The Art and Science of Love (Of Love #1)

Chapter Five.One

Surprisingly, none of my expected mounds of death threats from Joule's fangirls came by Monday. Quite the opposite. May mga nakita pa 'kong dating 'di naman ako pinapansin, biglang persistent na maging "hello" buddies ko.

Why miraculously unlike some clichés e hindi ako pinagkamalan na girlfriend or favourite girl toy (Duh. Si Joule nga 'di ba?), I don't know. Advantageous ba? Oo kasi wala nang dadagdag na problema sa'kin bukod sa strain sa relationship namin ni Papa.

Nakakahurt na mukha akong un-patol-able (What a term!) para sa kanila? Hindi naman. Medyo lang?

And when the reason why the girls were hellbent bigla to be my friends came out of someone's lips, I just had to gape and ask again.

"Ano ako? Ni Joule?" I asked, dumbstruck.

"Bestfriend. Kasi girlfriend ka naman ni Jasper Ching 'di ba?"

I was too confused to answer.

- - - - - - - - - -x

"Girlfriend pala kita?" bungad ni Jasper then raised an eyebrow when I sighed.

"I know right. Buti hindi ako sinabunutan ni Jasmine."

Kumunot yung noo niya.

"Ba't ka naman sasaktan ni Jas? Girlfriend ko ba siya?"

I whirled. 'Di pa sila nagkakabalikan?

"Hindi ko pa, for now," dagdag niya then smiled.

I beamed at him

At least one of us is close to happiness.

The day passed by like how it started and the more na patapos na yung araw, the more gumugulo yung utak ko dahil sa tingin ko may nakalimutan ako na importante.

Naglakad ako papunta sa shed sa labas ng university, naghihintay ng jeep. Nakapag eye-contact na ako sa isang driver nang nagalarm yung phone ko. Papasok na sana ako habang pinapatay yung alarm nang makita ko yung note.

Papa and Joule meet up

- - - - - - - - - -x

"Oh wow," I muttered when I saw him.

Not because he was wow. Notice my sarcasm, please.

"Swimmer ka ba talaga? Bakit nasa lounge chair ka lang?"

Gumagastos yung school para sa mga compet. and inter-school swimming camps niya tapos nakahiga lang siya sa lounge chair at chill-chill?

"Relax. I didn't want to get you wet."

Tinaasan ko na naman siya ng kilay sa innuendo niya.

"Stop looking at me like I'm a mole in the ground, babe. Hindi yan gugustuhin ni Tito Elmo."

I was dumbstruck for the second time of the day. Talagang aasta lang siya na bestfriend ko?

"Yes, girl. Shut that mouth up baka pasukin ng langaw. Your father and I chatted last Sunday."

My mouth formed a thin line. Was I worrying about my father for nothing?

"And I explained everything. You're welcome by the way."

"I don't want anything to do with----"

"Yes, I know. But you resemble Fox. Avo likes Fox. So, you have something to do with Avo. Thus, you can't throw me off your scent yet."

I should be angry or at least, curious. But I was just tired. Class just ended. Hapon na at kakausapin ko pa Papa ko so why would I have to pick a fight with him? Do I need to worry myself over who, what, where that girl "Fox" is? Si Avo?

I sighed, resigned.

"Lead the way," I mocked.

His eyes twinkled.

"Thank you! I just googled your location."

Grabe na.