Joke!”

I glared at him. “Hindi nakakatawa.”

Tumikhim siya. “Eto naman, parang katuwaan lang!"

"Tsk."

"Oh eto, seryoso na!” He intently looked at me so I stared back.

“Akala ko ba gusto mong maging masaya ang mga taong nakapaligid sayo?”

I looked away as he pointed. I sighed again for the nth time when thoughts came crushing to my mind continously.

“And so I thought you wanted them to smile together with you? And so I thought you want to be happy with your family and friends?”

Napapikit ako dahil sa inis. I partly got irritated of what he said, pero kasi it’s not that easy!

“If you have faith and trust with Him and in yourself, lahat ng bagay na sa tingin mo ay mahirap, magiging madali na lang.”

I halted and turned my gaze at him.

This doesn’t make sense. I kinda, somehow, find myself at his side whenever I am troubled with problems. And he as a jerk, giving me some advices, makes me a fool. Coz I always ended up following his suggestions.

He faced me wearing his usual but genuine smile ever.

“Need help?”

I felt something inside of me that made me smile.

“Yan! Matuto kang ngumiti paminsan-minsan. Hindi ka pa naman kagandahan.”

Tumawa siya nang batukan ko siya. Panira.

“Ano nga pala 'tong regalo mo?”

Hinalungkay niya ang paper bag at akmang bubuksan ito nang pigilan ko.

“Tsaka mo na lang buksan.” Hawi ko sa kamay niya.

“Nahiya pa ang anino.” Biro niya. “Tara na nga.” Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko at hinila patungo sa dako nila Axi.

Ngunit huminto ako at ipinatong ang kamay ko sa kamay niya. I keenly looked at his brown eyes.

“Thank you.”

He just smiled then let his arms hanged in my neck.

“Wag kang mag-thank you anino, palaging may kapalit lahat ng tulong ko, remember?”

Hinawi ko ang naka-akbay niyang braso nang may maramdaman na naman akong kakaiba. Bigla akong nakuryente!

“Wag kang chansing.” I uttered, trying not to stammer.

“Hinawakan mo nga kamay ko e, nagreklamo ba ako!?”

Napaamang ako dahil sa hiya. But he just laughed and held my face with his two big hands.

“Ano na naman ba trip mo?”

I tried to get rid of his hand when he started to squeeze my face. Takteng atom!

“Gogo ko bo!?”

He bit his lip trying to suppress his laugh.

“Para kang tae!” Tawa niya nang binitawan ang mukha ko sabay talikod.

Irita ko siyang tinapunan ng tingin habang hinihimas-himas ang pisngi ko.

“Tungstenamo.”

“Bukas na ba ang alis ni Zeah, hon?”

I stopped chewing my food when mom asked dad. But instead of answering, dad looked at me. I looked away, pinagpatuloy ang pagkain. Alam ko na sa'n 'to patungo e.

“You’re just letting your best friend go?”

I dropped my utensils and face my mother.

“She can come back if she wants to.” I said in a monotone. “And if her parents really care about her, they won’t force her to do such thing she doesn’t even want to do.” I looked at them, trying to tell my thoughts.

“We’re not forcing you, sweetie.”

I gazed at mom when she uttered.

“I never said that.” I denied.

“Kayeth.” Dad called.

I sighed and controlled my temper. I didn’t want to disrespect or be rude to them. I just can’t help myself to speak up.

“I already said no. Nothing will change it.”

I stood up and excused myself. Dad stopped mom when she follow me upstairs. I heard them heave a sigh as I closed my door.

I know they are just concern to Zeah, I am also! No one wishes to be parted with their friends. It’s just that, I can’t do it! Mahirap ba intindihin yun?

I reached my side-table and clicked the on button of my music box. Humiga ako sa kama at inisa-isang tiningnan ang mga bituin sa kisame ng kwarto ko. The instrumental music of Michael Ortega titled Memories wrapped my system, trying to calm it.

“What should I do ma?” I whispered asking her as if she was with me. But then I chuckled when I received nothing as a reply.

Puting atom!

I sighed and closed my eyes. I was about to take a tour at my dreamland when someone interrupted. Bigla akong napabangon.

“You okay?” I asked, worriedly.

She shook and sat beside me. I creased my brow when she shows the other way around.

“What is it?”

She pouted. “Are you fighting… with dad and mom?”

I was surprised to hear her kaya’t natagalan ako sa pagsagot.

“No, hey! No way, Shine, we’re not.” I hold her chin when she looked down. “Hey.” I bit my lip when I saw her tears ready to fall. “Come here.”

I hugged her and caressed her back. Pumakawala siya sa yakap at pinunasan ang mata niya.

“We’re just arguing for something.” I consoled her. “Don’t worry baby, it won't last long.”

She sniffed. “Sure?”

I chuckled and nodded. “Yup.”

I rested my back at my bed’s headboard and pull her to my arms. Siniksik naman niya ang sarili sa akin at niyakap ang baywang ko.

“Na miss mo ko no?” I teased. I felt her head nodded.

“I really thought nag-away kayo ni daddy... pati si mommy.” She tightened her hug.

“Sorry.”

She looked at me.

I didn’t notice her at the table earlier. If only I knew she was there, I wouldn’t act like that. It’s not a good sight to be seen by a child. They are too innocent to understand things like that; that even I, a teenager, can barely comprehend how this world works.

She smiled and touched my cheeks. “It’s okay. As long as you’re not fighting anymore.” She uttered cheerfully.

“Promise me ate…" She paused then let out a sigh. "Promise hinding-hindi kayo mag-aaway ha?”

I slowly nodded. Even though I know it is inevitable.

“Yehey! So you’ll gonna do it na?”

I was confused by her question but then I just shrugged it off.

“Go to your room na.”

She groaned as I pulled her over when I saw the time. After kasi naming mag-usap kanina, she decided to stay at my room for the meantime.

“Not yet, ate! I’m waiting for something.”

She continued watching Barbie movies and ignored me. Umupo ako sa sofa malapit sa pintuan at kinuha ang phone ko. I saw a text popped.

Kumag d' gago: What’s up?

I disregarded his message and scanned my other unread messages.

Josceah:

Hey, Shad? You really can’t do it?

Hoy, Shaddowe!

Axiell: 

Galit ka ba? Ba’t di ka namamansin?

Kayeth? Sorry na, babe.

I gulped as I saw different messages from Axi and Jo. I haven’t contacted them for the past days actually, kasama nila si Zeah kaya’t ako na lang ang umiiwas. I wasn’t mad. I’m just avoiding them because I know for sure they will force me again. And I can’t talk and look at Zeah, it feels like I did a big mistake to her.

I turned back at my phone when a new message popped up.

Axiell: Sama ka bukas? Hatid natin si Zeah sa airport.

Pumakawala na naman ang isang malakas na buntong-hininga mula sa akin. I opened his message without replying. I don’t know what to respond. I throw my phone at my bed as I got annoyed.

“Yeess!”

Tinignan ko ang kapatid ko nang sumigaw siya. Dumating si manang na may dalang gatas para sa aming dalawa. I thanked her before she left the room, dragging Shine out of my room.

“Goodnight, ate! Sweatdreams.” She kissed me and then flew from my room.

Ngumiti ako at nilingon si manang na siyang nakatayo pa sa may pintuan ng kwarto ko.

“Inumin mo yan, hija para makapagpahinga ka naman. Ang taba na ng eyebags mo.” Bilin niya bago nilisan ang kwarto ko.

Agad ko namang tinungo ang side table ko. I pouted when I saw my reflection at the mirror.

“Potassium. Mukha pa ba to?”

I was disrupted when my phone rang. I reached my bed and answered the call.

Buhay ka pa ba diyan ha?

I rolled my eyes. “Hindi, multo to.” I sarcastically said. Isturbo siya ha!

Ha ha ha. Nakakatawa.

“Tungstenamo. Anong kailangan mo?” Pagsusungit ko.

I started drinking the milk prepared by manang and reached my bed.

Kamusta ka naman kamo ha? Kamustang anino natin diyan?

I scoffed. “Pakialam mo?” I yawned as I felt sleepy.

Narinig ko ang malakas niyang tawa sa kabilang linya kaya napairap ako. I wrapped my blanket over my body and fixed myself to sleep after I finished the milk.

Bahala ka na nga sa buhay mo! Bye. Nightmares!

I scowled. He suddenly end the call!

"Walang hiya."

I received a text from him that made my night pissed off.

Kumag d' gago: Matulog ka na. Kailangan mo ng maraming energy bukas.

I frowned. May kasama pang evil smile ah.

"Hayup na kumag."

I was about to give him a reply but then I can’t fight my sleepiness anymore. So I just murmured my reply to the air. I sluggishly chuckled.

“Hindi ka sana sikatan ng araw.”

I was at the pinnacle of my dream when I brought back to my senses. I furrowed, inaantok pa ako! Pinilit kong bumalik sa pagtulog, nagtalukbong ako at ginamit ang malaking unan na nasa paanan ko upang takpan ang tenga ko. I was half-awaken by the loud voices, footsteps, clanging of metals and bells and by the tremendous knocks.

“Manang naman, ang ingay mo!” Usal ko habang nakapikit pa.

“Wach auf junge dame!”

I covered my ears when I heard someone spoke in an alien language.

“Junge da-!”

“Helium!” Napabangon ako nang marahas na hinila ni manang ang unan ko. But I got shocked when I saw unfamiliar figures!

“Who the helium are you!?”

And so I thought it was manang who was disturbing me, hindi pala!

An old lady smiled at me. “Guten Morgen gnadige Frau!”

Tungsten?

“I said who are you!? Kayo! Kayo! Ano to? Bakit ako nandito!?” I shouted.

I looked around to see for a sign that can tell where the helium am I. Coz obviously this is not my room! But I found nothing!

I waited for them to answer but I got nothing. Mas nainis lang ako lalo! Ako ba’y ginagago nila ha? Baka mapatulan ko sila kahit matatanda na sila.

I arched my brow even higher when the other maiden handed me a dress. “Hier ist dein Kleid, junge dame.”

“What!?” I unbelievably looked at her. But then again, she didn’t give me an explanation. Tinalikuran niya lang ako! Ano to bastusan?

Huminga ako ng malalim upang kumalma. Baka naman panaginip pa rin to? I slapped my cheeks twice to check pero ako lang yung nasaktan.

“Aish, kainis!”

Bumaba ako sa kama at hinarap sila. Pero ayaw bumukas ng bibig ko. Tsaka hindi rin naman nila ako maiintindihan e. Pumasok ako sa banyo at naghilamos. To my surprise, my personal things are also here. Ano to? Na-kidnap ako tapos pati gamit ko kinuha rin?

I sighed. Lumabas ako sa banyo pagkatapos kong maglinis sa sarili.

“Hier ist dein Kleid, junge dame.” Another lady approached me, handling me a white peplum dress paired with a black winter coat.

Marahas ko itong hinablot sa kanya at itinapon sa kung saan. Lahat sila napahinto sa kanilang ginagawa dahil sa ginawa ko.

Great! Now their attentions are on mine.

I crossed my arms over my chest and blew a little air to calm myself.

“Now, answer me.” I commanded. “Where am I? Sino kayo? Ano, nakidnap ba ako? Ilang araw na ang lumipas? Tell me how much the ransom is so that I can call my parents! Potassium to.” I asked, anxiously.

But to my despair and as expected, they just raised their brow at me.

“S-seriously!?” I exclaimed.

Nakatunganga lang sila sa harapan ko na para bang mga mangmang! Tungsten, parang tanga!

I turned my back at them and searched for my phone. Pero wala! So, I faced them again. This time I am totally mad and pissed.

“Where’s my pho-”

“How’s your sleep?”

A decent but has a horrifying aura entered the room. I arched my brow as I gritted my teeth. I saw how the four maidens bowed at the old maiden. 

I looked at her intently, disregarding her intimidating presence just to answer her.

“It was quite good.” I faked a smile and mocked. “But not anymore.”

She gave me a creepy smile before she commanded the four maiden to leave the room, in their dialect. French? Italian? German? Helium, I don’t know!

She turned her gaze at me so I stood up properly.

“Ich bin deine personliche Magd.”

I frowned.

“Ich werde froh sein-”

“Hey hey hey! What the helium?” I yelped.

Okay na kanina e. Nagkaka-intindihan na kami e!

She smirked. “You and your bad temper.”

I rolled my eyes. Kanina pa ako naiirita.

She clapped twice and led the way. “You’re breakfast is ready, young lady. With your family and friends, of course!”

Ha?

“Follow me.”

Walang pasubali akong sumunod sa kanya nang lumabas siya. I witnessed another dimension of this world with different people with their weirdo dresses and languages; for me, it is a very unfamiliar part of the earth. But I think I knew already where the helium I am.

“Welcome to Schweizerhof Bern!” She smiled, but for me it is not a smile, it’s a creepy one.

I sighed as I heard her. “What am I doing here?” I whispered, irritatedly.

“Tungstenamo, Switzerland.” I cursed.

"This way!"

“Gut essen!”

“Danke.” Dad replied with a big smile.

I sighed as I looked at them.

“Kain na!” Masiglang usal ni Zeah.

I glared at her when she darted her eyes at me.

“Sayang-saya e no?” I mumbled.

She wildly smiled and pointed her finger at me.

“Thanks to yooouuuu!”   

I was about to stood up when someone hold my shoulders and forced me not to walk away. I looked back and witnessed his impish smile.

“Good morning, anino.”

Tinulak ko palayo ang mukha niya.

“Ba't pati ikaw nandito?”

Tumayo siya at lumapit sa bakanteng upuan katabi ni Theya.

“Kung nasaan ka nandoon ako.” He teased.

“Tungstena mo.” Sagot ko.

“Kayeth.” Saway ni dad.

“Dad naman! This is k********g!”

My friends laughed, including the jerk when I made a tantrums.

“How can you do this to me? I am your child but then you betrayed me!” I whipped.

"Betray talaga, Shad?"

"Shut up, Ze. You still owe me an explanation."

She wrinkled her nose and acted like she was cute for a while. Parang tanga!

“Ate, wag kang oa!”

Napatingin ako sa pagkaing inilagay ni Shine sa plato ko. I glared at her. This brat!

“Eat. Stop saying such a thing like betraying, k********g, and all.” She mimicked. “We’re here to have fun! Free yourself, ate! It’s summer!”

Napanganga ako sa sinabi niya. How can this child talked to me like that?

“Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Stubborn sister.”

I scoffed. I kicked the jerk' feet under the table when he commented. Potassium!

“You can have this day as your free time. Enjoy the rest of the day, because tomorrow, magsisimula na ang pag-eensayo niyo.” Mom uttered. 

“You don’t have work?” I asked.

“We do.” She looked at her wristwatch. “We’re having a meeting at 10. And we’re leaving tomorrow, kasama ang kapatid mo and Axiell.”

I nodded slowly, kahit gusto ko ng magwala. 

“But we will be at the show.” She smiled excitedly.

“Ayusin mo, ate ha!” Sabat ni Shine.

“Sinong may sabing kasali ako?” I retorted.

“Sinong may sabing hindi? Diba wala?” She firedback.

My smile faded as they laughed at me all together.

“Kapatid ba talaga kita o hindi?”

She made face and did a peace sign. 

Nabuang na!

I put my two arms at the top of the railings of this bridge, as I rested my head above it. I busied myself looking at the clear water of this lake. Napaisip ako. Feeling ko sirena ako sa past life ko e. Every time I saw water, I always have this feeling to dive in there right away.

“Schonen Nachmittag!”

Napapikit ako sa masiglang bati ni Zeah sa bawat nakakasalamuha niya. This freak! Hindi man lang siya nag-explain sa akin!

“Danke.”

I heard Shine thanked Axi for buying her a food as they seated comfortably at one of the benches placed at the end of this bridge.

“Herzlich willkommen.”

Pinatulan naman ng bakla ang kapatid ko kaya napailing ako. Umiling ako ng paulit-ulit habang nakamasid sa kanila. My parents weren’t around because of their business, kaya’t they just send us a tour guide. Kaso mas nagmumukhang turista yung tour guide namin kesa sa amin, inuuto-uto ba naman nila Jo at Zeah. Basta talaga gwapong lalaki hindi inaayawan ni Jo.

“Next! Smile!”

Napalingon naman ako sa kabilang dako, sa kaliwang parte ng tulay na pinaglalagyan namin kaya’t nasaksihan ko ang malaswang pangyayari na binibidahan ng dalawang so called cousins.

I let out a sigh. I guess I don’t really have a choice. Wala akong cash kung tatakasan ko sila. Dad even confiscated my atm card! So eto, nganga!

Even though my eyes were almost satisfied with the sights here in Switzerland; amusing hotels, restaurants, the welcoming services, delicious food, their greatest Zytylogge Clock Tower and this Lucerne’s wooden chapel bridge! Kinakabahan pa rin ako. I am not comfortable with this thing they wanted me to do. Even though this is my type, I can’t perform. I won’t! 

Kung sana nga lang nandito si mama, for sure she will let me decide on my own.

“Hey schatten!” Someone greeted.

Napaismid ako nang makilala siya. “Akala ko naman European.”

He smiled and acted like he was honored. “Talaga!? Ang laki ng impact ko sayo ah.” 

I scoffed. “Gago.”

“Gago.”

I rolled my eyes when he mimicked me.

“Ano na naman yang iniisip mo ha?”

I punched his chest when he pinched my nose.

“Bose.”

I glared. “Wag mo nga akong minumura! Potassium ka.”

“Wow. Pag ako hindi pwede, pero ikaw pwedeng-pwede? Wag ganun anino, it’s unfair.”

I ignored his sentiments and turned my gaze at the water again. Mas kaaya-aya pa tong tingnan e.

“Du bist hasslich.” He spoke. “Alam mo meaning nun?”

I blankly looked at him.

“Sabi ko nga hindi. Sungit.”

Binalik ko ang tingin sa malaking ilog at isinandal ang ulo sa railings ng tulay. Medyo napangiti nang makitang may lumalapit na mga swans sa side namin. Ang galing!

“Dein Fett.”

I sighed and didn’t mind him again. Puro kagaguhan at kamanyakan lang ang sinasabi n'yan e, panigurado.

Inaliw ko na lang ang sarili sa mga munting swans sa ibabaw ng tubig. I tried stretching my arms trying to reach the swans. Napatawa at napasigaw ako nang i-extend nung isang swan ang leeg niya para tingnan ako!

“Schweine!”

“What the!” Napaatras ako nang may sumigaw sa may tenga ko.

“You’re not paying attention.” He laughed.

Annoyingly, I scoffed. He showed off his white teeth by giving me a wide smile.

“You look like a fool.”

He smirked as I stated.

“You guess this one.”

Humarap ako sa kanya nang walang gana. Umalis tuloy yung mga swans! Kainis, panira ng moment.

I sighed. "Ano?"

He looked at me seriously and gulped before speaking.

“Ich mag dich.”

"Ha?"

“Ich mag dich!”

“Ginagago mo ba ako ha?” I slightly push his broad chest.

He laughed in disbelief. “Hindi ah! Ikaw napaka-judgemental mo talaga.”

I sneered. “Wow.”

“Hulaan mo na lang kasi!” Sigaw niya na siyang kumuha ng atensyon ng ibang tao.

Binatukan ko siya nang bigyan na naman ako nila Zeah ng mapanuksong tingin.

“Huwag mo kong sigawan, attention-seeker!”

“Ouch! Stop harassing me.” Tawa niya habang sinasangga ang mga hampas ko.

OA!

“Pati ba naman dito sa Switzerland, Shad dala mo pa rin yang kasungitan mo? Seriously?”

I halted. I blankly stared at Theya who intruded us.

“You have a problem with it?”

She laughed as I snorted. “You and your attitude!"

I creased when I heard another insult from someone again.

“Whatever.”

Lumapit ang mga kaibigan ko sa akin habang tumatawa while Shine still eating her food. Nang makita niyang nakatingin ako sa pagkain niya, agad siyang lumayo na siyang sinundan naman agad ni Axi at ni Theya. 

I creased my brow. Hindi sa inasal ng kapatid ko kundi dahil sa closeness na ipinapakita ni Axiell at Theya sa isa't-isa.

Did I miss something about Axi’s affair this time?

I shrugged it off and turned my eyes at the guy at my side.

“What?” I scowled at the jerk when I saw him staring at me.

He scratched his nape. “I’m waiting.”

Nakangiting umakbay si Jo sa akin habang kumukuha si Zeah ng pictures sa kung saan-saan. Na halata namang naghihintay sa sasabihin ko sa kumag.

“Pass.” I answered.

“Eenkk! Mali!” He crossed his arm.

Jo and Zeah laughed.

“Anong eenk!? Bobo, pass nga! Hindi ko alam!”

Hinawi ko ang braso ni Jo nang lumakas ang tawa niya.

“Sorry. Hihi.”

Tumingin ako sa harapan ko nang tumigil ang dalawang bruha kakatawa.

“W-what?” I stammered. "H-hoy!"

He slowly moved forward and cornered me as he extend his arms on the railings, locking me in my current position. I tried to compose myself even though my heart was starting to tremble as it beats erratically crazy at the moment.

"Don't you dare go closer." I uttered with gritted teeth.

Narinig ko naman ang hagikgik nila Zeah nang tuluyan akong napasandal at napahawak sa railings na nasa likuran ko. And for atom’s sake, I can’t look away at his brown eyes!

“Ich mag dich.” He repeated, but this time, he’s smiling like an i***t!

“Kumag. Sabing hindi ko alam.”

Tinulak ko siya ng marahas ngunit mabilis siyang nakabawi kaya’t nakulong na naman ako.

"Oh my gosh!"

“Yiiieee, lumalablayp na si Shad!”

I cursed when they all started teasing me.

“You better stop doing that Ze.” Banta ko kay Zeah nang mapansing kinukuhanan niya kami ng litrato.

“What are they doing?”

I heard Shine naively asked from afar. I didn't heard that they answer Shine kaya binalewala ko ang tingin sa kanila.

"Gago, ano ba!?" Kinakabahan kong sigaw.

Pinandilatan ko ng mata ang kumag nang mas inilapit niya ang mukha niya sa akin. I can’t push him again because I am holding tightly at the railings. Mahuhulog ako sa tubig pag hindi ako humawak!

Narinig ko naman ang pagpipigil tili ng mga kaibigan ko sa gilid ko kaya mas lalo akong nainis sa lalaking nasa harapan ko.

"Atras."

But he didn't listen as I demanded. I saw how he bit his lip and how his lips plastered a genuine smile; the smile I adore the most on him. I got hooked. Hindi lang dahil sa kislap ng mata niya, sa silaw ng ngiti niya kundi sa lahat! My system doesn't even know how to cooperate! And I hate it!

“I like you.”

Kasabay ng pagtigil ng flash ng camera ni Zeah at ang pagtiklop ng bunganga ni Jo ang siyang pagtigil ng t***k ng atom na puso ko.

“H-ha?” I blinked.

Umayos siya sa pagtayo at tumawa. “I said, I like you.”

"Aaaccckkk!"

Tumili si Zeah at Jo pagkatapos ay mabilis na tumakbo palapit kay Shine.

“Ang ate mo lumalandi!”

“Have you gone mad!?” I yelped.

I shoved him away when I recovered from the horrible state earlier. I moved my feet towards Shine.

“Don’t listen to them.”

She innocently nodded and smiled.

“Ang sabi ko-”

Napasinghap ako nang may humila sa akin kasabay ang pagtaas ng kaliwang braso ko.

“Ano ba!?” Galit kong sigaw habang pilit na kumakawala sa hawak niya.

Literal na nanlaki ang mata ko nang muli niyang inilapit ang mukha niya pero hindi sa mukha ko! Sa kili-kili ko!

“Ang baho ng kili-kili mo!”

Marahas kong binawi ang braso ko sa kanya at sinampal siya.

“Oh my god.”

“Shad!”

“Hey, you okay?”

Theya touched his red cheeks as if it can ease the pain after she glared at me. I was fumingly mad, staring at them kaya nakita ko ang pag-ismid ng lalaki at pagbaling ng tingin niya sa akin. He looked sorry but before he could open his mouth, I instantly cut him.

“Tungstenamo!”

"F*ck."

I heard him groaned after I hardly hit his chest with my fist before walking away. 

Atom niya maliit, bwesit!