Josh Cullen's Child

Chapter 4

"Hindi ka ba mag-aaral?" tanong ni JC while intently peaking on my view. Nagbabasa lang ako ng libro dito sa hut while he is here on my front, messing with me.

Today is Sunday, it's been a week already since we hanged out here in our home with my friends. So far okay naman kami, we became closer to each other.

I just remember what happened that day. I don't know where Ashley is coming from.

We became silent when Ashley spoke up, gulat sa tanong niyang hindi namin alam kung saan nagsimula.

"What?" tanong ko pabalik sa kanya.

"In your months of staying here, wala ka bang nagustuhan?" kunot-noo akong tumingin sa kanya. Lumingon siya kay Zandro.

Is she speaking in behalf of him?

I mean, all of a sudden?

I know, Zandro has a hidden interest with me. I mean, yes, it wasn't actually hidden anymore kasi alam ko naman. I guess, our friends also knows about it too. He is way too obvious though. Or on the other hand, he's making it too obvious. Too bad, I didn't liked him too.

No one spoke up so Ayana changed the topic. It ended okay pa rin naman. After that conversation, she acts the same so I thought of her question as a random one.

We took pictures and as fast as lightning, mabilis itong kumalat sa school. Nalaman na ng lahat ang pagiging Monteverde ko. How Monteverde mansion looks like.

It wasn't a big deal to me.

Well, aside from the fact that my schoolmates are gossiping about me whenever they are seeing me.

"Alam mo Amber, kung ako sa iyo iikutin ko ang buong San Lorenzo. Sayang ang stay mo dito, hindi man lang kitang nakitang umalis ng bahay." Ate Anne said while putting my juice on the table. Sandali kong inalis ang tingin ko sa libro at tumingin sa kanya. She didn't bother to look at me because she's busy to what she's doing.

"Hindi pa siya nakakaalis ng bahay?" takang-tanong ni JC at saka tumitig sa akin. As far as I know, Kuya Berting knows that I have already visited Tago Falls but maybe they didn't consider it as gala dahil cutting classes ako. Or maybe, hindi nila alam.

"Naku Josh, bahay-school lang yan. Hindi ko nga alam kung bakit ganyan yan. May sasakyan naman, meron din namang pera panggala kaso mas gusto pa niyan na mag-cellphone at magbasa ng libro." they kept on talking as if I am not on their front. Hindi ko na lang pinansin. Aminado naman ako na hindi ako gumagala, well, sabi ko nga, I find this place boring.

Tahimik akong kumain ng meryenda na inihanda nila habang nag-scroll sa feed ko.

"What?" I asked when I felt like someone is staring at me. It was JC, of course, walang iba. Siya lang naman ang buntot na sunod ng sunod.

Without even bothering to answer my question, hinigit niya ang kamay ko palabas ng bahay.

"Hey, what are you doing?" I asked pero hindi man lang siya natinag, hindi man lang siya lumingon. This guy and his pulling habit is annoying.

"Look, I have no time with your jokes--"

"Just keep quiet." ma-otoridad na sambit niya wala naman akong ibang magagawa so I just keep my mouth shut. Bossy!

"Santa Elena Kuya. Dulo." he instructed the tricycle driver. I remained standing, looking inside the side car.

"Ano pang hinihintay mo, sakay na!" itinulak niya ako ng mahina kaya wala akong nagawa kundi ang pumasok sa loob. Nakangisi siyang umupo sa tabi ko.