It's You

Four

CHAPTER 4
MIXED SIGNALS

Zack was about to open his mouth the moment Ali got near us kaya naman pinigilan ko kaagad siya. Baka kung anong kababalaghan na naman ang lumabas sa bibig niya, mahirap na.

"So, how was your 'date'?" I asked Ali emphasizing the word date na nagpailing naman sa kanya at bahagya pang natawa. I secretly gave Zack a warning look kasi gusto niya talagang ibuka ang bibig niya. While Chesca on the other hand, ay hindi na naman mapakali dahil nandito si Ali.

"How many times do I have to tell you that it wasn't a date, Alex," medyo frustrated niyang sagot na nagpatawa sa akin. "But to answer your question, it went well naman. We've discussed enough to plan our next step for the project," patuloy niya at tumango nalang ako.

"Edi free ka ngayon fafa Ali?" singit ni Zack na ngayo'y nakakapit sa kanang braso ni Ali which caught his attention and caused him to face Zack. Kahit na matagal na mula noong nagladlad si Zack sa tunay niyang pagkatao, I still can't picture him dating a guy because looking at him flirting with Ali, hindi bagay. Ang gwapo niya kasi, idagdag pa yung fit niyang pangangatawan. Hay sayang.

"Can you remove your filthy hands off Ali's arm Zackario?!" di na napigilan ni Chesca ang irita niya kay Zack. Ali was stunned for a bit after hearing Chesca's loud voice. Including the salesladies na nakapwesto malapit sa amin ay napatingin din.

"Oookaaay! Easy Chesie baby, galit na galit!" natatawang sagot ni Zack and remove his hands from Ali's arm and raised them both like he's caught stealing something. "You sounded like a jealous girlfriend ha, delikado na yan," patuloy na pang-aasar ni Zack kay Chesca na ngayo'y namumula na dahil sa hiya. Maybe she realized what she did so she raised her right hand forming a peace sign while mouthing sorry kay Ali. The latter just smiled at her looking amused.

"Stop it already Zackario. You're such a bully. Kung hindi ka titigil kakaasar kay Chesca, I will call you babe from now on," pananakot ko sa kanya.

"Gross Victoria! Oo na, titigilan ko na! Kinikilabutan ako sa pinagsasabi mong babae ka," sagot ni Zack wearing his digusted expression. Sasagot pa sana ako pero nagsalita na si Ali.

"Hey guys stop it," natatawa niyang saway sa amin and then he gazed at Zack. "I'm free naman na so I will be able to join you..." he stopped midway and looked at me and Chesca "...only if it's okay with you guys of course. Pero kung nakakaabala naman ako I can go now. Since lakad niyo naman talagang magkakaibigan ito," he continued.

Zack was about to say something pero naunahan na siya ni Chesca. "Oh no, you're not a bother at all. Ang totoo nga niyan gusto ka rin namin kasama hehe," Chesca said na medyo nahihiya pa. "Diba guys?" pangingumbinsi niya sa amin ni Zack. Of course, it's okay with me at sure akong okay na okay din kay Zack, tuwa niya lang.

"Tinatanong pa ba 'yan? Of course it's okay with us!" Zack said and grinned at Ali pero napalitan din ng pagsu-suspetsa ang mukha niya when he realized something and then suspiciously eyed me and Chesca.

So, he finally noticed, natatawa kong sambit sa isip ko.

"Wait a second," panimula niya habang hindi nagbabago ang expression. "Why do you always cut me off whenever I'm going to say something?!" he frustratingly asked. Chesca and I looked at each other and we burst out laughing habang masama ang tingin sa amin ni Zack. Akala mo'y pinagkakaisahan siya. But we girls did not plan to do it, sadyang nagkataon lang talaga. Natawa nalang din si Ali kaya naman hinila ko na silang dalawa ni Chesca leaving Zack na masama parin ang tingin sa amin.