Jonah Complex (GL) [HSS #3, Completed]

Chapter 27

"Oh, nandito na yung LOYL mo." Siniko ako ni Jamaica sa tagiliran.

I frowned. "LOYL? What are you talking about?"

"Ayon, oh." Hinawakan niya ako sa magkabilang pisngi at inihirap kung saan siya nakatingin. That's when I saw Ella and her company. My started beating faster than usual. "LOYL—love of your life, ganern."

I fought the urge to laugh—and the urge to stare a lot. Minsan nagsisisi akong nag-open pa ako sa kanya, wala na siyang ginawa kundi tuksuhin ako. "You and your made up acronyms."

"Totoo naman, ah?"

I bit the inside of my cheek before clicking the roof of my mouth. "Kumontra ba ako?"

Tinaas-baba niya ang dalawang kilay, hindi pa nakuntento at basta na lang niya ako tinulak. Muntik pa ako matapilok. "Ay, sorry. Na-excite lang."

If she's not pregnant, I'll probably push her twice the force of how she did it. Pero sa susunod na lang.

Hindi na ako nakapag-react nang hilahin na lang niya ako basta papunta sa mga kaibigan namin. I can't help but stare at Ella, she's just so pretty and it's funny that she doesn't know that. If only she'll find enough confidence...

I composed myself once we got closer.  I caught her looking at me from my peripheral vision but I pretended like I was scanning all of them. Lahat sila ay ayos na ayos para sa araw na 'to.

I'm just glad that Ate South agreed to celebrate her birthday this time, and she allowed us to invite a few of our closest friends. East and I don't have much, so seeing all of them is satisfying enough.

"Bakit nandito lang kayo?"

Napalingon sila sa boses ni Jam, parang ngayon lang nila kami napansin kasi occupied yata sila sa pagtingin sa kabuoan ng lugar. Our place is extra special today, nagtulung-tulong kaming magkakapatid and si Jade para maging simple pero elegante ang birthday ni Ate South.

I just can't help but feel relieved that she's really doing fine this time. Sana lang ay magtuluy-tuloy na, I can't afford to see my sisters cry again, to see Jade get hurt, too—because she's already part of the family now.

"Halika na, huwag kayong mahiya!"

Maybe I should start forgiving some people as well...like my father. It'll be hard, but, I hope things will work out fine in the future. I just kind of hate him right now. Although I admit I already love our new brother.

"Kaya nga, bahay kasi 'to ni Jam, eh," May pagka-sarcastic na saad ko, kahit na hindi ko naman din mapigilang hindi ngumiti.

Siniko na naman ako ni Jamaica sabay yakap. Ilalayo ko na sana siya nang dumikit yung lips niya sa tainga ko. "Look mo si Ella."

Sinunod ko naman siya. I can see how troubled her expression is and I can't help but assume that maybe, there's something else.

"Selosa ni LOYL." Bumitaw na siya at inangkla na lang ang braso sa akin.

I sighed. Ang daming alam ni Jam.

"Nasaan na si Ate South?" Jo asked while we're walking. "Imma greet her."

"She should be just around the corner, if wala, try going to our living room, baka nakaupo lang." I answered.

"Alrighty, Imma find her na lang pala."

"Sama na ako," Val said. For some reason, lahat ng kasama namin ay napatingin sa kanya, pati tuloy ako ay ganoon na rin ang ginawa. "Iaabot ko rin gift ko sa kanya kasi."

"Akala ko close na kayo, eh," panunukso ni Ella habang natatawa. I can't help but smile for a bit.

"Asa."