She Crossed That Bridge

09

CHAPTER NINE

I am drowning . . .

"INTERESTING." Kath hugged her knees to her chest and rested her chin on them after I told her about my first date with Helix.

She's wearing a green tank top and black sweatpants. "So, tinanong mo na ba siya?"

"About what?" I raised my brows at her.

Nakaugalian na ni Kath na tumambay rito sa kuwarto ko tuwing bored siya o kung kailan man niya magustuhan. Normal naman na siguro 'yon sa magkaibigan lalo na't best friends kami.

"Kung bakit 'di niya tinulungan si Pauline no'ng pinagkakaisahan siya nina Carra."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang banggitin niya iyon. "Oh crap. I totally forgot about that."

"Can't blame you, though. Kahit sino naman, kapag naka-date 'yong mga Guatamyel, talagang mawawala sa katinuan 'yong pag-iisip."

"Hel's different from Dest," I said.

"Oh, trust me. They're the same. It runs in the blood." She rolled her eyes. I thought she's a fan of the Guatamyels?

"Zeke's the decent one," dagdag niya saka ngumiti nang malapad bago agawin 'yong unan ko para yakapin. I agreed with that one, but I'd still go for Nico if we talked about the most decent one here.

Grabe, napaka-biased nitong si Kath. Palaging si Zeke 'yong bukambibig niya at talagang si Zeke 'yong nangingibabaw sa paningin niya. Hindi ko rin naman siya masisisi. Patay na patay talaga siya kay Zeke.

Should I tell Kath about Hel and Dest being adopted by Mr. Roper Guatamyel? I shouldn't, right? It's not my story to tell.

***

I walked out of my literature class. Kath's not around. She's probably at home, faking a migraine again.

She always did that, faking a migraine whenever she's not in the mood to go to school.

Sana nga nagagawa ko rin 'yong gano'n. Kaso may kapatid kasi akong epal. Kaya kahit ayaw kong pumasok, talagang kakaladkarin ako n'on papasok ng school dahil alam niyang nag-iinarte o tinatamad lang ako.

I walked down the hall and into the cafeteria. I saw Helix sitting with the P5 at the same table as always. Ngumiti siya nang makita niya ako kaya ngumiti rin ako pabalik.

I went to get my food and sat on the table few meters away from them. I did not want my brother to see me. He'd probably sit here with me and watch me eat. He's that annoying.

"Hey, Park," Helix said, sitting down next to me. My eyes widened, checking up the people around me as if their eyes were on us. I wouldn't want any attention, especially my brother's attention.

"Why are you here? My brother's going to kill you," I said in a low voice.

He let out a chuckle. "If I were him, I'd kill me too."

I rolled my eyes when he said that. When will he stop defending my brother? Kaibigan niya ang kuya ko, oo. Pero hindi niya ba maintindihan na naiinis ako sa inaasta ng kuya ko? Puwede naman niya akong kampihan kahit ngayon lang. Wala naman si Ger sa paligid ko. Pero kahit wala si Ger sa paligid, kahit nga nakatalikod 'yon, Hel will surely always take his side. Ang genuine niya naman palang kaibigan. Nawala tuloy ang inis ko. I adored Helix for being a loyal friend.