Sharing My Infinite Stars With Yours

chapter 4

So fortunately, A very stressful day with Bry has already ended, finally! I can't really tell why is he acting so weird, dati naman nong una kami nag-kita para lang syang batong binigyan ng buhay, tapos ngayon—like hey wft!

I'm currently in Jean's house, nag-paalam ako sa parents kong mag-sleep over muna sa bahay ng kaibigan ko, beside we're gonna be doing project as well.

Pero kanina pa rin ako naka-dapa sa kama nya, ang sabi ko gagawa kami ng project pero hindi talaga mawala sa isip ko yung mga kalokohan ni Bry sakin e, it's like he was sincere about his words but in the same time it seems he was playing with my feelings...

Probably because he's serious about competing with me for running Valedictorian? But I already told him I'm not that interested at that position, I ain't even working hard cause it isn't my goal. It's just a title.

"Denise! Namiss kita"

"I'll study here obviously. And I heard you're aiming the spot to be the Valedictorian. Well sorry for you to say that I'll probably steel it from you"

"I like you..."

"I'd just said what I'm thinking, I mean it My Queen... I really like you... A lot"

"nagagalit na ang misis ko mga anak, wag kayong mag-alala mamaya gagawa ulit kami ng bagong baby"

"I like you..."

"I like you..."

"I like you..."

"I like you..."

"I like you..."

"I like you..."

"I like you..."

"I like you..."

"I like you..."

"I like you..."

"I like you..."

"I like you..."

"Arghhh!!! I hate you Bry!!!" I scream under Jean's pillow, punching the bed where I'm lying and vividly wanted to rip Bry in his ass! Nakakainis!!!

Hindi pa ako natatapos mag-wala, nag-bukas ang pinto at pumasok si kuya Henry, Jean's older brother. Kaya agad akong napaayos ng upo, at sya ring sinuklay ang buhok ko gamit ang kamay.

"K-kuya..." I shyly greet him, waving my hand. He smiled and me and nod.

"Baba ka na daw Jane, nandon na si Jean, kakain na tayo ng dinner" he gentle said, para tuloy akong nalipang, smiling like idiot.

"O-opo kuya... Hehe sunod po ako, salamat..." I nervously replied, without cutting my stares with him still smiling.

When he finally went out, don ko lang tinikom ang bibig ko at nag-simulang kiligin ang mag-balibag ng unan. Like gosh? He's my ultimate crush!!! Hihihi

For the mean time, my irritation with Bry instantly vanished. Just seeing my crush's smile lighten my mood na a split.

So yun, ayaw ko namang pinag-hihintay ang asawa ko kaya agad na bumaba na ako para daw kumain, hindi na ako bago dito since our family have connections, and Jean in I had been Bestfriend since childhood.

"Jane, you're finally here ija..." Tita said, my friend's mom.

"May gagawin po kasi kaming project ni Jean sa Science, and since kuya Hendrix is here, I'm thinking we can ask him to help us with our work"

Natawa ng mahina ang mama nya, saka tumingin sa panganay nito. "Hmm, Drix... Heard it? You'll be helping them okay? And you Henry, might not disturb them, pasaway ka pa naman"

Kuya Hendrix is a highly recommend professor in our campus, that's why we badly need his help, and my crush, Henry is the rebellious one, sya sa mag-kakapatid ang pinaka-pasaway, babaero din and more on a clubbing type of guy. Kaya nga gusto ko sya e, nakaka-thrill kasi ang mga manloloko.

Hindi na nasundan ang pag-uusap namin kasi nag-simula na kaming kumain, they were all quiet so tumahimik na lang din ako.

After the delicious dinner, we went straight to Jean's room with kuya Hendrix, nag-simula na kaming gumawa ng science project, pati na yun yung powerpoint presentation na kailangan, si kuya Drix lahat nag-revise ng mga errors namin kaya kampante kami ni Jean para sa lunes, today is Friday though.

Hindi pa kami tapos, bigla na lang tumayo si Kuya Drix kaya napatingin kami sa kanya, lahat ng gamit namin inayos nya at binitbit, habang kami ni Jean ay nanonood lang sa bawat galaw nya.

"Kuya? Bakit po?" I ask. Kinakabahan kasi ako, what if he's planning something or worse he doesn't want to continue helping us anymore?

He look at me smiling, then he turn to his watch point at it with a pout. "Tama na, almost 1am na kailangan nyo pang mag-pahinga. I'll be doing this at my room. Matulog na kayo"

Few moments has past, he's already out of the room. Nag-katinginan kami ni Jean at sabay na nag-kibit balikat.

"Ayos lang ba si kuya Drix? Sabado naman bukas, pweding tayo na lang mag-tapos non..." I said to Jean but she seems thinking that way too.

"Hindi ko rin alam e, pero mabait naman talaga yang si kuya Drix, unlike kay Kuya Henry na walang ginawa kung hindi ang mag-rebelde. Kaya ikaw Jane, wag mong papatulan kuya ko a? I know you kinda like him but promise me you won't dare to let yourself fall deeply in love with him, his a total jerk and I don't want to see you shred a tears because of him"

I pout spreading my arms on the air, motioning her to come and hug me, and she does. Yumakap ako sa kanya ng mahigpit, at pag-kabitaw ngumiti ako sa kanya showing my pinky finger to seal the promise with hers.

"I promise... I won't" yup, I'm this confident that I'm nit letting myself fall for him, his a dïck after all, I'd just wanna experience some thrill.

Patulog na kami ni Jean, when I suddenly realized I haven't updated my mom yet.

I remember telling him earlier that I will text her if I'm gonna sleep already. So here I am looking for my phone, but whatever I do to seek for it I can't find it.

My anxiety is slowly conquer me with fear. Pag hindi ko nahanap phone ko, maraming files don! Gosh, saan ko ba kasi nilagay!

Natataranta na ako kakahanap, hindi ko naman magising si Jean kasi kakatulog lang din sya halos. s**t! Wait, wala naman akong ibang pinuntahan diba—

Got it! Kuya Hendrix, took all our belongings so he could do it himself while we're about to rest! I'm positive he has my phone!

Pero pano to? I don't know where his room at, wala rin naman sana akong balak alamin but how about my mom? And how I will able to contact our house.

You can do it Denise... Think, think of a way—I look at the wall clock nearby, it's already 2:15. Pwede ko namn siguro sabihing I forgot? Or my phone lost it's batt? But I'm not fond of lying to my parents!

Bahala na, basta I have to find my phone soon as possible. I can't make even one mistake because of my careless, I don't want my parent to me disappointed at me even at once.

"Jean... Alis muna ako a? Tulog ka lang dyan, I'll be quick" I whisper at her before deciding to get out.

Nag-lalakad lang ako sa corridor, hoping to see a maid so I can easily ask it where do Hendrix sleep. Pero hindi ba nakakahiya? Baka isipin nyan, pökpok ako.

But do I have a choice—"Henry! Gosh... I'm glad I see you." I sighed of relief.

He's topless but it's not my concern, it's not like I haven't seen someone shirtless. "Hmm?" He simply hummed.

I convincingly smile at him, pressing my palm together and force my beautiful eyes to twinkle. Atleast this way I can easily ask for help without disagreement.

"U-uhm ganito kasi yun... Diba tinutulungan kami ni kuya Hendrix kanina sa ginagawa naming power point. Then suddenly, he grabbed our things and tell us that he'll do it himself so we could finally take a rest. But the problem is... I-I think he accidentally took my phone also, and now I'm wondering how will I ask him to give it back if ever na nasa kanya nga yon, when I can't even know his room."

For a moment natigilan sya, staring at me like analysing every part of me, maybe to know if I'm lying or not? But it doesn't matter! Yung phone ko!

He sighed, sipping a cup of coffee before nodding. "Sure, wait I'll just put my shirt on, Hendrix might scold me when he sees us together when I'm this unpresentable."

I just shrugged and didn't mind his statement. So what if he's topless? I didn't care. I have a crush on him, cause I like him as a thrill. Not that he attract me to much.

"S-so sasamahan mo'ko sa kwarto nya?" I gently ask.

"Oo, but in one condition" he wickedly smiled. Teka, parang Hindi ko ata gusto ang takbo ng isip nito.

"What is it then. Kasi Henry, for Good sake I haven't call my mom yet, wala pa akong update sa kalagayan ko ngayon, and I can never sleep knowing my mom is worrying about me..."

He chuckled, tapping my head—or I can say petting? Urgh! Ganon na ba talaga ako ka-cute?

to eat. Alas-tres na kasi ng madaling araw, so obviously wala na syang maid na mauutosan pa.

Hindi naman ako nakatanggi, nilutuan ko lang sya ng simpleng sunnyside up, and fried rice. Umaga na rin naman kaya pang-break fast na ang ginawa ko for him.

Wala naman syang reklamo, so I went directly to Jean's room to finally take a rest, and before I forget. Ngayon ko pa lang pala maime-message si mommy, bwesit kasi si crush inutusan pa ako!

TO MOM❤️:

Ma, sorry... Ngayon lang po ako nakapag-text. We we're so busy I almost forgot to update you. I'm about to sleep, just reminding. I love you...

Yun lang at senend ko na ito. When I thought she wouldn't reply—well guess she does. Agad kong binasa at nag-taka naman ako sa message nya.

FROM MOM❤️:

Still awake? Can mommy call?

I frown a little. Hindi ko alam kung bakit, but do I have a choice though? Ako na ang tumawag na agad naman nitong sinagot.

"Y-yes mom? Sorry po talaga... I know I disturb your beauty rest, busy po e"

[It's alright anak, kanina ko pa rin kasi hinihintay ang tawag mo. Hindi naman sa nag-aalala ang mommy, pero kasi may bisita ka kanina pa. Papauwiin sana kita to meet him, but I realized what you were doing there is very important kaya hindi kita inabala...]

H-him? "M-mom what do you mean him? Lalaki? Bisita? What?" I lowered my voice, even I nearly scream in surprise.

No one ever visited me home. Usually kapag may night outs, or like this sa ibang bahay namin ginagawa, I never invited anyone at our house before except from Jean.

Nahihiya kasi ako sa kapatid kong si Dianne, she's always bringing her friends in our home at ayaw ko namang maki-gulo pa sa kanya.

[Yes Jane, actually kanina ko lang din sya nakilala. He introduced himself as Brian, your mentor? How is that?]

Agad akong napatampal sa noo ko nang narealize ang nangyari. That Brian is really messing with me. Pati ba naman sa bahay—how did he know where I live!

[Anak? Andyan ka pa ba?]

"O-opo mommy" anong ginagawa non sa buhay! "H-he was may mentor in studying instrument such as violin... R-remember nong summer? Sa music academy..."

[Ganon ba, how sweet of him naman pala kung ganon. Nag-intay sya dito hanggang midnight. Sabi ko hindi ka na darating kasi may overnight ka sa kaklase mo, yet he pursued on waiting... Sige na anak, tutulog na ang mommy. Ikaw din sweetie, update me when you're about to go home. I love you]

"I-I love you too mama..."

Nanghihina akong naupo sa tabi ng natutulog na si Jean, ano na lang iisipin nila mama saakin? Na napaka-pabaya kong babae? Hindi kaya magalit saakin ang papa, I promise him I won't do boyfriend unless I turn 18. Well haft year na lang naman, and my debut is near.

Pero baka kasi isipin nila na may manliligaw na ako yet hindi ko naman sinasabi sa kanila. Pero bakit na ako nag-ooverthink? Sa boses naman ni mama kanina parang wala lang sa kanya, beside wala naman akong itinatago e.

"Ano nalang ihaharap ko kila mama bukas—"

"Jane, anong oras na. You must sleep, kailangan mo ng pahinga"

Agad akong napa-lingon sa pintuan kung saan naka-tayo ang isang makisig na lalaki. Napa-kagat na lang ako ng labi at umiwas ng tingin, bakit ba lahat ng lalaki sa bahay nila naka-topless!

Gosh, I'm feeling my cheeks turning red. "J-jared..." I utterly said, bitting my lips in embarrassment.

Bakit naman kasi puro hot ng mga kuya ni Jean! Nalilito na tuloy ako kung sino crush ko—agad nanlaki ang mga mata ko ng maramdaman ko syang nag-lakad palapit saakin.

I frown a little, while watching his every step. Kung sakali mang may gawin sya saaking masama, katabi ko lang si Jean, anytime pwede ko syang gisingin! Subukan mo lang talaga Jared!

Umusod ako dahil ilang dangkal na lang ang layo nito sa aakin. He then lay his hand on my forehead, touching my cheeks down to my neck, with gentleness.

Naestatwa ako sa ginahawa nito, there's like something in his warm touches that making me stilled. Lalo ata akong namula!

"Ayos naman ang temperature mo... Only your cheeks feels warm. Ang weird, malamig naman ang air-conditioning sa kwarto ng kapatid ko, why are you sweating?" He innocently ask.

Napa-pikit na lang ako sa kahihiyan. I can't really tell if he's pure innocent or just making this things up to embarrass me. I know Jared is just kind and caring, but—ano ba kasi tong iniisip ko!

"A-ano k-kasi kakaligo k-ko lang h-hehe" I awkwardly replied, gently pushing his hand off me.

"Really? Wala ka bang sakit—wait for me, kukuha lang ako ng medical kit sa room ko—"

"N-no need! A-ano... I-inaantok na rin kasi ako... M-mag hihilamos na lang ako before sleeping. B-baka nakaka-abala n-na rin kasi ako..." I force myself to smile, and so as he did.

Nang maka-labas ito ng kwarto ni Jean, sinigurado ko nang naisara ko ang pinto bago ako bumalik sa kama para wala ng awkward moment katulad non.

Urgh! Pinoproblema ko pa nga si Brian, tapos dadagdag pa itong mag-kakapatid? Goodish bloody Mary, help me with those boys around.

KINAUMAGAHAN—or should I say hapon? the time that I woke up was already 1:26 pm. Jean said she was about to wake me, but then her kuya's reminder her that I need such rest.

Nakaka-hiya lang kasi ako na nga itong namamahay, anong oras pa akong nagising. So yun, pinag-prepare ako ni Jared ng breakfast—lunch pala.

Sabi nya nauna na daw sila Jean, kuya Hendrix pati ang parents nila sa Antipolo. May family outing kasi sila, and her mom invited me in. Pinag-paalam na daw kasi nila ako sa parents ko.

So saying, only I, Henry and Jared together with the maids are the once who was left by them. Susunod na lang daw kami.

Kanina nga sa telepono, pinapagalitan ko si Jean kung bakit hindi nya ako ginising, but then she said it was Jared and Henry who suggested not to, kasi sila ang makakasabay ko sa pagsunod sa kanila.

"So Queenie shall we?" Jared, massively said as he ask about leading me to enter his sports car.

Isa sa mga kinawiwilihan ng mag-kakapatid na Gornel. Si kuya Anthony na nga lang ang kulang at buo na silang pamilya—speaking at him, nag-tatrabaho daw ito sa malayo.

Even his family doesn't know where he is, ang sabi saakin ni Jeanine matagal na daw naka-hiwalay si kuya Anthony sa kanila mula ng sumali daw ito sa isang fraternity, but fortunately matagal na daw itong kumalas sa grupong yun, and currently starting a business at his own.

Kuya Anthony was the eldest, next to Hendrix, Henry then there's Jared while the youngest is Jeanine. Dati, pinangarap ko rin mag-karoon ng kuya kasi nakikita ko yung closeness ni Jean sa mga kapatid nya.

But then I realized growing up, we're getting mature. Nalayo rin pala ang loob ng isa't isa kahit pa mag-kakapatid sila. Nakaka-lungkot lang na ganon din kami ng kapatid ko.

Way back on our childhood, Dianne and I are very close. Hindi ko nga alam kung saan at paano kami nag-kalayo sa isa't isa ng kapatid ko.

"Jane..." Someone whispered beside me, when I turn on where that voice came from—I realized it was Jared.

I instantly smiled at him. "B-bakit?" Agad naman akong napa-kunot. Even I were confused by my own voice, why sudden cracked?

"Umiiyak ka, may problema ba?"

My eyes widened in surprise as I averted my gaze on him. I hastily wipe my cheeks, and I am really crying unconsciously! Dàmn it, this isn't the first time!

"Ito o, napkin, and here's a mirror too. Your mascara's dripping"

Sa hiya ko, tanging ngiti na lang ang naisagot ko sa kanya. I hesitantly take the mirror off his grip and face myself on the thing.

Sa kina-uupan ko, parang gusto ko na lang lubumog at mag-laho ng parang bula. Medyo nahihilo na rin kasi ako, ang bilis mag-patakbo ng sasakyan ni Henry, while Jared beside me is looking worried.

Isang beses ko pa syang nginitian bago ko ayusin ang hitsura ko, almost haft an our na lang nasa Antipolo na kami yet I'm still a mess.

"S-salamat..." I utterly said, matapos kung gamitin ang salamin nito.

"Malapit na tayo, teka..." He lean on my face, placing my tangled hair underneath my ear. "There... Baka sabihin kasi ng bunso ko, hindi kita inaalagaan"

Bigla syang ngumiti ng pag-katamis tamis... OMG, ito na ba yung sign na kailangan ko ng mag-palit ng crush?