Officially Meeting You

Chapter 34: Light

It's already seven in the evening and we are currently in the seaside. Madilim na ang kalangitan pero dahil sa ilaw ng mga food stalls dito ngayon at mga light posts sa tabi ng border, maliwanag pa din ang paligid.

The school's anniversary ended at exactly six in the evening. The booths were closed, banners were pulled out, and the liveliness of Rutherford few hours ago is no longer there.

Well, we have next year to celebrate again.

Pagkaalis namin sa Rutherford, pumunta na kami dito sa may seaside. Sumama din sa amin si Jiro. I also texted Ate Ria that I'm with my friends at baka late na ako makauwi.

And she just replied on my message with her famous like emoji. Ugh.

Napatingin naman kay doon sa tatlong lalaki na siyang naatasan na bumili ng pagkain. Nakaupo naman kami nila Anna at Sabrina sa isang table habang naghihintay.

They are talking about their experiences in their booths while I'm just silently listening to them. Ano pa bang bago? I'm the most quiet in the six of us anyway.

But the most interrogated one.

"Cleo."

I looked at Sabrina. "Hmm?"

"Teka nga, wala ka na bang ibang kayang sabihin maliban d'yan sa 'hmm' na 'yan?" nakakunot noong tanong ni Anna.

Natawa naman ako habang napakunot noo si Sabrina. She looked at Anna while almost glaring.

"It's an expression of hers. Why are you even asking?"

"Curious ako eh. Bakit ba?"

"But I called her first."

"Oh tapos?"

"Tapos na," pagsingit ko sa usapan nila.

Sinamaan ako kaagad ng tingin ni Anna habang napatingin na din sa akin si Sabrina.

I chuckled. "Ano ba kasing problema niyo?"

"Ito kasi eh!" sambit ni Anna at dinuro pa si Sabrina. "Ayaw sabihin kung anong brand ng lotion niya."

"It's a secret, okay? How can I tell you if it's a secret? Find your own beauty secret too."

I almost palmed my face upon hearing that. So that's why they are arguing over small things?

Inawat ko na lang sila at pinatahimik na. Halata naman kasing hindi seryoso iyong away nila at trip-trip lang. Seriously? Am I the only mentally stable here?

I looked at Sabrina. "Ano bang sasabihin mo sa akin?"

Tumahimik naman si Anna habang hindi kaagad nakasagot si Sabrina. I almost frowned after seeing her uncomfortable.

I chuckled to encourage her. "Sabihin mo na. Ano ba iyon?"

She took a deep breath and looked at me. She showed an apologetic smile and my smile faded with that.

"I-it's about the day I kissed Zeus," she said. "I was the one who kissed him. Believe me! He didn't want that—"

"Why are you even telling me that?"

Natigilan siya at napalunok. "I just feel that I should explain and apologize to you."

"Aba, dapat lang," sabat ni Anna.

Hindi naman siya pinansin ni Sabrina habang sinulyapan ko lang siya. She just nodded and pouted, saying that she's not going to say anything.

"You shouldn't," I said and smiled. "Whether Zeus liked that or not, it's none of my concern. Kung maging kayo, I'll support you and be happy for the both of you. You don't need to be worried about anything, because I understand and I'll respect the both of you."