Chapter 28
1933 Words
Chapter 28
Of course they will discuss again their med school chuchu. Good thing I didn’t go, my father will just insult me there.
“Was that the daughter?” Hannah asked.
“Yeah.”
“Do you know her as well Vincent?”
“No. But, I think Archer have mentioned her to me before.”
“Vincent? Can you leave us for a while? We’ll be having a girl talk.”
“Can’t I join you?”
“So lumadlad ka narin finally? Vincent sa umaga, ano sa gabi? Vivian?”
Natawa ako sa pangaasar ni Hannah. Madaldal rin kasi ang isang ‘to pero minsan may pagkamahiyain.
“Spend a night with me and you’ll know. Wanna try?” Vince retorted wittily, mautak talaga pero ang dumi naman.
“Umalis ka na nga!” itinulak na nito palayo ang binata na siya namang sinalubong ng ilang mga kaedad nito na nasa party.
“So she’s that girl? Maganda ka, pero maganda rin siya…. Mukhang malandi pa, talo ka.”
“Talo ng malandi ang maganda no?” biro ko.
“Oo! Kaya galaw-galaw ka din baka mapana ng iba yang Archer mo.”
“Nasa kay Archer na yon kung gusto niya si Karylle o ako. Ang alam ko lang e magkaibigan sila, maybe even before that girl went to Italy and now that she’s back.”
“Ba’t di mo tanungin si Kean?”
“Sino ba ako para magtanong”
“Girlfriend, duh?”
“Nah. I don’t want him to think that I have a bad feeling or jealous of her friend. And besides, she hasn’t done anything wrong to me either. So it would just be unreasonable to ask Archer what she means to him.”
“Pero girl, ganon ba talaga yon? may girlfriend na yung tao tapos ikaw na kaibigan aakto na parang tarsier sa pagkapit sa braso? Sa harap mo pa, konting distansya naman sana. Oo magkaibigan sila given na yon pero kung talagang kaibigan dapat alam rumespeto at alam kung saan ilulugar ang sarili.”
“She somehow grew up in abroad, maybe that’s how they do things? with their friends.”
“Hmm. Basta iba rin ang feel ko sa babaeng yon.” I laughed coz we’re sharing the same vibe towards her.
I know, it is not right to judge people before knowing them, but I can’t help it, I’m not doing anything wrong towards her either.
“Hannah, Amirah, are you done with your girl talk like you called it?” tawag samin ni Vince habang palapit ito saamin kasama ang ilang mga kaibigan nito.
“What again?” masungit na sagot nito kay Vince.
“Ladies I want you to meet my friends. Oh right, Amira you already met them before right? During the foundation.” I just nodded although I totally forgot their names now. He then moved to Hannah’s side and introduced her to them.
“This is Hannah, Amira’s friend, and my date tonight.”
“Not really, you technically forced me to pay my debt of gratitude.” His friends laughed at Hannah’s statement.
“You’re getting weak now Hermoso?” Asar ng naka itim na coat at pulang polo na may itim rin na tie. He’s wearing eyeglasses and it suits him.
“Shut up Gabriel.”
“Who’s this lady by the way? I haven’t met her before.” He’s now referring to me.
“Amy, that’s my friend as well. So don’t you dare Riel.”
“Chill bro, I’m not going to do anything.” Lumapit ito saakin at naglahad ng kamay.
“Nice to meet you Amy, I’m Gabriel Fajardo, but you can call me Riel” Nakipagkamay ako rito at sinuklian rin ng ngiti.
“Nice to meet you as well.”
“You look stunning… and unfamiliar, are you from here?” I noticed his light brown eyes that screams a foreign blood. I’m sure he’s not a pure Filipino.
“No. I’m not from here.”
“You’re studying at Laurent too? What’s your course?”
“Nursing.” Ang plain ko talagang kausap, I just answer their questions and done. I can feel that he’s trying to have a decent conversation with me but I can’t get myself to say or ask something. I suck at making and maintaining conversations!
“You’re so timid.” Aniya saka mahinang tumawa.
“I… just.. um. I don’t know what to say?” I also laughed at the stupidity of my response.
I guess Archer was right, I’m stupid!
“Yeah obviously. You’re like the shy type of girl. “
“Not really.”
“Yes you are. And your face is actually a bit red now.” He looked amused at my reactions and I wasn’t aware that my face heated up. I hate when I can’t control the rushing of my blood to my face. Do I really have to be shy and embarrassed for like all the time?
“I…um.. sorry?”
“Did someone tell you already that you’re cute?”
“Yes, I did.” Archer suddenly appeared beside me while placing his hand on my waist. Karylle is at her side.
“A-archer.”
“Kean Saavedra, I see... Sorry about that bro.” tumingin ito saakin at kay Archer. He moved back a little.
“By the way everyone, we will continue the party at the open hall, near the shore. I believe you brought something to change onto as said in the invitation?”
“Did you prepare the drinks Saavedra? We’re not going to hold back bro.” aniya ng katabi ni Riel.
“Just go change now Harold, we’re going out of here now and let the adults have fun with their businesses.”
Excited na nagsialisan ang grupo habang lima nalang kaming natira.
“Uuwi na ako.” saad ni Hannah saakin.
“You’re not staying?”
“Nope.”
“you’re staying babe.” Sabat ni Vince.
“I’m not,”
“You’ll stay. I bought you a dress to change onto.”
“You what? How would you know my size?”
“Just by looking at you, I figured out your cup si—“
“You damn pervert Vincent!” hinampas hampas nito si Vince gamit ang kanyang kamay.
“Right. Uwi na rin pala ako.”
“Sabay na tayo girl.” yaya ni Hannah.
“No.” sabay na sambit ni Vince at Archer.
“I did not bring anything aside from my wallet, Archer. Do you expect me to party with this?” I looked at my dress, masyado itong maganda para pang-party roon baka matapunan lang ng alak o ano pa yan.
“And besides, I don’t drink so…”
“I bought you one.”
“A drink?”
“No.” he freakin’ rolled his eyes on me! The nerve of this guy.
“Did you just roll your eyes on me?”
“Did you see them come out of my socket?”
Ay putek, pilosopong sumagot
“Pinipilosopo mo ako Saavedra?” banta ko rito. Ang sungit e palibhasa birthday niya.
“Of course not, baby. I was just kidding.” Aniya saka hinalikan ang gilid ng aking ulo.
“Kung sinabi mo sana na may pa after-party ka edi nagdala ako ng damit?”
“It’s in the car.”
“Uwi nalang ako, samahan ko si Hannah.”
“Hannah’s not going home, right Vince?” kita mo itong mag-bestfriend magkasabwat ang mga ‘to.
“Definitely not, they don’t have the means of transportation either even if they want to.”
I glanced at Karylle who’s been silent and I caught her looking at Archer’s hand on my waist. I immediately withdraw my attention to her and put it on Hannah.
“What now?” I asked her.
“Err. I don’t know? Should we just walk then?” biro nito
“Vince bought you a dress right? Maybe you can change into it.”
“Yeah that pervert.” She glared at where Vince is who is now talking to Archer who’s beside me.
“Did you bring something to wear Karylle?” Archer asked her.
“Yes. It’s in the car.”
“Let’s go then.” Sabi sakin ni Archer bago kami nagpaalam sa dalawa at sinabing magkita kita nalang kami sa bulwagan.
Kasama namin si Karylle na naglakad patungo sa sasakyan ni Archer at nilabas nito ang isang puting paper bag. Sumunod kaming pumunta sa sasakyan ni Dad at doon kinuha ni Karylle ang naka paper bag din nitong damit.
“There’s the restroom, I’ll just go change as well.” Naiwan kaming dalawa ni Karylle papasok sa restroom.
Pumasok ako sa isang cubicle at doon nagpalit ng damit. It’s a white maxi dress that flows down to my ankles, just like what I usually wear when I come here, just a different design and style. The ends of the dress is ombre with light blue color like the sea, I like it. I also found a sandal in the paperbag so I changed my heels into it and put them all inside the paper bag.
Lumabas na ako at naabutan si Karylle sa harap ng salamin. Suot niya ang isang dark red na off-shoulder na hanggang talampakan, it still matches her red lipstick.
Not uttering a word, I also started fixing myself in front of the mirror. Inalis ko yung pin na naka lagay sa buhok ko saka ko inilugay ang aking buhok at kapansin pansin ang pagkulot nito na parang alon. I pat the tissue on my face to atleast remove some oil from it. I can’t remove my make up right now even if I want to.
“So you and Archie?” her voice is not the usual tone she always used when people are around, she sounds like mocking and amused.
“what do you think?” we both are facing the mirror minding our own business yet paying attention to what each other will say.
“I know Archer since we’re young, and I know his games. You gotta be careful sister, don’t play with fire.” Aniya saka ngumisi sakin sa salamin bago ito tuluyang umalis.
I stared at the mirror and wondered how long Archer will like me, how long will this last and how far will this take us.
I know that the moment I started liking Archer, I’m already at the edge of falling.
Love will always be a fire to everyone. It will either light up your dark world with its bright flames and awaken the burning passion and love within you, or it will burn and destroy you.
Am I being a moth?
- Writer
