A Summer to Forever

15

"Napadaan ka, bro?" Sam asked Baste as he devoured on the chicken leg.

"Ah, itong si Mengmeng kasi, eh. Wala daw kasama kumain kaya sinamahan ko na."

"Wow, ang sweet naman!" Sam joked.

Baste looked at me, raised his eyebrows and smiled. "Syempre, para kay Mengmeng."

RJ cleared his throat and we all looked at him.

"Sorry, ang kati ng lalamunan ko," he apologized.

"Ay wait, ikuha kita ng tubig," I offered.

"Thanks, tulungan na kita." He stood up and went with me. Sam and Baste were left talking about Batangas.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, I felt the awkward tension between me and RJ. I got him a glass and poured him water from the pitcher.

"Okay ka lang? May ubo ka ba?" I asked him.

"Wala naman, baka may nakaalala lang sa'kin kanina."

"Uyyy, sino kaya 'yun?"

"Baka nanay ko."

"Ah, okay." I turned to the other side and got 3 more glasses for the rest of us. As I was about to get the third glass, I felt his hand touch my hand. His hand felt soft and sweaty. Was he nervous?

"Ako na, baka mahulog mo pa," he offered.

"Thanks, RJ," I gave him the two other glasses. He went back to the dining room and I followed with the pitcher of water.

"Meng! Kela Baste na lang daw tayo mag-outing. May malapit daw na campsite malapit sa farm nila," Sam suggested.

"Huh?"

"Akala ko ba sinabi mo sa kanya kagabi?"

"Ay sorry, nalimutan kong itanong," I gave an awkward smile.

"Merong malapit na campsite sa farm. Kung gusto niyo mag-camping, pwede dun. Tapos may malapit na falls sa campsite dun, onting trek lang." Baste suggested.

"Naku! Takot pa naman ako mag-camping baka kainin ako ng kung anong hayop dun," I suggested.

"Nan---" RJ was cut by Baste.

"Nandito naman ako, Mengmeng. 'Di kita pababayaan."

I was about to look at Baste but I looked to RJ's direction. I felt his disappointment and caught him look to the ground.

"Basta si Sam ang unang kakainin, game ako!" I laughed.

"Ganyanan ha?" He answered.

"Kailan pala tayo?" RJ asked.

"Kahit kailan niyo gusto. Kahit bukas na, pwede." Baste answered.

RJ looked at me like he was trying to say something. Oh right! Tomorrow's Wednesday. Date day! Date?

"Teka, 'di ako pwede bukas. May gagawin ako," I looked at RJ then at Baste. RJ looked relieved.

"Eh 'di Thursday?" Sam suggested.

"Wait, may dadating akong friend dito, si Patty!"

"Yuck! Bakit 'yun pupunta dito?"

"Yuck ka ng yuck dyan. Ewan ko na lang 'pag nakita mo 'yun," I laughed.

"Teka, sino 'yun?" Baste looked intrigued.

"Best friend ko. Sobrang dati pa 'yun may gusto kay Sam pero ayaw ni Sam," I giggled.

"May admirer ka pala, bro, eh," Baste joked.

"Sa'yo na lang kung gusto mo," he finished his food. "Sa inyo na 'yun!"