RAYANA

Chapter 16

After Zach calm himself, he invited himself to go inside the house and find something to eat.

I just go inside with his dog and pet him in the living room not minding the TV on. I glance at the food in the center table, I heard his rumble around the kitchen, finding another interesting goods. His hopeless, I just let him go.

"Reya!" I stop petting the cute dog when I heard Sandy's annoying voice. Hmm. It's 4pm already. That fast.

I sigh petting the dog again who's sleeping peacefully.

"Reya baby! Reya!" She scream out, I heard the door open and close. Her foot steps are light as ever.

"Look who we have here! Look!" She giggly said excited of something.

I turned around to glance at her but stop when I saw those dark blue eyes.

"Our new neighbor!" she shriek hugging his arms and look up to him with those glittering eyes.

We just look at each other while Sandy is oblivious that we've met already. He never look away from me nor mobve from her hug. He just stood there like a statue.

"Ohh! Boyfriend mo Sandy?!" Litaw ni Zach at nanlalaki ang matang sumubo ng cake. Ang pula pa rin ng mata sa pag iyak.

"W-What!?.. What is he doing here!? Pinapasok mo?! How could you Reya!" Sindak sa akin ni Sandy at masama ang loob na tumingin sa akin.

Napapakurap na umiwas ako ng tingin looking at the dog on my lap.

"Hoyyy! Sandy panget kaibigan din ako ni Reya! So she basically allowed me to go in her house!" Ingos ni Zach at agad na humakbang papuntang couch kung saan ako naka upo at bumagsak sa tabi ko.

"Are you insane!? The last thing you go in my house nawalan kami ng stock for a week! And this is the evidence that you rubbing Reya's ref again for a hundred times Zach!" Hinila nya yung Izaac na lumipat sa kabilang side ng living room.

"Whatever, so who's your boyfriend? Dude this is not a harmful warning but Sandy isn't faithful. She have a lot of crush every week." Ngisi ni Zach at turo kay Sandy na mapula na ang pisngi at pinapatay na sa tingin ang huli.

"You!" Sigaw ni Sandy at agad na lumapit kay Zach at dinaganan ito at nilamukos ang mukha. Natatawa lang ang huling iniwas ang kinakain nyang cake.

"Buwiset ka!" Sigaw ni Sandy.

I just mind my business and look up to Izaac who watching all of us.

"You can seat Izaac" I simple said tapping the head of the dog.

He quietly do what I said and seat on the single couch near me.

"Wait!.. You met him already?!" Baling ni Sandy sa amin at agad na umalis sa ibabaw ni Zach na tatawa tawa pa rin but look at us. May mga cake na sya sa mukha dahil kay Sandy.

Magsasalita sana ako ng biglang tumayo ang aso and go to his owner.

I longingly look the dog while Zach try to make him eat an icing.

"We've met.. awhile ago." Said the bari tone voice. It's too deep and husky.

"Bakit di mo sinabi?!" Baling sa akin ni Sandy. I look to Izaac who's staring at me and Sandy who's been shocked about.. What?

"Ano?" Tanong ko.

"You've met him..! Ang bilis mo Reya!" Asik nya sa akin at parang nahahapong hinawakan ang tapat ng dibdib nya. Is she insane? as if it's a big deal?

Kinunutan ko sya ng noo.

"Ahhh. So hindi mo pala sya boyfriend.. That's good Dude." Thumbs up ni Zach kay Izaac.

Sandy slap his hand at gigil na umupo sa kabilang side sa gilid ni Zach.

"His our new neighbor.. Izaac." I said trying to get the dog but he doesn't give me any attention.

"Woohh. I'm Zach dude." Ngisi nya.

Tumango lang yung Izaac at brace his self on the seat.

"He transfered here and in the university.. Feel free to get Zach to tour you around." Baling ko sa kanya. His blue eyes stare at me again for awhile before answer.

"Ok.." He said.

"Ha? Ehh bakit ako Reya!? Si Sandy rin o kaya ikaw! Alam mo Dude malawak yung campus pero hindi ka naman maliligaw naku! Sa pogi mong yan at kunting pakita lang ng killer smile mo may tour guide ka na agad.." Halakhak ni Zach habang gumagawa pa ng figure ng sexy na babae.

Agad syang binatukan ni Sandy at gigil na sinipa sa tuhod pero mabilis nyang tinaas ang paa nya sa couch at inakap ang aso nya. He giggle while trying to provoke her.

"Mend your heart first before teach Izaac how to lure girls." I mono tone said get one apple to the center table and take a bite.

He suddenly cough while Sandy sneer at him.

"Oo nga!.. Ano bang nangyari?" Tanong sa akin ni Sandy. Inirapan ko sya at ngumuya..

"The same scenario"

"Yahh! Friend shouldn't tell to other people about their friend's secret!" Laki mata sa akin ni Zach. I just bite the apple while looking away. Izaac watch our conversation.

I unconsciously give him my apple because he seems out of place. He just stare at me and take my apple on my hand.

"I am also a friend duhh!" Sigunda ni Sandy.

"It's not a secret.. You cried in public." I said chewing the apple inside my mouth.

"You cried! Again?!" Tawa ni Sandy.

"I cried on your front yard!" Zach gasp.

"It's still public.. Izaac saw you too." Turo ko kay Izaac na kinakagat na ang apple na binigay ko.

The two look shocked when they saw the apple on Izaac lips. He take a bite before nod a bit.

"Dude did you just..?" Singhap ni Zach.

"You eat Reya's apple?! Oh my god!" I sigh when Sandy scream her lungs out. What's the big deal?

"Well, it's common.. Sandy take my spoon when we was in junior so not a big deal " Kabit balikat ni Zach like convincing himself. Nanlalaki ang matang tumitig sa akin si Sandy at agad na sinapak sa likod si Zach making him groan.

"Are you insane Zachary?! It's f*****g   big deal you old elf!" Tayo ni Sandy.

Napairap na lang ako sa OA nila at tumayo. I need water.

"It's Reya's apple.. No one dares to get Reya's apple. Hell will loss it's magma and she's taking a mega transformation with those snob personality, makes you regret to get her precious apple!? Your dead Izaac man. Brace youself!"

"I give it to him Sandy.. Stop talking already." I said while going to the kitchen to get myself a drink.

"Really?!" Baling ni Sandy kay Izaac, he just nod again chewing the apple so slow.

"Ok." She said take her seat again making Zach secretly laugh.

I get my drink and heard the silence in the living room. I stay in the kitchen for awhile but I didn't heard their voice again.

Napapabuntong hiningang binaba ko ang baso ko at lumakad pabalik.

I saw how awkward the atmosphere was when I go back, Sandy petting the dog, Zach was eating and Izaac was already watching me to take my seat.

"They awkward with the new face so they hyper.." Baling ko kay Izaac smiling at him. The two groan and complain but still out of words already.

"Is.. that so?" He said looking at the two who smile at him.

"Sandy is friendly but barely contain her curious.. She will ask you things."

"I am not!" Apila ni Sandy.

I ignore her.

"Zach is a cry baby and softy.. He will pissed you off because you showed here. He surely tour you around even if you don't want to."

"Stop it Reya! Kailan ka pa naging madaldal?.." Zach groan and take another bite to his food.

"I am just telling the truth... Surely he will stick around both of you." Lingon ko sa kanila.

"What about you?.." He suddenly ask. I look at him and the serious look he gave was... I don't know how to name it though.

"What about me?" I asked.

"Aren't you going to tour me around too? You look you knew everything here so.." He stop talking when he saw that I drop my smile and look at him blankly.

Tumikhim si Sandy.

"Reya does not familiar here if I could tell you that Ha ha.. She's just ahm. I-I just well telling you that we have different circle of friends around the town and Reya wasn't.." Sandy glance at me before looking to Izaac.

"She's neither both of those circle of friends." Zach added and put his arms around my shoulder smiling at Izaac.

"This Reya just have me and Sandy as you know Dude true friends." Turo nya sa akin. Inirapan ko sya at tinapik ang kamay nya. He crumble his face to me before taking off his arms around me.

"That's why you shouldn't ask that.. She's talking to you because you are her neighbor. Lahat kasi dito magkakakilala.. Yung dating nakatira dati dyan close namin ni Tita Lei. So Reya was too. We used to talk everyone and mingle around if there's an event." Sandy said glancing at me.

I sigh. I am not comfortable that I am here but their topic is me.

Our conversation cut when Lei emerge in the living room.

"I'm home!.. Ohh you all here!" Masayang salubong nya.

"Hello po!" Salubong ni Zach at umakap agad kay Lei.

"Hi Zachary! Eating again."

"Oo naman Tita Lei.. " masiglang sabi ni Zach.. Natawa lang si Lei.

"Oh Andito rin si Izaac! Sandy tawag ka ni Drina ah." Tawa ni Lei habang bumibitaw kay Zach.

I got up and walk to her. I took her hand and bless. Sandy bless also before taking off which make Lei laugh.

Izaac give her an awkward bless bago tumabi sa akin look down at me. I give him a weird look.

They talk in the living room while I prepared our dinner.

Narinig ko si Zach na nagpaalam kay Lei even Izaac was ready to go also. Iniwan ko muna ang niluluto ko bago pumunta sa front door. I saw them standing near the close door.

"Can you stay for dinner Izaac?" Lei asked softly.

"Ako tita di mo tatanungin?" Singit ni Zach making my lips up a bit. The dog was sleeping on his arms.

"Ayy naku baka hinahanap ka na sa inyo Zachary! Sa susunod na lang at alam kung busok ka pa rin naman." Puna ni Lei pero tatawa tawang tinapik sa likod ni Zach. She's holding Izaac wrist. That makes him look awkward.

"Tita talaga.. Sige na nga. Bukas ulit."

Tawa ni Zach.

"Oo na.. Ingat ka sa daan." Tango ni Lei.

I walk to them and watch him go.

"Hmm. Izaac will stay for dinner right?" Basag ni Lei at bumalik kay Izaac na sa akin bumaling.

Nagkabit balikat na umiwas ako ng tingin nod a bit before going to the kitchen.

"Don't worry masarap magluto ni Reya.. Did you eat the Bulalo she cooked?" Rinig kung tanong ni Lei.

"Yeah.. It's delicious." Sagot nung Izaac.

"I told you so.. Where's your Tito? You can call him para makasabay na rin sya sa atin."

"Ah his on his work right now. Baka late syang maka uwi.."

I stop chopping the potato when there's no emotion on his words because he just anwer it casually. I sigh and shake my head continuing to dice those potato. I'm cooking adobo alright with potatoes.

They talk most of the time. Nagpaalam si Lei na magpapalit muna kaya naiwan sa akin si Izaac.

I preparing the table when I saw him watching me leaning on the door frame near me. His eyes soften and there's this peaceful look on his face.

I stand straight and face him.

"Are you hungry already?" Tanong ko. Agad syang tumayo ng tuwid at umiling.

"I just... wanted to watch you preparing the dinner." Kumunot ang noo nya pagkatapos nyang sabihin yun, he looks down.

"Hmm. You seat here if you want. Patapos na rin ako" Turo ko sa upuan. He suddenly look up to me and look at the table then walk and take the chair slowly like his savoring the moment of seating in that chair. His very timid and careful yet the table look so small with his physic and biceps. His a big young man.

Pumunta ulit ako sa kitchen counter at kinuha ang kanin at adobo.

He look at me and stare fascinated to the rice and adobo.

"You really like to cook?" He ask.

"Yeah..." I said taking the water on the fridge.

"How old are you when you start cooking?"

I stop and look at him, I saw him watching my move and his curious blue eyes.

I close the fridge and walk to him. Dala ang pitchel na nilapag ko yun sa gilid.

"15, It's a hubby for once because books seems boring sometimes.." I said while taking the dessert out of the oven. I cook mango pie yesterday at ngayon ko lang din nainit.

"I haven't cook my entire life.." He said with a soft husky voice.

I smile this time, it's true smile.

"If you can boil eggs then you can cook." I said smiling at him.

"I'll try it then.." Ngiti nya.

That's the first time he smile and look happy while watching me cutting the pie.

Magsasalita pa sana ako ng marinig ko ang yapag ni Lei so I just smile at him and proceed to cut the pie.

We ate dinner with Lei and Izaac mostly talk about things and I just comment all the time.