COMPILATIONS OF ONE-SHOT STORIES

UNTITLED

“ Oy Kreion, bro!”

Napalingon ako nang marinig ko ang boses ng kaibigan ko na tinatawag ang pangalan ko. Napangisi ako at nakipag- high five noong lumapit sila sa banda ko.

“What are you doing here?” Tanong ni  Rowel.

“ I’m with my girlfriend,” maikli kong sagot.

Napangisi sila at nanunukso akong tinignan.

Napailing-iling ako at saka sila tinawanan.

“Malala na talaga kapag tinamaan ni kupido.” Sabi naman ni Kenneth.

“Tsk,” Singhal ko. “Bumili siya ng materials para sa projects niya. Sinamahan ko lang.”

“Sige bro, una na kami. Say hi to Karen for us!” Ani nila at kumaway pa. Tsk, lunatic.

“Inom tayo mamaya. Sa dating lugar.”

“Kayo nalang.” Sagot ko sa sinabi ni Adrian. “I promised to Karen that I’ll help her with her projects.”

“It’s okay, Kreion.” Isang malumanay na tinig mula saaking likuran.

Agad ang paglingon ko at kinuha ang mga dala niya.

“Hello...”

“Uy! Hello, Karen!”

“Karen, kumusta?” Binato ko ng isang nakakamatay na tingin si Jasper na tinawanan lang niya.

“Papaalam namin si Jupiter ha?” Si Rowel.

“Sige lang.” Tumango ito at ngumiti.

Niyapos ko ang maliit niyang bewang at saka mahinang bumulong. “Pero baby-”

“It’s okay.” She cut me off. “I can do it myself. Besides, you already helped me bought some things.”

“Sige na, Krei! Pinayagan ka na ni Master eh.” Sabat ni Jasper pero hindi ko pinansin. Nakatuon lamang ang buo kong atensiyon sa pinakamaamong mata na nakita ko sa tanang buhay ko.

I gasped and nodded. Palabas na din naman sila ng mall kaya nakisabay na din kami ni Karen at naghiwa-hiwalay lang sa parking lot.

“Are you sure with me... going on a bar?” I asked her again when we are already inside the car.

I maneuvered the car as I waited for her answer.

“ Krei, you are already twenty-two years old. Matanda ka na. Hindi ka naman siguro mawawala sa pupuntahan niyo, ‘di ba?” She said sarcastically.

I pouted in so much frustration. Why is she like that?

“Baby, there’s a lot of women there.” I tried.

She fell silent. I tried so hard to hide my smirked. That’s my baby-

“Masyado kang patay na patay saakin para mambabae.” She said full of confidence that made my lips parted.

“Baby! Don’t you love me?” I know it’s childish but seriously? Why is she acting like that? Hindi na ba niya ako mahal?

She laughed because of that. Okay, my baby is drop dead gorgeous but why is she like that?

Hindi man lang niya ako ipagdamot.

“What d-did you say, Krei?” She can hardly speak because she’s now laughing hard. “ Baby, you’re still right in the head, yeah? I love you, okay? I love you enough to trust you.”

“You do not care at all, baby. Dapat ipagdamot mo manlang ako. Ang guwapo ng boyfriend mo oh.”

“Yeah. Guwapo tapos akin.”