Tune of Rapture (Echoes #2)

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Friends

"Friends, then?" salita ko nang katahimikan ang bumalot sa amin.

Hindi siya nakasagot, so I glanced at my cellphone to see if he was still there. When I heard his deep sigh, I brought the phone back to my ear.

Ano? Ayaw niya akong maging kaibigan? Kapal niya, ha? Ako rin naman. I don't want to be friends with him either, but because I have consideration, fine, it's okay even though I already have plenty of friends!

He's an employee on my land, which is under my name, so I should be friends with him. Not just him, but also the other workers there.

"I told you I'll accept whatever you can give," halos ibulong niya iyon.

I pursed my lips. Ano bang kaya kong ibigay? Iyon lang naman, ah? Ang demanding naman nito kung hihiling pa ng iba sa akin.

"Friends?" ulit ko.

"Friends." sagot niya, his voice more firm.

May mag kaibigan ba na nag halikan? Pumikit ako nang mariin at biglang uminit ang leeg at batok ko sa naalala sa Talon. Unang punta ko sa Laguna may memorable agad na nangyari. Hindi ko makalimutan, eh.

It's funny because we agreed that this should be personal between us. Who knows, maybe he agreed because he can't see me anyway.

But what's the point of him saying that he still has five months to get to know me? That's just a way for us to become friends.

I already have plenty of friends, and I said I don't want to make more friends, but fine, I'll make an exception.

"Sabay na raw ako sa 'yo, Yazid. Si Zede ang susundo kay Austin gamit ang SUV. Sabay na raw sila pupuntang Caloocan." Naupo si Reon sa sofa ko.

Tumango ako sa sinabi niya.

Nilapag ko ang inorder kong chicken wings sa lamesa para sabayan niya na akong kumain. I had just woken up, and my hair was still messy. Reon grabbed the TV remote and turned it on. An NBA game appeared on the screen.

Inusog ko sa kanya ang chicken wings dahil nasa TV ang mata niya kahit alam niya namang may pagkain sa harapan.

"Eat. I won't be able to finish all of that," I offered as I started eating while watching the game together.

"Tanga! Three points na 'yon!" sigaw ni Reon nang hindi mag shoot ang bola sa ring.

I licked my lips. Baka ganito rin ang maging reaksyon nito kapag hindi kami nakashoot, ah?

"Masyadong napalakas." sabi ko.

"Anong oras ka maliligo?" tanong niya at tiningnan pa ako.

Nag katinginan kaming dalawa. Kumunot ang noo ko dahilan para umangat ang gilid ng kanyang labi. Uminom siya at humalakhak. His curly hair was freshly cut. Mukha siyang good boy ngayon kahit gago ang ugali.

"Nag tatanong lang ako." agap niya nang matalim ko siyang tiningnan.

"Bakit mo tinatanong kung anong oras ako maliligo? Sasama ka ba?" ani ko.

Humagikgik siya sa aking tabi. "Aalis pa ba tayo o mag babadingan na lang?"

Sinapak ko siya bago napag desisyunan na maligo na para maaga kaming makadating. Kung mauna man kami ay ibang players na lang ang hihintay. I would also pass by the house to pick up Mommy and Avereigh.

"Nililigawan mo?" si Reon nang sabihin kong manonood si Avi.

Nasa taxi kami papunta bahay. Maaga pa naman at dalawang oras lang mahigit ang byahe papuntang Caloocan.