Chapter 4

After class, I went to the Principal's office with Astrid, waiting for my dad.

"Speaking of Aaron. What the heck was that in class?” Astrid mentioned again.

I sighed, "I don't know what the heck that was. I have never done anything to him.”

Napamulagat nalang si Astrid at napatingin sakin. "Oh my gosh, what if he's been in love with you this entire time, at tumitiyempo lang lang sya para ligawan ka?”

Napahagikgik ako sa sinabi nya. "No way! naku takot yon kay Daddy,” I said sarcastically while grabbing my bottled water.

Astrid pursed her lips. "Ano pa nga ba? Lahat kaya takot sa Dad mo, pero what if I'm right about this, ililibre mo ako sa Starbucks?”

Muntik na ako mabilakuan sa sinabi niya. "Gage, the Starbucks you are saying is outside the town. Ang layo non huh, almost half an hour before getting there. Kaloka ka talaga.”

Astrid clapped her hands and then replied, "Magaling! Nagpapalusot ka na naman. There's really a reason you chose me as a best friend, Hmm?”

Quickly, I answered loudly, "Haha...Because you were trying to use me to get high grades?”

Astrid narrowed her eyes and replied, "That's not true, we're both genius, alam mo yan!”

Laughing out loud, I sat up quickly, "Oww?”

Eventually, the door opened. Dad shows up with a serious face and we both stop laughing. I can see the worry on Dad's face as he pulled the chair across from the Principal's table, sat down and frowned at Astrid and me.

"What's the problem and why did you want to talk to me Dad?” Nag-aalala ako pero pinilit kong di ipahalata.

"Hannah, remember the story I told you before about the agreement?”

"Yes, Dad! You keep telling me that, how can I forget?”

"My friend called earlier, he told me that they will visit anytime soon.”

"Dad, they're just going for a visit, why worry so much?”

"Aren't you worried, my dear daughter?” Dad asked me looking straight into my face, but I smiled just to show him that I'm fine, pero deep inside bigla akong kinabahan at nanlamig.

"No, Dad! The wedding is still a long time away, marami pa pwedeng magbago, remember I'm only seventeen, Ako po yon ikakasal kaya wag po kayo masyado ma-stress diyan.”

"It's a serious matter, Hannah! Don't make a joke about it." Dad stood up and look outside the window.

Astrid interrupted, "Uncle, Hannah is aware of the agreement, but it will take a long time, things changed. They only met once, what if the man has already someone else?”

"Yeah, Dad! Just relax, Okay? We have to go, we'll talk about it when it's the right time, I still have to go to college before that arrangement comes. So don't think too much." I stood up and was about to leave pero muli siyang nagsalita.

"Okay, nagpapa-alala lang ako anak.”

"I know Dad, but for now, may practice pa kami we have to go.” I walked out of the Principal's office and Astrid followed.

Nathan greeted us outside the Principal's office, he looked exhausted. "Andito lang pala kayo, jusmiyo! I've been looking for you everywhere, I've been to the library, to the women's comfort room, to the canteen," he explained while catching his breath.

I checked at the time on my wristwatch. It's three o'clock and ten minutes, we're late already, the practice time is at exactly three o'clock.

"Di naman namin nakalimutan, it's just that Uncle Gilbert called Hannah to his office, and I'm with her, that's why we're late," Astrid replied.

"No time for explanation, Lakad na! Your coach and teammates are waiting.”

"Thanks"

"Okay, see you, tomorrow girls, Bye!” Nathan waved and left.

We ran to the practice location, upon reaching I noticed that the coach was looking at us. He's in the middle of the set-up net, along with the rest of our teammates.

"Sa wakas, andito na kayo!” The coach said while rolling his eyes.

"Our apologies, it won't happen again.”

"Okay girls, go to your respective places, and let's get started.” The coach said while holding the ball. We continued the game and at exactly four thirty when Coach finally ordered us to stop the game.

"Good job girls, and gagaling nyo! We can win the event again this year if you continue to focus on your daily practice.”

"Yes, Coach!”

"Now, time to go home! See you tomorrow!” he added.

We walk out of the gate and went straight to the corner where Astrid parked her motorcycle. We are currently walking nang may mapansin kaming aso na papunta sa gawi namin.

"Hoy Astrid, kahit anong mangyari wag na wag kang tatakbo.” Bulong ko sa kaibigan ko na biglang nagtaka sa sinabi ko.

"But why?”

"Basta sundin mo lang sinabi ko." Nginuso ko sa kanya yong aso na malapit na sa harap namin. It suddenly growled and looked like it was going to chase us. Laking gulat ko nang biglang kumaripas ng takbo si Astrid. I just told her not to run, but why the heck did she ran?

"Anak ng tinapa---"

Paano na ngayon? Habol siya ng aso while I was stunned and didn't know what to do. Para akong tood na di makagalaw sa pwesto ko. Out of nowhere Aaron suddenly appeared in front of me, I don't know where he came from.

"Hey, are you okay?” He asked while he snapped his fingers in front of my face. Soon after, i realized what was happening at the same time pointed out Astrid's location na hinahabol ng aso.

"Could you please help my best friend? Bilisan mo!"

Aaron ran fast and pulled his backpack and threw it at the dog. That gesture of him distracted the dog and stopped chasing Astrid. Now the dog turns to him and I saw him pick up a large rock and aimed it at the dog, which quickly left and went in the other direction.

We approached Astrid who is gasping for her breath, holding her chest and her hair looks so messy. Aaron and I look at each other, we both laughed while Astrid narrowed her eyes and glared at me.

"Thank you for saving me Aaron," Astrid said while brushing her messy hair.

"No worries, it's just that I saw what's happening so I did what I have to!"

"Thank you pa din, kung di mo ginawa iyon malamang nilapa na ako ng asong iyon ang bestfriend ko." 

Pagkatapos magpasalamat naglakad na kami papunta sa motor na nakagarahe sa di kalayuan. Meanwhile on the road I scolded my bestfriend Astrid. Laughing out loud I teased her, "Ang ganda mo Beshie, daig mo pa ang nakipagsabunutan sa sampung bruha!"

Inirapan nya ako sabay naningkit ang kanyang mga mata at sumagot, "Well I thought that was the best option. I hate you though! Hinayaan mo lang ako habulin ng asong iyon."

I tried not to laugh but can't contain it anymore kaya napahagikgik ako but I tried to comfort her pa din. Ang syunga kasi sinabi na nga wag tatakbo aba eh kumaripas pa. "Di ka ba masaya? Your night in shining armor saved you." I teased her and soon a smile appeared on her face.

Minutes later, we have reached home, after she drop me in front of our house agad din siyang umalis para umuwi na.