"Malapit na birthday ni Kuya Yhael. May regalo ka nang naiisip, Aphle?" tanong sa akin ni Sovie isang araw habang nag-rereview ako.
Napatigil ako sa ginagawa at napatingin sa kaniya. "Kailan?" tanong ko.
"Sa susunod na linggo," sagot niya. "Malas lang talaga at may pasok 'yung birthday niya."
"Does that mean we're going to their house?" I asked.
Tumango-tango siya. "Nag-iisip na nga ako ng pwedeng regalo sa kaniya e. 'Yung alam kong magugustuhan niya pero hindi materyal na bagay."
"Why? Does he not like expensive gifts?" I asked nervously. I want to give him a watch.
"Oo," sagot niya. "Alam niya kasing mahihirap lang kaming mga kaibigan niya kaya ayos lang sa kaniya kahit wala. Kung meron man, dapat hindi 'yung mahal. Kaya kung may naiisip kang regalo. Please, 'yung afford naman niyang bilhin. 'Wag mong sampalin ng kahirapan si Kuya."
I just nodded. Too bad, I still wanted to give Yhael a watch. But he might not accept it.
"Mamaya nga pala, punta tayo sa bahay nina Daniel. Mag-iinuman ata sila kasi walang pasok bukas," sinabi pa ni Sovie.
"Ayoko sa amoy ng alak," mahina kong sinabi.
Medyo gulat siyang tumitig sa akin. "Seryoso ba?" Tumango ako. "Eh, paano 'yon. Hindi ka pupunta?"
Dahan-dahan akong umiling. "Baka naman kaya ko na ngayon ang amoy ng alak. Makakapunta ako, magpapaalam lang sa driver," sagot ko.
That same afternoon, I told my driver not to pick me up because I had to go somewhere else. He agreed right away.
Sovie and I were now walking together to Daniel’s house. Yhael and I didn’t go home together every Friday since they usually left earlier. We were only together on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Sovie stopped in front of an old house, so I stopped too. She knocked on the iron gate. It opened, and we saw Juniel. I waved at him, and he smiled, then invited us inside.
Upon entering, we saw four men in the living room lighting something. My forehead creased as I sat next to Kuya Zhack. Sovie sat beside Daniel. There was no space left.
Janser was preparing their drinks, which I had just noticed. Why were they on fire?
I was focused on what Janser was doing when I felt Kuya Zhack move. He took a jacket from the armrest of the couch and placed it over my lap.
"Thank you, Kuya," I whispered. He simply nodded and looked away.
I glanced in Yhael’s direction. He looked annoyed. There wasn’t enough space beside him for me to sit.
I flinched when the flame suddenly flared up from the mouth of the gin bottle. I clutched my chest as Janser and Daniel burst out laughing at the same time.
"Ayan na, i-mimix na!" Excited na sinabi ni Daniel.
"Unang mix, hindi mo ba ako miss?" Unang banat ni Yhael. Tumingin siya sa akin kaya kaagad akong nag-iwas ng tingin.
"Unang mix, bakit palagi kitang namimiss?" sinabi ni Janser. "Miss ko na talaga siya, guys. Paano ba 'to?"
"Unang mix, bakit bawal kitang ma-miss?" Banat ulit ni Kuya Zhack.
"Unang mix, labas niyo lahat ng what ifs," sinabi ko.
"'Wag na. Magsasalin na lang ako," sinabi ni Daniel. He poured alcohol in the five glasses.
"Unang inom, paano ba 'to maghihilom," naiiling na sinabi ni Kuya Zhack. Nakakagulat na nauna siya.
"Unang shot, bat siya ang pinili mo at hindi ako?" Tanong ni Janser.
BINABASA MO ANG
Forbidden Relationship (Forbidden Series #3) (Completed)
RomansaBeing the youngest daughter isn't really easy. That's how Aphle always feels but never expresses to anyone. Aphle Xierinah Poniente, the youngest daughter of the governor in their town. She is intelligent, obedient, innocent, reserved, generous, and...
