Life In Lie

Chapter 3

"Hey, hey, hey. Bilis ano? What happened ba?" Nagmamadaling bungad sa akin ni Tati. Ni hindi pa nga niya naibababa ang bag niya. Pagka-enter na pagka-enter niya pa lang ng room ay tumatakbo na siya papunta sa akin. We're not even seatmates!

Dapat pala nagpa-late ako para we don't have time na to chika. Pero wala akong takas, we still have our vacant, lunch breaks and dismissal! Hindi ko naman puwedeng iwasan si Tati. Another thing, I promised her I'll tell today what happened to me and Kaiden. 

Hindi ka nagbre-break ng promise, okay Avery?

"Here's the tea na nga," panimula ko.

Her mouth was not removed in its 'O' form, during my whole storytelling. 

"Really?" She said. Puro 'yon lang nasasabi niya everytime I take a pause to swallow my f*****g saliva.

I just finished telling Tati all the things I need to tell her.

"Okay class, go back to your proper seats." My teacher just entered our room, kaya hindi na nakasagot si Tati. Thank God! Natahimik kasi siya after ko magkuwento! Delikado pa naman 'yon, kapag ganoon. It means that she's saving all the comments she wants to tell me e.

Nagstart na ang classes, and the flow was just the same as yesterday. Everything went well naman, may little recitations, that bunot index card thing. Fortunately, my card was only chose once, while thrice naman kay Tati, luck's not on her side today.

Pero that was just a piece of cake for my Tatiana, matalino si Tati. In fact, she was our Valedictorian back on our grade ten moving up ceremony. She even cried immediately, wala pa nga sa three sentence ng speech ang nasasabi niya. I just laughed at her habang nakaupo roon at pinapanood siya.

I'm part of the top 3 din naman, so I still have a part on our moving up ceremony. As far as I remember, I was assigned with the recitation of Pledge Of Loyalty.

I can see Tatiana glancing at me while our classes is on going. I'm just ignoring her, kasi for sure may sasabihin na kung ano 'yon.

I just focused on our class within the three whole hours.

Tati told me everything she wants to tell. Kanina niya pa kinikimkim 'yon. It's our recess and katabi niya si Cleo. Wala naman 'yon idea sa pinag-uusapan namin. Ang mahalaga lang sa kaniya ay kasama niya si Tatiana.

"Oo ganoon 'yon. May gusto 'yon sa 'yo!" Tati said.

"Really ganoon ba 'yon?" I have no idea pa talaga, I was never liked by any boys except my grade 6 baby, Oh God! 

Two days pa lang kami nagkikita, may gusto na?

She nodded na parang bata, at nag-beautiful eyes pa.

Same routine lang ang nangyayari every class namin. Wala pa rin masyadong pinapagawa dahil 1st week palang naman.

"Uy si Kaiden o!" Pang-aasar lagi sa akin ni Tati. She's even bumping, pushing and punching me. Para siyang kiti-kiti na kinikilig sa amin. I'm just ignoring her.

"Yiie, KaiVery!!" Oh God, she even build a love team name na for us.

Anyways, bagay naman.

Ulol, Avery.

Tiniis ko lahat ng pang-aasar ni Tati. Halos two days niya akong inaasar. She just stopped when she noticed na wala namang effect sa akin ang pang-aasar niya. 

"Buti natahamik ka na asshole!" I rolled my eyes on her.

She just pouted and leave. Uwian namin, buti walang sumulpot na Kaiden at nakauwi ako ng matiwasay!

I just did my same routine this day and take a rest.

"How you two doing?" I asked Cleo. It's Friday, thank God! We're currently here at the bench sa side ng field, where our school's varsity teams doing their training.

January next year pa ang laban nila, pero ganito sila ka-aga mag prepare, sabi nga nila ay late na 'yon. Pero ang alam ko naman ay vacation pa lang nag-start na sila ng training.

I'm doing a little interview muna to Cleo, syempre hindi ko naman puwedeng ibugaw ang bestfriend ko nang gano'n gano'n na lang 'no.

We're waiting pa naman kay Tati, may naiwan lang daw siya saglit sa room namin. I don't know kung true kasi siya pa nga ang nag-aya sa akin na rito kami tumambay habang vacant namin. Nang makita si Cleo ay biglang may naiwan daw siya sa room.

"Okay naman, masungit pa rin minsan." He laughed.

To be honest, gwapo si Cleo. Bilugan ang mga itim na mata nito, maputi, matangos din naman ang ilong, manipis ang lips at matangkad. Ash brown ang kulay ng buhok nito. He has this handsome baby face na pag-aagawan ng girls. Ewan ko lang ano inaarte ng budhi ni Tati. 

Well, maybe she just want to know Cleo even more. I don't know what she feels, hindi ko pa naman nararanasang maligawan. Mabuti pa sana kung usapang bully.

"Yeah, likas na kay Tati ko 'yon. Maybe she just want to know you pa, diba?" I said without looking at Cleo.

"Of course. I understand Yana naman," He sighed.

I can see sa face niya na sincere siya kay Tati. Makikita mo naman sa tao ang sinseridad nila. Sabi nga nila eyes never lie, unless they are a good actor.

"Hoy pinag-uusapan niyo ako 'no," biglang sulpot ni Tatiana.

"Hind—" 

"Oo baket?" Cleo was cut off because of me. He don't need to lie naman. He was shocked, I nodded at him and winked to assured him na okay lang 'yon. Masyadong takot 'tong lalaki ni Tati.

"K, oh food. Bumili ako makakain natin kaya natagalan ako slight," she said while giving us the hot burger and drinks.

"Sana sinabi mo para ako na bumili." Cleo said while sternly looking at Tati.

I'm just looking at them. Anak din naman ako ni Lord, 'di ba?

"E gusto rin kita malibre e!" She frowningly said, kahit ang sweet ng sinabi niya.

"O-okay." Cleo said with his glowing face.

Magiging mag-jowa rin naman kayo.

We're just watching the volleyball team girls. Pinapanood namin ang paulit-ulit nilang pagtakbo rito sa field.

Hiwa-hiwalay kada sports. Doon sa pinaka-dulo ay ang basketball team. While rito sa tapat namin, middle ng field, specifically, ay ang volleyball girls. Sa isang side pa ay ang volleyball boys naman. May mas maliit din na space for other sports.

Before, Dean's always pushing me to join some sports naman daw. I should start making my social interaction wide na raw.

Actually puwede naman. E ang problem lang hindi naman ako biniyayaan ng galing sa kahit anong sports! Badminton puwede, pero hindi pa rin pasok para mai-represent ko ang school namin.

"I'll go back na love, need ko pa tapusin activity natin kanina." Pag-papaalam ni Tati.

"Sama," sunod naman ng suitor niya.

"Epalogs, kaklase ba kita?" Pagsusungit na naman ni Tati.

"You guys go first, sunod na rin ako maya-maya." I assured Tati, nang makita ko ang pagbabago sa expression ng face niya, kasi hindi ako sasabay. I'm already done with that activity naman na.

"Hatid mo Cleo ha," I winked again at Cleo.

"Yes boss!" Masigla niyang sagot.

Gusto ko muna ng fresh air. Sa room ay nakakulob kami sa aircon.

'Lord when?' I'm typing a caption for my story. That's Cleo and Tati's picture, while teasing each other earlier.

"You're here, pinapanood mo 'ko?" He teasingly said.

"H-hindi 'no!" I was shocked by Kai's sudden appearance.

Player din pala ang isang 'to.

"You're part of the basketball team pala?" I asked kahit obvious naman.

"Uhm, yeah since I turned 2nd year." He answered.

Nakatayo lang ito sa harapan ko habang hawak ang isang bola. Gumulong 'ata 'yon papunta rito. I don't know, hindi ko gaano napansin. Nagpunta kasi ako rito for fresh air, duh.

"Ah kaya pala." I absently answered.

"Anong kaya pala?" He asked. Grinning.

"A-ano, you're tall and.." Think Avery, think!

And gwapo? 

Malandi ka! Kailan pa naging requirements sa basketball ang pagiging gwapo!

"And?" He's curiously looking at me.

"N-nothing," f**k, bakit ba nabubulol ako! "I'll go back na a! Practice well!" I left him and ran back to our room.

Nakita ko pa siyang napailing at natawa. Bumalik na rin naman 'yon sa teammates niya.

"Hello, I'm back!" Bungad ko sa naglalandiang si Cleo at Tati.

Bakit ba nandito 'tong si Cleo, sa kabila ang room niya a. Malandi naman pala sila kapag hindi ako kaharap! Kurutin ko mamaya 'tong Tati na 'to e!

"Bilis mo naman!" Tati stared at me, slack-jawed.

"A-ano, nainitan na ako e" I stuttered.

Hindi ko puwedeng sabihin na may nanggulo sa aking pogi doon, right? Yes, I can't deny the fact that Kaiden is really handsome. From his almond brown eyes, well-built body, makakapal na kilay, rosy lips and pointed nose! Tapos ang puti pa, and super tall! 

When he say that he's pogi, no doubts.

God, ano ba iniisip mo Avery! Nagnanasa ka ba?

Tati gave me a squinty look. She's not convinced. I looked nervous pa naman! 

"What?" I asked.

"Something's fishy e," she said while observing every corner of me.

"What f-fishy?"

"Amoy lumandi?" She squinted.

Huh, is it too obvious ba? 

Magaling pa naman makakilatis ang isang 'to!

I rolled my eyes on her.

Umayos na kami ng upo nang hindi inaalis ni Tati ang tingin niya sa akin. Talagang naniningkit pa ang mga mata nito. Maya-maya lang din nman ay nag-start na ulit ang klase. Thank God at titigilan na rin ako ni Tati.

"Tati, sabay ako," I told to Tati. Baka kasi mamaya ay sumulpot nanaman 'yong isa dyan.

"Oki love," my Tati answered.

"Where's your suitor?" I asked her when I noticed that Cleo's not here.

Tumingin siya sa akin ngayon at itinago na ang phone sa bag niya. Kanina niya pa kasi kinakalikot iyon.

"I don't know, baka naghanap na ng ibang liligawan." She answered, and jealousy covered her face.

She looks cute. 

Ganito rin kaya ako ka-cute kapag nagselos ako?

"Huh? Paano mo naman nasabi?" I curiously asked her.

She took her phone again and find something on her gallery.

She showed me a screenshot from an IG story of a girl. She looks unfamiliar. Picture 'yon no'ng girl at ni Cleo, nasa isang car sila. So, ito pala ang pinagkakaabalahan ni Tati kanina ha.

I'm sharply observing the photo. I even took the phone out of Tatiana's hand.

"See? What a cheater!" Pagsu-sumbong sa akin ni Tati.

"Gaga kang selosa ka!" I shouted at her when I noticed the little caption on the bottom left of the photo.

"What? Kakampihan mo pa rin siya?" Inis na sabi niya sa akin.

"No look at the caption kasi, asshole." I gave the phone back to her, and sinundan niya ang tinuturo ng finger ko.

"Ay s**t," napasapo siya sa noo, saka tumawa.

'picking up my lil bro </3' Iyon ang caption no'ng picture.

"You dumb," I teased her.

"Let's go na nga," She happily stated sabay akbay sa akin.

"Hoy don't tell Cleo about this ha, malalaman niya talaga na gusto ka na rin siya," she blushed.

"I'll tell..." she glared at me. "Just kidding, gusto mo na rin naman pala siya e. Bakit hindi mo pa sagutin?" I innocently asked her.

"Hay, you won't understand hangga't walang nanliligaw sa 'yo." She answered.

I'm also wondering bakit nga ba walang nanliligaw sa akin, I'm pretty naman a. Their loss, not mine.

"Hey!" Kai suddenly appeared out of nowhere. He's wairing a red dri-fit air knit shorts and a black dri-fit shirt.

But, where did that one came from?

"Speaking of," Tati talked. "It seems that.." she paused and turned her gaze to Kai then back to me. "Hindi mo na need sumabay sa akin ah!" She teased.

Kaiden laughed at her.

"W-what are you doing here? 'Di ba you have t-training pa?" I asked him. I also heard Tati's laugh when I stuttered.

"Break namin," he simply said.

"Sige na I'll go na love, alagaan mo Kaiden ha!" She winked at him, and walked away.

Ganito pala feeling ni Tati everytime I'm doing the same thing to Cleo.

Tumango naman ang isang 'to and waved his hand to Tati.

"Hey Tati! I'll go with you!" I was about to run when Kai grabbed my arms.

"Aray," I over acted.

"Sorry, masakit ba?" His smile faded and was immediately replaced by concern.

I shook my head to assure him that it's fine. 

He was about to rub my arm when I talked.

"Oh, no. I'm just OA," I reassured him.

"You sure? So sabay tayo ulit? Iniwan ka na ng kasabay mo e." He asked. Smirking.

"Yeah, you let her e... na iwan ako!" I gave him a downcast look.

"Hahatid naman kita. Pero you have to wait for me, is that okay?" He looks worried.

"Yeah, I don't want to go home alone din naman. What time tapos niyo?" I asked him, mamaya gabing-gabi na tapos nila e.

"Mga 5:30, light training palang naman kami. So we can go home early." He blissfully said.

"Okay, so.. let's go?" Pag-aya ko sa kaniya, at nauna pa ako maglakad.

We're just walking quietly, buti malapit lang ang field sa pinang-galingan namin kanina. Heavy air no more.

"You wait here. Do not hesitate to call me if you need something, or what ha!" He instructed.

I just nodded and smiled at him.

"Uy pare, required pala magdala ng jowa hindi mo naman sinabi!" Sinalubong siya ng isang lalaki, while he's running towards their training area.

"Siraulo," he said.

I just watched him do their usual training. Kai really looks so good. His arms were shining because it was covered with sweat. He looks really hot, unlike others mukhang maasim.

Ano ka ba Avery nagnanasa ka nanaman!

"Water," I gave him the bottle of water that I saw sa side ng duffel bag niya.

"Thank you," he breathlessly said. Dumiretso siya agad dito, when their coach announced a water break. "Are you okay here? Hindi ka ba nabo-bored?" He's worried.

"No, don't worry!" Umiling ako.

He smiled at me, and ran back to their training area.

I really enjoy watching their training. Kahit papaano ay naaaliw ako rito. I don't have any plans naman pag-uwi, I don't have school works either, dahil kaka-start palang naman ng classes namin. So kahit magtagal ako rito ay ayos lang.

May dumaan na volleyball boy player sa harap ko. His walked slowed and he's leering at me.

In just a blink, I saw the man being push by...

Kaiden.

"Gago pare kalma," the guy na sumalubong sa kaniya earlier pulled him back. He's laughing so hard.

"Anong klaseng tingin 'yon?" Kaiden ignored his friend and focus on the man that he pushed instead.

"W-wala," the volleyball player stuttered and ran away from us.

"Are you okay?" Nag-aalalang tanong ni Kaiden sa 'kin.

"Oo, wala sa akin 'yon." I assured him.

"Anong wala, e ang manyak ng tingin ng gagong 'yon!" Inis na sabi niya.

"Kalma leon," his friend laughingly said. Pulang-pula na ito sa kakatawa.

"Gago, ikaw kaya manyakin ko." Kaiden glared at him.

"Hindi ako papalag, luluhuran pa kita." He teased.

Siniko lang siya ni Kai, he looks disgusted.

"By the way I'm Latrell, best friend forever ng bebe mo!" Umakbay ito kay Kaiden at kumindat.

"Kadiri ka lumayo ka nga sa 'kin!" Inis na sabi naman sa kaniya ni Kaiden.

"Oh hi! I'm Avery, and I'm not his bebe," I corrected. Iniabot ko ang kamay ko sa tapat niya.

Pahawak na sana ito ng unahan siya ni Kaiden.

"Okay na kilala ka na niya Avery. 'Di ba Trell?" He glared at Latrell.

"Ewan ko sa 'yo, damot mo!" He slightly punched Kai's left shoulder.

Inalis ko na rin ang pagkakahawak ng kamay ko kay Kaiden. Hindi naman ako sa kaniya nagpapakilala a!

"Sige una na 'ko pre! Nice meeting you Avery!" He waved his hand to me.

I just smiled at him and nodded.

"Tama, umalis ka na. Asim mo!" Kaiden teased him.

Latrell took his bag and wave his hand again on us before leaving.

Nakapagpalit na rin si Kaiden ng white t-shirt niya.

"Let's go?" He asked.

I nodded at him. Nauna ulit akong maglakad. 

"Do you want to eat something?" He asked while driving.

Ano ba isasagot ko nakakahiya naman 'to!

"Ano lang, wala naman," ano 'yon Avery?

He laughed and glanced at me.

"Daan ako drive thru ha, libre na kita. Napag-hintay din naman kita," he suggested.

Tumango ako at isinandal ang ulo ko sa may window ng car saka nagmala-bida sa isang music video. It's raining pa naman.

I heard his laugh.

"Oh kainin mo na hangga't mainit, magara na lasa niyan kapag malamig. 'Wag ka na mahiya," he smirked.

"Thank you Kai!" I smiled at him. "Ako naman mang-lilibre sa 'yo next time!" I suggested.

"Sure 'yan?" He asked.

I just nodded without looking at him. Naka-focus ako sa kinakain ko since nagutom din naman talaga ako.

"Okay, I'll wait for that!" He sparingly laughed.

It's almost 7:30PM na nang makauwi ako. I was about to enter my condo when ate Naya saw me. Ganitong oras kasi siya umuuwi. 

Ang sipag nga ni ate Naya dahil ang pasok niya ay 7am to 7pm. Next week pa 'ata start ng classes niya. Tapos siya pa ang gagawa ng house choirs, at ipagluluto pa si Navya dahil baby pa ang trato ni ate Naya rito.

Ganoon din siguro ako 'no? Kung may ate or Mommy ako?

"Kakauwi mo lang Very?" She asked.

"Ah opo ate, nag-bonding pa po kasi kami ng k-kaibigan ko." I stuttered, hindi ko naman kasi alam kung ano ko si Kai! We're not friends and mas lalong hindi kami magjowa 'no!

"Ah ganoon ba, sige. You eat your dinner na ha. Punta ka rito sa amin if you want." She invited.

"Thank you sa pag-invite ate. Pero next time na lang po siguro. Full pa po ako e, kakakain lang namin ng friend ko." I did a forced laugh.

"Okay baby," she just nodded and entered their condo.

Ate Naya was 3 year older than me. Kaya she's also treating me like how she treats Navya. And I'm really thankful for that, atleast nakakaranas ako ng ganoon kahit kaunti.

I entered my condo and dropped my body sa sofa. I took my phone and went straight to my i********: account.

I saw Kai's IG story, picture 'yon ng training area nila kanina. May sticker doon na TGIF, at may nakita rin akong caption na sobrang liit doon sa bottom right.

'lapit na, sabi ni Lord'

**********