How to Say 'I Love You'

(11) "I don't like the way he stares at you."

After the encounter with that Aiken guy, Les never stopped throwing questions at me. Kanina pa 'tong babaeng ito, e. Pasalamat siya at gusto ko talaga 'tong pagkaing ni-treat niya sa akin.

"Ano na nga kasi? Do you find him handsome?" She asked in a sing-song voice while quirking her eyebrows. Nakakaloka. Kanina pa niya ako kinukulit sa tanong na yan. She asked how, and when did we meet. I told her the whole story naman. Except for the kadiri scene that happened between the two of us. Ano na lang iisipin ng pinsan kong yon? Baka mamaya, ichismis pa niya do'n sa iba naming kakilala, e di, patay ako sa parents and brothers ko.

"Why are you so makulit? Sinabi nang hindi, di ba?" I said in annoyance. Can't she just shut her mouth and settle on her food? Gosh! C not only stands for Celestine, but also for Chismosa.

"Weh?" Birada naman niya, na parang hindi pa siya naniniwala sa sinabi ko.

"Excuse me? Nagtatanung-tanong ka diyan tapos hindi ka rin naman pala maniniwala." Pairap kong sabi sa kanya bago magpatuloy sa pagkain.

"E? He's like an angel kaya tapos ang smart and hardworking pa. What's not to like about Aiken?" She dreamily said. Ka-ew talaga ang pinsan kong ito. Sa lahat ng mga pinsan ko, siya 'tong pinaka-hopeless romantic and drama queen. I wanna disown her na tuloy.

"Looks can be deceiving, couz." Sabi ko na lamang. She pouted as she started to eat again.

"Grade 10 na si Andi, right?" I asked to start another conversation. Les just nodded at me. "Where is she taking Grade 11?"

"I don't know kung magta-transfer pa siya." She answered. "Nga pala, uuwi na si Wrath, di ba?"

"Yeah. Why again?" Sabi ko, nakataas pa ang isang kilay.

"Someone on my class sa minor has the hots for him." She said while quirking her eyebrows. "Grabe! Kilig na kilig talaga siya kapag nakikita niya si Wrath."

"Sino yang 'someone' na yan?" I asked. I know that Wrath's a living chic magnet, and I wouldn't doubt that. I am just curious. Baka magpatulong si someone kay Les, then my cousin will ask help from me, para maireto si someone kay Wrath. If ever that happens, I will never help my cousin. Kahit na umiyak pa siya ng chocolate syrup.

"What's her name again?" Nakakunut-noong tanong niya sa kanyang sarili. I rolled my eyes. Baka hindi masyadong popular kaya hindi niya matandaan ang pangalan. Discrimination, e. Kapag sikat, kilala niya, pero kapag hindi, someone lang ang pantawag niya.

"Sure kang classmate mo siya?" Natatawang tanong ko sa kanya.

She ignored what I said. Her forehead knotted. Parang bang iniisip niya ang secret formula sa paggawa ng pinakamasarap na chocolate sa mundo. After years of thinking, her eyes widened, like she had found the most delicious chocolate in the whole world. Kulang na lang, sabihin niya ang, "eureka!". "I know na! She's Lucille Yap. Siya yong chinita, chubby girl na may bangs! Siya yong kasama sa band na Colorless Rainbow!" She laughed wholeheartedly. "Grabe, couz! Para siyang baliw kapag kinikilig!"

"I don't care." I replied. Anong pakialam ko kung kinikilig yong Lucille na yon nang bongga kay Wrath? It's not as if she's the only girl in the world who has got a major crush on my bestfriend. I'm never threatened because I know that Wrath is mine. Kahit ilang babae pa ang mahalikan o makarelasyon niya, I know that he'll come back to me. I'm his favorite girl. And also, he's my favorite boy. He's mine, and I'm his. No things in between. Just us.

"Ay, taray!" She said gayly. Umirap lamang ako. I suddenly lost my appetite. I just watch Les eat her food graciously. Grabe! Pinakalaki talaga sila ni tita with table etiquettes. Pangmayaman talaga ang upbringing nila. "Don't be jealous, Pia. Lucille's just having a crush on Wrath."