The Settlement

Kabanata 25

R18

"Truth or dare?" kinakabahang tanong ni Clem kay Ronnie. He slowly reached the pillow behind him. "Oh shit truth no dare pala 'to!"

Misha looked at him intently "Ayusin mo nga Clem. Dali magtanong ka na!!!!"

I was just silent the whole time when Ronnie stretched his arm and grabbed my hand. I don't know what will be my reaction but he looks impassive while waiting Clem's question.

"Ano bang itatanong ko sa 'yo?" nagisip pa talaga si Clem habang ang unan ay mahigpit niyang niyayakap. I can sense how scared he was. Siguro ay ganito lagi ang paghaharap ng dalawang 'to. "Parang wala naman na akong maitanong sa 'yo. Kayo na lang magtanong!"

"Bakit ka pinagpapawisan?" humalakhak si Nixus. Sinabayan pa niya ng tapik sa balikat. "Ako na lang magtatanong"

Parang nawalan ng tinik si Clem at talagang bumuntong hininga pa siya.  Siguro nga may alitam silang dalawa kaya ganito na lamang magreact si Clem.

"Mahal mo ba si Loisa?" pinandilatan ni Misha at Iris si Nixus. Isn't it obvious? Of how many years we never talked still there's no change on how we treat each other.

"What do you think?" Ronnie raised his brow. Alam kong titig pa lang niya ay nakakatakot na parang ready agad makipagaway.

"Well I don't think so! And don't answer a question with another question Architect"

"Drop that formality Nixus. I love her and that means I can kick you out in my firm if you still have doubt!"

"Halla siya! Nagtanong lang naman ako bakit kailangan tanggalin ako. Kaya pala pinagpapawisan 'tong si Clem e. Grabe ka naman sumagot!" Nixus held her chest umaaktong parang mawawalan na ng hininga.

"Bobo ka ba kasi? Tatanungin mo 'yon halata na nga e!" Misha rolled her eyes at agad pinaikot ang bote. And then the bottle stopped pointing Clem that means Ronnie will going to ask. Look who's favorite tonight.

"Do you have someone you want to date except Loisa?" It was a straightforward question kahit ako ay hindi man lang binalaan. Hinigpitan ko ang pagkakahawak sa kamay ni Ronnie.

Agad naman niya akong tinignan at kinindatan. This man and his mouth really don't know how to take it slow.

"Well.... To be honest no one... First I came back because I have a big problem. Second I don't have time to date. Third I know how much you love each other. Fourth---"

He stopped midway when Iris interrupted "Too many reasons tinatanong lang naman kung sino pa tsss."

We all gazed at Iris. "What?" she asked naguguluhan din kung bakit tinignan namin siya samantalang si Misha nagpipigil ng tawa. Well kilala ko si Iris she never let out an opinion. Nakikinig lang siya but now she's being this mad tita...

"Do you want me to date you?" walang pag aalinlangang tanong ni Clem sa kanya. Ngayon siya naman ang tinitigan namin.

Napansin ko ang pagpula ng mga pisngi ni Iris. Are there things running on between them that I didn't know. But they're not close? or maybe parang wala talaga akong pakeng kaibigan kasi hindi ko naman tinatanong ang isa sa kanila. Great I should zipped my mouth.

"Kain na lang tayo!" Iris stood up and walked towards at the kitchen. Sinundan naman agad siya ni Misha.

Hindi pa nga ako natatanong tapos na agad ang laro. Minsan hindi talaga maiwasan ang mga ganitong problema kapag ka may mga lovers sa cicrle of friends e.

"Do you want to eat something?" tanong ni Ronnie "Magpapadeliver tayo if you have cravings"

Umiling ako at iniisip pa rin ang nangyari kanina. Naguguluhan ako gusto kong magtanong kahit alam kong may karapatan ako kasi pareho ko silang kaibigan. Kaso may maliit na bagay na nagpipigil sa akin para manahimik na lang.