Carrying the Real Trophy ✓

Chapter XV

XV: Cheaters

"I'm done!"

Nagyayabang kong binagsak sa countertop ang gawa kong fish and chips. I cracked a smile when I realized that I did it for only fifteen minutes. Though, I gave my best to do it in ten minutes, I think fifteen is still acceptable.

Tinikman ko ang sariling gawa. The batter was a bit salty. Masarap pa rin naman. I'm improving.

"That fast?!" tarantang sigaw ni Ruth.

The realization that I couldn't pressure him because I didn't want him to experience a panic attack caused my lips to open.

"No, go on! I'm not pressuring you, Ruth. Tutulungan na lang kita!" ani ko rito at lumapit na sa kaniya.

"Please do. . ." bulong nito, natataranta na at parang iiyak pa.

I chuckled as I massaged our own recipe of batter to the fish. He's currently using the pan to deep-fry his fries. Abalang-abala ito sa pagluluto.

We just want to have something to do because there are no classes today due to festivities at the university. Hindi kabilang ang aming department. Tinatamad rin akong magmukmok lang sa bahay buong magdamag kaya naisipan na lang naming magluto.

Pasulyap-sulyap ako sa kaniya. I don't know how to say it. I've been trying to disclose this secret of mine for a month! Ilang beses ko nang gustong sabihin sa kaniya ang namamagitan saamin ni Rafael. In order to tell him the truth without shocking him, I needed some alone time with him.

I just know he'd be shock. Siya itong laging nagsasabi noon na hindi kami bagay at walang mangyayari saaming ganito. Ang kaso ay pinangungunahan ako ng ibang bagay at minsan naman, siya itong hindi p'wede.

I'm going to make sure that he'll be aware of it now that we have the opportunity to talk. Hindi ko na kayang itago sa kaniya ito.

I should do it now.

"Ruth, I have something to-"

"Quiet! May nagri-ring, someone's calling!" he exclaimed. Tumigil ito sa ginagawa.

I got frustrated. What the heck? That phone is fucking disturbing!

"Kanino 'yon?" He looked for it. Nasa pinakagilid ang phone naming dalawa kaya pumunta siya roon para i-check kung kaninong phone ang nagri-ring. "Oh, it's mine!"

"Who is it?" tanong ko, nakakunot na ang noo sa inis.

"Sino pa ba? My boyfriend, Gio!" masigla nitong saad.

I groaned, getting so mad now. Mahigit isang linggo na simula nang maging sila at parang nagiging tutol na ako sa relasyon nilang dalawa!

I don't want to get involved in their business, nor do I want to come across as being bossy. Hindi ako pakialamera kung hindi kailangan. Nakikita at napapansin ko lang kasing ang buong oras niya ay halos napupunta na roon sa Gio.

He scored zero on our quiz, but he isn't upset about it. Natuwa pa siya dahil tanggap pa rin daw siya ng lalaking iyon kahit na bumagsak! Tama ba ang ganoon?

"Sagutin ko lang," aniya. "I'll be back, Riki."

I tsked. Alam ko na, tatlong oras silang mag-uusap. Hindi na ako umasang babalik siya rito.

That boy is a bad influence! But I can see how happy he is and I am powerless to take a single step. I don't want him to think that I don't want him to be happy. He'll probably assume I'm the just like them. Right now, I'm torn between two choices. Wala siyang nakukuhang atensyon sa magulang noon pa man, kaya ayaw kong palalain. Ang pinagdadasal ko lang, sana ay hindi sila magtagal kung mananatili ang ganitong kilos ni Ruth. He's getting poisoned!