lilies.

55

Kabanata 55

Agad umakyat ang kaba sa dibdib ko. It is awkward. Gab doesn't feel near awkwardness. He waited for us to answer. Rai was shocked too. It's the first time I saw him blush.

"Ano, man?" Tanong ni Gab nang hindi na siya makapaghintay sa isasagot ni Rai.

"I d-don't mind," Rai answered. It was almost a whisper. It's like he's too awkward to answer.

Isang beses pumalakpak si Gab at umatras na siya para sumandal sa upuan niya sa likod. "It's settled then. That's what we tell our friends later. You guys are officially dating."

My jaw dropped in disbelief. "Why are you even deciding for us?"

Humalakhak siya, "I decided on this situationship too. Isa pa, it's nothing serious. Just a patch to avoid you from getting dragged. You're too innocent to be in our world, Lily, so it's better to give you enough shield. Ayoko na makarinig na may mambabastos sa'yo."

"Agreed," dagdag na komento ni Rai. He squeezed my hand and glanced for a few seconds.

"I have bodyguards to sort it already."

"No, I don't want people to think that you're open to fwb setup, just because you're friends with Rai but act like more than friends," Gab said, "You guys can break up when Adriel broke up with his girlfriend so you can try to pursue him..."

Nanlaki ang mata ko sa sinabi ni Gab. Gusto ko siyang hampasin. Ang daldal niya talaga!

"Gab!" I exclaimed.

Tumawa na naman siya. Parang walang seryoso sa lalaking ito.

"It's not like Rai doesn't know about that. 'di ba, man?"

Rai laughed, but I feel like there's no humor in it. Or am I overanalyzing his expressions? I also feel like he's uncomfortable with the topic. Okay, I am overanalyzing things.

"Yeah," Rai answered boredly.

"See?" Sinipa niya ang likod na upuan ko. Nang hindi ko siya pinansin inulit niya pa, "See? I-wish mo na magbreak nga sila. Kung hindi, at least, for once in your life, you got yourself a boyfriend. Bago ka tumandang dalaga!" asar niya.

"Uuwi na lang ako, ayaw kitang kasama, Gab!"

"Wala na, Lily, malapit na tayo sa airport."

Sa Terminal 3 kami nagpunta may multi-level parking doon at doon kami nagpark dahil iiwan namin ang sasakyan ni Gab doon. Hindi ko alam kung ilang araw kami roon.

Habang naglalakad kami papasok sa airport ay tumawag sa akin si Grandma. Hawak hawak ni Rai ang isang kamay ko habang ang isang kamay ko ay hawak ang cellphone. Pinapantayan kaming maglakad ni Gab. Malamang ay nakikinig din siya sa pinag-uusapan namin ni Grandma.

"You're going to Cebu?"

"Yes, grandma. It's last minute."

"Okay, how many are you? The bodyguards?"

"I'm not coming with the bodyguards."

"Why? Are you coming with Rai then?"

"Yes, grandma, and Gab."

Dinikit ni Gab ang tainga sa cellphone ko habang naglalakad kami nang narinig niya ang pangalan niya. Inaalis ko ang pisngi niya.

"Just you three?"

"No, with other friends."

"How many are you?"

Tinakpan ko ang cellphone at nagtanong sa dalawa, "Ilan daw tayo?"