Fit the Puzzle (Azcona Cousins #3)

08

;
Chapter 08

Nang sumapit ang lunch break namin ay tulala pa rin ako. Ilang beses na akong tinawanan ni Frances at Piolo dahil kada susubo ako ng pagkain ay nahuhulog sa kutsara.

I'm having trouble thinking of how I'd approach the Azconas later.

Lalo na kay Yuliya! Mahigit pa sa isang buwan ang nawalang koneksyon namin. I feel so bad!

Ngingiti ba 'ko o hihingi ng pasensya?

I was so stupid for not telling her my reasons. I hope she's not upset with me.

"Problema mo?" usyoso ni Veron. "Baka gusto mong ibigay na lang sa'kin 'yung pagkain mo? Pwede naman."

"Yeah, you can have mine," I pushed my plate towards his direction without any hesitation. Nahuli ko pa ang biglaan niyang pagkurap. "Hindi ako nagbibiro, sa'yo na lang talaga, Veron."

My brows arched when he only stared at my food. Masarap naman 'yong binili ko!

"Sa'yo na nga," pagpupumilit ko pa.

Veron pursed his lips before giving in. Tinabi na niya ang lunchbox na dala niya.

"Nangyari diyan, Piolo?" bulong ni Frances sa katabi. "Matumal ba ang benta no'ng grupo nila?"

"Hindi, 'no. Marami ngang pumipila dahil siya 'yung nagbibigay ng orders noong mga bumili. Tuwang-tuwa nga si Faith, e," kwento pa ni Piolo.

"E, ba't ganiyan 'yan? Tuliro."

I watched how they were trying to make their movements minimal and voices so hushed.

Piolo suddenly snapped his finger as if there was an idea which struck his mind. I jumped a little on my seat as he held my shoulders.

Maloko siyang tumingin sa'kin.

"Croozian Neriah."

Boringly, my eyes landed on him. "Bakit?"

"Kulang ka ba sa tamis?" kinlaro niya ang lalamuman. Halatang pinipigilan ang umuusbong na tawa.

My lips twitched in annoyance. "Hindi."

"Naiinis ka ba sa'kin kasi hindi ko tinupad 'yong pagpunta ni Adriel sa booth niyo?" ngumisi siya. "Sige, mamaya talaga, Croozian! Pangako, sisipot si Adriel!"

I bowed my head to cover my embarrassed face. Naalala ko na nga lang ulit dahil sa kanya. I wasn't looking forward for it to happen! At ang nakakahiya pa, ang lakas ng boses ni Piolo!

What if Adriel heard him?!

"Umupo ka nga, Piolo! Pinapahiya mo si Croozian!" mahina ngunit inis na sambit ni Frances.

I was still in my dazed state of mind as we all resumed. I forced myself to be optimistic. I turned off my phone and removed my wristwatch for my own peace of mind. Iniisip ko na lamang na isang malaking biro ang sinabi ni Kuya Atlas.

I was relieved when the tawny sun was already striving to meet the horizon. That only meant that the Azconas couldn't make it today.

Kaya kahit ngayong inaasar ako ni Piolo kay Adriel ay ayos lang sa'kin.

I was actually impressed! Not because he was good looking... but because he was not the type of guy who is very aggressive.

He was not a creepy guy.

"Salamat," ngumiti siya sa'kin nang tanggapin ang order niya. "What dipping sauce would you suggest me to taste?"

Si Piolo at Frances na nasa tabi ko ay parang 'di maka-tiis na hindi dumungaw para makinig sa pag-uusap namin ni Adriel.