Versailles Series Book 5: The Barista

CHAPTER 30

~ calhoun ~

Naglalakad na ako palapit sa playgorund malapit sa eskwelahan namin nang makita kong nakaupo si Tabi. Nakayuko ito at tila pasan ang daigdig. She looked sad. It was our exam day and we decided to just meet here before going home together.

I turned my back to go to the nearest convenience store. I bought two small tubs of ice cream and got two spoons to go with it. I took some lactase tablets before walking back to where Tabi was.

She looked up at me and smiled when she saw what I brought her.

"You looked sad." Sabi ko habang inaabot dito ang paborito nitong cookies and cream ice cream.

"Hindi ko alam kung papasa ako ngayong grading."

I took a spoonful of ice cream praying the lactase tablet was ready to do its job. I have always been lactose intolerant. A spoonful of milk is enough to send me to the bathroom the whole day. I discovered that one unfortunate day. It was just like this. Tabi was sad and so she wanted ice cream. I didn't want her to have it alone so I bought one for me too. I skipped class the next day because I kept visiting the toilet. I just told Tabi I felt lazy. My mother, my wing-woman, just nodded at Tabi.

"Bakit hindi? Sipag mo nga mag-aral."

I am a lazy student. Tabi on the other hand is a very diligent student. She has bigger dreams than anyone I know.

Sinandal nito ang ulo sa balikat ko. "Pakiramdam ko, kailangan ko mag-aral ng sobra para nasa honors ako. Kailangang matalino ako para hindi sila makahanap ng ilalait sa akin. Lalo na si papa. Panigurado na may masasabi nanaman siya. Si Ate kahit hindi matalino pero dahil maganda, okay lang. Minsan nga may bagsak pa siya na grades."

I don't understand how Tabi sees herself as ugly. Yes, she looks bigger than girls her age but she's not ugly. She's actually pretty with her long curly hair, pink-stained cheeks, and big brown eyes behind dark-rimmed glasses. It's just that boys our age have different definitions of what a beautiful girl is. Plus, we're often assholes at this age.

I felt bad that she thought she had to compensate for her looks by getting higher grades. Hindi na bago sa akin ang turing dito ng pamilya nito. I wanted to get her from there and just let her stay in our house.

"They just don't see how wonderful you are, Tabi."

Siniksik nito ang sarili sa akin. I placed an arm on her shoulder. "Paano kaya kung magpa-ampon na lang ako kay Mama Sierra. Tapos ikaw na lang kapatid ko."

Nanigas ang katawan ko. Suddenly, the image of her in our house flashed in my mind. I can imagine her calling me 'kuya'. Shivers ran up my body. No.

I don't want her to be my sister.

"Ayaw ko nga. Gusto ko only child lang ako."

She pouted and shoved me gently. "Damot mo naman."

"Binilhan kita ng ice cream."

Nag-belat lang ito sa akin bago tinuloy ang pagkain ng ice cream. She can't be my sister. I don't know why but she just can't.

***

I just came from a shoot in Palawan. I would have fetched Tabi from the airport, but the scheduling didn't fit in. I even begged Mama Jove to let me go just for three days to spend with Tabi. I haven't seen my best friend for two years since she went to Paris.

I parked my pick-up in front of our house. The party for her homecoming is at their house. Most of the people are family friends. I smiled at the thought of her family celebrating her homecoming.

"Calhoun! Halika, pasok ka." Yaya ni Tita Mira sa akin.

I smiled and nodded at the visitors. Kilala na ako ng karamihan sa kanila pero hindi pa rin maiwasan ng iba na ma-satarstruck sa akin. I am one of the actors to look out for. I have movies and TV series left and right that I barely come here anymore. I even stay at a condominium now away from my family and closer to work.

"Tabi, nandito na si Calhoun!" Sigaw nito. Humarap ito sa akin. "Akayatin mo na lang siya sa kwarto niya. Kanina pa iyon nandoon."

I went up to her room. I know this house like the bad of my hand. The door to her room was open. Things were everywhere. Her back was to me. She was wearing a loose shirt and shorts. She noticed my presence and lunged at me before I could even register her in front of me.

"Calhoun! I missed you!"

She smells like cupcakes. She must have baked some today. I tightened my embrace. Why does she feel thinner? My heart was thumping fast as I hugged her. I prayed that she wouldn't feel it.

She distanced herself. She looked up at me with her beaming smile and eyes. She was still wearing glasses, her curly hair was shorter and framed her small face. She was thinner than I remember. I would have blurted out something, but commenting on one's weight is a big no-no, especially to Tabi.

She looks beautiful. More beautiful than I remember. She was glowing and radiant.

"Huy." She pinched my cheeks. Hers was blushing probably because I was staring at her for a long time.

"I missed you." I bent down and kissed her forehead which I never did. Madalas lang kaming nag-aakbayan pero hindi ko siya hinahalikan sa mukha.

She smiled sweetly. "Kumain ka na ba?"

"No. That's what I came here for."

She chuckled. Damn, I missed her laugh. Since when did I see Tabi in this light? Why is my heart racing as I'm looking at her?

"Halika na, kain na tayo." She pulled me but I stayed. Her eyes questioned me.

"I missed you, Tabi." I hugged her once again. I don't want to be away from her that long again. I want her here where I can be with her whenever I want to. There's not a day I didn't think about her. I felt so bad for not visiting her there but scheduling was really busy. Tabi has always been understanding and she was busy herself. We try to call each other at least thrice a week and exchange messages every day.

"I know. I missed you too, Cal."

I can't hide it from myself. I need to be honest to myself at least right now while I am holding her.

I might be in love with my best friend. I may have fallen longer than I care to admit.

"If I would have been the best version of myself then and I was braver, I would have given us a chance."

When I looked at Tabi, she had that puppy look on her face like she was listening to some soppy story.

"Bakit ganyan iyung mukha mo?" Sabi ko habang umiinom ng beer.

"You've always been your best version, Cal. Couldn't have been better."

"Really?" I almost whispered.

She nodded. "You have always been the best guy in my life, Cal. You treat me well. Always make sure I was alright. You made my life easier especially when I'm at my lowest." She snickered. "Don't let that go over your head." She laughed.

I smiled. She may be right. I've always been at my best around her.