Bits of Chemistry | ✓

Kabanata 44

Kabanata 44

Surprise is an understatement to express how I feel right now seeing Caer, Snyder and Etienne in one place. My arms were crossed while looking at them with bewilderment. Kitang-kita ko kung paanong pilit iniiwas ni Caer ang tingin n'ya, he was wearing a navy blue polo and a beige khaki shorts. Mas presko kumpara sa itim na turtleneck na suot ni Etienne na nanglalaki ang mga mata ngayon.

"Hala," Snyder widened his eyes. He touched his lips while veering his sight towards Etienne. "Bakit ka nandito?"

"What do you mean by that?" Etienne formed creases on his forehead. Halatang iritado dahil sa pagmumukha ni Caer na kanina pa nakayuko at hindi alam kung saan magtatago.

I heaved a sigh and went towards them. Etienne immediately lightened up when he saw me. Para bang ipagtatanggol ko siya kay Snyder at Caer. Natigilan naman ako at bumagal ang mga hakbang pero nakarating pa rin sa harapan nila.

"Leven invited me," Caer explained in utmost honesty. Hindi n'ya tiningnan kung paanong umasim ang mukha ni Etienne dahil sa sinabi n'ya.

Of course, that was possible. Hindi pa naman kami okay ni Etienne no'ng isang linggo kung kailan inanunsyo ang event na ito. Hindi ko rin sinabi na pupunta si Etienne dahil surprise nga dapat. Paano magiging surprise kung alam n'ya? Etienne probably also said he's busy so Leven wouldn't get any hints.

"Really?" Etienne boredly snickered.

"Uuwi na lang ako," Caer laughed awkwardly. Kinuha n'ya ang isang lunch box at inabot sa akin. I obliged to get it immediately and even broadened my eyes because of the content.

It was everything that Leven wanted when it comes to food. Ang cute lang dahil kitang-kita ko na may design ang pagkagawa sa pagkain. The hotdogs were shaped into octopus and the eggs were shaped into hearts, may mga gummies pa na nasa gilid. Nakakatuwa lang na sobrang hands on talaga ni Caer pagdating sa pamilya n'ya.

"Nag-a-aral pa lang ako magluto kaya. . . Baka hindi gano'n kasarap," nahihiyang saad ni Caer habang napapahawak sa kan'yang batok.

I laughed. "I personally like the way you cook! I'm sure Leven would love this. Pasensya na sa abala, Caer."

Umiling-iling naman siya. "No! Never naman naging abala, Lavender. You know that I love Leven as much as I love Leice. ."

My lips parted upon realizing something. "Hala, edi sino pala kasama ni Leice?"

"She's with my parents. Sakto nga na bumisita sila kaya nagkaroon ako ng oras para pumunta rito," sagot ni Caer na napatikhim pa dahil parang natutunaw na siya ng nagbabagang tingin ni Etienne.

"Bakit ka ba nandito?" Snyder tauntingly said. Ngumingisi siya kay Etienne habang ang mga kamay ay nasa bulsa ng kan'yang pantalon. "Uwi na tayo, Etienne. Happy family na sila oh. . ."

"Shut up," Etienne hissed.

Caer subtly looked at Etienne before bringing his attention back towards me. "Alam na pala n'ya? I'm glad he took this lightly, iba talaga siya pagdating sa 'yo."

"What do you mean by that?"

"I don't want to plant anything in your head. Pero akala ko ay gaganti siya dahil sa hindi n'yo pagkakaunawaan noon. This probably just proves that he has a soft spot for you, the Etienne we know wouldn't think it's fair that he's not winning."

"He wouldn't do that."

"You sure? I'm just genuinely worried," Caer said.

"I know Etienne better now, ironically." I replied and looked towards Etienne. Mukha na siyang takoreng naglalabas ng usok sa sobrang inis habang nakatingin sa amin.