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Ringo's face devoured with fear and sadness because he almost got hit by a taxi, but because of my decision of extending my stay at San Miguel, his face brightened up. Unti-unting gumalaw ang bawat dulo ng kanyang labi upang bigyan ako ng ngiti.
"Seryoso ka ba?" tanong niya. "Baka mapagalitan ka ng mga magulang mo."
Yeah right, of course, my decision has consequences. Alam kong dahil sa ginawa ko ay mapapagalitan ako ng parents ko, lalong-lalo na si Dad. But for an unknown reason, I felt confident and brave to break the rules just to be with Ringo.
"Hayaan mo na," sabi ko. "Austin keeps on breaking the rules, so I guess it's my time to do the same thing."
"Are you sure about this?"
"Yes, Ringo," I reassured. "Ako na ang bahala sa parents ko kaya huwag ka ng magalala."
His eyes twinkled as he smiled at me, delighted by my words. However, an abrupt shift of mood appeared on his face. Nanlalaki ang kanyang mga mata habang nakalingon sa aking likuran. His eyebrows arched high, and his mouth parted slightly, looking shocked.
"What's the matter?" I asked.
Lilingunin ko sana ang aking likuran upang malaman kung bakit biglang nagbago ang timpla ng mukha ni Ringo, ngunit mabilis niya akong hinila. I took my luggage and we ran along the street. I didn't know where we were going, but I followed Ringo anyway.
Minutes passed until we reached a playground. We were both catching our breath, and when I had enough air in my lungs, I began asking questions.
"Anong problema? Sino 'yong tinatakbuhan natin?" tanong ko sabay punas ng aking pawis sa noo.
Habang hinihingal ay tumingala sa'kin si Ringo. "Kaibigan 'yon ni Kuya Maynard."
"Kaibigan? Then why are we running away from him?" I inquired.
"Because he's a bad person," he replied, still catching his breath. "May malaking utang si Kuya sa kaibigan niya na 'yon."
My eyebrows knitted. "Utang? But what does that have to do with you? Bakit mo siya kailangang takbuhan, hindi naman ikaw ang may utang 'di ba?"
Slowly, Ringo drew a smile, which confused me. At the back of my head, I was questioning myself if I looked stupid for asking so much question.
"Why are you laughing?" I asked, and I was genuinely curious about it.
His smile widened even more. "It's just funny how you shifted from someone who cared nothing, to someone who cared about everything. Parang kailan lang, halos hindi ka makapagsalita kapag kausap mo ako."
Napakamot ako sa aking ulo. "Hindi ko ba bagay? Do I look better as calm and silent?"
"Let's say, I love your new version," he replied. "More cool and more expressive."
Hindi ko na naman napigilan ang mapangiti. The only compliment that could truly pinch my heart was Ringo's words.
"Huwag mo na akong bolahin," sambit ko. "At huwag mo ring ibahin ang usapan. Sino ba talaga ang taong 'yon?"
Ringo cleared his throat. "Winston, you still need to know more about my brother. Marami ka pang hindi alam sa kanya, lalo na ang mga taong nakapalibot sa kanya. He might appear nice to you, but there are some people out there who's giving him so much influence, a very bad influence. Isa na doon ang taong tinakbuhan natin."
I squinted my eyes. "Don't tell me he's the reason why you almost got hit by the taxi I was riding earlier?"
He loosened a breath and said, "Let's stop talking about him, Winston. It's a long story. Basta balang araw, sasabihin ko rin sa'yo ang lahat."
BINABASA MO ANG
WINSTON AND RINGO (Montana Series 3 | BXB)
RomanceTagalog-English BL - Winston never spoke to anyone about his struggles and feelings, but when Ringo came into picture, everything changed. He thought Ringo was helping him to overcome his misfortune, but little did he know, it's the other way around.
