Chapter Three
"What a troublemaker," I hissed. Naglalakad na kaming tatlo papunta sa highway. We were kicked out of that mini restaurant because of Azhter. Feeling niya siguro siya ang my knight in shining armor ko. My foot, he got no help. Everything was messed up because of him. Good thing that he paid for the damages. Lalo lang akong nagutom nang dahil sa kaniya. He spilt my pares while fighting with Philip.
"I thought you're in basketball practice. Why barged in? How did you know I was there?" I asked.
"I didn't know that guy was your classmate. My dad told me that you were transferred. I came to your school but you weren't there so I looked elsewhere," he replied and stared at Philip.
"So, you're telling me that he's really your boyfriend?" Philip asked curiously. He has a bruise on the side of his cheek. I gave Azhter a glare then he looked away.
"Wait," I ordered. I stopped Philip and pushed him to the convenience store in front of us. Azhter followed me and I saw a small wound on his forehead.
I went to the counter and asked them to wait at the table over there. I got an ointment and some band aids. I was about to get my wallet but I realized that Dad cut off my cards. I went to Azhter and took his wallet.
"Where's your wallet? Why get mine?" he asked and stopped my hand.
"What do you mean stop?" I crossed my eyebrows and went back to the counter. I also bought food before returning to their seats. I returned Azhter's wallet and sat down in the vacant seat. I'm sitting on the chair between them.
"I'll ask Daddy Lucas to give me some allowance. I promise to pay you back," I said and gave him the cup noodles. I laid the band aids and ointment on the table and looked at them both. I opened the ointment and touched Azhter's chin. He hurt himself again. He's too careless.
"Take it slowly!" he asserted. I rolled my eyes and put a bandaid on his forehead.
"Don't ever do it again or I'll ask Jacob tobeat you up," I emphasized. I turned to Philip who was just staring at us. I took the band aid and ointment and showed it to him.
"Would you mind if I put some on your-" I haven't finished my sentence since he gets the ointment in my hand. He opened the lid and gave it back to me.
"What are you doing? I thought you're gonna..."
"Uhm, Yes. I'm sorry," I stated. I put some ointment at the side of his lips. It's kind of awkward since I know he's staring at me as I see on my peripheral view. I took the band aid and put it on his face.
"I'm sorry. Azhter didn't know that we're in the same class. He misunderstood," I apologized. I offered him a cup of noodles and saw him nod.
"Lastly, he's not my boyfriend. We're cousins. We grew up together and he's like an older brother to me," I added. "He always said that about every guy I was with."
"So, you're his cousin," Philip smirked.
I eat my noodles to overcome my hunger.
Gosh, It's been a while since I tasted this one. Should I ask Dad to buy me a dozen?
"Eat slowly, Lychie." Azhter took the tissue and handed it to me. "You ate like a pig."
Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay at nagpatuloy sa pagkain. Philip's sketchpad caught my attention while I'm slurping my noodles. He also said that he attended a club meeting. I'm curious if that's related to drawing.
"Do you like to draw?" I asked. He didn't answer me but nodded his head. "Can I take a look?" I took the sketchpad on the table.
"Let me see." I haven't seen his works because Azhter took it from me. He pushed my forehead and raised the sketchpad up.
"How did you end up with this guy, Kryzion?" Azhter asked while scanning Philip's work. I didn't answer his question when I saw Dad's car in front of the store. He then just dropped the sketchpad when we already saw Daddy in the driver's seat. I can't even see Philip's works. I have no chance to take a glance at his drawings.
"What the hell, Azhter?" I crossed my arms and stood up. Daddy Chaster went out and shook his head.
"My fault. I called your dad earlier and told him that I can't find you. I texted our location so he could fetch us," he grinned. I kicked his knee and rolled my eyes. I put Philip's sketchpad on the table then came out. Argh, Azhter is a total jerk!
Dad walked towards me and saw Philip staring at us. He averted his eyes and bowed. Azhter followed me and opened the car's door then Dad ordered me to get in.
"Wait, Dad. Should we take Philip and drive him home?" I asked. I pointed to Philip but he was no longer at his seat. Dad looked at me with disappointment. I got in the car and closed the door. I can't even say thank you to that guy who saved my day.
"What?" I asked irritatedly. Kanina pa ako kinakalabit ni Azhter. Wala naman siyang matinong sasabihin, e.
"I saw something on his sketchpad. He's an artist," he whispered then fell asleep. Sketchpad, my ass. He took it away from me!
Pagkarating namin sa bahay ay agad na akong dumiretso sa kwarto. It's really been a long day. I went to my bathroom and washed myself. I get my towel and sit in front of my mirror table. I wiped my face and smiled. Realizing, I enjoyed my day without spending a huge amount of money. It's tiring and exhausting.
I'm currently drying my hair when I remember my day with Philip. I can't even realize that I'm smiling. Tss, I'm acting weird.
"Ma'am Lizette," my maid called. I walked towards the door and saw her holding a tray. Pumasok siya at inilagay 'yon banda sa may lamp ko.
"Sabi po ni sir, kumain daw po kayo."
Umalis na siya agad at sinara naman ang pinto pagkalabas. I smirked when I examined the food. I thought someone cooked it for me. Inorder lang naman sa labas. I have no choice but to eat that. Simula kanina, noodles lang ang kinain ko.
I browse my net while eating my food that Dad ordered for me. I received a notification from Azhter. I opened it and saw his text.
: Attend my tournament next week.
I growled and rolled my eyes. Dad transferred me to Anastasia. How can I face my friends when I go to Foster?
I turned off my phone and laid on my bed. I received another notification so I irritatedly opened my phone. I received a message from an unknown number.
: I have a question
Gosh, Azhter! It's not the right time for jokes. I called that number and it immediately answered. I'm not in my mood to play.
"Azhter, I'm sleepy. Stop bothering me!" I exclaimed. I was about to end the call but I heard a different but a familiar voice.
"Uhm, I'm just gonna ask you if you want to go to school with me tomorrow or should I just text you the way there? I'm not going to accompany you again if you get detention," he asked. I looked at my phone and put it on my ear once again.
"Wait, Philip?" I asked.
"Yeah?" he answered. Napahawak ako sa bibig ko at tinignan ang cellphone ko paulit-ulit.
"How did you get my number?"
"I'm sleepy. Just tell me your answer then I'll answer you someday," he assured.
"I'm not familiar with the place so option one," I answered. He suddenly ended the call so I put my phone down. He's unbelievable. I didn't expect that!
It's morning. I saw Dad and Mom eating breakfast on the table. "Hi, Mom. Good Morning!" I greeted.
"What's with your smile? How's your school yesterday? You didn't join us for dinner," mom asked. I kissed her cheeks before sitting beside her. For sure, Dad didn't tell her everything.
"I'm with Azhter. Don't worry. We're fine," I smiled. Kumuha ako ng sandwich at ininom ko ang kape. Umalis na ako agad ng bahay dala-dala ang bag ko. I looked at Dad and he was drinking his coffee.
"Aren't you too early?" Mom shouted. I giggled and went out. Naglakad na ako papuntang labasan. I waited for Philip on the highway. I'm holding my phone waiting for his message. Nakita ko siya sa may tulay kaya itinaas ko ang kamay ko. Agad akong nagtago nang makita kong kasabay niya sa paglalakad si Avis. Tumalikod ako at hinintay silang lumagpas.
I received a message from Philip and said he's already there. Hindi ako pwedeng sumabay. Kasama niya si Avis!
Nakita kong tumatawag siya kaya itinago ko ang phone ko. Alright, I'll just ask Azhter to pick me up or else I'm doomed.
Philip's POV
I already called her but she's not picking up his phone. I looked at Avis and her eyebrows were crossed. "Philip, we're getting late," she reminded. She looked at her wristwatch and raised an eyebrow at me. May nakita akong papalapit na taxi kaya agad ko itong pinara.
"Avis, May pupuntahan pa ako. Mauna ka na," sabi ko at hinawakan siya sa likod.
"Wait, what? No." Pinapasok ko siya sa taxi at isinara ang pintuan. I shook my head and nodded. I hate it. She whined like a child.
Lumingon ako sa likod ko at nakita ko ang peach na bag ni Lizette. I grinned and walked towards her. She didn't know how to hide. I saw her peeking at me so I chuckled.
"What are you doing, new girl?" I asked and she hid herself more. She covered herself and that made me laugh.
"Are you with Avis?" she asked and turned around.
I shrugged. "Why are you hiding? You're still visible. I can see you."
"So, she's with you or what?" she asked again.
"No," I replied. Humarap siya sa akin at inayos ang buhok niya.
"I told you that we're not in good terms." Pinagpagan niya ang damit niya at umayos ng tayo. I heard she and Avis were competitors at sports? Which means Lizette is good at volleyball?
"Argh! Speaking of the devil," she hissed and raised an eyebrow. I looked at my back and saw Avis staring at us.
"So, the rumor was right. You were transferred." I put my hand on my pocket and sighed.
Alright, here we go.
"Good luck for next week, class. Enjoy your lunch," sabi ng teacher namin at agad na lumabas. Nakahinga na ako nang malalim dahil tapos na ang klase. Grabe, hindi ko na maintindihan ang pre-calculus.Tapos na rin naman ang first schedule namin para sa morning class kaya pumunta muna ako sa cafeteria. Hindi ko alam kung nasaan na si Sebastian. Parang hindi ko nga siya boyfriend sa totoo lang. Saka wala rin naman akong experience sa gan'on. Normal lang ba 'to na hindi siya magpakita sa akin tuwing school hours? First boyfriend ko kaya si BastiIniligpit ko na ang mga tupperware ko at nilagay sa lunchbox dahil hindi naman siya nagrereply. Baka busy 'yon sa practice for basketball kaya hindi ako mareplyan. Gusto ko pa naman siyang yayain sa pagkain.Okay na rin 'yon. Parehas naman siguro kaming busy
"Anastasia High School is open for volleyball try-out," basa ko sa bulletin. Napataas lang ang kilay ko. I don't have any time for that. Ayaw ko nang makigulo pa kay Avis. Saka 'di ba, galit sa akin ang mga teammates niya. Lalo pa akong hindi makabalik sa Foster.Kakatapos lang ng klase namin at mag-isa lang akong naglakad papalabas ng room. Wala ako sa mood na siputin si Basti sa tutoring session. Naiinis ako sa kaniya. Cross doesn't get in touch with me these days. Parang iniiwasan niya ako.Biglang may humatak sa akin at nakita ko si Sebastian. Pinapasok niya ako sa kotse at agad niya 'yung ni-lock pagkapasok niya rin sa loob."Basti, ano ba?" sabi ko at pinalo siya sa braso.
Was everything a joke? Parang ang seryoso ni Basti sa mga sinabi niya pero anong nangyari? Hindi ko alam kung si Basti ba talaga ang kasama ko kahapon. The moment I saw him, he turns to a different person. Hindi niya man lang ako pinansin kanina sa grounds. Parang back to strangers ulit kami. Ano 'to? Trial lang? Kung joker pala siya e 'di sobrang galing niya. Napaniwala niya ako, e.Kasalukuyan akong nakasuot ng P.E. uniform dahil may laro kami sa subject na 'to. Actually, it's been a while since I saw Isaiah like this close as before. Hindi na kasi kami gaanong nag-uusap dahil na kay Basti ang atensiyon ko. Kailangan ko kasi mapasa ang final exam this semester habang siya naman busy sa club nila ni Sean.Pumila na kami sa baba. Lumingon ako kay Phillip at ewan ko ba kung bakit kanina pa siya tumitingin. Nasa
Nakarating na kami sa venue. Everyone's eyes were glued to us. Pumarada ang kotse ni Cross sa harap ng bahay ng pinsan niya. Everyone needs to walk on the red carpet for picture taking. In-i-offer ni Cross ang kamay niya at inalalayan akong palabas. Humawak ako sa braso niya at umayos naman siya ng tayo. I saw ate Zia waving at me wearing her shining elegant gown.Napapaypay ako sa sarili ko gamit ang sarili kong kamay. Halos lahat kasi ng mata ng mga family members ni Cross nakatingin sa akin. It's too overwhelming. Parang nalulula ako.Pumunta na kami sa table. Si Cross lang ang kasama ko. Everyone was now dancing on the dance floor. Kakatapos lang kasi ng isang program. We're on the side watching everyone dancing with their date."Kry," Cross said.
Third Person's POVParehas silang nasa loob ng kotse. Tahimik lang silang dalawa sa parking lot. Lizette still can't get over for what just happened lately. Second kiss na nila 'yon ni Basti. Everything was awkward. Nakasandal lang ang ulo ni Lizette sa bintana ng kotse dahil naiilang na siya sa mga titig ni Sebastian."Where were you these past few days?" Lizette asked calmly. Her curiosity was killing her. Ilang araw na absent si Jerome tapos ngayon lang siya nagpakita. Tumingin siya kay Basti na kanina pa siya tinitingnan."Hospital," Basti replied and sighed. "Hindi kasi pwedeng mag-leave si Mommy sa trabaho niya dahil we need funds for Cheska's operation. I can't leave her behind," he added and looked away.
"Bakit ka tulala 'dyan?" Napalingon ako sa gilid at nakita ko si Cross na may dalang ice cream. Ngayon na kasi ang foundation day pero bawat galaw ko parang may kulang. Ilang araw ng hindi pumapasok si Basti at ayaw niya ring mag-reply sa mga message ko. Hindi lang ako sanay na wala ang prescence niya everyday. He also stopped tutoring me for a while. Last na text niya sa akin ay babawi na lang siya. Bukod kay Azhter, si Cross lang ang nakakasundo ko. Hindi na rin kasi ako gaanong pinapansin ni Isaiah dahil mukhang busy sila ni Sean sa club nila. I often attend baking club since wala rin naman akong makausap. I just enjoyed the whole day with Cross. No doubt, ang saya niya talaga kasama. He even invited me to his cousin's birthday tomorrow. Pero this time, sinabihan niya na ako nang maaga. I actually bought a gift right after