STATUS

CHAPTER 17

Rafael

Napa sulyap ako kay Trouble na tahimik na natutulog, hindi nanaman sya umuwi kesyo daw nasa harap lang yung condo nya.

It's 5 am and I decided to cook for us since we still have half day of classes due to some program for the teachers.

Kumuha ako ng bacon sa freezer. I also made some fried rice to complement the bacon's tastiness. Trouble taught me to cook.

Speaking of Trouble, I saw him standing behind me. "The fvck are you looking at?" Tumawa sya at lumapit sakin saka niyakap ako ng mula sa likod. These days he's doing what he wants but still has limits.

"Smells good" Hindi ko alam kung ano ang tinutukoy nya, ang niluluto ko o ako. "Take a bath first and eat when it's ready" I said. Naningkit ang mata ko ng makita kung paano sya ngumisi.

"Sabay tayo" Sabi na. Mahina ko syang kinaltokan. "Maligo kana nga" Inis na sabi ko saka pansamantalang iniwan ang niluluto ko para papuntahin sya sa banyo.

Bago paman ako nakabalik ay ninakawan nya muna ako ng halik. Naiiling akong bumalik sa pagluluto. Even though we don't really have label we're acting like a couple most of the time.

If you're asking what happened to 'I only see you as a friend'

I don't know either. I just cant say no when it comes to him. He's not the type of guy to force himself to another person but everytime he wants to do something with me, I just can't say no to it.

I smelled Trouble's perfume while I was preparing the food and when I turned, I saw him smiling.

I smiled back. Just seeing his smile brings smile to my lips and somehow, I wanted pur relationship to stay like this. I know it won't last forever but I hope it will last for a long time.

...

Rinig na rinig ko ang mag bulong-bulungan. Magkasabay kasi kaming pumunta ni Trouble sa school kaya umandar nanaman ang pagiging chismosa ng mga istudyante rito.

Trouble is on his usual face, the no reaction one. He's really different when we are outside. Pero pag kami lang dalawa ay todo ang ngiti nya.

"I will wait for you at the gate later" He whispered and I nodded. Pag-pasok ko palang sa room ay sinalubong na ako ni Keisler. "Attkinson, tignan mo yung web page ng school"

Ayoko sanang gawin yun pero nag pumilit si Keisler. "Rafael Attkinson, the school's child of owner is rumored to be in a relationship with Trouble Dalton, the next heartthrob to be featured at the famous STATUS Article" 

Basa ko aa headline ng online school paper. "It's just a rumor and we're friends, nothing more" Bored kong sabi.

"Pero Attkinson-"  Hindi ko na sya pinansin hanggang mag simula ang klase pero wala syang ginawa kundi guluhin ako.

Wala naman talaga akong planong i-entertain ang mga ganyang bagay. "Look, stop it. Kung ano man yung reaksyon ng mga istudyante dahil sa usap-usapan nayan, problema ko nayun. I chosed to not care and that's what I'm gonna do"

Iniwan ko sya at pinuntahan si Trouble sa rooftop. Sabay daw kasi kaming mag lu-lunch dalawa. I don't really mind having lunch with him even if the students will spread rumors again. Why should we be the one to adjust?"

Pinihit ko ang knob ng pinto tungo sa rooftop ng marinig ko ang pag-uusap. I think this happened before.

"You're with Rafael?" Nag init ang ulo ko ng marinig ang boses ni Malik. "No" Tipid na sabi ni Trouble na para bang iniiwasan nya si Malik.

"Tsk, sinong maniniwala sayo? Eh kalat na kalat na yung picture nyung dalawa" Kita ko ang pag angat ng tingin ni Trouble "Ikaw, kung anong gusto mong paniwalaan. Ayokong mag sayang ng oras sa mga taong nag tatanong pero hindi naman pinapaniwalaan ang sagot"