A Better World With You

Chapter 6

"Nicole, nasaan ka?" Tanong sa akin ni Vielle mula sa kabilang linya. Mukhang nagkayayaan na naman ang mga ito kaya siguro nila naisipang hanapin ako. Kung nakapag-aya agad sila edi sana kasama nila ako ngayon at hindi ako hinahanap.

"Nasa SM." Simpleng sagot ko habang kaswal na naglalakad kasama si Airene. Mabuti na lamang at hindi niya ako pinapakialaman habang may kausap ako sa cellphone at tahimik lamang ito naglalakad sa tabi ko.

"What? Bakit hindi ka nag-aaya? Sinong kasama mo? Si Chris?" Dire-diretsong tanong niya sa akin. Nailayo ko pa ng saglit ang aking cellphone mula sa aking tenga dahil lumalakas na talaga ang boses niya.

"No, it's Airene. A new acquaintance?" Medyo naguguluhang sagot ko. I am not considering her as a friend for now, but the way she's looking at me makes me nervous. I know I'm not wrong with what I have said, however, this woman is making me believe that I am incorrect.

"Pakipot ka pa, Nicole ha. Ayaw mo ba akong maging friend?" She said and this time, I knew it will sound bad to her.

"N-no, it's just...I don't know you yet so why would I consider you as a friend already?" I answered and she nodded as a sign that she understood me. Gosh! This is making me nervous because I don't know how to entertain a person.

"George! Who are you talking to?" And this time, the one who is talking is Kylie from the other line.

"May point ka doon ha pero gusto mo bang mag-arcade tayo for today's video tapos after that mag window shopping tayo." Excited na sabi pa sa akin ni Airene habang medyo naguguluhan na ako ngayon kung sasagutin ko muna. Bakit naman kasi kailangan pa nilang magsabay?

"Kylie, I'm talking to Airene." Sagot ko sa aking pinsan. Akmang magbibigay sana ako ng komento tungkol sa suggestions ni Airene ay hindi ko nagawa dahil nagbunganga na naman si Kylie.

"Is that Airene from the Architecture and Engineering department? Gosh! I know that girl." Kumunot naman ang noo ko nang malamang kakilala ng pinsan ko si Airene. Though is it even necessary to know that? Because I believe I am not interested.

"What do you say, Nicole? We can't walk in the plaza forever and do nothing but walking." Napapikit ako ng mariin dahil naguguluhan na talaga ako kung sino muna ang sasagutin ko. Bakit kasi kailangan nilang magsabay?

"Sure we can do that, Airene." I said immediately without thinking as my mind is mixed up with all the noises that surrounds me. And now, half of me is regretting why am I even here in the first place?

"George, listen to me. Airene is also an acquaintance of mine. She was Cyril's fling last month." Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang malaman ko iyon. She was with Justine the other time like how she mentioned and I never knew she would also be one of Cyril's toys. Hindi ako makapaniwala na hinahayaan niya lang ang sarili niya na paglaruan at gamitin ng ganoong uri ng mga lalaki.

"Unbelievable." I whispered and Kylie just laughed it off.

"Exactly! What I'm trying to say right now is that don't get too attached with her. She might probably be using you so that she can go to our compound and flirt with Cyril again or maybe she might be something on her sleeves. " I glanced at Airene who innocently looked at the surroundings while walking alongside with me. I don't want to believe Kylie at first, but it's better to take caution for now.

"Ano bang pinagsasabi mo, Kylie? Ganiyan ba kalala si Airene?" Palasigaw na tanong ni Vielle mula sa kabilang linya at maya't maya ay kailangan kong ilayo ang phone kasi nakakarindi ang mga boses nila.