The Last Rule

Chapter 18 - Damot

"Told ya!" I exclaimed, collapsing onto the bed like gravity itself had decided I'd had enough. Grabe, the dinner was... exhausting. Family dinner at a hotel on the other island. The irony? We're staying in another hotel now, while we just opened one a few days ago. 

"Gatorade ko," Dos said on the phone, voice annoyingly bright and cheerful. Of course. He always sounded like nothing could ever stress him out. Meanwhile, I had escaped to my room the moment dinner ended. Lola was chatting endlessly with the hotel owner. Thankfully hindi na lumipat sa akin ang spotlight.

"Should I buy here na?" I asked, still holding the phone. He told me they won, which meant... I lost our bet. Of course, he was ridiculously happy, at talagang tinawagan niya ako agad para magyabang.

That's how our vacation ended. Kinabukasan, we went home but it's just the five of us. Lolo and Lola decided to stay while, Tita Den and Tito Dex left after dinner. For once, it felt like home, ordinary and calm. 

I was in my room, holding the energy drink for Dos. Ang problema, paano ko iaabot sa kanya without anyone seeing? Kasi kung everyone saw, good luck explaining that to the world. Remember the sunglasses incident with Bret? They teased me endlessly. Never again. 

I decided the kitchen was the safest place to meet. Simple, right? But i was wrong. Step inside... and there's Kuya Bry, standing there, munching on a banana. Naturally.

Bigla akong kinabahan. As in, like, bakit nagsha-shake yung hands ko?! I greeted him, he nodded, and I pretended to get water kahit obvious na di ako uhaw. I could feel his stare on my back. Like, kuya naman... why are you observing me? Do I look suspicious ba?!

"Ano 'yan?" he asked suddenly. I jumped slightly. His eyebrow raised at my reaction. He stares at the paper bag I was holding and inside is Dos' energy drink and the bracelet.

"Ah... w-wala." Ugh. Why am I stuttering?! Sino ba ako? Hindi ako ganito!

I can't look back at him even though I feel his eyes on me. I still feel so nervous, aalis nalang ako. I need to think for plan B. Maybe give it later or never. But right when I turned around, ayun na. Dos. Standing there. Smiling like he owns the place.

But his head turned slightly, noticing Kuya Bry moving on the side. Kuya Bry's eyes on Dos, then back to me. Great. Tense. I wanted to disappear.

"Uy! Anjan ka pala," Dos said casually, like this wasn't the most awkward crime scene ever. I tried to appear casual, but my chest was already racing.

Tinanguan lang siya ni Kuya Bry and  offred him a banana but Dos declined. Kuya Bry shrugged and walked off, shoving the banana into his pocket. Relief. 

I quickly handed the paper bag to Dos. "We should go!"

"Bakit? Para tayong gumagawa ng krimen?" he teased, stepping in front of me.

"This is a crime! Go!" I pushed him lightly, but he caught my hands. 

"Wala ba munang good luck d'yan?"

"What? May Gatorade ka na, kailangan mo pa good luck? You're so mabisyo!"

"Damot," he whispered, just enough for me to hear.

"If you don't want, ako ang aalis!" I muttered, turning. I heard him say "Thank you!" but I didn't look back.

The moment that I closed my bedroom door, I took a deep breath. My heart is pounding so fast that I have to put my palm on my chest. My brain refused to cooperate. Talking to Dos, alone, after days of casual chats... and I had no idea what I was supposed to feel.

We have nothing, right? Nothing official. But... why does my stomach feel like it's tied in knots? I know he has a girlfriend.

So... am I the side chick?