Warmth of Summer

Chapter 3

Connection

"Don't you like him, Summer? I think he genuinely likes you. I heard that Zester is kuripot pero tingnan mo naman, ginagastosan ka niya," Chienna said beside me.

"He's handsome and I'll admit he's a total package, but I'm gonna have a rest muna sa relationshits na 'yan. Alam ko naman kung ano ang magiging ending niyan," I said as I drink my iced coffee.

We're here at the Caffeine Shots, malapit lang siya sa university kaya dito na kami tumambay since we still have an hour before the class starts. Aside sa malapit lang siya sa uni, maganda din ang ambience niya and the coffee and other stuff here ay yummy. Medyo crowded dito at puro mga taga university rin ang costumers like us.

"Really? Akala ko pa naman he's going to be the September boyfriend of yours," Nabi said.

I shrugged while stirring my coffee using the straw. "If you want him, just tell me." They all gasped which made me chuckle.

"Tell me you're not serious, Summer," Mishka exclaimed.

"It's a half-meant though. Tsaka sanay na naman ako so no biggie if you like him. Just tell it to me para ilakad ko kayo sakanya." I winked at them before I take a sip.

"We're not like that, Summer. Hindi naman kami sagip kapamilya and we know the girls code, right girls?" Chienna said while looking at them. Tumango naman sila bilang pagsang-ayon.

"Chill, I'm just kidding— Oh... Speaking of the devil, he messaged me." I swipe the notification and it went on his message.

From: Zester
You want me to fetch you later babe?

Agad naman silang bumalik sa upuan nila after nilang mabasa 'yon.

"Just say yes, Summer. Ang ganda ng brand new car niya and I heard that it was given to him as his birthday gift." Inilingan ko lang siya at nagsimula nang magreply kay Zester.

To: Zester
No need, Zes. Our driver will fetch us later but thanks anyway.

I turned off my phone and place it on the table. Nakita ko namang napailing silang lahat at nagsimula ng magkwentuhan ng kung ano-ano. Nakikisali naman ako but I prefer to listen since I'm still drinking my favorite drink.

We met the first day I attended my classes. And we instantly clicked because we share the same interest and mindset. That's what matters to me. Actually late enrollee ako, siguro mga two weeks after the class starts tsaka palang ako pumasok. Tinanggap parin ako kasi kamag-anak namin 'yung owner ng university.

Umilaw ang phone ko but I chose to ignore it kasi alam ko namang si Zester 'yon. I'm sure his reply is just 'okay' or whatever. Pasok naman siya sa standards ko but I just can't indulge myself to make him as my boyfriend.

"Should we go back na?" Nabi asked.

We all look at each others eyes and we all nodded as a sign of agreement. Inubos ko na ang iced coffee ko bago ko kinuha ang brand new celine bag ko na bigay sa'kin ni Zester.

I didn't told him to buy me like this expensive bag pero nagulat nalang ako dahil simula ng nagconfess siya sa'kin, he started to give me expensive things like bags, stilettos, and jewelries. I know that he's rich because his family is a family of doctors and engineers. All of my suitors naman ay mayayaman kaya nasanay nalang ako sa mga binibigay nila sa'kin.

No one dares to call me gold digger because they know na mas mayaman ako kaysa sa mga manliligaw ko.

"Buti nalang talaga nagsunscreen ako, the sun is scorchingly hot and I don't want to get sunburns." Ngumisi lang ako sa pagreklamo ni Mishka.