lilies.

54

Kabanata 54

We really go to the airport after eating. Walang dalang sasakyan si Rai gaya ko.

"I'll drive," sabi ni Rai nang makarating na kami sa parking.

"Why?"

"Lily will sit in front, right?" He asked, then stated, "So I'll drive."

Gab chuckled then only shook his head.

Naunang pumasok sa likod si Gab. Hindi gaya ng ginagawa niya na pagbubuksan muna ako ng pinto. Si Rai ang nagbukas ng pinto para sa akin.

"Thanks!" sabi ko bago siya umikot para sa driver's seat.

"Matutulog muna ako, apat na oras lang tulog ko kanina. Alas sais na ako nakatulog-"

Ako na ang tumapos nang sinasabi niya, "Kakalaro. That's an addiction already, Gab." Nilingon ko siya sa likod.

"Everyone's addicted to something. You can't live without your books. I can't live without playing games. How about you Rai? What's your addiction?"

"Hmm," Nag-iisip niyang sagot. He looked serious while driving, "I don't think I have any. I do things in moderation."

"You're addicted to Lily," sigaw ni Gab. Agad nag-init ang pisngi ko sa sinabi niya. Humagalpak siya sa tawa.

Rai only chuckled.

"See? Before, you went out with different girls every day. It's almost a year now and you're still hanging out with her every day," asar niya, "It's like you can't live without her."

Hindi sumagot si Rai at tumawa lang siya habang umiiling.

"It will seem like you knew Rai for so long. Kailan lang naman siya nagpunta ng Manila? April last year?" pambabara ko sa kanya.

"You'll know someone's habits already if you always see them almost every day. We party almost every night in those two months last year, Lily. And where were you? Addicted to your books."

Inalala ko pa kung ano nga bang ginawa ko noong nakaraang bakasyon. Oo nga, tama siya. It would've been if I met Rai earlier!

Inilahad ni Rai ang libreng kamay niya sa lap ko. I smiled and put my hand there. He held it. Tiningnan ko siya na seryosong nakatingin pa rin sa daan.

"Would it hurt your reputation if you officially date someone, Rai?" Gab instantly said after we held hands.

"What reputation?" Rai answered, puzzled. Kumunot din ang noo ko sa tanong niya.

"Is there a reason why you're not keeping a girlfriend?"

"Wala. I just lost interest right away," Rai paused. Saglit siyang nag-angat ng tingin sa rear view. "Why?"

We waited for Gab to answer because he didn't answer right away. Saan ba patungo ang sinasabi niya?

"It's been a year... have you lost interest with my best friend?" He asked seriously.

Kumunot lalo ang noo ko. "Gab..." I scolded.

Rai's hand slowly gets cold. It's like the situation is pressuring him or something.

"No, never..." Rai simply answered.

"Well, I just think," He paused. Umabante siya para kahit papano ay malapit siya sa amin. He sticks out his head in the middle of us two, "That Lily's reputation is hurt."

"What are you even saying? What reputation? Huh?" I intervened because I don't get where he's at.

"Okay, chill, hear me out, this is going to be long," He answered, "You said you guys are seen in Cebu, you held hands. Rai has a reputation of only staying fwb with someone. You said you guys are only friends. Not many people will buy that. Remember what happened with Kobe? I'm sure he wanted to get you laid. Why do people think that they can do that to you? Because of Rai's reputation with girls..."

"So you're blaming Rai? When it's not even his fault? It's on them. Not on us," Iritado kong sinabi.

"Oh, I also think that."

"I'm not blaming you, man. I'm offering a solution," Gab then smiled.

"What is it?" Naiirita ko sa ngiti niya na ganyan. Parang walang magandang lalabas sa bibig niya.

"Make Lily your girlfriend, officially."