If This Lasts (If This #2) Published Under Bliss Books)

Chapter Four

Tahimik lang kaming tatlo sa table. Mula kay Avis ay lumipat ang mga mata sa akin ni Henry. Kumunot ang kanyang noo. Umirap ako sa kanya bago ibinalik ang tingin sa pinsan ko.

She was quiet, staring blankly at the food in front of her. May natitira pa doon ngunit mukhang pinag-iisipan pa niya kung kakainin niya pa ba yon o hindi na.

I mentally sighed. I know why she's like this. Three days ago, inaya kong mag mall si Avis dahil gusto ko ng diversion mula sa nangyari sa opisina ni Zion. Unfortunately for Luke, Avis caught him on a date with another girl.

Hindi ko alam ang buong nangyari pero mukhang may sinabi si Avis na hindi nagustuhan si Luke. She'd been avoiding him ever since.

"You still haven't talked to him?" tanong ko sa pinsan ko. Hindi siya tumingin sa akin. Ni-hindi niya nga ako tinapunan ng tingin. Mukhang wala siyang balak sagutin ang tanong ko. She really loves that kid. Napabuntong hininga ako. "You can't keep ignoring him, you know. Kailangan niyo mag-usap."

Umangat ang mga mata ni Avis sa akin. Masama ang tingin niya sa akin at halos nangingitim ang bilog ng kanyang mga mata.

"For what? I don't need to talk to him, Savion. Sa kanya na nanggaling. Shit. I'm not even a fuck buddy to him. I'm just his best friend's sister. Kapatid ng bestfriend nyia. iyon lagn ako. So, just mind your own, will you?" she snapped at me.

I wasn't even offended. Sa totoo lang ay gusto kong pumalakpak sa emosyon na ipinakita ni Avis. She rarely snaps like this. Pinigilan ko ang sarili sa pag ngiti at ngumuso. I crossed my arms over my chest. "Fine."

Silence wrapped our table. Hindi ako nagsalita dahil hindi ko alam kung ano pa ang sasabihin. Henry was still staring at Avis like a rare object at a museum. Iyon kasi ang unang beses na nakita niyang nagkaganon si Avis.

"I'm going back to work." she suddenly exclaimed before standing up from her seat.

Pinanuod namin siya parheo ni Henry na tumalikod at umalis mula sa canteen nang hindi man lang kami tinatapunan ng tingin.

"Wow." Henry said in awe once Avis was out of sight.

"I know." inabot ko ang paboritong fruit shake sa ibabaw ng lamesa at uminom gamit ang straw. "Avis is like that when Luke's involved."

"Luke..." his forehead creased, a sign that he was trying to remember the name. He, then looked at me with a raised brow. "The kid from earlier?"

He's very entitled to the word kid. After all, he's two years older than me─which makes him nearly five years older than Luke.

"Yes." I sighed and returned the cup on the table. "Nakita kasi namin siya ni Avis sa mall na may ka-date na ibang babae."

Kumunot ang noo ni Henry. "Maybe he's playing her."

"No way." I violently shook my head, my eyes wide. "He's head over heels in love with Avis since... forever. No way."

"Didn't you say she repeatedly pushed him away like a damn puppy before? Maybe he wants revenge."

Natigilan ako dahil doon. Is that possible? I've witnessed how Luke pleaded for Avis to stay when we left for San Francisco. I've seen him cry just to get her take him back.

I can't help but bite my lip at how familiar that scene was. I pushed away the thought. It's not familiar. It's entirely different. Avis pushed Luke away for a different reason. I pushed Zion away because he lied to me. Magkaibang sakit iyon. I shouldn't compare.

"Imposible. Patay na patay si Luke kay Avis. He'd kill himself before he hurts her intentionally." umiling ako at makahulugang ngumisi kay Henry. "Pustahan pa tayo. Hindi matatapos ang linggo na ito nang hindi niya pinupuntahan sa office si Avis."