Among The Stars

Chapter 36

Chapter 36
Battle

Naging mabilis lang ang pagkain namin sa Pepper Lunch dahil kinakailangan ng umalis nila Martin at Kate. Naiwan naman sa amin si Mel na aming hinahatid ngayon ni Angelo. Ako na ang nagdrive para hindi na ako magtuturo pa ng daan papunta kila Mel.

"We have to arrange a trip or an outing, Lorraine." Mel suggested. "You're back and we should have fun. How about let's go to Bora? I'll book a ticket."

"As much as possible, Mel, gusto ko munang matapos ng tuluyan ang school bago ako magsaya." sabi ko at niliko na ang aking sasakyan sa kanilang village.

"El, kunti nalang naman ang kailangan mong gawin. I'm sure you'll be done in a week kaya magpapabook na ako ng ticket for next, next week." sabi niya.

Hindi nalang ako sumagot dahil alam kong kahit anong sabihin ko ay matutuloy at matutuloy ang plano ni Mel na outing sa Bora.

"Bora is it the same as... Boracay?" biglang pagtatanong ni Angelo.

When we were still in Canada, Angelo used to tell me about articles he found about some of the tourist spots here in the Philippines and number one on his bucket list is Boracay.

"Oo naman!" sagot ni Mel sa wikang Tagalog.

"Is that a yes?" pag-aalangan ni Angelo.

"Yes na yes!" sabi Mel na tumatango pa't hindi ko maiwasan ang matawa.

Ramdam kong pinagt-tripan niya si Angelo sa lagay na 'yan.

"Can you ask me something, Lorraine." biglang sabi ni Angelo sa akin.

"What will I ask you?" tanong ko sa kaniya.

Well... that's already a question pero alam kong may gustong ipahiwatig si Angelo sa akin.

"Can you ask me if the girl beside you is crazy?" pakiusap niya.

I laughed but did his request. "Is the girl beside me crazy?" I asked him, still laughing.

"Oo naman!" he copied Mel's intonation and I can't help but to burst laughing.

"That's it! I'm outta here!" sabi ni Mel at sakto namang kakahinto ko lang sa tapat ng bahay nila.

She immediately got off the car. She looked back to give me a flying kiss before she went inside their premises.

Lumipat naman si Angelo sa shot gun seat kung saan nakaupo kanina si Mel. He's still laughing at napailing nalang ako. He really has a talent for annoying people.

"Have you seen her face?" Angelo asked me, still laughing.

"Congratulations, Gelo! You completely pissed off a friend of mine." I smirked while my eyes were still on the road.

"Well... that's my talent." he shrugged off his shoulders.

Hindi nalang ako sumagot at hinayaan siyang panoorin ang bawat landmarks na nadadaanan namin.

"I haven't asked you this, Lorraine..." bigla niyang sabi.

Napatingin naman ako sa kaniya at nakitang seryoso pa rin siyang nakatingin sa labas ng bintana.

"Ask me what?"

He sighed. "I was wondering if you'll still go back to Canada..." he trailed off. "I mean, if your school's already stable... will you go back?" he asked then looked at me.

When I heard a car beeped from behind ay mabilis kong tinapakan ang gas ng sasakyan. Na-blanko ang isipan ko sa tanong ni Angelo.

Matagal ko nang napagdesisyunan ang pags-stay dito sa Pilipinas. Siguro'y kung babalik ako sa Canada ay para lang i-celebrate ang Christmas and New Year with my parents but I will stay in the Philippines for good.