Trigger

06

Julianne Victoria

I decided to join in the team's conversation after the call with kuya Third. I thought they were still at it, pero nasa akin na pala ang atensiyon nila. They must have heard my phone call with kuya. I think napalakas rin ang boses ko sa last part ng conversation namin so I hope they did not catch the worried part.

"Si Third?" Tanong ni Leslie habang napangiti. Tumango ako sa kanya bago kumuha ng isa sa bucket ng beer sa may bandang gilid ko.

Tuwing nahohomesick talaga kasi ako ay nagkukwento ako kay Leslie ng tungkol sa masayang parte ng buhay ko, kaya parang kilala niya na rin si kuya. Bits and pieces nga lang ang naibibigay ko and she often looked like she was watching a movie kapag nagkukwento ako. Mayroon kasi siya laging kinakain, and given the fact na hindi ako pala kwento ay inaabangan niya talaga ang pagcoconfide ko. Mayroon din kasi siyang dalawang kapatid na lalake at nagpapalitan kami ng nakakatawang kwento tungkol sa kanila. It also meant a lot to me that she does not force or pressure me into telling her things that I cannot and hopefully should not disclose.

All Leslie, E and Andre knew was that my parents were residing in Bicol. They knew that I had a brother and a cute niece and that we own a small farm. I was actually waiting for them to ask as to why I don't have photos of my family pero hindi naman nila tinatanong, at mabuti na rin dahil hindi ko sure kung anong parte lang ng katotohanan ang pwede kong ipaalam sa kanila. Kung mayroon man ngayong mga larawan na nakasabit sa condo ay si Leslie ang may kakagawan noon. Para raw kasing ghost house ang condo, and I had to indulge her to leave no room for further questions that would require complicated answers which could compromise her safety, kaya binigyan ko na lang siya ng ilang solo pictures ko noong bata pa ako.

Binuksan ko na ang bote ng beer at tumungga. I also saw Andre shifted his position and sat next to me, kaya magkatapat na kami ni Leslie at sila naman ni E.

"Ang lambing mo pala," bulong niya mula sa gilid ko na ikinagulat ko.

Also, he was too close.

"Uhm what?" I felt my cheeks got warm and honestly it had been puzzling me big time. I can't seem to contain my reactions lately especially the dormant ones that I had zero clue on how to handle.

Dahil ba sa crush ko ang dimples niya?

"Wala po. Alam mo, you are so mysterious, Jules."

Pinili kong 'wag muna sumagot sa sinabi niya dahil sa tingin ko ay kailangan kong I place ang mga kasagutan at katanungan sa loob ko.

Dumistansiya na siya sa akin at kumuha ng sisig. Tinanggal niya rin ang mga sili bago ito kainin, kaya napanguso ako.

I liked spicy foods, and he obviously does not. I think ¾ of the Bicol population fancied anything na maanghang. Almost every meal ay dapat mayroong sili, may it be fried, soup-based at lalo na kapag may gata.

"I wonder what are the other wonderful things about you that you're still keeping from us. Parang gusto kong tuklasin na."

"Ay pisteng yawa, Andre." It was Leslie who was both surprised and amused. Wala talagang makakaligtas sa pandinig niya.

"Bakit? Okay, for everyone's reference, I admit that I am attracted to Jules. She's a very desirable woman." Kaagad na tinapunan ko ng tingin si Andre. I was caught offguard at hindi rin nakatulong ang pag-ngiti niya saakin at nakita ko na naman yung maliit na dimples sa magkabilang gilid ng kanyang mga labi.

I tried to show no emotion about it, kaya tumungga na lang ulit ako ng beer.

"Aba, seryoso yan?" E cut in. "Ayusin mo Andre, tandaan mo na magkakaibigan tayo dito higit sa lahat. Maraming what ifs na pwedeng mangyari at hindi lang trabaho natin ang maapektohan kapag nagkataon." He also looked at me then raised a brow. "Ikaw Jules, are you attracted to him? Tutal naman umamin na, umamin ka na rin."