This Is Not Strange

Chapter Eighteen

Bridgette

I've been staring at Ella and her friends eating at another table. I am with Pen and the others, who's conversing about what had happened kahapon.

  “Totoo ba na sumabat 'yung Ella sa'yo?” asked Vivian.

  I don't really want to talk about it but I want them to know na Ella is not at fault kahapon. “It was mine and Stella's fault. Si Stella hindi tumitingin sa dinadaanan niya and ako naman ay nag comment kahit hindi ko alam ang totoong nangyare.”

  “Totoo ba? Sabi kasi nila nagdradrama lang daw si Ella kasi may galit siya kay Stella. Narinig namin ilang beses na silang nagkasagutan. May tinatagong kamalditahan pala 'yan?”

   Gosh, she doesn't know how to stop talking. If she only know kung gaano ka maldita minsan si Ella. Not really that maldita, 'yung masungit lang talaga.

  “Stop pressing it, Vivian. Ella is my friend and ako ang may kasalanan sa nangyare kahapon. Huwag mo na siyang siraan, she's not doing anything.”

  All of them looked shocked at me. I don't usually talk like this in front of them but enough is enough. I can't let Vivian talk shit when I'm around.

  “Chill, Bridgette. Okay, hindi na ako magtatanong.”

  I didn't respond to her. I just continued eating my food and when I'm done I excused myself to join Ella and her friends.

  “Napapadalas ata ang dikit mo sa amin, cous, ” Ynnah said as I took a seat at the empty chair beside Ella. She's eating a cake and her face screams no talking so I didn't bug her nalang.

  “I just want to check if you're okay here.”

  “Super okay. Ang sarap ng mga pagkain. Si Ella nga hindi na natigil sa kakakuha.”

  Ella shoots Sam a glare, then finished all the remaining cake in her plate. Uminon din siya ng tubig bago ibinalik ang attensyon sa amin.

  “Thank you sa pag invite sa amin, Bridgette.”

  “Nah, I should be thanking you for coming. It means a lot to me,” I replied, staring straight at Ella's eyes. I noticed a faint blush on her cheek na nagpangiti naman sa akin.

  “Okay, edi mag thank you ka sa akin,” she said, shifting her gaze away from mine. The blush is still there and I hope na it's because of me.

  “Ynnah, pwede mo ba ako samahan mag cr?”

  Ynnah shook her head at Ella and ngumuso sa way ko.

  “Si Bridgette na. Antagal mo pa naman matapos, kawawa si Sam kapag naiwan.”

  Ynnah passed me a knowing look and I got confused for a moment. May alam ba itong pinsan ko?

  “Matanda naman na si Sam, kaya na niya. Tsaka busy din kaya itong si Bridgette. Diba?”

  I shook my head at Ella. I can never be too busy for you.

  “Come. Ako na sasama. Hayaan na natin si Ynnah magbantay kay Sam.”

  Ella didn't have any choice but to follow. I didn't lead her to the guest comfort room we have. Instead, I guided her to my room because it's more quiet and it's empty. Ella didn't complain about it. Sumunod lang siya at dumeretso na sa cr nang makapasok kami.