How to Get Out of the "Bestfriend Zone"

Chapter 24

Lance invited me tomorrow night sa birthday celebration ng little brother niyang 10 years ang agwat sa kanya. A part of me wanted to say no. Kaya lang, siyempre, matagal nang tight ang families namin. As a sign of respect sa mga Castillo, I promised him I'd be there.

            Ang shunga-shunga ko talaga.. Putek. Akala ko talaga nagka-moment kami kanina sa karaoke bar. Feeling ko pa kinuryente nang ipinakilala niya ang sarili niya na boyfriend ko. 'Yun naman pala, ginawa niya 'yun kasi siyempre, bestfriend niya 'ko. Kung mayroon mang taong perfect na tawaging nasa "Bestfriend zone," ako na 'yun. Mia naman, 'wag na kasi aasa. Wala namang dapat magustuhan sa'yo eh. 'Yang buhok mo? Colored 'yan. Ang mga mata? May contacts 'yan. Haaay naku. Ba't ba kasi walang na fa-fall sa personality at first sight? 'Yan tuloy we try our hardest to look our best just to get the people we like like us back. Pero ano? Wala naman tayong napapala, eh. Parang ulol lang. Aasa-asa.

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            I entered the Castillo residence with a smile plastered on my face I need to fake being happy. Kahit ang totoo, nasasaktan na talaga ako dahil sa pagiging manhid ng bestfriend ko sa nararamdaman ko. Naka-imbyerna.

            Their maid opened the door for me. I saw Iñigo immediately while he was talking to his parents. He immediately turned around when he heard the door open.

            A smile lit up his face. "Ate Mia!" at tumakbo na siya patungo sa'kin.

            Nakakatuwa naman na super duper sweet ng bata. Nagmana ata sa kuya niya. Pero Iñigo, hay naku! Please lang. 'Wag kang maging sing manhid ng kuya mo pagnagbinata ka na ha?

            "Happy birthday! I have something for you." I happily showed him a paperbag containing my gift for him.

            "Yaaaay!"

            "But first....." itinago ko ang bag sa likuran ko. "Kiss mo muna si ate Mia."

            And he did so. Medyo ginulo ko ang buhok niya saka binigay ang gift. Lumapit sina Tita Corrine at Tito Alex saamin.

            "Hello Mia." Masayang bati ni Tito Alex.

            "Hello po sa inyo."

            "We're glad you're here." Sabi pa ni Tita.

            "Of course po. Birthday ni Iñigo, eh. I wouldn't replace it for the world."

            At bumeso ako sa kanilang dalawa.

            I saw Lance going down sa stairs. God, he looked real cute kahit naka simple white shirt lang siya and shorts. Ngumiti siya upon seeing me. I smiled back at him.

            "I'm glad you're here." He blurted out.

            "I'm glad I'm here as well." I chuckled.

            Lance put his arm around my shoulder. "Lunch ka muna."

            I just gently nodded

            I sat sa couch in front of the TV. He sat beside me.

            He looked at my plate. "O, wala pa ring crab?"

            I shook my head then I swallowed what was inside my mouth. "You know me naman. Hindi ako kumakain nu'n."

            He put his hand on his chin. "Bakit ba? Hindi mo pa naman natitikman di'ba? Saka, I don't think you're allergic to seafoods. I mean, you eat shrimps naman.."