CHAPTER FOUR

ANDRIETTE

"What are we doing here?"

"Hindi ba sabi mo kanina, ililibre ako for lunch?" Adhaya asked. I lazily nod my head.

"You said you'll treat me pero ako pa rin ang nagbayad kanina." She pouted and crossed her arms.

"I'm sorry, okay? It's just that I'm too pre-occupied a while ago," I explained myself.

She sighed. I thought she's going to be mad at me but she smiled. "That's why we're here! Sasamahan mo ako."

"Dapat nagpasama ka na lamang kay Alexis. Bakit kailangang ako pa? I'm too tired, Adhaya." I frowned and crossed my arms.

"Alexis? She's too busy flirting with guys," she answered.

I roamed my eyes around the place. "Ang ingay dito," reklamo ko.

"May mall bang tahimik?" she asked sarcasmly. Umirap ako at umiling.

She chuckled before she wrapped her hands on my right arm. "Saglit lang tayo, I swear."

I sighed as a sign of defeat. "Saan ba tayo pupunta?"

"Kunin ko raw 'yung inorder na bag ni Mommy," sagot niya habang busy sa pagtingin-tingin sa paligid.

"Basta bilisan mo, I'm tired already."

She nodded and continued to walk. Wala naman akong nagawa kung hindi sumunod sa kaniya sa paglalakad. May mga nakasalubong din kaming schoolmates namin at lahat sila ay binabati si Adhaya. 

She's the Student Council Vice President afterall. Sino kaya 'yung President? Paano niya natalo si Adhaya?

Ilang minuto pa ang nakalipas bago kami nakarating sa shop. We were instructed to wait for an hour for them to process Adhaya's mom's order.

I let out a harsh breath. Gustong-gusto ko ng umuwi, ugh! 

"I'm sorry, Dri. Hindi ko naman alam na matatagalan." Adhaya scratched the back of her neck and smiled awkwardly.

Wala naman akong nagawa kung hindi tumango. I don't want her to feel bad. Hindi naman niya kasalanan na nagka-aberya sa pagp-process ng order. 

"That's alright, hindi mo naman kasalanan," I answered.

"Bakit parang naging mabait ka bigla? May kailangan ka ba?" 

Napailing ako. "I'm just going to ask you something."

"Fine, what is it?"

"About Claude..." panimula ko.

She nudged my arms. "Ikaw ha! Are you interested in him?"

I shook my head and gave a dismissive wave of hand. "Of course, not!"

"Alright, alright. Anong itatanong mo about him?" 

"Just tell me anything about him. Kahit kaunti lang," I answered.

"Hmm, alright. Claude is the epitome of a perfect student. Matalino, masipag mag-aral, active sa discussion, pang-laban sa mga quiz bee. Plus points nalang 'yung pagiging gwapo niya."

Napatango ako.

"Wait. Are you sure you're not interested in him?" I rolled my eyes before glaring at her.

"Hindi nga sabi! Ugh, whatever. I'll just call Keith para sabihin na mal-late ako ng uwi," pagpapaalam ko. She answered me with a simple nod and a casual smile. 

I rose up from my seat before going outside the store. Agad ko namang idinial ang number ni Keith. Sana sagutin niya.

"Anong kailangan mo? Wala akong pera," bungad niya. 

I rolled my eyes. "Anong problema mo? You didn't even say hi," reklamo ko.

He chuckled. "Kailangan pa ba, ate?"

Muli akong napairap. "Whatever. Pakisabi kay Mom mal-late ako ng uwi, nagpasama si Adhaya sa mall."

"Sa mall o sa bar?"

"Keith!" Iritableng sigaw ko. Napatingin naman sa akin ang iba pang dumadaang customers. I lowered my head because of embarassment. Ugh!

"Fine. I'll tell her," pagsuko niya.

"But! Nasa mall ka right?" he asked.

"Oo, bakit?"

"Ibili mo ako ng libro. Alam mo na naman ang gusto ko, hindi ba?" I sighed. Heto na naman siya. Ugh!

"Alright, let's just see each other later. Bye!" I remarked and ended the call.

I was walking and looking on my phone at the same time when I felt someone held my wrist. I was completely shocked when he pulled me without hesitation.

Parang tinakasan ako ng aking boses at hindi ako makapagsalita habang hawak niya ang palapulsuhan ko. 

"H-Hey..." I stuttered.

Hindi niya ako sinagot at sa halip ay hinila pa rin ako. He's wearing our uniform so I assumed that he's our schoolmate. Too bad, I can't see his face and all I can see is his broad shoulders. 

My eyes widened when we entered the lobby of the restroom. What the...

"Hey!" I exclaimed. It seems like he was shocked because I raised my voice and stopped walking.

"Let go of me!" Malakas na sigaw ko. Mukhang nataranta siya sa reaksiyon ko at sa halip ay tinakpan niya ang aking bibig at hinila ako papasok sa loob ng restroom.

"Oh my gosh! Rape! Rap—"

"Anong rape? Yuck!" reklamo niya at inalis ang pagkakahawak sa bibig ko. 

"Who are y— Ikaw?!" I exclaimed when I saw his face once again.

"Natatandaan mo pa pala ako, Andriette," he remarked. 

Tatanungin ko sana siya kung paano niya nalaman ang pangalan ko pero naalala ko na sinabi ko nga pala sa kaniya noon bago ako tumalon sa pader ng school namin.

And yes, siya si 'Morris'. 

"What do you need?" I threaded a hand through my hair.

"Nakita lang kitang naglalakad," he answered and gave me a lop sided grin.

I snapped my fingers. "So, you dragged me here just to say that you dragged me because you saw me walking?" 

"Huh?" takang tanong niya.

I heaved a sigh. "Whatever. Tabi, aalis na ako."

Instead of letting me out, he spread his arms wide to stop me from going out.

"Ano bang problema mo?!" I yelled.

"I'm just going to ask you something," panimula niya.

I drew in a long breath. "Spill."

"Hindi kita nalapitan kaninang lunch dahil kausap mo si Moore..."

"I don't care," I cut him off.

"Anong pinag-usapan niyo?" he asked.

"It's none of your business."

"It is," giit niya.

"Ano bang pakialam mo, ha?" I crossed my arms and shot a brow up.

"Galit ka rin ba kay Moore? We can team up against him!"

"Hindi," I retorted.

"What? But the rumors said—"

"Hindi ako sa kaniya galit, okay? He just pissed me off," paliwanag ko.

Hindi ko nga alam kung bakit ako nakikipag-usap sa katulad niya. Mukha siyang slow at walang kuwentang kausap. 

"If you're not mad at him, then kanino ka galit?" 

"Sa'yo," I joked. Natigilan siya bago takang itinuro ang sarili niya.

"Sa akin?" takang tanong niya.

Napailing naman ako at nagkibit balikat. "Sa girlfriend niya," I answered.

"Kay Miss Maisie?" I nodded.

"She's too—"

"Plastic," he cut me off. Nanlaki naman ang mga mata ko dahil tama ang sinabi niya.

"See? We're meant to be!" Napairap naman ako dahil tuwang-tuwa siya.

"Sorry, I'm not into relationships," I declined.

"Who told you that I like you?" Natigilan naman ako at takang tumingin sa kaniya.

He's... weird!

"Then what?" 

"Meant to be tayo as partners. Partners in crime," he added. I titled my head while trying to process what he said.

"Sorry, I'm also not into murders and stuffs like that," muling pagtanggi ko. 

"Murder? What the hell are you talking about? Mukha ba akong murderer?" he asked, looking amused.

"You're handsome but nope, I don't trust men," I answered. His mouth gapped as he clapped his hands.

"You're really interesting," he remarked.

"Yeah, whatever. Now, just go straight to the point. Wala akong oras para sa kalokohan mo," I commanded.

"I want you to be my ally." 

A line appeared between my brows. "For what?"

"I hate Claude and you hate Miss Maisie. Let's help each other to ruin them."

I gave a mirthless laugh. "Sa tingin mo ganiyan ako kababaw?"

He shook his head and shove his hands on his pockets. "But you like thrill, right?"

My brows furrowed. "Nakinig ka ba sa usapan namin ni Miss Maisie, kanina?"

"Ewan, baka, hindi ko sure." Napailing na lamang ako. Ano ba talagang trip ng lalaking ito sa buhay niya?

"I like thrills, yes. But ruining other peoples' reputation? Uhm... I have to think of it," sagot ko.

"I don't care what would you do to Miss Maisie. I can even help you if you want. I just need a companion."

"Why me? Madami namang iba d'yan."

He laughed. "I don't know. You're just... Interesting."

Umirap akong muli. Para siyang boomerang sa Instagram na paulit-ulit. 

"Bakit hindi ka magpatulong sa mga kaibigan mo? I'm just a complete stranger to you," pilit ko pa.

"Wala akong kaibigan," he cut me off. I pressed my lips together and looked away.

Oops.

"Ikaw lang," he added.

My eyes widened as I looked at him in disbelief. "Kailan pa tayo naging magkaibigan?"

He chuckled. "Ngayon lang," he answered casually.

"Before I accept your offer, answer me first. Why are you mad at Claude?" I pried.

"I just hate him. I hate his guts, his face, his attitude— everything about him." Napatango naman ako. Kapareho ng nararamdaman ko towards Miss Maisie.

I just hate her. That's it. That's the reason.

I sighed. "Paano naman ako makikipag-deal kung hindi pa kita kilala? I don't even know your name, man." 

He laughed mischievously. I crossed my arms and rolled my eyes once again. 

"I am Dixon. Dixon Morris."

Napatango naman ako. "Nice name," I commented. Natawa siya at umiling.

"Pero mas maganda ka." My brows furrowed.

"You're such a flirt. Sorry, you're not my type." He laughed and I rolled my eyes.

"I like how straightforward you are. You're really interesting."

"Suit yourself. Aalis na ak—"

"Hijo, may tao ba rito sa loob?" rinig kong tanong ng babae sa labas.

"Baka ho naka-lock, Lola. Kukuha lang po ako ng susi," sagot naman ng isang lalaki na sa tingin ko ay janitor.

Kukuha ng susi? Don't tell me bubuksan nila ang pinto? Damn, malamang! The color drained out of my face. What the hell?

"Lalabas ka na, hindi ba?" bulong ni Dixon.

I rolled my eyes. "Paano tayo lalabas ngayon?" 

My eyes widened when he suddenly opened the door and pulled me outside. Nagtama ang paningin namin ng matanda na tila gulat na gulat dahil sa biglang paglabas namin.

"Mga kabataan nga naman, walang pinipiling lugar sa paggawa ng milagro," pagpaparinig ng matanda. 

A flush crept up my face. Dixon cackled while I glared at him. Tumigil naman siya sa pagtawa at hinila na ako palayo sa restroom.

"Ano na, Miss Rule Breaker? Deal?" tanong niya nang makalayo kami.

"Let go of my hand first," utos ko. Natawa siya at binitiwan ang kamay ko. 

"Ayos na." He smiled.

"Fine. It's a deal," I answered. 

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