LOVEBITES

Chapter 21

"Quite popular, aren't you?" anang malamig na tinig na saad ng bagong dating.

Lumipat ang atensiyon ni Caitlin kay Lors na nakasandal sa may hamba ng pinto habang may yakap na isang makapal na libro. At hindi nakaligtas sa kanyang pansin ang bahagyang tingin na ipinukol nito kay Basil bago iyon tuluyang bumalik sa kanya.

"Are you alright?" Caitlin asked instead, ignoring the unexpected jab directed at her. Hindi niya maintindihan kung anong dahilan ng biglaang pagbabago ni Lors pero hindi ibig sabihin noon ay magbabago na din ang pagpapahalaga niya dito.

Ngumisi ang kaibigan dahil sa kanyang naging sagot. She's clearly mocking her. Ngunit mabuti na lamang ay mas pinili nito ang tumahimik imbes na ipagpatuloy ang nagbabadyang hindi magandang pag-uusap nila.

Caitlin wanted to talk to her, but she just doesn't want to continue the conversation especially with her acting like a snarky bitch.

Tuluyan ng napalis ang tingin ni Lors sa kanya at iyon ay lumipat kay Basil na kasalukuyang nakatayo sa tabi ni Caitlin.

"Old man, you told me that you're going to teach me how to read this," itinuro nito ang hawak na libro. Lors' eyes brightened with enthusiasm while she looked at Basil, though it was short-lived.

Napahugot ng isang malalim na buntong-hininga si Basil. "I still have things to discuss with the Lady. Just go and wait for me in the study," diretsang sagot naman nito na animo'y tinataboy si Lors.

Awtomatikong napalis ang nakapaskil na ngiti ni Lors at napalitan iyon ng iritasyon. Nabahiran ng pamumula ang buong mukha nito at magkasalubong ang mga kilay na matalim siya nitong tinitigan bago iyon muling bumalik kay Basil.

"No, you have to teach me right now! I don't want to wait any longer!"

Caitlin flinched in surprise because of the sudden animosity. She should have gotten used to her complaining to get what she wants but this time it feels different.

Nang mga sandalling iyon, animo'y nag mukhang isang paslit ang kaibigan na nagdadabog sa kadahilanang hindi nito nakuha ang kagustuhan nito. O mas tamang sabihin na hindi nito nakuha ang atensiyon ni Basil.

Ang kaninang nanginginig at mahigpit na nakakuyom nitong palad ay nakaduro na sa kanyang direksiyon. "She's been keeping you to herself, all this time! You promised me!"

Kulang na lang ay ipadyak nito ang mga paa. She would have completed the look of a child throwing a tantrum. A snort escaped her lips, and it didn't go unnoticed. Caitlin could barely control herself from laughing so hard.

Lors glared at her, but Caitlin only smiled in response. Ginawa niya iyon para pahupain ang galit nito ngunit kabaliktaran ang naging epekto. Mas lalo lamang nagbaga ang tinging ipinukol nito sa kanya.

"What? Pinagtatawanan mo ba ako?"

Nagkibit balikat si Caitlin. She's being spiteful, huh? Caitlin doesn't know if it's because of her period or if she has grown quite a temper in the short time that they didn't see each other.

"Yeah. I was just wondering, if you like Basil so much that you don't want others hounding his attention. But of course, that can't be—" naputol ang iba pang nais sabihin ni Caitlin ng makita ang ekspresiyon sa mukha ng kaibigan.

Lors was about to burst into tears as she looks at Basil. It's as if she could see nothing but him. Hindi ito katulad ng palagi niyang nakikitang ekspresiyon sa mukha ng kaibigang tuwing may bago itong kinahuhumalingan. Lors usually looks so confident but now she looks different. She looks insecure and unsure of herself.

This is bad huh?

Lumipad ang atensiyon ni Caitlin kay Basil. At nang makita niya na nanatiling kalmado at animo'y wala itong pakialam sa narining, parang gusto na niya itong sipain palabas ng kwarto.

Does he know all along? And how could Lors develop feelings for him? He is a lot older than her.

Natigilan si Caitlin sa kanyang internal musings. Well, hindi na mukhang lolo sa Basil ngayong pinagmamasdan niya iton ng mabuti. Hindi sigurado si Caitlin if its got something to do with magic but Basil now looks like in his early early thirties as compared to last time.

Then maybe, there is a future between them.

At sapat na iyon para mapako siya sa kanyang pwesto hanggang sa tumikhim ang dahilan ng uncomfortable na sitwasiyon na iyon.

"Just go," madiing ulit ni Basil sa kaibigan.

"I hate you!" naiiyak na singhal naman ni Lors bago nito parang bagyong nilisan ang kwarto.

Nang tuluyan ng nakalabas ng kwarto ang kaibigan awtomatikong bumalik ang atensiyon ni Caitlin kay Basil. He is standing still she thought he is a statue.

"Are you two—"

"No! She's too young!" agad na sansala ni Basil sa iba pang sasabihin niya. Ngunit sa kabila ng mariing pagtanggi nito kapansin-pansin naman ang pamumula tainga nito.

At dahil sa reaksiyon na iyon, hindi nais ni Caitlin na hanggang doon na lamang ang magiging pag-uusap nila. Mas lalong nabuhayan ang interes niya.

"But it seems like you two fit—"

Basil whirled around to face her and for the first time since they met, he rewarded her with a serious death glare. However, instead of being bothered by it she somehow feels honoured.

"Wag mo ng ituloy ang iba mo pang sasabihin. It's nothing but a passing fancy. In time, she will find another person to care for."

"Passing fancy huh? We can't be sure about that,"

"Not another word or else," Basil threatened in an almost pleading voice.

Caitlin smiled. Considering Lor's personality, it's highly likely to be the case but why doesn't it sit right with her? Caitlin grew quiet as she pondered this sudden revelation when Basil took the perfect chance to change the subject.

"Gusto mo bang makita si Lucia? It will probably take some time before those bastards return. Take this chance to check on your friend while you still have time."

That did it. She almost forgot the most important thing. Kailangan niyang malaman ang kalagayan ni Luce. Lors love life can wait.

Caitlin nodded gravely. "Yes. Take me to Luce."