Love Grows Where His Camila Goes

05

05

Camila’s POV

“Girlfriend mo pala siya, Gav?”

When they heard us laugh from behind, we immediately stopped. I was amused when Giovanni recognized my boyfriend, Gavin. They talked like they really knew each other for decades. Pero, bakit pa nga ba ako magtataka? Galing na rin kay Tyrene na kasabayan niya itong mga 'to simula pa noong 1st year college. Hindi naman talaga ako taga-UST noon. Lumipat lamang ako dahil kay Gavin.

"Yes, my high-maintenance girlfriend." proudly said Gavin. High-maintenance, my ass.

Giovanni answered with a nod. "Ah, okay. I saw her on the outside ng 7/11! I thought she was lost. Siya pala 'yon!" He informed Gavin. Sabi ko na, familiar ka e. He then glanced at me after saying that.

"Naks, may baon ng English." mahina kong bulong sa sarili. Sa tingin ko naman ay hindi niya iyon narinig. So, I just smiled at him as a response. Ngunit bigla siyang sumimangot nang dahil dun.

"Epal mo, ah!" Giovanni muttered. He immediately wrapped his hand to Gavin's arm. "Pinalaki mo bang ganito 'to?" Mahinang natawa si Gavin sa kaniya dahil nagmukha siyang batang parang pinagalitan ng nanay kaya nagsusumbong sa tatay.

Humiwalay din siya kalaunan kay Gavin matapos iyon. Giovanni was the only one who talked to us. The others were so busy eating their food. That zigzags, what a unique calling. Nakakailang order na rin sila roon, hindi naman gaano kalahata kung paano sila nasarapan sa street foods. Samantalang ako, ang bilis kong naubos yung binili ni Gavin para sa akin.

"Mauna na kami, ihahatid ko pa pauwi si Camila." paalam ni Gavin kay Giovanni. Maya-maya pa ay nagsalita na rin si Gavin para kuhanin ang atensyon nila.

Giovanni smiled immediately and extended his hand to Gavin. "Ingat, pare," He shook their hands and barely tapped Gavin's arms.

He then glanced at me and offered his hand. I then took it. "Nice meeting you, Camila. Promise, magbabaon na ako palagi ng English at titikumin ko na bibig at tatarakin ko na rin mata ni Sevann para hindi ka na niya sungitan." He stated as he's making an up and down to his brows at me.

Mahina kaming natawa ni Gavin at sabay na napapailing na sumilip kay Sevann na seryoso naming kumakain sa tabi ng kanilang mga kaibigan. Tila ba narinig nito ang hinaing ni Giovanni sa amin kaya napatingin ito.

Ngumiwi ito kay Giovanni. "Stop with your brutality, Gov." saad ni Sevann bago naman siya irapan ni Giovanni.

"Ulol! Zigzags!" sinigawan nito si Sevann kaya narinig na naman siya ng mga kaibigan niya at lahat na naman sila ay natawa, kasama na kami ni Gavin. Tumingin naman ulit sa akin si Giovanni. Tinaas at baba niya ulit yung kilay niya.

"It was nice meeting you, Giovanni." I smiled genuinely at Gov.

Ngumiti na naman ulit ito sa akin. "I got you, Camila." Saad niya saka siya tumingin kay Gavin at saka ito nakipagfist bump. "I got you, bro."

Giovanni went back to his friends after that. Halatang may sinabi ito sa kanila kaya naman napatingin sila sa amin. Agad naman silang lumapit sa amin saka sila nakipagfist bump kay Gavin saka ako naman ay kanilang kinamayan. "Until next time, Thomasians." Gavin stated. Isa-isa niyang tinanggap lahat ng fist bumps na iyon.

"Take care, Gav, and Camila! See you next time."

After a little chit-chat with their squad, we already excused ourselves before we finally left them. Medyo nakakatuwa dahil lahat sila approachable sa aming dalawa ni Gavin. Saka, ni-lo-look forward din nila yung susunod na pag-mi-meet namin.

"I won't hold your hand in the meantime," said Gavin.

I got confused right away. "What? Why?" I asked confusedly.