"Where are you? I'm already here."
Panimula ni Sam. We've just arrived and he's already here? Ano naman kayang patakbo ang ginawa niya. Naligo pa kaya ang isang iyon? I bet, no! I laughed at my own thoughts.
"Why are you laughing? Para kang baliw." A man spoke.
Nag-angat ako ng tingin at tinignan ang lalaking nagsabi noon. And to my amazement, it's the great, Sammy Dela Torre.
How did he?
"H-ow did you know that we're here?"
He smirked. "Your GPS is on Sugar. You can't escape." He winks.
Damn. I checked my phone and confirmed it's on! Kung may pagtataguan ako ay talagang mahahanap nga naman ako.
Hinanap ko si Hannah. She's looking for some swimwears. Kaya't dito kami pumunta sa Coco Cabana. It's near Ali Mall.
"Who's with you?" Sabay akbay niya sa akin.
Pinagtitinginan kami ng mga saleslady dito. I don't know why. I crossed my arm and they all look away. Hmm...
"Hey, i'm asking you!" Malambing na sabi ni Sam sa gilid ko.
"I'm with Hanna Ishimura." I smiled at him. "I met her in Japan, and we became super good friends!"
"Really? Are you sure you can trust her?"
Alam ko na kung bakit ganyan ang tanong niya. All my life, my so called "friends" were users! Para silang mga linta, na sisipsipin lahat sayo hanggang sa wala ng matira. Well, I won't let that happen, never again.
But Hannah is different from all of them. Alam ko iyon, maaaring tanga ako sa pagpili ng kaibigan at mamahalin pero ngayon alam ko na mapagkakatiwalaan ang isang ito.
"Yes, she helped me during those times that I can't even handle myself. Alam ko na iba siya, trust me on this Sam."
He smiled and pinch my nose.
"H'wag kang mag-alala, wala ng makakapanakit sayo, andito na ako..."
"You know what? You should meet her! Malay mo magustuhan mo pa siya!"
Mula sa pag ngiti ay naging walang emosyon ang mukha niya. It feels like he doesn't like what I've said. But it's a good idea right? Dapat magkaroon na ulit siya ng babaeng mamahalin. It's been a long since his last relationship and I think he needs someone in his life. And Hannah is perfect for him!
"I already like someone else Sugar. Don't exert too much effort on shooing me."
I laughed. "Hindi kita tinataboy! It's just that...para kasing kailangan mo ng magka girlfriend ulit."
Hindi siya nagsalita at tumingin lang sa akin. Nanikip ang dibdib ko. I don't know why when his serious eyes darted on mine, I can sense some... something unusual. Something that I can't explain. Maybe irritation? Yeah, naiirita siguro ito dahil pinakekealaman ko ang buhay pag-ibig niya. I just want him to be happy.
"Since I came back here, ako nalang ang palagi mong inaasikaso," I pouted. Nagtaas naman siya ng kilay at hinila ako palapit sa kanya. "Not that I don't want to but it's time for you to mingle with others so you'll have a lovelife or flings!"
Ang sama ko namang bestfriend kung pipigilan ko siyang magmahal di ba? I am not that self-centered. I know my place, and I don't have feelings for him. I love him as my bestfriend, I love him like how I love my brother. No feelings beyond that.
"Ipinamimigay mo na ako?"
"I want you to be happy. Just try, alright?"
"That means... You want to share me to somebody." Matabang niyang sabi.
I sighed. Magsasalita na sana ako ng biglang nagsalita ang tuwang tuwang si Hannah.
"Sugar!" She shouted, and run towards us. "Look what I saw, they are all cuties right?" She handed me the swimwears that she got.
I smiled. Marami siyang kinuha, may one piece, two piece at crochet top. Mukhang excited na nga siya. Umatras naman si Sam at tumikhim. Agad kong naalala na kailangan kong ipakilala sila sa isa't-isa.
Nagkatinginan silang dalawa at parehong kumunot ang noo. Mukha silang mga bata na inosenteng hindi alam kung bakit sila nasa isang shop at kung sino ang isa't isa.
"U-h Hannah, I want you to meet Sam, my best friend." Inilahad ko ang tingin ko kay Sam. His face remains poker. How rude!
"Hi." Tipid na sabi ni Hannah. I saw her blush.
Mayabang na tumango lamang si Sam. Siniko ko siya sa kanyang inasal.
"Aww...what's your problem?" He whispered.
"Greet her, treat her nicely." I gritted.
Tumikhim siya at tumingin muli kay Hannah. Bigla namang yumuko si Hannah, halatang halata ang pamumula nito dahil sa maputi at makinis niyang balat. Hindi ko alam kung kinikilig ba ito o sadyang nahihiya lang kay Sam. They look so cute, actually!
"It's nice to meet you, Hannah." He smiled, a bit.
Nag angat ng tingin si Hannah sa kanya at nahihiyang ngumiti.
"It's nice to meet you too,"
A long pause and moment of silent presides. I feel awkardness in the air, kaya naman binuhay ko muli ang topic.
"So, Hannah, is that all you need? What about sunblocks and fedora hats? It will perfectly match your swimmies if you'll buy those!"
"I know, sasabihin ko palang sana sayo kanina, come on, let's pay these at the counter." She chuckled.
"Let's go?"
"I'll just wait outside." Sabi naman ni Sam na ngayon ay sinuot ang wayfarer. He looks so adorable, I mean hot in those wayfarers.
"Hmm okay, are you sure you'll be okay outside? Ugh, I mean...it's hot there." Nahihiyang sabi ni Hannah sabay hawi ng takas niyang buhok sa tenga.
Sumulyap muna sa akin si Sam bago ibinaling ang tingin kay Hannah. Ngumiti siya. "Yes, I'll be fine. Thank you anyway."
"Basta hintayin mo nalang kami doon, kakain muna tayo bago pumunta sa Ali Mall." Dagdag ko.
"Okay, Sugarpie." He said sweetly and kissed my hair. Damn.
Tumingin sa amin ang mga saleslady including Hannah who's a bit shocked. She must be thinking that we're an item! Oh no no no! I glared at him and he just smirked before making his way out.
Why is he so sweet like that. It's improper, he used to nag me all the time not like this. If he missed me this much, I think it's getting out of hand. May pahalik halik pa sa buhok.
Taas noo akong naglakad papunta sa counter. Beside me is this Japan cutie holding her swimmies. Inilahad niya iyon sa counter at binati kami ng cashier.
"Uhh if you don't mind me asking, is there something between you and Sam?" Hannah asked.
I look at her. Mukha siyang bigo. He likes Sam? That easy? Talaga ang mokong na iyon, magaling makaakit.
"None. We're just really best friends, he's been like that since we were kids."
"Really!?"
Her face shines like a bright sun after a stormy weather. I chuckled. This girl likes my bestfriend and I will humbly be the cupid this time. Ako na ang magiging tulay para sa happy ending nila.
