The Trouble with the Rule

Chapter 45: Shooting Star

Piper's POV

"Where are we going?" I asked but he didn't even bother to stop and look at me.

Nagtuloy tuloy lang siya. He's still carrying my bag. And yes, siguro it is somehow chivalrous. Kaya lang whenever I'm looking at his hand holding my wrist and dragging me to some place, nabubura 'yong thought ko about him being courteous.

"Are you going to kidnap me or something?"

That made him stop. He faced me, "Oo. Manghihingi ako ng ransom sa magulang mo. May pagkakataon ka pang tumakas habang marami-rami pang tao ang pwedeng magligtas sa 'yo."

His face is so serious and there's nothing new about that naman. Hinila ko ang kamay ko and raised an eyebrow at him, "Funny. Ha. Ha. Ha. Ayan, natawa na ako. So will you answer my question na ba? Truthfully, ha."

"Who said I was joking?"

"Me. Don't even try to defend yourself or make another excuse. Now, answer me. Saan tayo pupunta?"

Hindi na naman niya ako sinagot. He's just looking at me with a funny look.

"Fine," I told him and snatched my bag away from him. "Umalis ka mag-isa mo."

"Piper," he called before I could even take a step. "Jacket ko."

I rolled my eyes at him. I was about to take his jacket off when he moved closer and stopped me from taking it off. He even fixed it and took my bag away from me again.

"Doon sa may likod ng dalawang rooms na nilinis at pininturahan natin dati."

"Sasagot din naman pala," I whispered. "Why are we going there?"

"Pwedeng huwag ka na lang magtanong?"

Hihilahilahin niya ako to some place I don't even know.. of course I'll be curious and ask questions. That's given already. Obviously, he doesn't know that.

Fine, then. I'll shut up. I won't talk to him. I won't say anything.

Sumakay kami sa jeep and I took my bag from him na. I checked my phone and saw 5 messages from Nate. On the first three messages, he just asked me where we are going. Sa fourth message naman, he told me to go home safely. He's not worrying naman daw because alam niya na si Hunter naman ang kasama ko. I'm quite touched. Really. But then I've read his last message. He's asking me tons of questions like why do I know na Hunter needs a job, why did I help him to find one and the likes. He's such a nosy guy.

"Makikisuyo ng bayad. Dalawa. Diretsyo," I heard Hunter said.

Naglabas ako ng money and sinubukan kong ibigay 'yon sa kaniya as a payment on my behalf kaya lang he refused to accept it since he was the one who drag me here naman daw.

When we reached our destination, he's not dragging nor holding my bag for me anymore. We're just walking side by side quietly. Hindi na ako nagtanong 'cause I know hindi naman siya sasagot.

Nagpunta kami sa place where I first saw him smoking. We sat under the same tree. Neither of us is talking. Parang patatagan 'to. Whoever speaks first loses.

"Gusto kong mag-yosi "

Yaaay! I won! Pero wait lang. Yosi? That's bad for someone's health. Kulit!

Sinamaan ko siya nang tingin.

"Gusto ko lang naman. Hindi ko sinabing gagawin ko."

After that, binalot na naman kami ng katahimikan. Nagforward ako ng konti. Nakaindian seat ako habang nagbubunot ng grass.