Alone with the Cold Weather (Guerra Entre Familias Series #2)

CHAPTER 3

As the lights came back, I looked around and noticed that there are flying confetti everywhere which also surprised everyone. The music also became louder which made everyone cheer.

I smiled back at Joaquin Monreal who's already sitting beside me.

"Hey! Was that part of your plan?" si Pia.

"Kahit kailan ka talaga, Joaquin," si Lui.

Joaquin laughed and rested his arm on the backrest of the sofa, just behind my seat. "It can't be a surprise if you know something about it." Then he looked back at me. "Kamusta?"

"I'm fine."

"You're in the same class with my sister, right?"

I nodded. "Yup."

"Tss. As if you don't know," pang-aasar ni Elliyah.

"Well, I don't even know if she knows me."

"Of course I know you," sagot ko sa kanya.

Like, omg! How can I not know him? He's a Monreal. Kilalang-kilala ang pamilya nila sa buong siyudad. They're one of the richest and most prominent families in the country.

All of us looked at Erika who just came back with Diego. I glanced at where they came from and saw his friends smirking at their place, looking at the two.

"Long time, man," sabi ni Joaquin.

Diego glanced at him. "Yup. No see."

Kumunot ang noo ko. I don't know pero parang may something.

"Well what are you waiting for, guys? Just sit down already!" sabi ni Elliyah sa kanila. Sabay na umupo ang dalawa at hindi na nagsalita.

"Gosh! Gutom na ako." Tumayo si Pia at umalis para kumuha ng pagkain.

"Do you want something to eat or drink?" tanong sa'kin ni Joaquin. "Ikukuha kita."

I looked at him. "Ayos lang. Ako na kukuha."

He nodded. "I'll go with you."

Both of us stood up to get some food. Bago pa kami tuluyang makalayo ay narinig ko pa sina Elliyah.

"Hey, guys! Tara mag-truth or dare!"

"Kayo na lang, Ate," si Lui.

"Oh come on, brother! Minsan lang naman."

"Did you came here alone?" tanong ni Joaquin nang makarating kami sa kinaroroonan ng mga pagkain.

"No. Diego picked me up."

I looked at the long table where the foods are settled. Mula sa kinaroroonan ng mga pagkain ay matatanawan ang malaking pool kung saan naroon ang iba naming schoolmates. Nakita ko si Pia na nakaupo sa isa sa mga lounger na malapit sa pool. She's busy eating while talking to someone. Habang kumukuha kami ni Joaquin ng pagkain ay tanong siya nang tanong sa'kin.

"What's your favorite food?"

Bigla akong napaisip sa tanong niya. "It's more than one, actually. But one of my favorites is ice-cream."

He nodded. "What's your favorite movie?"

"Clueless."

"Are you fond of K-dramas?"

"Yup."

"K-pop?"

"Very."

"Do you love to read?"

"Nope."

"What are your hobbies?"

Napaisip ulit ako. "Traveling, designing, shopping, drawing, eating, sleeping, listening to music, watching movies…."

Pagbalik namin sa kinaroroonan nina Elliyah, naabutan namin na marami nang nakapalibot. Nang makalapit kami ay nakita naming naglalaro na sila ng truth or dare.

Napansin ko na wala na sa couch ang pinsan nilang si Timothy. Si Pia naman ay bumalik na at kasali na sa laro. Ngayon ay may katabi nang babae si Lui. Kanina rinig ko na parang ayaw niya sumali pero ngayon ay naglalaro na rin siya.

"Gusto mo ba sumali?" tanong sa'kin ni Joaquin.

I looked at him and nodded. The game looks fun anyway. Hindi naman siguro masama kung maki-join kami. Tumabi kami ni Joaquin sa kanila at habang naglalaro ay kumakain rin kami.

"My turn!" masayang sabi ni Erika bago pinakot ang bote.

Naghiyawan ang mga nanonood nang tumapat kay Diego ang bibig ng bote. I think everyone already knows that he's into Erika. Nang tanungin siya ni Erika ay pinili niya ang truth.

Erika bit her lower lip. "Totoo bang crush mo ako?"

"Oo," walang alinlangang sagot pa ni Diego.

Lalo lang naghiyawan ang mga tao nang marinig ang sagot. Natawa ako nang makitang inaalog na si Erika ng ate niya sa sobrang kilig.

"Waaaaaaa, kapatid! Ang ganda mo talaga!"

"Ate naman," sabi ni Erika kay Pia. Pulang-pula na ang mukha niya.

"Ako naman," nakangiting sabi ni Diego. Pinaikot niya ang bote bago sumandal sa kinauupuan.

Tumapat sa katabi ko ang bote. "Dare," sabi ni Joaquin.

"Text your favorite person in your family. Right now."

Joaquin took his phone out and did what he said. Lahat kami ay pinapanood siya.

"Uh, nandito ba sa party ang tinetext mo?" maingat na tanong ni Pia.

"Wala, Ate."

Pagkatapos niyang mag-text ay pinaikot na niya ang bote at nang tumigil iyon ay sa'kin tumapat.

"Truth or dare?" tanong niya sa'kin.

"Dare." May mga natanong na kasi siya sa'kin kanina.

Joaquin smiled sweetly. "Go on a date with me."

The crowd cheered. My eyes widened. I also felt my cheeks blush. Hindi ko inasahan 'yon!

That was the first time someone asked me out on a date. At isang Monreal pa talaga!

Oh my gosh! "Uh, okay." At 'yon na ang nasabi ko! I think I just went with the flow!

He smiled even more and the crowd went wild again. Sumandal siya at nilagay ang braso niya sa sandalan ng sofa. I saw his cousins smiling at us. Pakiramdam ko pulang-pula na ako.

Nang mga oras na iyon ay tahimik na pinagdasal ko na lang na sana ay lamunin na lang ako ng lupa! O kaya ay maging snow na lang ako!

"Are you okay?" tanong niya sa'kin nang matapos ang game.

Pumunta kami sa may pool at umupo sa loungers. Ang paningin ko ay nasa hawak ko. Hindi ko nasagot ang tanong niya.

"I'm sorry for surprising you."

"It's okay." Then I drank the juice I'm holding.

"I really like you, Francine. You're actually my ideal type."

I looked at him with tons of questions in mind. Marami nang umamin sa'kin na gusto raw nila ako pero nahihirapan akong paniwalaan sila. Nagulat pa nga ako nang mag-open sa'kin si Joaquin na ako raw ang ideal type niya. At gusto niya raw ako.

Like I mean, how can they like me? Ano bang nagustuhan nila sa'kin?

"Why me?" mahina kong tanong sa kanya.

"You're the prettiest girl I've ever seen."

Natigilan ako. Why does everyone else think I'm pretty when I know I'm not?

"Matagal na kitang napapansin pero noon ay hindi ako makahanap ng tamang timing para malapitan ka." He smiled. "Ang ganda-ganda mo. Tapos ang bait mo pa."

"There are a lot of girls out there who are prettier than me, you know."

"Pero ikaw talaga ang gusto ko."

Hindi ako nakapagsalita. I didn't know what to say. I looked around and felt so little when I saw some of our schoolmates looking at us.

I looked back at Joaquin when he put his hand on mine. "Do you still want to hang out with me?"

"I don't know. I'm.. not sure."

"Confused?"

I sighed heavily. "I think so."

"How about we finish the dare and after that, you can give me your conclusion. What do you think?"

I stared at him. "Okay lang 'yon sa'yo?"

"Oo."

He said it's okay. And, I've never been to a date before. I guess it's not that much of a problem, right?

So I said yes. The dare is still on. May date pa rin kami.

Pagkatapos ng party ay sinamahan niya akong hintayin ang sundo ko. Pagkauwi ko ay agad akong nag-chat kina Andria at Danna kahit alam kong gabing-gabi na! Nang sumunod na araw ay pumayag silang pumunta sa bahay kaya nagawa ko talagang ikuwento sa kanila ang mga nangyari sa party.

Danna laughed at me. "Nako, besh. Matagal ko nang naririnig ang mga rumors na may gusto sa'yo ang Monreal na 'yon. I'm not that surprised anymore."

"People say that their whole family can be ruthless but love is a different story, Francine. Siguro naman ay sincere siya sa'yo," si Andria. "Buti nga siya, eh. Umamin siya mismo sa'yo sa personal."

I pouted. "I guess you're right."

"Kelan ang date niyo?" si Danna.

"Sa Saturday. Buong araw."

"Ah, ok."

"How's your training, Danna?" I changed the topic.

"It went well naman."

"How about you, Andria? Kamusta ka?"

Andria didn't reply immediately. She looked serious. Parang inalala pa niya kasi kung anong nangyari. Then she smiled at me. "It was great."

Nang sumunod na araw ay pumasok na ulit kami sa school. Mula nang araw na 'yon ay hindi na masyadong nakaka-attend ng classes si Danna kasi naging busy na siya sa rehearsals at training para sa intramurals. She's a varsity player and muse at the same time so exempted na siya sa lahat ng subjects namin dahil do'n. Covered na lahat ng activities, assignments, at projects na ginawa namin no'ng mga time na wala siya. Exams na lang ang kukunin niya hangga't excuse siya.

"Naduduling na ako, besh," tamad kong sabi kay Andria.

Nasa library kami at nagre-review ngayon para sa quiz sa Mathematics. Double period kasi ang sub na 'yon sa schedule namin ngayong araw. Nag-announce kanina ang Math teacher namin na magkakaroon daw kami ng quiz mamaya. Kasagsagan pa ngayon ng lunchtime at kanina pa kami tapos kumain. Masyadong maingay sa classroom kaya dito kami pumunta sa library.

I looked at my best friend when she didn't respond. Kumunot ang noo ko. Nakapangalumbaba siya at parang malalim ang iniisip.

I did my best to call her several times using my moderate volume but it seemed like she still couldn't hear me. Hindi ko na tuloy napigilang lakasan ang boses ko.

"Huuuuyyyy!!!"

She blinked twice, obviously got herself back to her senses.

"Ssssssssssshhhhhhhhhh!!!!!" Kunot na kunot ang noo ng librarian nang sawayin ako.

I looked around and saw some students looking at us because of my sudden explosion. Nakakahiya!

I didn't help but bit my lower lip. "Sorry," mahina kong sabi. Pagkatapos ay nilingon ko si Andria at pinagtaasan ng kilay. "Kanina pa kita kinakausap, tulala ka naman. Last week ay si Danna, ngayon naman ay ikaw?!"

She bit her lower lip. "Sorry," she said before looking down.

Saglit akong natigilan nang mapansin na parang may bumabagabag sa kanya. I held her hand and she looked at me. "Is there something wrong?" tanong ko.

She immediately shook her head. "Uhm... Wala. Wala naman. May nalimutan lang kasi ako na pilit kong tinatandaan."

I wasn't that convinced but I just nodded for some reason. "Oh, okay. Do you want to take a quick break first? Quick snack?"

Umiling ulit siya. "No, it's okay. I'm good," aniya bago muling tinignan ang libro. Kumunot ang noo niya. "I'm confused," she added and didn't help but massage her temple.

I sighed. "Kung nandito lang si Danna ay matuturuan niya tayo. 'Di bale na, intindihin nalang natin."

We stayed that way for a little while before someone broke the silence.

"Hi, Elle!"

I looked at Azi and saw him walking towards us with someone.

"Hi, Dylan!" si Andria.

"Hello," sabi ko naman.

Nagtagal ang tingin ko sa kasama niya. His company totally got my attention because of his features. Hindi ko nagawang mag-iwas ng tingin nang magpantay ang mga mata namin. Napansin ko ang bahagyang pagkunot ng noo niya.

Azi tapped his shoulder. "Ladies, I want you to meet Hugo, my classmate and friend."

Sabay kaming tumayo ni Andria para makipagkamay. "Hi! I'm Francine."

Nakipagkamay siya sa'kin. I didn't help but notice his brown almond eyes, upward eyebrows, aquiline nose, thin lips, and fair complexion, along with his blonde hair.

He looked at my best friend. "I'm Andria," masayang sabi ng kaibigan ko. They shook hands and looked at each other for seconds.

He smiled at her. "It's nice to meet the both of you," aniya bago tumingin sa'kin.

Nag-iwas ako ng tingin sa kanya nang mapagtanto na matagal ko na siyang tinitignan.

"What are you reading?" si Azi.

"We're studying for the upcoming quiz later in Math," si Andria.

"And we're kinda confused about it," sabi ko.

"Oh? Anong lesson ba?"

Andria crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow at him. Villafuerte smiled at her.

I pouted. "Tuturuan mo ba kami, Azi?"

"Hindi lang ako." Azi glanced at his friend before looking at me. "Both of us will teach you."

Hugo nodded at him. "You teach Andria." Then he glanced at Andria before looking at me. "I'll teach her."

Magkatapat si Andria tsaka si Azi habang magkatapat naman kami ni Hugo. Nakapangalumbaba ako habang nakikinig.

Kanina ay litong-lito pa ako sa equations pero nalinawan na ako nang ipaliwanag niya ang mga 'yon. Tinuruan niya rin ako ng mga technique para hindi na ako masyadong mahirapan. I didn't help but pout.

Sana all magaling sa Math!

Habang nagsasalita siya ay minsan tumatango ako para malaman niyang naiintindihan ko naman ang sinasabi niya.

"Are you still confused?" tanong niya.

I shook my head.

"If you want some help with these kinds of things, you can ask for our help."

Kumunot ang noo ko. "How?"

He gave me a small smile. "Madalas kaming pumunta dito ni Azi tuwing lunchtime. You can join us for a group study anyday you want."

I smiled at him back. "Salamat."

Tapos na nila kaming turuan pero may konti pa kaming free time. Pumunta muna kami sa gymnasium kung saan nagt-training si Danna. Umupo kami sa bleachers.

"So you're the one from Spain everyone was talking about?" tanong ni Andria kay Hugo.

"Yup."

"How come you can speak Filipino clearly?" taka kong tanong sa kanya.

Kung hindi titignan ang features niya at ang pagbabasehan lang ay ang pananalita niya, mapapagkamalan talaga siyang taga-dito sa Pinas. Noong bago pa lang ako dito ay ni hindi nga ako makapagsalita at makaunawa ng Filipino. Good thing a lot of people helped me. I was slang at first pero nasanay rin nang magtagal.

"I studied it even before I got here."

"How many languages can you speak?"

"Five."

My eyes widened. Ang dami!

He's already talking to us in Filipino and English. He's from Spain so malamang nakakapagsalita talaga siya ng Spanish. "What are the other two?"

"French and a little bit of Mandarin Chinese."

Hindi ko napigilang mamangha. Sana all!

"Mandarin Chinese? May best friend kami na Filipino-Chinese," sabi ni Andria bago tumingin sa mga players na naglalaro. "Her name is Danna. She's one of the varsity players of volleyball in school," dagdag pa niya at tinuro ang kaibigan naming abala sa training. Then she looked at me and tapped my shoulder. "And by the way, Francine is from the US."

Hugo nodded at her and looked at me. "Do you like snow?"

Nagulat ako nang tanungin niya 'yon. That question suddenly reminded me of Alex. Hindi agad ako nakasagot.

"Uh.. Yes." I bit my lower lip before looking away.

"Are you girls free after school?" biglang pag-iba ni Azi ng topic. I was silently thankful for him for doing that.

I smiled at him. "Yup, we're free."

"Let's hang out later then."

Pagkatapos niyang sabihin iyon ay saktong tumunog na ang bell. Tumayo na kami mula sa pagkakaupo sa bleachers. Hinatid kami nina Azi at Hugo sa classroom namin na nakaagaw-atensyon naman bigla sa mga kaklase namin, lalo na sa mga babae.

"Oh my gosh, ang pogi!"

"Si Villafuerte 'yong isa di'ba?"

"Who's the other guy?"

"Siya ata 'yong galing sa Spain."

Pagkaupo namin ni Andria ay may mga lumapit na sa'min.

"Is it true that you're dating one of the Monreal boys?" tanong nila sa'kin.

I shyly looked at him. "Magd-date pa lang kami."

"Sana all po!"

"Dapat pala pumunta ako do'n sa party! Sayang talaga, hindi ko nakita!"

May mga sasabihin pa sana sila nang biglang sumingit si Diego.

"Hoy, paparating na ang lecturer natin. Umupo na kayo, guys."

Walang nagawa 'yong mga lumapit sa'kin kundi sumunod sa kanya. Isa kasi siya sa mga class officers. Nang makaalis ang mga kaklase namin ay lumingon ako kay Diego.

"Salamat."

"The news about Joaquin asking you out on a date is all over the whole school," nakangising sabi niya. "Natapos niyo na ba 'yong dare?"

"Hindi pa. Sa weekend pa namin gagawin." I smiled at him. "Usap-usapan rin naman ang pag-amin mo kay Erika sa party, ah?" I looked at her crush who's busy reading something. Nagre-review pa ata.

Diego bit his lower lip, stifling his smile. He looked at her too and rested his arm around her chair. Nagulat ako nang biglang sinandal ni Erika ang ulo niya sa balikat ni Diego, abala pa rin sa pag-review.

"Oh my gosh!" Hindi ko na napigilang alugin si Andria sa sobrang tuwa.

"Bakit, beshy?" inosente niyang tanong sa'kin. I looked at her and realized that she's reading one of her books. Pinatingin ko siya sa pwesto nung dalawa at napangiti rin siya sa nakita. "Hey, congrats!" sabi niya sa kanila.

Erika glanced at us and smiled. I even saw her blush. 'Yong iba naming kaklase ay napapa-sana all na lang. May iba naman na nagbibiro na PDA daw. Kami naman ay masaya para sa kanya. Matagal nang may gusto si Diego kay Erika kaya nakakatuwang makita na nagkakalapit na sila.

Looking back on what Diego said earlier, balitang-balita daw ang pag-aya sa'kin ni Joaquin na makipag-date. I don't know if his cousins know what we talked about after that game. But Erika's acting normal. I don't wanna hurt anyone but I think that cannot be avoided.

Kahit siguro na anong gawin ko, kahit na anong pilit kong hindi gumawa ng mga bagay na makakasakit sa iba, may masasaktan pa rin at may masasaktan.

But I still hope that whatever happens, sana maintindihan man lang nila ako.