YuanFen

Chapter 18

Akira

"Siguro nga ako yung pinakapasaway samin." Tumatawang pag-amin ni Elise. "Kaya din lagi kaming nag-aaway ni Elle."

I caught how her voice softens when she mentioned her cousin's name.

Kahit pa sabihin na madalas na nag-aaway ang mga ito, hindi maipagkakaila na mataas yung respeto ng mga ito sa isa't isa.

Kasi kahit si Elle ay panay man ang lait sa mga ipinaglalaban ng babaeng kaharap ko ngayon, ay hindi din naman nito mapigilan yung sarili na purihin din iyon. At sa tuwing may magkokomento ng negatibo patungkol kay Elise noong nagmemeeting kami para sa proyekto sa mga lupang pag-aari ng mga ito, si Elle pa yung unang sumasagot at nambabara. She's keen on saying that Elise is a Calvry and she deserves the same respect that every Calvry is receiving. No matter how stupid it may sounds.

"Contrary, Elle might hate your guts but she has so much respect for you."

Elise shrugs as she sips from her glass. "I'm still a Calvry. They will never turn their backs on a family member."

Tumango-tango ako. That's something that we can both agree on.

Tumahimik lang din si Elise na para bang ninanamnam yung sandaling ganito—tahimik lang. Not the kind of a deafening silence though.

The party is still on. Truth is, madaming tao. On my usual, I'm pretty sure that it's not my cup of tea and I'll most probably won't be seen in this kind of setting. Dahil kahit bahagyang dim yung lighting, yung dami ng tao na sige sa pakikipagsosyalan sa isa't isa, talking about art, business, investments, or whatnot, are still so loud.

Yet, being with Elise, is the kind of a loud feeling that I am not bothered of.

"Y'know..."

Napalingon sakin si Elise nung nagsalita ako. "What?"

"Thinking what you've said awhile ago, I think I have to agree on one thing."

"And that is?"

"Ikaw yung pinakapasaway. But not the annoying trouble-maker type."

"Yeah?"

"Uh-hmm."

"How's so?"

Tumawa ako ng mahina ng maalala yung mga pinaggagagawa nito noong nag-aaral pa kami.

Elise Ariana Calvry is far from being the most ideal student. Laging laman kaya ito ng rally. Pasimuno ng kung ano-anong advocacy, nagsasubmit ng kung ano-anong papel na kailangan ng suporta. Umabot pa ito sa pangangalap ng pera non para sa charity events.

"Nakakatakot. Ngumingiti ka na mag-isa." Pabirong pang-aasar nito na siniko pa ako.

I groaned. "Baliw."

"I think line ko dapat yon kasi ikaw yung ngumingiti ng wala naman nakakatawa?"

I rolled my eyes. Can't help it. She's being another argumentative playful ass na naman.

"I was just wondering what made you stop selling your family and friends out?"

Umangat yung kilay nito. Tumingin muna sa paligid na para bang naninigurado na walang makakarinig sa sinabi ko.

"That's foul." Mahinang saway nito.

It's my turn to playfully nudge her arms. "Tingin mo ba secret sa buong school yung ginawa mong pagbebenta sa mga pinsan at kaibigan mo?"

Awtomatikong namula yung pisngi nito kaya naman lalo lang akong natawa.

"How'd you know?"

"I was buying. I actually managed to secure a photocard of Cray."