Owing to Bulletin

Kabanata 7

Exam day is the most hated day of some students. Well, count me in those students. Thanks goodness and we survived it today. We can chill now and be busy only with the training.

"Ang dami kong hinulaan shet!" Kaz exclaimed and threw her bag on the coffee table.

"Finally, it's done," Heira added then slumped herself on their sofa.

Nasa condo niya kami ngayon na pinakamalapit sa school. Si Heira at Tanya ang nakatira rito. Ang totoong bahay nila Heira ay nasa San Jose, kabilang bayan ng Gorostiza.

She had a condo here because she wanted to study on Gorostiza NHS and to avoid hassle. Mayaman din naman sila kaya walang problema.

Tanya, Aldrin, Vance and us got here first. Jethro, Von, Xeya, and Thalia stopped by in the 7/11 downstairs to buy some snacks, drinks, and of course the never-dying Pancit Canton. It's our favorite snack while watching Netflix.

"Kinakabahan ako sa score ko sa Accountancy. Baka mababa ngayon," Tanya said while drinking water.

"Charotera ka bruha. Ikaw nga ang unang natapos sa 'tin!" Vance said and raised his hand jokingly.

"That's what she exactly said last year but still ended up being a top student. Scam lang 'yan," I said before laughing.

"A beauty queen and a mathematician. Hope all," Heira said while putting Tanya's pageant crown that she won last month.

"Kalmahan niyo lang, si Tanya lang 'to," she said while laughing.

I admire Tanya for striving hard for her dreams and her family. A part-time model and a top student. How can she manage her time smoothly? Si Tanya na ata ang pinakamatino at responsable sa 'min.

"What took them so long?" I said in boredom.

"Baka nagsuntukan na sa daan sina Xeya at Von," Kaz said while typing on her phone.

We always do this every after exams. And it's Friday so no problem if we remained here until night. Sinigurado namin na nagpaalam naman ang bawat isa para walang mag-alala.

"Finally," Heira remarked when she saw the door opened.

Iniluwa noon sina Xeya na may dalang mga plastic bag. It looks like a grocery for a month. Ang daming biniling pagkain.

"Oh wala bang sugatan?" natatawang tanong ni Kaz sa kanila habang tinutulungan sa mga dala.

"Ano 'yan? Good for one month grocery? Ang dami naman."

"Of course not, nadagdagan tayo and you know may bulate sa stomach si Jethro," Thalia said before letting out a laugh.

"Hindi bulate nasa tiyan niyan, ahas pre!" gatong ni Kaz.

"Snl?" Jethro said while putting the plastic bags on the kitchen bar.

"Snl?" Thalia asked.

"Share niyo lang," Jethro said and laughed.

"Wow, life changing," I sarcastically said and followed him.

As usual, I'll be the one who'll cook.

Nilabas ko ang mga Pancit Canton. Twelve pieces lahat ng binili nila. It's good that Heira have a big pot here. Tanya helped me to cook it. Nagsalang kami ng tubig at hinintay na kumulo 'yon. Bumalik muna si Tanya sa sala. I stayed here to watch and wait for it.

I took out that noodles out from it's plastic containers. I compiled the seasonings together. Dinig ko pa ang asaran nila mula sa sala habang ginagawa iyon.

I put the noodles on the pot when I saw the water boiling. Then waited for it to be cooked. Napatingin ako sa b****a ng kusina nang makita si Tanya kasama si Kaz.

"Tutulong ako," Kaz said while laughing slight.

My brows furrowed at her. "It's new and your laughing. What is it?"

She just motioned her hand telling that it's nothing. I looked at Tanya and she just shrugged. Sumunod nalang ako sa kanila na tinitingnan ang noodles. Pinatay na ni Tanya ang stove nang makitang luto na 'yon.

Kumuha ako ng basahan at binigay kay Tanya yung isa para tulungan akong salain. I looked at Kaz who's searching for something. I thought she will help? I didn't mind her and focused on the Pancit. Baka mahulog pa sa lababo.

Tanya and I drained the noodles. While we're doing that, Kaz suddenly appeared with a pitcher. She put it on kitchen sink to save the running water from the noodles. My brows furrowed.

"Anong gagawin mo riyan?" I asked while draining the noodles and Kaz, catching the water from it.

"Ssh," she whispered while doing it. Kita ko ang madilaw ng tubig sa pitsel, nang mapuno 'yon ay madali niyang inilagay sa freezer.

"Tarantado," Tanya said while looking at Kaz.

Kaz just watched us until we finally finished draining twelve packs of noodles. I took a two huge bowls then Tanya put the noodles there. We divided it equally with the seasonings.

Kaz is still there, leaning to the counter and watching us. Ang galing ng tulong, grabe, life changing.

When we finished it, Kaz get the noddles' water from the freezer. Nilagyan niya 'yon ng ice cubes tsaka hinalo. Hinayaan ko nalang siya sa kagaguhan niya. Lumabas na kami ng kitchen at inilapag sa table ang Canton katabi ng ibang snacks.

"Who wants a Pineapple juice? Mas okay 'to kaysa gatas, mas matamis. Nakita ko sa fridge ni Heira," ani Kaz na hindi mahahalata sa kagaguhan.

Tanya and I remained silent.

"'Yon bago, nakakasawa 'tong soda. Pahingi!" Jethro said while pointing the soda cans.

Nagsalin naman si Kaz ng Pineapple juice. Or should I say Pancit Canton juice? The f**k is this Karzielle.

"Me too!" Thalia exclaimed. "Nakakabango raw iyan ng baba."

We all looked at her and gaped. Von coughed and spit the chips his eating. But Kaz continued pouring the juice while pursing her lips.

"What the f**k, Thalia?" Von cursed, Thalia just shrugged.

Aldrin laughed. "Totoo raw 'yon baks."

Sabay na inabot ni Kaz yung baso kay Thalia at Jethro. The glass is moistening so I think it's cold already. Nauna si Jethro sa pag-inom ng konti kay Thalia. Agad na naubo si Jethro habang si Thalia ay natigil ang baso sa bibig nang malasahan na iyon.

Jethro ran towards the kitchen sink. We heard him puked.

"Tangina mo Kaz!"

Thalia spit a little bit before running to the bathroom. "What the f**k?!"

The three of us started laughing so hard when they shouted. Kaz even gave us a high five. Tumawa rin ang iba at nagtanong kay sa 'min kung ano 'yon.

"I knew it, wala naman akong Pineapple juice sa fridge eh," Heira said while laughing.

"What is that?" Xeya asked while pointing the pitcher.

But we ended up laughing again, remembering what the f**k is it.

Kaz almost looked like a sealion, clapping her hands while laughing because of delight. Her eyes disappeared just by that.

Sabay na lumabas si Jethro at Thalia mula sa pinanggalingan. Agad kaming nakarinig ng mura sa kanila. They glared on us.

"What f**k is that? It's disgusting s**t, the f**k," Thalia said with her forehead creased.

"Dinaig pa expired na Pineapple juice. Gago ka Kaz, prankster ka ba?" inis na sabi ni Jethro pero tinawanan lang siya ni Kaz. "Kadiri puta."

"Ano ba 'yan bakla?" natatawang tanong ni Vance.

"Urine," Kaz casually said.

Lahat sila ay natulala at naka-awang ang bibig. Thalia and Jethro started coughing. We tried our best to not laugh again but we failed.

"Are you freaking serious Kaz?" Von asked.

"Charot lang," nakahinga sila ng maluwag maliban kina Jethro na iritado. "Sabaw na pinagkuluan ng Pancit Canton."

"The heck, I thought I really drank a urine," Thalia said while shaking her head

"Gago!" sigaw ni Jethro at binato ng pagkain si Kaz na nasalo niya naman.

"Keep calm and drink Pancit Canton juice Jethro." I mocked, him.

He raised his middle finger to us before sitting down. On the two single sofa was Heira and Xeya. Sa lapag ay nakaupo sina Kaz, Tanya, Von, at Vance. Then on the huge sofa is Aldrin and the two victim. I sat beside Kaz.

We watched the movie while eating. Some of us concludes what will happen next. Si Aldrin naman ay spoiler kasi napanood niya na.

After watching the movie, it's Jethro and Thalia again exchanging their gossips. Napatingin ako kay Von na tumayo at pumunta sa kusina. When he came back he have a plastic bag with canned beers.

"Buti pinabili kayo," I said.

"Diskarte lang," Jethro answered.

Von took out beers in can from the plastic. Binigyan niya kaming lahat noon. I only drink beer, I can't drink a hard liquor for now. It's okay for me since my alcohol tolerance is low. Naglabas din si Von ng iba pang klase ng alak. Hindi ko kilala kung ano. They started drinking it.

I watched them laughing and talking to each other while drinking my beer. Can we still do this if we're on college already? Maybe we can but it will be seldom.

I felt the heat on my throat when I drank my second can. Kinuha ko ang paborito kong junkfood at ginawa iyong pulutan.

"I don't want na," I looked at Heira leaning on the couch.

She's the weakest drinker to us. Ako ata ang sunod pero umiinom pa rin ako ngayon. I don't why but I just want to drink. I'm not even problematic. I grabbed my third can and started drinking it.

Napatingin ako kay Thalia na straight na ininom ang nasa shotglass. She's the youngest on us but the highest alcohol tolerance aside from boys. At siya nalang din ang hindi pa legal age sa 'min. Kinuha ko ang inabot sa 'kin na shotglass ni Aldrin kahit hindi ko alam kung anong alak 'yon.

I felt dizziness in a sudden. I touched my head before drinking my fourth can. Tanya is the only one who remained drinking soda. Siguro dahil alam niyang lahat kami ay iinom at walang maglilinis mamaya rito sa condo nila. Heira got drunk immediately.

"Kawawa si Mariel mga pre! Pinalaglag yung anak kasi tinakbuhan ng jejemon na nakabuntis tapos ayaw din ng mga magulang," Jethro said and he's half-drunk.

If he's talkative when sober, well, he's more when drunk.

"Mas kakawa yung bata sa walang kwenta niyang ama," I said while drinking.

I smirked bitterly.

"K-kapag naging pulis na 'ko, babarilin ko yung mga lalaking ganiyan! Mga hayop," ani Kaz na lasing habang kunwari ay kumakasa ng baril sa ere. "Kaya babae nalang din pinapatos ko eh! Kaumay kayo."

"Don't do a mass discrimination, Kaz. Hindi lahat ng mga lalaki ay same with the one Jethro's talking," Heira said with closed eyes. Akala ko bagsak at tulog na siya.

"You got it right, Heira!" Von exclaimed and raised his glass.

After Jethro, Thalia started sharing gossips again. Kinuha ko ang pang-limang lata ng beer.

"Lakas ng inom mo ngayon baklang Lexi ah? Ano 'yan practice?" Aldrin asked while laughing.

I shrugged and continued drinking. My head aches more. I glanced at Thalia who's tipsy like me. I can tell that I'm just tipsy not drunk. I stood to get some water but stiffened when I felt dizzy. I stayed standing because of headache. Lumapit si Von sa 'kin at inalalayan ako.

I looked at the door when I heard the sound of doorbell. Pumunta si Tanya at tumingin sa peep-hole bago buksan ng malaki yung pinto. Mapupungay ang mga mata ko na tumingin doon.

I saw Pricus and at his back was Vren who is looking at me intently. Thalia walk outside and talk to Pricus then Von followed them. I glanced at Vren when he got inside and straight on the kitchen. I followed him.

"What are you doing? You're trespassing!" I said with my hands on my head.

"Your friend opened the door for us so I'm not," he said in a serious tone while opening the fridge.

My brows furrowed. What is he doing here? Kinuha niya ang pitsel ng tubig at baso. Nagsalin siya agad doon. He's looking at me while doing that.

"Drink this," he said and handed it to me.

Kinuha ko agad dahil 'yon naman talaga ang pakay ko. He's gazing at me while I'm doing it or more like observing me. Hinawakan ko ulit ang ulo ko pagtapos. Nahihilo ako pero hindi naman nasusuka.

"Sinong maghahatid sa'yo?" marahang tanong ni Vren pero mababakas ang pagiging seryoso.

Napatingin ako sa kaniya bago kinuha ang cellphone sa bulsa. I was about to message kuya Norbert but I saw his reply to my text earlier.

Kuya Norbert:

Ma'am pasensya na po at hindi ko kayo masusundo ngayon. Isinugod po kasi yung anak ko sa hospital kaya kailangan po ako ro'n. Salamat po pag-intindi.

I sighed before replying to kuya's message. Pinilit kong mag-type ng maayos, kahit na maraming typo ay sinend ko pa rin. I looked at Vren who's waiting for my answer. Naisip ko agad si Thalia, nasa parehong village kami kaya sasabay nalang ako sa kaniya.

"Sasabay ako kay Thalia," sabi ko at tinukod ang siko sa counter tsaka sinapo ang ulo.

"Pricus picked her up. Nakaalis na sila," he said.

"What?" I instantly looked at him.

He nodded. What the f**k? Hindi ako pwedeng mag-commute na ganito ang lagay.

He looked at me before leaving the kitchen. I stayed here while holding my head. Nag-angat ako ulit ng tingin nang makaramdam na may tao.

I saw again Vren holding my things.

My brows furrowed. " Why are y-"

"Tara na, iuuwi na kita," aniya at lumapit sa 'kin.

I raised my hand to stop him. "Hindi na. I can commute."

"Shut up and just go with me," he leered. "I can't let you, you're f*****g wasted."

"I'm not drunk."

"Tss," he hissed before holding me to help standing up.

He snaked his arms around my waist. Hindi na ako nakapalag dahil parang tumitibok ang utak ko sa sakit ng ulo.

As he pulled me gently through the door, I looked at my friends. Lahat sila ay basag na. I saw Tanya looking on us while pursing her lips, trying not to smile.

"I'll take her home." Paalam ni Vren, tumango naman si Tanya.

Drunk Xeya laughed.

"Sa bahay mo?Enjoy kayo!"

Vren just gave her a small smile before pulling me again outside. Nang makapasok sa elevator ay lumayo ako sa kaniya. Sumandal ako sa haligi at pumikit. Ang init bigla.

I opened my eyes when I sensed him beside me. His eyes were intense and serious while looking at me.

"Do you always drink?" his brow shot up.

Umiling lang ako at 'di nagsalita. Hanggang sa marating namin ang ground floor ay tahimik kami pareho. Hinila niya ako palabas ng condominium building at isinakay sa kotse niyang dala.

"Another f*****g oblige," I whispered.

"What?" he glanced on me while starting the car.

"Another f*****g oblige, but not adequate despite of what you did," I said in a cold tone.

"What did I do? Sa naaalala ko ikaw yung may kasalanan sa 'kin. Do you think I forgot that you punched me?" he said and started driving.

I looked at him in furious. Can't he remember it? The f**k. Baka hindi niya talaga kilala ang may-ari ng article na 'yon.

"I don't care."

He smirked. "You don't really care, as always."

Vren continued driving and sometimes looking at me. Maybe he's checking if I'll p**e in his car. Akala ko ay diretso na kami ng mansion pero huminto siya sa isang coffee shop.

"You need to sober up." He said before getting off the car. Sumunod ako sa kaniya.

"I'm not that drunk so why bother?" I asked.

Hindi niya 'ko pinansin at tumawag lang ng waiter. He ordered coffee for us. I leaned on the chair when suddenly felt tired.

"Kung gusto mo ng date sabihin mo lang. Hindi pa rin ako papayag," I said when the waiter left.

"Why would I want to? Ikaw nga yung may crush sa 'kin," he mocked me. "I'm doing you a favor."

I gaped on him. "Naniwala ka naman kay Leuxia? Uto-uto."

Napatingin ako sa waiter na inilapag na ang kape namin. Umalis din 'to agad.

"It's normal to be shy to your crush, Levior. No need to act normal, you seemingly looked like constipated," he said before letting out a laugh.

"It's not an acting you dumb-"

"Sorry your crush roasted you, he was trying to flirt," he said while mixing his coffee.

I rolled my eyes. "Flirt harder asshole."

"Call 911 first, you'll be on fire," he laughed again. "Sabi ko na crush mo talaga ako, Levior."

"I was mocking you," I sipped on my coffee and acted normal.

"Ngayon binabawi mo na?" he chuckled. "By the way, I recorded it as evidence."

Sa inis ko ay binato ko siya ng kutsarang hawak ko. Nasalo niya naman agad 'yon. Tumatawa siya habang marahan na ibinabalik sa 'kin 'yon.

Nanliit ang mga mata ko sa kamay niya na ekspertong nasalo ang ibinato ko. Quite unsual and surprising.

We stayed in silence, drinking each other's coffee. Medyo nawala na rin ang sakit ng ulo ko at pagkahilo. Buti nalang talaga walang pasok bukas.

"Tara na," aya ko kay Vren, tumango siya sa 'kin.

Sumandal ako agad at pumikit nang makasakay na sa kotse. Whe I opened my eyes, I saw Vren gazing at me. I raised my brow. He looked away and started the engine.

Nanatili ang tingin ko sa labas hanggang sa marating namin ang village. He slowed down until we finally reached our gate.

"Thanks," I was about to get off but he talk.

"Wait, Levior," he said while looking at the road.

Napatingin ako sa kaniya at naiwan sa ere ang kamay ko. Nanatili akong nakahawak sa pinto ng sasakyan.

"What?" I asked, looking at him.

He shifted his gaze on me. "Is he your boyfriend?"

"Ha?" nagtataka akong tumingin sa kaniya.

"The one with jersey and Verdeflor surname on the back."

I pursed my lips to contain a laugh. He's pertaining to Von. Nakita niya siguro na inaalalayan ako kanina ni Von. Ano namang paki niya? Isa rin 'tong ma-issue.

"Paano mo nasabi?" I asked.

"Nakikita ko kayo laging magkasama," he said and looked away. "Kayo nga?"

I smirked. "Ikaw bahala."

He instantly turned to me.

"What?"

"Ikaw bahala," panggagaya ko sa kaniya nung nakaraan.

"Okay, akong bahala," he said and grinned. "Hindi kayo, single ka."

What's with him? Naisahan na naman ako. Is he mocking me again?

"Baka ikaw talaga ang may crush sa atin dito? Nangbabaliktad ka pa." I mocked him while opening the car's door.

"Just ready your phone to call 911. Wait me to flirt you harder as your command and you'll melt," I heard him before getting off the car. "Because you'll be on fire."

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