Among The Stars

Chapter 34

Chapter 34
Game

"Who is he?" masungit na tanong ni Kate habang nakatingin kay Angelo na kakalabas lang sa kwarto't nakabihis na.

"Uhmm... Kate, Mel and Martin... I would like to formally introduce Angelo." pakilala ko kay Angelo sa kanila. "He's my father's close friend's son and also my... bestfriend."

Nakita ko namang para silang nakahinga ng maluwag nang marinig ang description ko tungkol kay Angelo.

"Plano mo bang ligawan ang kaibigan namin, Angelo?" diretsahang tanong ni Kate kay Angelo.

"What did you say?" kunot-noong tanong ni Angelo.

I thanked God na buti nalang at hindi nakakaintindi si Angelo ng Tagalog at hindi niya naintindihan ang prangkang tanong sa kaniya ni Kate na mas tumalas ata ang tabil ng dila.

"I'm sorry but I can't understand Filipino." paghingi ng paumanhin ni Angelo na mukhang gulong-gulo pa rin.

"Don't mind them, Gelo." sabi ko't kunwaring natatawa. "They're just asking a nonsense question."

I tried to catch Angelo's attention to divert the topic but he didn't cut his stare at Kate and he's very determined to understand what she said.

"Hindi siya marunong mag-Tagalog?" Mel asked, looking at me.

"Hindi." sagot ko. "He grew up in Canada. Both of his parents are Canadian. Naging close lang talaga si daddy at daddy niya nang dahil sa work and same neighborhood."

"Ohh..." tumango-tango naman si Mel.

She looked at Angelo like she was very curious or she's somehow uncertain about him.

"Well, back to my question, Angelo." Kate stole the scene. "Are you planning or are you courting your girl bestfriend?"

"Courting Lorraine?" he slightly laughed. "Honestly, before I did..."

"Sabi na eh." Kate rolled her eyes at natawa si Martin sa kaniyang reaksyon.

"When I first saw her, I was captured by her beauty and she's also easy to be with that's why I fell for her before but when I asked her if she can feel my thoughts that I'm already courting her, she... she dumped me." he narrated then laughed.

"And you're laughing?" pagsingit ni Mel na nagpatigil kay Angelo sa pagtawa.

Angelo's eyes darted on Mel and smiled. That smile of Angelo... mapapailing ka nalang talaga sa kakayahang magpahulog ng ngiti niyang 'yan. But to my surprise, parang wala lang 'yon kay Mel.

"I'm laughing because I can't imagine that I fell for my bestfriend before. It was such an embarassing experience. I've never been dumped and she's the first one so... it was a culture shock. It made me think that Filipinas are hard to get and they are feisty." Angelo explained before he looked at Kate again. "So, my answer to your question is no. I can't imagine myslef falling for her again. I'm not going to risk our friendship. Plus..."

Sandaling tumigil si Angelo at tumingin sa akin upang bigyan ako ng isang nakakalokong ngisi.

"She told me that she's reserved for someone else." he added at napasapo nalang ako sa noo ko.

Hindi ko akalaing pati pala lalaki ay napakadaldal tungkol sa mga sikreto. Sa tingin ko'y nakahanap na ng bagong kakampi sila Mel at Kate.

"Thanks for blurting it out, Gelo." I sarcastically thanked him. "You're such a trustworthy friend."

"Well, that's why you love me right?" Angelo laughed.

I fake a smile. "Yes. I love you so much."