CLOSER NEXT TO YOU (Completed)

Chapter 33

Chapter XXXIII: CAUGHT

B2 thought that Ranwell might be a jerk, expert in breaking every girl's heart, but that didn't mean Ranwell couldn't  beat him at all, particularly in  the writing contest. 

It was odd. There was little disappointment when he read he lost, but when he found out it was Ranwell who beat him, he was regretful. He felt like he could do better, he could have won if he took it seriously. Hindi sana siya matatalo ng isang Ranwell lamang na ang turing sa mga babae ay laruan.

Maybe Ranwell had been winning in getting into his nerves that he saw things in that perspective.  Dati wala siyang pakialam dito pero ngayon may pag-aalala siya sa mga sinabi nito. It was like Ranwell became a real threat and he had to raise his guard up.

He's on his way to the Calligraphy room for the weekly meeting when he saw Laila, again, with Sofie and the brats. He stepped to intervene but stopped himself at a snap. Mas lalo lang pag-iinitan ng mga ito si Laila kung makikialam siya. That would be ungrateful to his brother who had done nothing but care for him.

Nevertheless, a force pushed him forward when Sofie's hand was about to fly on Laila's face. Sofie and her friends left Laila before he could even took two steps.  Someone did the saving in behalf of him.

B2 watched the scene, worried more than thankful.

Pinagpatuloy niya ang mga naudlot na hakbang. "Leave her," sabi niya kay Ranwell. Yinayaya nito si Laila sa isang dinner.

As though expecting his move, Ranwell put a triumphant smile. "Bakit? May problema ba Prynston?"

He gave Ranwell a warning look.

"Don't tell me pati sa babaeng 'to interesado ka?"

He looked at Laila. "Go."

Laila understood and left.

"Ibang klase ka rin. Ano ginagaya mo ako?" Ranwell implied, shaking a head in a pretend dismay. "Akala ko ba kay Chloe ka? Ngayon kay Laila naman. Buti na lang talaga at hindi ako mabait at walang pakialam sa mga taong wala namang pakialam sa akin. Baka kanina pa kita nasapak."

"You only won a single contest, it is not enough to compare yourself to me," he said and left Ranwell cursing to the air.

At the Calligraphy room the meeting presided as he arrived. It was about this and that on how their club could be of help to VSC. Siyempre kung sino ang may talent sa Calligraphy siya ang magiging representative nila.

Nagpasalamat sa kanya si Laila para kanina na tinanguan lang niya.

"Ba't pala ang bait mo sa akin lately?" tanong sa kanya nito.

"I'm not," sagot niya at nagulat siya sa tinanong nito. Bumait siya rito?

Laila wore a quizzical look. "Hindi ba? Pakiramdam ko kasi bumait ka sa akin."

"I'm not," pilit niya, "and if you still think I did, it's because of my brother."

A dash of pink sprinkled on Laila's cheeks. "Si Prancys?"

"And Chloe," dugtong niya.

Laila timidly asked. "Alam ba ng kapatid mo na..."

"What?" he asked.

Laila swallowed, "Na..."

He started to get impatient with Laila. "Do you want me to tell him?"

Laila bolted out. "Hindi! Huwag mong sabihin!"

He turned to his left and found Carlo watching at them like they're doing a live drama. He tss-ed.

"Akala ko kasi alam na niya kasi hindi siya nag-te-text sa akin."