Earthquake (Disaster Series #3)

Kabanata 1

Handshake

I yawned and stretched up my arms from quite a satisfying afternoon nap. The movement I just made with my arms felt so good and stretched my abdomen the way I like it so I prolonged the action even longer and moaned at the feeling.

Two pair of eyes immediately met mine so I tried my best to stare back at them with my monolid ones.

Ang isa, inosenteng nakatingin sa akin. Habang ang isa naman ay nakakunot ang noo at at nakausli ang labi, tila ba may nakitang hindi kaaya-aya o 'di kaya'y nakakadiri sa kung ano mang ginawa ko.

I reciprocated the latter's stare with the same energy. Realizing that the nap made my mind a bit fuzzy, I switched back to the look of boredom on my face.

"What? Tapos na kayo?" Pinagtaasan ko sila ng kilay 'saka sinulyapan ang nagkalat na mga tela sa mesa.

Dahil sa parehong mesa ako nakatulog, naipit ko pala ang iilang piraso ng tela na tingin ko ay mamahalin. And it's now crumpled pieces of fabric. This is probably why Julia is looking at me with contempt right now.

I pursed my lips and was about to apologize when she held up her hand, stopping me.

"What is this story that I've been hearing from Ken? Last month pa lang may ganitong usapan na ah? That's concerning."

Napamaang ako dahil sa sinabi niya. Kakagising ko lang 'tas ito agad ang pag-uusapan? Siguro kahit no'ng tulog pa ako ay gusto na nila akong komprontahin tungkol dito.

I smirked.

Well, at least she's not confronting me about the pricey fabric that I messed up. Gagamitin pa naman 'yan para sa fashion exhibit sa school nila next month.

"Oh, that story again. It's just nothing." Tumayo ako para kumuha ng tubig sa dispenser na nasa likuran niya lang.

I even almost tripped on some fabric that fell on the floor. I shook my head and evaded the mannequin that's on the way. The dress on it is nearly done now, don't want to mess that up too.

Julia and Ate followed me with a curious look on their faces. I ignored them and chugged down the cold glass of water on my hand.

"Talaga ba, Laurent? Tibo ka raw?" Julia blurted the words with a ridiculous look on her face, like the question is funny and horrifying at the same time.

"Or more like... bisexual."

Natawa na lang din ako dahil sa sinabi niya. I choked a bit on my water and coughed. What's even more ridiculous is the serious look of concern on Ate's face.

Kilalang-kilala ko si Ate. Sa sobrang inosente niyan at dahil na rin sa Julia lang ang tanging kaibigan, alam kong naniwala agad 'yan.

"I am not. At kung tibo nga ako, ano namang meron? Is that even a bad news?" I laughed, all the while clutching my chest as I tried to recover from choking on my water.

"Really, Laurent? I mean, how will you tell Mama and Papa about this? I mean, I will help you... I'm just worried about how they'll react." Hindi pa rin nawala ang nag-aalalang ekspresyon sa mukha ni Ate.

I paused and put down the glass on my hand.

Oh, she's serious. She really is naive.

But her response is so sweet. I smiled at her and went back on my seat in front of them.

"It's nothing serious, Ate."

"Hmm... the number of boys attesting to that is serious though. Ken is your current boyfriend, right? Then, why the hell would he spread such story? Even your exes, Frank and Earl is agreeing to that. Kahit nga si Simon at Gavin na mga kaibigan mo, nakikisali sa usapan. So, tell me why it isn't serious, Laurent?"