Nights Like This

Chapter 09

Chapter 09

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Hindi namin ni Ali namalayan ang oras. We were talking about a lot of things that we literally forgot the time. She asked me questions and I gave her some tips for the color studies output she's working on. It felt nice helping her. Siguro ganito rin ang nararamdaman ng seniors namin noon kapag nagtatanong kami sa kanila. First time ko rin gawin 'to at fulfilling pala sa pakiramdam.

"Are you sure you don't have prior plans, Ate? Sorry talaga ang dami kong tanong," Ali said when we're preparing to leave.

"Wala naman. It's okay. I'm glad I could help," I replied and smiled at her. Though I'm just an average student, I know I was helpful in some way.

"I'm really sorry, Ate Bobbi. Halos 10 PM na pala. Your driver's waiting outside?"

Now that she asked that, naalala ko na hindi nga pala ako nakapagtext sa driver! Pero kahit naman pala ginawa ko 'yon, siguradong hindi ako hihintayin noon. School-bahay lang ang utos sa kanila ng pagmamaneho sa'kin. Also, just within the time of my schedule. Kung ganito na late na, sigurado akong wala na ang driver.

God, I have had an awful life ever since I came back to that house.

"Uhm... Actually... Wala..." nahihiya kong sagot kay Ali.

"Wala pa? I'll wait with you."

"No! I meant... wala akong sundo..."

Mukhang naguluhan si Ali sa sinabi ko kaya mabilis akong nag-isip ng karugtong. And as someone who rarely lies, the truth just came out naturally from my lips.

"My parents are punishing me so they restrict me with a lot of things. Driving a car and always having a driver with me are just some. So..."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that, Ate... We can drive you home! Malapit na 'yon si Kuya."

I'd like to accept that offer but she said kuya... Sinong kuya? Kasi kapag si Rex Niccolo, hindi ako sasama. Baka kung anu-ano na naman ang sabihin no'n sa'kin. Somewhere along the lines of me being a rebel again just 'cause I stayed out late with no driver to accompany me. Alam na alam ko na.

"Iyong Kuya Austin mo ba?"

"No. Kuya Rex. My car's in the shop so I asked him to pick me up."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. Uuwi na ako!

"Okay... I'll just commute, Ali. Ayos lang."

"It's not safe to commute alone at this hour, Ate. Mukhang hindi ka pa sanay. Sabay ka na lang sa amin, okay?"

I don't even know how to commute. Ang lakas ng loob kong sabihin iyon.

"I'll just call my-"

"Kuya's here!" sabi niya nang tumunog ang cellphone niya. I bet Rex Niccolo is calling her.

Tumayo na si Ali at hinila na rin ako. She anchored her arm with mine. Mahigpit iyon at parang ayaw akong pakawalan.

What the hell have I gotten myself into?

Lumabas kami ng cafe at naroon na ang sasakyan ni Rex Niccolo. Gusto kong umatras pero huli na ang lahat dahil nakita niya na kami. I saw how his eyes widened a bit when he saw me with his sister.

Nang nakalapit na kami ay binitawan ako ni Ali. Binati niya si Rex Niccolo. Imbes na tingnan si Ali ay nanatili ang mga mata niya sa akin. I had to look away because his judging eyes make me uncomfortable.

I tried to look for taxi. Paparahin ko lang naman 'yon at sasabihin ko kung saan ako bababa, 'di ba? And then I'll pay my fare. Cash ba? O pwedeng card? Because I don't have much in my wallet. I always pay using card.