Good To Me

Chapter 5

"Yve, nabalitaan namin yung nangyari. Are you okay?" tanong ni Viv nang makita ako na naka upo sa chair ko.

I craned my neck up to look at her at tumango ako. "Yes. Don't worry. Niks was there with me and nasundo naman ako kaagad ng friend ng kuya ko because he was nearby."

"Thank God. Sorry, nauna na kami. Dapat pala sinamahan ka muna namin," sabi nya.

"We didn't know that Travis will do that, Viv. Saka I'm safe naman na."

"He's so creepy. Balita namin he was stalking you hanggang sa bahay nyo?"

Kumunot ang noo ko. Hindi ko alam kung paano naka abot sa kanila ang news about the incident sa house because we kept mum about it. Ayaw ko nang palakihin ang issue but contrary to what I wanted, it spreaded like wildfire.

I nodded. "Yes. Kaya wala na ako sa bahay ngayon. It's for my safety rin."

Niki huffed. "Grabe si Travis. We didn't expect that he'll be like that! He was good to you 'di ba?"

"He was but not until I said I wanted to break up with him because he was so controlling," sabi ko.

Sa una lang magaling.

That's the perfect description of the guys that I have dated officially and also the guys that I met and went out with but never made it to the next level. They were all sweet, caring, and ideal at first but as everything progresses, their horns would slowy unravel. Maybe that's why I am so drawned into them.

I like guys that are red flag disguised as green.

I don't know. I love the challenge. I must be so dumb for thinking that I could change them.

"But Yve, will you be okay? For sure, you'll bump into each other dito sa campus," sabi ni Cassey.

"He can't do anything about me here so I think I'm safe because if he tries, maraming makaka kita."

I am sure he won't try to tarnish his father's name more ngayong matunog na ang pangalan nya dahil sa ginawa nya ngayon pa lang.

Saka hindi naman puwedeng tumigil ang buhay ko just because of the threat of his presence. It's creepy and scary knowing that someone's behind my back but I have to carry on. Pag pinakita ko sa kanya na takot ako, baka lalo lang siyang magkaroon ng lakas ng loob to approach me and no one knows what he might do to me.

"Just stick to any of us here para hindi ka nag i-isa when you're around the campus para hindi sya maka lapit dahil may mga kasama ka," sabi ni Niki.

I smiled. "Salamat sa inyo ah. I appreciate you concern so much."

I was never close to them before. Kung hindi pa dahil sa project that we were working on, hindi ko pa sila makakausap at makikilala. Now that they're willing to keep me safe, I feel more secured with having them around me.

Sumama ako sa kanila sa cafeteria because it's break time. Hindi naman ako gutom and I don't wanna turn down their invites so pumila ako sa bilihan ng drinks.

I didn't mind their stares at me and after that, bubulong sa katabi nila at tititigan ako ulit. I know so well what they're talking about.

"Narinig mo ba sis yung about kay Travis and kay Yvette?" sabi ng babae sa harap ko sa pila.

My ears perked up at nakuha agad nila ang attention ko because I heard my name.

"Oo. Sinabi sa akin ni Sancha. Nakakatakot 'no?" ani ng kasama nya.

They're in front of me sa linya so I bet they didn't even notice me behind them because if they do, they won't have the nerve to talk about it.

"She deserves it. Paano, kung sino- sinong lalaki ang pinapatulan. I bet she dated half of the population of boys here," sabi ng unang babae with a spiteful tone in her voice.

My blood boiled sa naging remark ng babae about me because that's just rediculous!

"I've only dated four guys officially at si Travis lang ang taga rito sa campus. The guys that I went out with, dalawa lang. Isang taga Engineering at isang Pol Sci student. That's not even a whole b," singit ko. "Why? Did the guys you know told you that they dated me? Does hanging out with them one time means that we're dating?"

Lumingon yung dalwang babae with a horror on their faces. Their jaws dropped too much that they can't even move it sa sobrang gulat.

"Yvette..." sabi ng babaeng maikli ang buhok nang maka bawi.

I maintained the arch of my eyebrows. "The next time you gossip about me, make sure that you get your facts checked. You won't want to be sued for slander, right?"

Lalong lumala ang takot sa mukha ng dalawang babae na nasa harap ko. I looked around and we are gaining some attention lalo na sa mga malapit sa amin.

"And please, paki ayos ng mindset nyo. Does victim blaming makes you feel superior?" I smirked. "I hope not because you're just proving how rotten your personality is."

Pinasadahan ko sila ng tingin for one last time and then lumakad pa- layo kung saan naka pila sina Niki kahit na wala pa akong nabibili.

Nawalan na ako ng gana because of that two girls.

Gossips and rumors really worsens everything that's happening. Malas nila because I am the type that doesn't let that kind of things to slide so they could just get away.

Lalo na if I know hundred percent that it's not true.

I just hope that people will shut their mouths up and mind their own businesses.

"You're late."

My heart almost jumped out of my rib cage when someone talked from the living room when I passed by it ayt papunta na sana akong room ko.

Hawak ang dibdib ko na ang lakas ng t***k, humakbang ako papuntang living room and there, I saw Kuya Dominic.

He's sitting at the sofa while his laptop is on his lap.

"Kuya! Oh my gosh!" gulat ko pa ring sabi.

Lumingon sya sa akin saka ngumiti. "Na late ka yata ng uwi?" aniya.

Hala! I suddenly felt the butterflies in my stomach. Was he worried about me? Was he waiting for me?

Grabe. Kung alam ko lang na ganito pala si Kuya Dom na kasama sa bahay, sana pala noon pa ako nag pumilit kay Kuya Gio na rito tumira.

Ngumiti ako sa kanya. "I had a meeting with my groupmates saka, it's just six in the evening kuya. Halos kaka lubog nga lang ng araw."

Ang pangit ng naging araw ko but he's definitely making my night better.

"How's school? Did you bump with your ex boyfriend?" he asked.

OMG!

Ganitong ganito yung mga ex flings ko when we started to flirt eh! They'd be worried about me whole day and they'd ask me how my day went. They'd be happy when something good happened and will be upset as much when something bad comes.

But then again, I know that I won't even stand a chance on him. It's too much to think of the far fetched possiblity na maging kami.

Dominic Javier Chavez is like a star for me. I want it but no matter what happens, it'll never be mine.

"Why are you spaced out? Did he approach you again?" dagdag nya at naka kunot na ang noo.

Umiling ako. "I heard na hindi yata sya pumasok. Why are you so early pala kuya?"

Ipinatong nya sa coffee table book ang laptop. "I didn't get to eat the dinner that you cooked last night because I was out kaya babawi ako ngayon."

I pressed my lips tight para itago ang pag angat ng dalawang sulok ng labi ko.

This is what I'm talking about when I say that Kuya Dominic is the standard!

Other guys can step down now. Si Kuya Dominic na ang winner!

"Alright... I'll just change my clothes saka mag luluto na ako ng dinner."

Pinihit ko ang katawan ko pa talikod sa kanya and I let go of the smile that I have been holding.

Lumakad na ako towards my room and then sakto, Kuya Gio's door opened and his forehead instantly crumpled when he saw me.

"Why are you so happy?" aniya at nag kibit balikat lang ako at nilagpasan sya.

I changed into a duster dress and I clamped my hair so it won't fall on the food saka pumunta ng kusina.

"What do you guys want to eat?" tanong ko sa kanilamg dalawa nang maabutan ko sila na nag u- usap sa sofa.

"Anything, Yve. Ikaw na bahala," sagot ni Kuya Gio.

Humalukipkip ako."There is no dish called anything and ikaw na bahala, kuya.

"Kahit adobo na lang or anything, Yve. That will do," sagot ni Kuya Dom.

Tumango ako. " Okay. I'll cook Picadillo. You're okay with that, right?"

Kuya looked at me, dumbfounded, but I recieved much positive reaction from Kuya Dom because he's smiling and his eyes are forming like a crescent moon.

"Do you want me to help you with anything?" tanong ni Kuya Dom.

"She can handle herself, Dom. Let her be," sagot naman agad ni Kuya.

Can I throw my brother on a river without being jailed? Because if puwede, I will. Napaka kontrabida sa kapatid!

Naka simangot akong nag hiwa ng mga ingredients habang panay ang sulyap sa kanilang dalawa na nag u-usap.

Catching up with bestie 'yan?

They're talking about work and they're mentioning names of people that I don't know and I am not familiar with. Rinig ko dahil ang lakas lakas ng boses ni Kuya Gio!

"Yvette, are you done yet?" sigaw nya't dalawa silang bumaling sa akin.

I rolled my eyes and raised the carrots. "I just started chopping. Can you chill?"

Sandali lang na naluto ang Picadillo and it's just on time for dinner. I placed it on a bowl and then I served it on the table where everything's ready.

"This looks good, Yve." Kuya Dominic leaned on the bowl and smelled it. Napa pikit pa sya nga mata nya.

"That's not just only mabango. That's also masarap," confident na sabi ko habang nilalagyan ng kanin ang plate ko.

"You first," ani Kuya Dom at nilagyan ako ng ulam sa plato.

Ngumiti ako sa kanya. "Thank you..."

"Are you sure this is edible? Hindi naman ba kami malalason nito?" biglang comment ni Kuya Gio, the greatest villain of my awesome life.

I extended my hands and reached for his plate na agad niyang nilayo para hindi ko makuha. "Edi don't eat!"

"I am just kidding!" aniya.

Natawa pa sya but I rolled my eyes at him at nahagip ng tingin ko si Kuya Dominic na nanlalaki ang mata.

Tinuro ko sya kay kuya. "Does it look like it's poisoned?" iritable kong sabi kay Kuya. "If I were to poison someone here, ikaw lang!"

He's enjoying pestering me. Palibhasa, he lost his chances na araw araw akong asarin when he moved out of the house.

"This tastes so good, Yve!" Kuya Dom complimented at tumango sa akin.

His eyes are twinkling and he looks exhalirated. Well, I am more than happy that he likes it.

"There's plenty of rice, kuyas. Bawiin nyo na lang yung kinain nyo when you go to gym," naka ngiting sabi ko.

I had a great satisfaction that they liked my cooking. That's the only thing that I can contribute in this house so I am glad that I'm doing it really well.

"I think I'll be always on time for dinner. I won't eat out anymore. Mas masarap luto mo," Kuya Dom said dahilan para mapa hinto ako.

Pa balik na kami sa kanya- kanya naming kuwarto at nadaanan ko siya na pa pasok sa kanya.

I winked at him playfully. "Sabi ko sa'yo ako bahala sa inyo eh."

I giggled saka nag lakad ulit while his eyes are sparkling while looking at me.