Cordovez Series #1: Break The Accord

Chapter 3

Jump Serve

Paulit-ulit kong binabasa ang unang question sa seatwork na binigay sa amin. I am not usually distracted like this. All because of Xavier Cordovez.

Sa huli ay bumuntong hininga na lang ako, magpapahinga muna bago ipagpatuloy dahil wala rin naman akong natatapos. Mag-isa akong nakaupo sa student's nook. I mean may ibang students pero wala si Yonah. She is the Vice Captain of the volleyball team at merong meeting para sa nalalapit na try-outs. Kasama ko dapat siya ngayon kaso nagpaiwan ako para tapusin ang seatworks namin.

At dahil nga mag-isa ako ay kapansin-pansin kapag pinagtitinginan ako o pinag-uusapan. And it suddenly happened. Nawala ang usapan at tawanan mula sa mga katabing table. Lumingon ako sa paligid at halos lahat ng nasa malapit ay nasa akin ang atensyon.

O nasa likod ko.

The person behind me then pulled the chair next to me before sitting on it. Ang nakangising si Kuya West ang bumungad sa akin.

"Raija, tama ba itong naririnig ko na kayo na ni Xavier?" Tanong ni Kuya West na biglang sumusulpot.

Westbrook Cordovez. The oldest Cordovez. He is the first-born, the first pride and joy. He's currently in med school so the rumors about me and Xavier reaching him is very disturbing. Napakalayo ng highschool building sa med building.

"I know it will reach you Kuya pero bakit parang ang bilis?"

Kuya West smiled at me. "I know what's happening with my cousins, Rai. But I just want to ask if Xavier is not making things up."

"He's not making things up, Kuya."

"Hmm. So he's finally made his move huh. Anyways, be careful out there. I just want to hear it from you." Then he ruffled my hair, na madalas niyang gawin sa mga pinsan niya, before he walked away.

Weird.

Napailing na lang ako. He could have texted me and I would have said the same thing. He doesn't have to come here in our department just to ask that. O baka may sadya rin siya at dumaan lang dito? Anyways.

Nawala saglit kay Xavier ang isip ko dahil kay Kuya West. Pero kaagad din naputol ang pag-iisip ko nang ilang Cordovez nanaman ang biglang sumulpot sa harap ko. Kunot noo ko silang tiningala. What the heck is happening?

It was Kuya Exel with Zander and Yohan behind him. Pumalit siya sa kinauupuan kanina ni Kuya West.

"Rai, is it true-"

"Yes, Kuya Exel."

"Seriously?! Kagabi ba? I knew it!" Tuwang-tuwa niya pang sabi.

"I knew something happened when Xavier came back all smiles. Pero hindi ko in-expect na kayo na agad! You should've made him suffer!"

Napailing ako. What do I expect? These groups of cousins are weird.

"Saka ko na siya parurusahan kapag may ginawa siyang mali."

Kuya Exel laughed like I just said something funny.

"Why not punish him kahit wala siyang ginawang mali? You know? Just for fun."

"Tss. If you have time planning bad things to me with Raija, why not use it to date Venice, Kuya?"

Nanlaki ang mata ko. My head snapped towards Xavier's direction. Galing siya sa likod ko kaya hindi ko agad napansin. Xavier put his hand behind my chair before leaning on the table with his other hand. Yumuko siya bago hinalikan ang pisngi ko.

Napaiwas ako ng tingin. This is so fucking awkward.

"Heh. What happened to 'I don't like any of you?'" Zander asked with a smirk. Inirapan ko siya.