Isabela
Saturday
After that confrontation, I felt like I was walking on clouds. I was unsure about the reason for feeling anxious because of him at this moment. When I first laid eyes on him, I stayed composed, even mustered a polite smile, and even prepared a sandwich for him. Currently, things became different; I felt more anxious around him. I was fearful, yet I was also starting to enjoy this feeling.
I rode Ate Criza's Cabriolet as we proceeded to the municipal hall. I didn't know there was an event, but none of my family members told me about it.
"You shouldn't get yourself close to that Tedesco, Isabela." She started talking while driving. "He's actually a total fuckboy who fucks with everybody,"
"What do you mean by that, Ate Criza?" I asked kindly.
But he was kind to me... I sighed feeling so down because of that thought.
"He sleeps with different women, ghosting them after. You better run, girl. His dick is actually not worth it. You're such a pretty girl, a sweet one, you better find someone who's not in everyone's inbox!"
I felt pain hearing that. Nanlamig ang mga kamay ko dahil iba ang nasa isip ko. It seemed like no matter how much I'd hear how bad he was from the perspective of other people, the thought of him being kind to me in many ways the moment we met centered.
He slept with different girls? Maybe he was just the same as those men in cities who were so versed in flowery words just to sleep with women. I wondered what type of person he was.
Was he that worse for people to label him like that? A fuck boy? I actually didn't see him as one.
"He's so different from my boyfriend who only sleeps with me. He's rare, good thing I have him."
I mean, why am I hearing these things? Well, I wasn't that innocent, I read some sexual sense in books, but why am I feeling uncomfortable? Besides, it was normal in our age to engage these things. We were already the right age.
Gwapo naman talaga si Kuya Uno, medyo strikto ang mukha nito pero pag tinitigan ay parang gusto mo na syang ayain magpakasal. That's how I perceived him. Art had a different beauty, he was handsome and appealing. Mabait naman sya, I actually appreciated him. I didn't know why I felt this way when everyone was reminding me not to get close to him.
When I arrived at the municipal hall, there was a handaan. I didn't know actually what was happening, Ate Thalia just brought me to a VIP room where dad together with his dad and other politicians were there while eating. Mom was also there and was so impressed that she saw me.
"This is my daughter, Maria Isabela." Dad introduced me to the people inside.
"Hello, hija!" Sagot ng mga kasamahan nya.
"Good afternoon po sa inyo, salamat po sa pag imbita sakin." I smilingly said in my gentle tone.
"Mahinhin pala eh bakit... may scandal-" Narinig ko ang mga babaeng matatanda na na nasa gilid habang kumukuha ako ng pagkain katabi si Ate Criza.
"You better shut the fuck up or else I'll kick your ass out here inside this place! Mga chismosa!" I was left dumbfounded when Ate Criza said that to them. Hinawakan ko ang palapulsuhan nya.
The chismosas looked embarrassed as they crouched their heads in embarrassment.
We just stayed there for lunch then we headed back to school. She just dropped me off because she had to go somewhere. I was walking now on the way to the room of my class, I remembered we had a short quiz so I had to move faster dahil malayo layo pa naman ang room. May 10 minutes pa naman, but I just didn't want to be late.
