The Relationship Code

Chapter 38: Just like the old days

Piper's Point of View

I'm still half asleep when I saw Russel entering our room. He's followed by Nate who looks like he just woken up, too.

"Good morning," Russel greeted me and kissed my cheek.

"Good morning. Paano kayo nakapasok sa kwarto namin?"

Tinuro niya si Hailey na nakaupo sa kama nito. Napatingin din ako kay Tamara na mukhang kakagising lang din.

"Good morning," bati niya sa dalawa at tumango lang sila.

All of us still look sleepy except for Russel. Mukhang medyo kanina pa siya nagising. I checked my phone. 7 am. Maaga pa. Late na kami mga nakabalik dito at nakatulog kagabi kaya I expected for us to wake up at least after 8am.

"Bakit ba nandito kayo?" tanong ni Hailey at kinusot ang mata.

"Sinundan ko lang 'tong si Russel. Aga aga pumapasok sa kwarto ng babae eh," sagot ni Nate.

"May sasabihin lang ako sa 'yo," Russel told me.

For a moment bigla akong kinabahan. Kasi feeling ko alam niyang nagkwentuhan kami ni Hunter kagabi. It's not like there's something to be mad about. Hunter and I just had a friendly chit chat.

Ugh, Piper. Stop. Russel isn't the jealous type. And he has no reason to be jealous.

"Ano 'yon?"

Umupo siya sa dulo ng kama at napahawak sa batok niya, "Kasi... Kailangan kong umuwi. Emergency." Muntik nang mag-on ang panic switch ko pero bago pa mangyari 'yon ay itinaas na niya ang kamay niya at umiling. "Don't worry hindi naman big deal. Nagkataon lang na kailangan 'yung magulang ko sa event out of town. Two to three days sila doon at walang mamamahala ng No Name at café bukod sa akin. I have no choice but to go home."

"Oh," I blinked. "I'll go home with you. I'll help you with – "

"Hindi na. Ayokong sirain ang bakasyon mo."

"But – "

"Don't worry, Piper. Mag-enjoy ka na lang para sa akin."

"That would be unfair kung ako lang ang mag-eenjoy for both of us."

He chuckled and tapped my nose, "Let's plan another trip then." Napasibi ako. It's better kung nandito siya. Mas masaya kapag nandito siya. "I know that look, Piper. Hindi kita isasama pauwi. Ayaw mo bang kasama sila Hailey?" He laughed and hugged me. "Saglit lang naman 'to. Sa isang araw lang magkasama na ulit tayo."

"Okay. But paano ka uuwi?" We were riding a single van on the way here.

"Commute," proud na sagot niya.

"What? We're a bit far from home."

"Sanay naman na akong magcommute sa malalayong lugar. Huwag kang mag-alala. By the way, I'll be leaving early." Bumitaw ako sa pagkakayakap sa kaniya at tiningnan siya. He knows I'm asking how early. "About 30 minutes from now?"