Change of Hearts

Chapter 8

Eastwood, 2PM

"Hey.."

I almost jumped when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I saw Thirdy who is already few feets away from me. Hindi ko sya naramdaman nag-stop maglakad, I guess, I was really busy trying to distance myself from him for a bit na hindi ko na sya nakita tumigil.

He walked to me. "Are you mad at me because I technically forced myself to be with you here?" direct na tanong n'ya.

Well, he was quite right. After receiving Kiefer's ID, he told me may kukunin lang s'ya sa kwarto and ipapaabot kay Ate Ella, but when he returned (after 30 minutes my gosh!) he was all dressed-up with keys in his hand. He offered me na ihatid ako dito, and now, we're here.

"No!" tanggi ko.

"Then why are you avoiding me? No one will think magkasama tayo." he said.

"Well, Thirdy, you know, it's just..quite awkward? We're not even friends." I told him honestly.

He smirked. "Strangers don't force another stranger to eat their breakfast," he answered, smirking. I felt myself blush when I remember that incident.

"I was just trying to lighten up the mood, ang seryoso mo kaya kanina!" defensive kong balik sa kanya.

"Okay, you know what, we have to restart and do this properly. Okay, take 2. Hi, I'm Thirdy Ravena. " he offered his hand.

Warm, big hand...and nice toned arms.

Oh gahd. This can't be. Bea, hold yourself c'mon.

"I'm Bea." I answered. Sumakay nalang ako sa trip n'ya kesa sa kung ano-ano naiisip ko. Hays.

"So, are you alone? Or you're with your boyfriend?" Aba't nilalabas ng mokong ang flirty side n'ya.

"I'm alone, but I'm good."

"It's nice to hang-out with yourself sometimes, no? But hey, today feels like a good day to do things with someone else. Alam mo, lagi ako dito, there are so many good restos here.." he continued playing the part. Natatawa na ako saming dalawa.

"Okay, okay. Tama na, para na tayong mga bata." pigil ko sa kanya. "Sige, friends na tayo."

"Wow, ikaw talaga nag-decide?" pang-aasar n'ya.

"So, ayaw mo? E di wag."

"Jooooke, eto namang si Beatriz. Di mabiro oh. O dali na, where are we going to eat?"

"Sambo?" I smiled gleefully at him. I saw him put his hand sa chest nya.

"Don't be like that." he said.  I got confused.

"Don't smile like that." he added, nag-act pa sya na parang mahihimatay pa sya. I rolled my eyes.

"You know what, you're such a flirt!" Natawa sya sa sinabi ko.

"Only to people worth flirting with, Bea." he said, smiling wickedly.

Then mother of all heavens, Thirdy Ravena winked at me.

Damn.

———-

Baguio, 3PM

"Ly, Ly, nandito na tayo." Naramdaman kong tinatapik ako ni Kiefer kaya ko lang narealize na hindi ako nananaginip. I opened my eyes and I looked around the bus. Everyone is now getting ready to exit.

"Paunahin na natin sila? Mag-stretch muna ako. Grabe, haba ng byahe." sabi ko. He just smiled at me while he's fixing his jacket and the improvised neck pillow na ginawa n'ya.