Played (Montellano series #1)

Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Lola joined us for breakfast. She had fun chatting with our friends. Tuwang-tuwa rin ang mga kaibigan namin sa kanya.

"Gosh, your Lola is still beautiful despite her age. Alam n'yo ba kung anong skincare routine niya?" Krystal jokingly said while we are hanging out at the veranda.

Vianca and Liza are taking pictures with the vast fields as the backdrop. They are so amazed, like I was when I first went here, with the spectacular view. Maaliwalas pa ang langit ngayon kaya napakaganda ng view.

The guys already have drinks on their hands. Hapon na at nagpapalipas na lang kami ng oras habang hinihintay ang santacruzan. I heard Anya would participate and John Lloyd, the actor, would be here.

"If we had known earlier, sumali sana ako." I heard Nica, talking about the santacruzan. "I want to experience that."

"You're already walking on runways, though. Why do you want to be part of it? Dahil kay John Lloyd?" si Ken.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Paulo habang pinapasadahan ko ng tingin ang paligid. It seems that he's been watching me. Tipid siyang ngumiti kaya ngumiti rin ako.

So far, wala pa naman siyang ginagawang masama sa akin. Magkatabi kami sa hapag kanina at maayos naman ang kuwentuhan namin. I asked him about his summer classes and how is he in Manila. Ganoon lang, kumustahan lang.

It's just sad that somehow, there is already a gap between us no matter how much I tried to be normal and keep our friendship.

I guess I also have a part too. I hurt him. I don't want to admit it but I know that somehow I lead him on. It's sad that it turned out like this.

I then wonder... if we didn't went here and I hadn't met Rake, would Paulo stood a chance to me? Sasagutin ko ba siya? Or would I have the courage to tell him that I can only offer him friendship because that's how he is to me?

I wouldn't know, I guess.

"Hey..." Paulo approached me.

Bumuntong-hininga ako at tipid na ngumiti. "Hey."

Matagal niya akong tinitigan bago nagbuga ng hininga. Sumandal siya sa railings, hawak ang isang can ng beer, at nakaharap sa akin. I'm seated on one of the chairs.

Abala sa pag-uusap sa kung ano ang mga pinsan ko at ang mga kaibigan naman namin, abala sa pagpipicture.

"You seem a bit... lost in thoughts." he chuckled awkwardly. "Want to share?"

Pinasadahan ko ng daliri ang buhok sabay iling. "No, I'm fine. Uhm, are you enjoying here?"

Tumango siya at sinulyapan ang paligid. "Yeah. The air in the province is indeed different. I finally understand why you like it here."

Ngumiti ako. We became quiet. Pinanood ko ang mga pinsan na abala sa pagdidiskusyon. I don't know what they're talking about. Mukhang hindi naman importante kasi nagtatawanan sila.

"How are you doing here? Is the guy you like treating you well?"

Binalingan ko si Paulo. He looked away but I caught the sadness and longing in his eyes. Nanikip ang dibdib ko. I feel bad for him.

"Uh... yeah," kumurap-kurap ako at nagtiim-bagang. "Yeah, I'm alright here. Rake is a good man."

"Jake said he's a playboy. He also said they were classmates when he studied here. Are you fine with that?"

"Yeah, I know. Rake was a playboy back in his high school days. He's changed now."

He almost scoffed but stopped himself and drank in his beer instead. I can see the disapproval on his face.