Bay of Strangers (Manila Girls #2)

Kabanata 7

Kabanata 7

Kiss

Over the weekend, Atticus stayed at our condo in Binondo. Nakapagdate rin kaming magkapatid at binilhan pa namin ng regalo si Zina para sa nalalapit nitong birthday. We also went to Karrie's debut rehearsals. Parte kasi si Atticus ng 18 roses samantalang parte naman ako sa 18 candles. Tinuloy-tuloy na nila at nagpa fitting na rin. Umangal pa nga ako dahil masyado pang maaga. We're not even at the third week of June. Kaso gusto talaga nila na maayos ang lahat lalo pa't unica hija ni Tito Armadeon si Karrie. They also want her to stop being boyish which I find really disturbing.

I know I said I don't like Karrie because she's so boyish, but I don't want her to stop being herself just because I don't like it. It is in the same way that I won't change myself just because other people have a different perception and image of me inside their head.

Nagsimula na rin ako sa yoga session ko with Ms. Asunta. I admit I never expected it to feel this good. Inayos ko ang yoga mat ko. Kakatapos lang namin sa light routine at meditation. Napunta ang atensyon ko sa babasaging pintuan na nagsisilbing harang sa pagitan ng sala at terrace namin. Naroon si Atticus—wearing his dark blue plaid long sleeves shirt, his black pants and a combat boots.

"I need to go, Lei!" Kumaway si Atticus sa akin. Tumango at ngumiti naman siya kay Ms. Asunta na natigilan pa nang makita ang kapatid ko. Nagtaas ako ng kilay at uminom sa aking flask bottle. Pinanood ko ang pag-aayos ni Atticus sa sapatos niya.

His car keys are dangling on his waist. His hair—flirting with his fairly, unblemished skin like a dreamy waterfalls. He lifted his head again and gave me a sweet smile.

Hindi ko alam na si Ms. Asunta pala ang totoong naapektuhan non.

"Is Atticus still single, Lei?" Tanong ni Ms. Asunta.

"Yes, Ms. Asunta. But he's occupied with his studies,"

"Hmm o may nililigawan ba? May gusto ba siya?"

Tinagilid ko ang ulo at napanguso. I get that question a lot. Back when I was still in JHS, Atticus is the school's hearthrob. Ako ang taga tanggap ng mga regalo at sulat mula sa mga taga-hanga niya at kadalasan, ako rin ang kumakain ng mga pagkain na binibigay nila sa kanya.

He's famous, along with his friends. Parte kasi siya ng bandang Ecstasies dati. parehas sila ni Flash, ang nakatatandang kapatid ni Kodiak. While Flash enjoyed the spotlight, Atticus hated it. It stopped him from pursuing Zina because he's afraid that she'll only get stressed out and that she'll be hurt. Their fans were totally crazy over him that it became an unhealthy obsession. Nakita ko kung paano pinaglaruan ni Flash ang mga babae at habang girlfriend niya ito, tinitingala ito ng lahat ngunit kapag naghiwalay na, it's either she's hated, looked down upon, or bullied. Ayaw mangyari ni Atticus iyon sa babaeng gusto niya.

At first I find everything stupid, especially with the part that girls worshipped them like idols. But as long as I lived in this life, I understood that sometimes it's the closest to the illusion that someday, someone they like will look their way.

They tried, but failed.

I don't want to experience that. Kaya madali lang sa aking i turn down ang mga nagtatangkang manligaw hanggang sa wala nang sumubok. Natakot na ata. Hindi rin ako madaling magkagusto sa isang lalaki, isang bagay na parehas kami ni Vanna. Daven's our compelete opposite. Kapag nagkakagusto 'yon, mas mabilis pa sa speed of light pero kapag nagpalit ng crush, parang kisapmata lang.

"What's that?" Kinuha ni Kodiak mula sa kamay ko ang listahan ng mga bibilhin ko para sa orphanage na madalas kong puntahan sa Binondo.

"Listahan,"