A Better World With You

Chapter 14

"Cyril, do you know where Justine is? He hasn't been on school since yesterday." I asked my cousin while having some snack at their home. Kahit pa madaming snacks sa amin ay ayaw ko pa din dahil nasusura lamang ako sa mga tao sa bahay except kay ate Emma.

"To be honest, I went to a lot of bars last night at kahit saan, hindi ko siya nakita hanggang sa nalasing na ako." He replied and fixed my furrowed eyebrow into something pleasant. Typical of him to do that. Sa tingin ko nga excuse lang 'yung paghahanap kay Justine. He definitely went bar hopping for his own pleasure and not for the sake of his Best friend.

"Anyways, why are you searching for him? You're not even interested to know his whereabouts. What changed?" He asked as he leaned his head on his hand, intrigued with anticipation. He definitely loves this kind of topics. However, the real reason cannot be disclosed because no one is aware that Justine is having regular sessions with the school counselor. My mouth stopped, and thought about the situation.

"Chris is worried. He asked me for help. Unlike you, being chill and all even though you're aware that your best friend is missing." I said and lied casually while having a bite of some biscuits that he prepared on the table.

Sorry, Chris. Nadamay na naman kita sa kasinungalingan ko.

"It's natural for Justine to do that. He also went missing before, but he eventually came back like nothing happened." I furrowed my eyebrows and swallowed a piece of a pizza I chewed. I leaned close to Cyril as curiosity gets ahead of me.

"Why does he do that? He's worrying people." I asked and Cyril grinned. Oh, I know what he's thinking. He thinks he can play cupid, but he can't. He can't as long as I'm involved. To be precise, I just can't let him do it because it's a paradox, it's really out of my world.

"You hate him, then at the same time, you also worry. Your feelings about Justine is confusing. Confusing but I like it. Who knew you would have a soft spot for him." He said, grinning like he had won a lottery. His eyes speaks price and obviously, he's loving this. I furrowed my eyebrows and stared at him like he was the most weirdest guy I ever saw.

"You're weird. But can we just stop talking about that guy. It's starting to get a little terrifying." I said and decided to finish the last piece of the pizza. Gosh, Napapadami ata kain ko sa sobrang daming iniisip.

"Pero ikaw naman nagsimulang pag-usapan si Justine ah tapos sasabihin mong huwag nating pag-usapan. At bakit nakakatakot ha?" Dire-diretsong tanong nito sa akin. Humalumbaba ulit ako habang nakasandal ang siko ko sa lamesa at 'yung isang kamay ko naman ay gumuguhit ng isang bilog ng paulit-ulit.

"The more I let Justine enter my life, the more girls scare me like shit. They send you threats and anxiety, the things that I am avoidant about. Baka nga kapag hinayaan ko lamang na mapalapit ang sarili ko sa kanya ay baka guhuin na nila ang buhay ko dahil lamang sa isang maliit ng bagay." I explained and Cyril chuckled to my realization.  With that, I smacked him in the head and that results him from moaning in painz

"Sorry for laughing, but it's just rare to hear you talking about that kind of stuffs. I'm just glad that you're finally entering another phase of your life." I raised my eyebrow because I am quite confused to what he just said.

"What phase of life? Care to clarify it for me?" I asked and he formed a shape of a heart using his hand with a matching teasing facade. From the look of his face, I just shooked my head to what he is trying to imply.

"How many times do I have to make it clear for you that I don't need a man in my life." I annoyingly said and he still thinks I'm telling a joke.