Curse of Love [Free Space Series #2]

CHAPTER 51: What Happened

This is bullshit. 
 
My gaze stayed on her while the others were greeting and hugging her. Some of them are even glancing in my direction, definitely observing what my reaction will be.
 
"Oh my God, Zamika! Long time no see!" 
 
Which stayed the same. 
 
I refused to take my eyes off of her as she spoke to them. Pinanood ko lang siya hanggang sa makaupo siya katabi nung kakarating lang din na si Alex. Si Elaine naman, bumalik sa pwesto niya, malapit sa'kin. 

"Yeah, it's nice seeing you again." Sinalubong niya ito ng yakap. "I know I'm not meant to be here because I came from a different section when we were in sixth grade, but Alex is forcing me."

"It's okay! It wouldn't hurt to bring someone who wasn't in our class, right?"

Her voice changed. It sounds a hundred percent mature now. Damn it, my eyes are fixated on her. I want to just stare at her, watch her, and study her. Probably due to the alcohol's influence.

"Of course it's okay!"

"You ghosted us! Bigla kang nawala nang 'di nagpapaalam. Nalaman ko nalang kila Alex na nag Canada ka." 
 
She chuckled. "I'm sorry, something came up, so I need to leave the country." 
 
I looked down and started pouring alcohol into my glass. 
 
"Uyy! May nananahimik! Sino kaya?!"

Obviously, they're pertaining to me.
 
I did not respond. I remained silent and formed a line on my lips while I looked at the glass in front of me. Ininom ko ito at ipinikit ang mga mata. The cap is covering half of my face. 
 
"Muling ibalik! Ang tamis ng pag-ibig~"
 
Anong alam ng mga 'to? Aasarin nalang ako, sa manloloko pa? Sarap ingudngod ng mga mukha sa mesa. Malamang tatahimik ang mga 'to kapag sinigaw ko isa-isa sa mukha nila na manloloko 'yan.
 
Accidentally, my gaze landed on Lynpen. She's looking at Zamika's side, holding a fork tightly while her jaws are clenched. Her face is wearing an expression I cannot place. Though it was full of concern, fear, and a mixture of annoyance and rage.
 
I smirked. 
 
A sudden idea popped up inside of my head.
 
"Can we exchange seats?" I asked Alex. 
 
Nagulat silang lahat at hindi nakapagsalita. Obviously, they were speechless. Itinuro pa ni Alex ang dibdib niya, to confirm if she's the one I'm talking to, so I nodded. Naramdaman ko ang paglingon sa'kin ng kaharap ko, pero hindi ko ito pinansin.
 
"H-Huh?" She asked, still confused.
 
"Can we?" 
 
"Sure! Sure!" Anito bago nagmamadaling tumayo. She looked at Zamika one last time, but her friends gazes were so focused on me.
 
I smiled at her. 
 
"Bro, anong ginagawa mo?" Ang bumubulong na si Linken sa gilid ko. 
 
I ignored him and just stood up. Hindi pa ako nakakaupo sa tabi ni Zamika, naghiyawan na agad ang mga kasama namin. I shook my head when Rainier stood up and started doing a handshake with me. It was definitely his way of saying how proud he is of me. 
 
After sitting down beside my ex, I immediately started a conversation. "How's life?" 
 
Again. They started screaming. 
 
"Guys, I have a great idea! I think we should leave them and find another seat. Malamang matagal-tagal ang pag-uusapan nila! Hiyaw!" 
 
"Getting to know your ex after a decades! Ayieee!" 
 
"Teka lang! Hindi pa nga natin alam kung single si Zamika." Humawak ito ng tinidor at saka itinapat sa bibig ng katabi ko. "Are you single? Kasi si Sabrina, she just broke up with her ex." 
 
"Nah, come on, dude. You don't need to mention that!" I said, chuckling. Ibinalik ko ang tingin sa katabi. "Do you mind?" 
 
Her lips parted as her cheeks proceeded to blush even more. 
 
"Shet! Kinikilig ako!" Sigaw ng katabi niyang babae habang pinapaypayan ang sarili. The others laughed at her action, but I remained serious while looking at the girl in front of me.
 
"Don't worry, it's nothing serious," I said, referring to my relationship with Heather. 
 
She gulped. "I-I.." 
 
"Tiklop!" Linken started to join. Tumawa silang lahat dahilan para lalong mamula ang mukha ni Zamika. 
 
I decided to study her face. Her eyes haven't changed, and her high cheekbones are attractive as hell, I wouldn't lie. Seeing her without bangs for the first time is new to me; it makes her look mature. 
 
"I'm single," she said, making me go back to my senses. 
 
I smirked. "Any suitors?" 
 
"I don't have." 
 
"Really?" I raised a brow, not believing a single thing she is saying. "How can I be sure that you're not lying just like you did before?" 
 
The expression on her face changed. However, the people around us continued to tease us. I lowered my voice before I said that, causing them to not hear any of it. She should thank me for doing that. I'm saving her reputation.
 
"Are you mad?" she murmured. "I'm sorry. It's not my intention to leave you without explanation."