Against the Tides

CHAPTER 11

Hindi ako lasing. Hindi ako nakainom. Pero feeling ko ay may hangover ako. Ngayon lang nag-sync in sa akin ang mga kahihiyan kahapon. I mean, di naman sa nakakahiya talaga siya, pero nahihiya pa rin ako.

Ewan ko ba, maaga-aga ang gulo-gulo ng utak ko. Next time talaga, di na ako papayag makihalubilo sa mga kaibigan ni Elias.

“Hoy, bumangon ka na. We're going to attend mass, di ba?”

Napasimangot ako nang marinig ang boses ni Elias sa labas ng kwarto ko. This dickhead really has a pissful voice early in the morning.

I just sighed, prayed, and thanked God for this morning bago bumangon at gawin ang routine ko. Hindi na ako nakapag-almusal kasi for sure nagreready na rin sila Mama.

After an hour of doing my business, tumingin ako sa salamin at ngumiti sa aking repleksyon. Damn, ganda.

A knee-length, navy-blue short-sleeve dress with a round neckline, layered asymmetrical hem, and a matching fabric waist tie, paired with neutral-tone heels. I just let my hair down since medyo basa pa siya. I put powder and licked my lips since it's already reddish.

“Your beautiful, I know. You can take your time as you want but your Mama is already waiting for you.” I flinched when I heard Elias' voice, and when I looked at my door, he's leaning on the wall, smirking.

“Baka naman alam mo ang gawain na kumatok muna?” naiinis kong sabi.

Kinuha ko ang handbag ko at naiinis na humarap sa kanya. Nakakainis! Edi kung kanina pa siya diyan, then he saw how I looked at myself confidently? I mean… no shame, I’m just proud of myself hanggat nandoon ang mood.

Lumabas na ako ng kwarto at nilagpasan lang siya. I walked downstairs and saw Mama na nakakunot ang noo. Mukhang tama nga si Elias, nag-aantay na talaga si Mama sa akin.

Sa pagda-drive papunta sa simbahan, kwentuhan lang nilang tatlo ang kumakain ng katahimikan sa loob ng kotse. Since it’s a Montero and Dad’s driving, malamang sa malamang katabi niya si Mama. At syempre, dahil sila ang front seat, kami naman ni Elias ang back seat. Pero mukhang behave naman si Elias kasi simula nang magsimula ang biyahe, hindi siya nagsasalita o nangang tease sa akin.

When we arrived at the National Shrine of St. Jude, inalalayan ako ni Elias na makababa. Gaya ng ginawa ng aking Dad kay Mama. Elias remained behave na parang napakabait na Tito. He should be, magsisimba kami kaya kailangan muna niyang putulin ang sungay para makapasok siya.

When the mass ended at walang pissful na event na ginawa si Elias, he remained silent and serious kahit na magkatabi kami. At medyo nasho-shock lang kasi hindi ako sanay. Like, kahit magkatabi kami, kahit nandiyan ang aking mga magulang, he would make faces just to piss me off.

But this time it’s different, and I might say, he really knows his place where to be a d**k and where not to be one. He just listened the whole time, na parang sinasapuso niya ang sinasabi sa Misa. I appreciate it.

After the mass, dumiretso kami kaagad sa company ni Dad because he had an urgent thing to do. While waiting, we were at a café nearby Dad’s company. Habang umu-order si Elias, bigla nalang nagsalita si Mama.

“You look beautiful, anak.” Ngumiti ako at napailing.

“What? Totoo naman. Sometimes when we go to Mass, palagi ka lang naka-skirt or pants. But ngayon lang kita nakitang mag-dress.” Napatigil ako bigla sa sinabi ng nanay ko.

Wait, what?

“I... I don’t know. Bigla ko lang napagtripan mag-dress. Kasi baka magalit ka na naman na ang dami dami kong damit na hindi ko sinusuot.” Tumawa siya ng mahina bago tumango-tango.

I honestly don’t know the reason why I suddenly wanted to wear a dress. Well… wala namang masama ang pabago-bagong trip ng pananamit.

“Thank you, Elias.” I looked up when Elias returned from his seat after ordering.

He didn’t even bother looking at me. Nagkwentuhan na sila ni Mama ng di ko alam, at kinuha ko nalang ang iPad ko to read some novels or manhwa. But I couldn't stop myself when I peeked at Elias. His hairstyle is short to medium length with soft, messy layers. The bangs fall over his forehead and slightly cover his eyes. It looks natural and a bit tousled, like he didn’t style it much.

I smiled at the waiter when he put our orders on the table. I saw how Elias got his coffee and sipped on it boredly.

Dahil nabored na rin ako, I continued my thing on my iPad. Habang silang dalawa busy pa rin sa business talk nila, somehow I could see Elias being serious here. Wala akong maintindihan at kapag iniintindi ko, sumasakit lang ang ulo ko.

There is one time when they use some deeper words. Sinearch ko na sa Google, hindi naman siya deeper. OA lang ako kasi I don’t understand their world.

"You can leave if you want." Napaangat ako ng tingin at nakita kong wala ang nanay ko. I looked at Elias and frowned at what he said.

"What?" Tinaasan lang niya ako ng kilay na para bang ang bingi-bingi ko.

"You seem bored; why not go and entertain yourself?" Simpleng sagot niya.

Does this d**k have his period right now? Because he's being moody as f**k. Kaninang umaga nang-aasar pa. Kanina parang bored na nagging seryoso. Tapos ngayon nagpapalayas na akala mo pag-aari niya yung lugar.

"Why bother with my boredom? Entertain yourself." I rolled my eyes and sipped on my milk tea.

Nawala lang nanay ko, lumabas na naman tunay na sungay ng demonyo na 'to.

"It seems you don’t get our conversation," he said.

"Hindi ko alam na napapansin mo pala ako kahit busy ka. What a sweet concern, Uncle you are," I said in a sweet voice, but it was indeed full of sarcasm.

He just chuckled and shook his head.

Super cringe ng pinagtatalunan naming dalawa palagi. Maya-maya lang ay bumalik na si Mama at natuloy ang kwentuhan nila. Mukhang close naman na sila ni Mama. Psh, sana all.

And I’m so thankful when Jas messaged me on IG. Thank goodness.

Jastene Valen

Girl! I have good news.

What is it

Dalawa siya so choose a number, 1 or 2.

I rolled my eyes. This girl really, mahilig mang-chismis pero palaging pa-suspense.

2

Well, in-add lang naman ako ng lalakeng friend ni Eric! He is so handsome as hell, pero guess what? I’m so into him ng ilang minutes, as in! Like, I’m already imagining what we would be like. And boom, he messaged your bff, girl.

HE MADE THE FIRST MOVE! CAN YOU IMAGINE THAT?

But…

Natawa ako at napailing ako sa sobrang dramatic ng babaeng ito. She really feels it. But who could the guy be? As far as I remember, iilang guy friends si Eric. Is it the one who pointed out a dare and chose Jas?

Babasahin ko pa sana ang message ni Jas nang makitang tumahimik sina Mama at Elias. As I looked up, I saw them looking at me. Damn, maybe it's from my laughing. I don’t want to tell them it’s Jas and it’s about a guy. So, I just shook my head and saw Elias raise his eyebrow, so I just looked back at my phone again.

I noticed he mostly followed girls? Like, hello? And based on what I saw in his comment section, he flirts with the girls who comment on his photos.

And I’m not that judgy, but I’m a bit off when he wants us to meet and f**k?

AND ASKING FOR MY NUDES???

HINDI AKO MAKAPANIWALA! I THOUGHT IT WAS ROMANCE, BRUH.

NAKAKAINIS! SINABI KO AGAD KAY ERIC, AND HE IMMEDIATELY WARNED ME THAT HIS FRIEND IS A… TOOT TOOT.

So I just messaged him a "f**k off" message.

Am I rude?

Hindi ko na maiwasan hindi matawa ng malakas. But I immediately covered my mouth. Damn, I didn’t know na drama na pala ang napasukan ng kaibigan kong ito. Buti na lang na alam niya ang gagawin niya at hindi basta-basta nanghihina kasi gwapo.

I fake-coughed and glanced at Mama na umiinom ng kape niya while Elias was looking at me with his raised eyebrows. So I just raised my eyebrow at him and looked him in the eye. This d**k, such an attitude.

I just rolled my eyes at him and continued with my s**t.

You just did the right thing, I guess? Proud bff here. Hindi ka nadala sa pogi.

I was about to type another message when Elias suddenly spoke. So I raised my eyebrow and saw Mama had gone.

“She left; your dad messaged her to meet him. Masyado kasi busy eh.” He clicked his tongue and scrolled down on his phone.

Aawayin ko pa sana siya, pero base sa sitwasyon ni Jas, I think I can help her, especially with this man. Like, this is his world. He knows the moves and the rules.

“You’re a playboy, right?” Kinunutan niya ako ng noo, na parang anytime mapupuno na siya sa akin.

“Can I ask for some advice?”

“So it’s a guy.” A what?

“What?” I looked at him, puzzled, and he just pointed at my phone. I rolled my eyes; masyado naman tong ma-issue.

“Ma-issue ka noh? I’m just asking.” He shrugged and smirked.

“Well, what can I help with? Especially from my niece.” He grinned, seeming delighted by the situation.

“When you like someone, will you message her to meet up and f**k, and ask for a naked photo?” Bigla siyang napaubo dahil iniinom niya yung kape niya. Buti nga.

“The f**k, who messaged you that?”

“It’s not me! You idiot. Masyado kang ma-issue, bwiset ka.”

He suddenly laughed loudly. Napatingin sa kanya ang ilang customers, while other girls blushed and took photos of him.

“Tawang-tawa?” naiinis kong bulong at ininom ang milk tea ko.

“Well, it’s up to that woman if she wants it, and she can decline if not. Easy as that.” He shrugged as if it’s not a big deal.

“Uunahan na kita, yes it’s a playboy or whatever. But yeah, it depends on the boy if it’s a one-time thing or longer. I don’t know because I don’t do that low-class s**t. I do not ask women,” I frowned. Akala ko naman ang ganda-ganda pakinggan. Parehas pang-gago lang pala.

“I expected a more serious answer. Pa-low class, low class. Pare-parehas lang naman kayo.” Naiinis kong sabi at tumayo, inayos ang mga gamit ko, at rolled my eyes sa kanya bago umalis.

“Hey! Where are you going?” sigaw niya. Nakakahiya naman ‘to. Masyado ng eksena sa café.

Wherever, my ass.

Makikipagkita na lang ako kay Jas.