Hide and Seek (High School Liars series #1)

Liar 1:09

Karma Satomi

I ordered food for both of us at ako na rin ang nagbayad sa pagkain since it's my treat. I ordered menudo and pineapple juice for him and sisig for me. I only ordered ulam kasi may baon naman akong kanin. I also don't like how they cook their rice. Minsan matigas, minsan sobrang lambot. May dala rin akong sariling tubig.

"Next time, ako na ang manglilibre," nahihiya niyang sabi. I smiled at him, and he just looked away.

"Dapat lang."

Our lunch went smoothly, not until his friends spotted us and started to ship us both when infact I'm just here eating with him because I need something. Kung wala naman akong pakay ay hindi ko siya lalapitan.

"I'm sorry if it made you feel uncomfortable, but don't worry, I'll talk to them." Tumango tango na lang ako. Probably, if we met before the incident, I'll definitely date him. But knowing that he can manage to cover up some big crime, it's disgusting.

Arvie Adrian Valeros, 17 years old. His records are clear, not until an incident happened. There's a match between the knights and his team here in Tacenda High that day. He's one of the witnesses but refuse to give statement.

"Kaya pala pinauna ako kasi may iba palang kasabay," bitter na sabi ni Vhez. Masama naman ang tingin niya kay Arvie, tinitigan mula ulo hanggang paa.

"Ang sungit mo pa sa akin tas sa kanya todo ngiti, ang unfair mo talaga," dagdag pa niya. Na wiwirdohan na din si Arvie sa kanya. Hindi ko din naman expect na sobrang dada ni Vhez. Girl version siya ni Fae at Zian.

"Uy, Cuevas nandyan ka pala. Kanina pa kita hinahanap, sabi mo sabay tayo mag lunch!" Rinig kong sigaw ni Zian. Gulong gulo naman si Vhez sa sinasabi ni Zian.

"Sinabi ko 'yon?" Takang tanong nito habang turo pa ang sarili. Nakangiti namang tumango si Zian.

"Oo, sinabi mo 'yon kanina... uy, hi Arvie and Karma!" Masayanhing bati nito bago hinila si Vhez pa alis. Nagtaka naman si Arvie bakit kilala ako ni Zian. They stay in one roof after all, Aisla, Zian, and him.

"Kilala mo pala si Arziana," sabi nito.

"Oo, siya ang una kong nakalaban sa gymnastics, same pa kameng talo," natatawang sabi ko. It's true, it was unexpected.  Zian's mom made her join in the gymnastic club before, nagmaktol pa nga siya dahil ang gusto niya ay softball.

"That's interesting. She's one of my doorm mates," he said. I smiled at him because I already knew what he's talking about. Nabanggit din naman ni Zian 'yun.

"I bet you can't sleep well at night," napahagikhik naman ako sa sinabi ko. Napahinto naman siya. I hit some nerve on him.

"Heck yes! She won't stop until the three of us will do a skin care routine before going to bed," he said. That does sound like Zian to me. Hindi ko nalang binanggit ang pagiging gubat nang bahay nila at baka magtaka pa siya kung bakit pati 'yon ay alam ko.

We parted our ways before lunch. ABM A naman kase siya at STEM D naman ako. He even offered na ihatid ako pero I refused. Mamaya at baka kutyawin pa ako nila Fae dahil for sure ay nagsumbong na si Vhez sa kanila.

When I entered the classroom, Vhez gave me a disgusting look, but i stuck my tongue out to him. Laking pasasalamat ko dahil dumating na si sir Carl. Nagtuloy tuloy na ang discussion at unang diniusscuss ang about sa circle. May mga tanong si sir na sinasagot naman ni Janea and Zyrine. Halos magtagisan ng talino ang dalawa.

Alam ko din naman ang sagot pero mas pinili kong manahimik.

Pagdating nang uwian ay mas mabilis pa si Vhez kay flash dahil umuwi kaagad. Hindi ko alam kung nagtatampo ba 'yon o may mahalaga pang gawin.

"Byeeeiiiii, see you tomorrow!" sabi ni Fae bago pumasok sa kanyang unit.

Padabog akong umupo sa sofa ngunit ako rin ang nasaktan dahil gawa ito sa kawayan. Parang andaming nangyari sa araw na ito at ang taggal matapos. Ang pagkikita namin ni Zhayed, ang pictorial kanina, at ang pag lunch namin ni Arvie. Hindi pa ako nagsisimula kaya't hindi dapat ako pa dalos dalos sa aking ikinikilos. Pero may kutob akong magbabago na ito bukas.

Nasa ganoon akong posisyon nang tumunog ang aking telepono. Nag text si kuya. Himala at may load na siyang oang text.

Kachi:

Mag cash out kana... alam kong wala ka nang pera d'yan, kawawa naman ang aking broke sister 😓

Napairap naman ako sa mensahe niya. Seriously? His timing is so good. Kapag natapos ito ay talagang babanatan ko siya nang buto.

Ako:

Oki po, shut off ka nalang dahil same lang naman tayong broke 🤪

Nagpalit na ako nangdamit na pambahay. I just wore some paired pyjamas na hello kitty before grabbing my wallet and phone. I also make sure that my unit is locked before heading to the ATM machine. Medyo may kalayuan ito pero kaya namang lakarin.

"It's getting dark, you know." Napahinto naman ako sa narinig. I sighed and continued to walk. Konting konti nalang ay iisipin kong stalker si Kairon.

"And you're getting creepier,  you know," panggagaya ko sa kanya. I heard him chuckle. Hindi ko alam kung ano ba talaga role niya sa buhay ko. Parang kabute na basta basta nalang susulpot.

"Baka nga ikaw pa itong stalker ko, malay ko bang crush mo ako," napangiwi ako sa sinabi niya. Kapal din ng mukha.

"Or maybe it's the other way around." Lumiwanag ang aking mukha nang makita sa dikalayuan ang ATM machine. May mga nakapila din ngunit hindi naman mahaba.

"Ok. By they way, your friend Arziana wants to run for P.I.O in the next election," sabi nito. I don't know what she's planning, but I hope that it won't ruin our deal.

"Under what party?" Zian never mentioned that to me. Maybe I'll call her later for confirmation. Baka mamaya ay puro echos echos lang itong si Kairon para lang makausap ako.

"My party."

Naguguluhan pa akong pumila dahil sa sinabi niya. Is he planning to be reelected again? For what? Are the students still willing to vote for him?

"Good luck, then."

Whatever Zian's planning. I know we can use them. Befriending the Sslg president is not bad, but it's not on my plan. I have a lot on my plate recently at wala na akong planong dagdagan. Addding new characters will affect the flow of the story. The end is fixed, so as the characters.

Mspinkjacket