Behind the skies and lies

Kabanata 27

Umalis ako sa facebook dahil masyado silang maingay doon. It is damn pretty clear that we are just here for business. Kitang kita sa caption ni Mommy kaya bahala sila doon! Ang lalakas ng trip. Pumunta na lang ako sa instagram pala makita ang life update...nilang lahat.

I sighed as I swipe their stories.

Most of them posted their escapades. Napahinto lang ako nang madaanan ko ang newly posted story ni Dom.

It's 11:30 PM already and they are in a bar! Halos isubsob ko ang mukha ko sa post niya para maaninag ko silang lahat. Nandoon si Von, Vin, Rad at iba pa nilang kaibigan na hindi ako masyado familiar. Rad looks very serious...and menacing.

Kahit na bata pa ang edad namin, he looks matured. Inamin ko naman noong una palang na gwapo siya at matipuno pero parang may iba sakaniya ngayon? He looks something more!

I read the caption. "Someone needs to get wasted again. Poor lad."

Nakita ko rin ang pagrepost ni Von. "Day 9 of our inom series. We're here for you, Rad. Whatever it is."

They are clearly making fun of him!

Hindi na ata ako makakatulog pa dahil dito. He has been drinking? I want to go home!

"Magsabay na kayo ni Oli, Alya. He's going home too." Ilang oras bago ako umalis. Tumango ako kay Tita Olivia at nagpaalam sakanila pati rin kila Mommy. I will miss them.

"I'll see you again, my baby," bulong sa akin ni Mama.

"Call us if you need anything."

Pinanood ko si Azriel na kausapin ang magulang ko. Gone with his cocky side. He looks very serious while nodding to my Dad. Nang bumaling siya sa akin ay bumalik ang mukhang manloloko niya. He even flashed his wide smile.

"I'll bring our things. I don't let any girl bring their luggage."

"I can do it, Az."

"Shh. Ako na. Nakatingin sila for sure."

Umiling ako at natawa. "You pretentious freak!"

"It's in my nature, Felisse."

"Oh God. Shut up!"

Wala siyang ginawa kung hindi inisin at patawanin ako. I'm sure I will not have any romantic relationship with him. He's simply not my type. I'm not attracted to him. Besides, I have someone occupying my mind every goddamn time.

Pumikit ako. I promised myself not to tell anyone about what happened. But what would my cousins do if they are in my shoes?

I don't know! I have no idea. Uh...just talk? Would it be enough?

Then what's next? Are...are we going to get back?

"Hey!" I poked his arm to wake him up. He has been sleeping in my shoulder. "Azriel!"

"What? I'm trying to sleep here, Feli."

Ugh! "Don't bore me out. I have a question. This is about my friend's problem."

"Okay. I'm all ears. I'm a very good advisor."

"Uh...my friend made a mistake. She kinda had a relationship with this guy. Akala niya may ginawa yung lalaki na mali sa...sa pinsan niya. Kaya...she tried to get along with him. They flirted. Then she ghosted him, only to find out she had been mistaken and that she already liked him. What should my friend do?"

"Uh huh." Tumango tango siya at malalim ang isip. Pero sa mukha niyang 'yan? Hindi ako sigurado kung tama ang sasabihin niya!

"Ang tagal, Az!"