Sadyang Mapaglaro Ang Tadhana (Feeble Love #2)

Kabanata 3

Stalk

"Yes.  I love you." I heard Sophia said as she put down the call.

Sophia was really pretty. Her wavy ash gray hair was in a ponytail. Her eyes were dashing as if she was really in love or maybe she is?

I observed her every move. She put the plate in front of me and then she goes back to the kitchen to get the roasted beef that she heated in the oven.

"Stop staring." She said as she threw a look at me. 

I shrugged. I just don't understand why after how she cried hard over her boyfriend... she can stand him still.

Well, I have no experience but I am open-eyed. I would never let it happen to me.

"Bakit feeling ko kakainin ako ng mga mata mo? Just fucking ask a question! You judgemental bitch."

I laughed as she stressed out. It's almost a month since the school year commenced. I barely met Sophia when I move out of this condo. Yes, it's not that long ago but I already feel like I've known her for so long. It was easy to be comfortable around her.

Well, she was friendly, straightforward and well, rude but she's kind. She loves partying that's the reason she always finds herself in trouble. We are very much the opposite. But it's a good match, we learned from each other.

"Kayo pa rin ba?" I asked eventually. She was staring at me for a second but then suddenly, she laughed out loud.

Anong problema niya!

"W-hy are you laughing?" She was really annoying!

Iniwas ko na lang ang mga mata ko at itinuon na lang ang pansin sa pagkain. It's lonely to eat alone kaya tuwing gabi, palagi kaming sabay kumain. 

Naramdaman kong umalis siya dahil may tumawag na naman. Probably her boyfriend? Bahala na nga siya.

Bumalik din agad siya at umupo sa harap ko. Wala namang pasok bukas kaya mag m-movie marathon na lang siguro kami pagkatapos. I'm already wearing my p'js while she was on her shorts and a halter top.

"Reserve your question later. Pupunta siya ngayon. Is it okay with you?"

Halos mabulunan ako sa sinabi niya.
What? I've never seen her boyfriend before. I just knew that he's name was Mark and currently in law school.

I suddenly feel uncomfortable, I am speaking ill about him lately.

"Ano?"

Tinawanan niya lang ako at kumain na sa harap ko.

"I know you probably build an impression on your mind about him because you saw me b-reakdown. Pero, he's nice." Sambit niya at hindi na ako nagsalita.

Mabilis lang kaming natapos sa pagkain. Dadaan lang naman daw ang boyfriend niya at hindi na magtatagal. Hinayaan ko na lang siya mag-ayos doon sa sala habang ako ay nililigpit ang pinagkainan namin. I was already in the kitchen when I heard the doorbell.

I started to wash the dishes. Mabagal lang ang mga galaw ko para hindi agad matapos. Pero dahil konti lang naman ang hugasin, natapos agad ako. Maybe I would just go back to my unit since it's already midnight. Doon na lang ako manonood ng Netflix series. I heard some footsteps so I decided to glance at my back. I thought it was Sophia but when I saw whose standing, my jaw instantly dropped.

What the hell! Is he the boyfriend that Sophia's talking about?

As usual, he was wearing a designer plain shirt partnered with a khaki short. Napansin ko na hindi niya suot yung earings niya. Napunta ngayon ang mga mata ko sa mukha niya. I can say, he is handsome... no wonder he got an active sex life huh? I noticed his chinito eyes darken as he look at my body. What the fuck? Mabilis nag-init ang mukha ko.

"Therese! Ang tagal mo namang maghugas. Come here already!" Sigaw ni Sophia sa living room.

Kumunot ang noo ko. Hindi ko na lang  pinansin at mabilis na nilagpasan ang lalaki. Nang makarating ako sa living room, agad akong nagulat dahil hindi lang si Sophia ang naroon. I saw familiar faces. Hindi ko lang matandaan kung saan ko sila nakita. They were all now staring at me! Nakaupo ang tatlo sa sofa. While the other man was clutching my friend's hand.

"Buti tapos ka na?" Sophia raised her brows.

Tumango lang ako. Ano ba yan! I want to go out of this hell already.

"Uwi na ako." Sambit ko, akmang aalis na pero napigilan niya ako.

"Wait lang. Don't be rude naman. This is my boyfriend, Jason!" Sophia said. Hawak niya ang kamay ko ngayon para pigilan ako sa pag-alis habang hawak ng boyfriend niya ang kaliwang kamay niya.

So, this is her boyfriend. Okay.

The guy looks friendly. He smiled and his dimples automatically stand out. I smiled back, but it was awkward.

"Hi. Nice to meet you." simpleng ani ko at bumaling sa kaibigan. Pinanglakihan ko siya ng mata pero tinawanan niya lang ako.

They were all quiet now. Is it because of me? I'm just really... not comfortable around guys.

"Bro! Ang tagal mo naman sa restroom. Nandito yung crush mo!"

Mabilis akong napabaling sa harapan. The three guys laugh as they wait for the man walked to their direction. It was like they were teasing him. Pinagmasdan ko kung paano kumunot ang noo ng lalaki at mahinang sinuntok ang mga kaibigan. When he saw me staring at him, mabilis siyang umayos ng tayo.

"Babe, do you mind introduce your friend to my friends?" I heard Jason whispered to Sophia.

Sophia being fragile to his boyfriend merely nodded. You dumbass! His boyfriend smirked as he watch his friends, particularly the guy from the left side.

"Hey, guys. By the way, this is my friend Therese. Therese this is Ty, Walter, Dro and River. They were all from law school."

I stared at the last guy. He seemed so annoyed. River he is huh? Kung titingnan mukhang tahimik lang siya at hindi halata sa kanya na... well.

"Small world. We've been stalking you for so long!" The guy named Dro whose wearing a baseball cup said.

What was he implying? Stalking?

Nakita ko ang pagsiko ni Ty sa katabi. River whispered saying 'Gago' was evident for me to hear. Naramdaman siguro nila ang pagkunot ng noo ko kaya agad nagsalita yung katabi niyang si Walter.
 

"You are from Psychology major right? During freshmen party? What we meant is... the art from the booth. W-e love it!" I observed as he struggled to explain. But it was vivid enough for me to say... they were lying.

I felt like they have an intention. Whether good or bad. I don't care. Hell, I would never care.

~~