Twinkling Melancholy (Rebel Rhapsody #1)

Kabanata 2

Strawberries and Cigarettes

"Wait, Kairo saved you? You mistook his car as yours? When? How? Why didn't I know this?!"

Farrah and Maddy asked. I told them about what happened yesterday and the day before.

"How did you know him? You never saw him, right?"

"Wait, was it when we were at the bar? He played there, right?"

Maddy asked. Napaayos ako ng tayo.

"Nung time na napapunta ako ng Guidance office. He was there. I didn't know him, siya pala yung Vice President na sinasabi,"

"And?"

Maddy asked urging me to spill the tea, ASAP.

"I don't like him. Pinapamukha niya sa akin yung pagiging homophobic niya. "We didn't tolerate violence" so ano ang pagiging homophobic itotolerate niya?"

"Well, he comes from a very traditional and religious family," she paused and sipped on her coffee, "but he stands by his own principles. He's an upcoming law student and advocate."

Maarteng sabi ni Maddy. Galing pala sa traditional at religious family, edi delikado.

"Pero sabi naman ni Aeron he's nice e. He's snob din talaga." Sabi nito

"And it didn't end there, yesterday when I was waiting for Maddy in the parking lot. I mistook his as mine. Ang yabang-yabang."

"He fucking even pay for my order sa café I didn't even asked him, tapos I was really thankful to him kagabi kasi nga tinulungan niya pa ako pero sinisi niya pa ako na kesyo wag na ganito wag ganyan. Sinabi niya pa na "it's a waste of time arguing with you" Gago?"

They laughed because of my reaction.

"He's gwapo, street smart din yun. Pre-law student. Hindi ko naman kasi siya din nakikita everytime they have a gig." Maddy said, I rolled my eyes.

"Wala ba siyang social life?"

"Uh, his parents are very strict. That's what Aeron said, always under control."

"Kaya ganun siya umasta? Sayang yung kagwapuhan niya kung ganun siya."

"So, you find him gwapo?" Maddy asked, I raised my brow.

"Nung una."

Nagtawanan silang dalawa sa sinabi ko. We were talking about it ng biglang dumating sina Lorcan, Rio at Joe.

"Si Kairo? Heartthrob 'yan ng campus, diba? Tsaka tropa nung manliligaw ni Maddy. New boytoy mo?" Lorcan asked and laughed. Tanginang 'to isa pa.

"Yuck! Anong boytoy? Di ako papatol dun."

"He came from a rich family, right? Gwapo din. He can be you next fuck-"

"Kahit fuck buddy hindi mangyayari 'yan!"

Marahas namang tumawa si Rio at Lorcan.

"Tropa ko pinsan niyan e, yung Simone," Rio said

"Diba they came from religious family?"

"Yeah, pero mabait si Simone. Open siya sa LGBTQIA+,"

"Eh bakit ganun yung si Kairo? Parang pinaglihi sa sama ng loob."

"Don't know. Pero mabait yun e, panlaban yun lagi sa debate ng school."

"Shock! I'm loving this. Enemy to lover ang atake!"

Nagtawanan silang lahat dahil sa sinabi ni Maddy. Inirapan ko siya. Yuck! Kahit gwapo yun di ko yun papatulan.

"Stop it! He's not even my type,"