I will never get tired of thanking you guys for taking time to read my story kahit mabagal akong mag-update, lalo na sa mga nage-effort pa na mag-vote at mag-comment. I feel so rewarded to have you as my readers. Mwah! Hihi. Enjoy reading!
xo, Coco
-------x
"Syempre naman. I'm the love of her life," he declared.
EIGHTEEN
"Cute. Good one Romeo," bwisit na sagot ni Key. "Now please leave. You're kind of not invited here."
"Ehhhhh," pagpoprotesta ni Gray with his prolonged syllables. Peste. "Hindi mo ba alam, pare? The most important parties to attend are the ones you're not invited to," depensa niya in a mischief-enriched tone. Saka pa niya kinareer lalo 'yung pagkaka-yakap niya sa akin that I'm almost choking.
"Grabe Ellie, has it been five years? Ngayon ko lang na-realize na I sort of... missed you."
Leche. Nagtitinginan at nagchichismisan na ang mga tao dahil hindi na nga naman nakakatuwa ang mga pinaggagawa namin dito, kaya hinila ko 'yung dalawa papuntang backstage and I signaled the emcees to go on with the program nang malihis naman ang landas ng chismis-cravings ng aming audience.
Naturally, ang now cranky yet still dreamy-looking na si Key ay ni-request na umakyat ng stage dahil isa siya sa mga candidates for the Male Stunner of The Night (apparently, sinala ang mga chosen ones upon registration, when everyone was still mask-less). Napilitan tuloy siya na iwan kaming dalawa ni Gray dito sa kingdom of isolation, much to my chagrin. My goodness, just the two of us. Alone. How awkward is this?
"Ano 'to, Gray? Are we even on speaking terms?" I demanded. Sa pagkaka-alala ko kasi, hindi kami bati ng isang 'to pagkatapos ng not-so-pretty events nung huli naming pagkikita.
"Of course we are, sweetheart," sagot niya in his chill, laidback voice. "Na-miss nga kita kaya ako umuwi ng Pinas eh."
"Guh. Pwede ba Graham," pa-irap kong sabi while exerting mega effort to keep my voice and the conversation comfortable and casual. "Matagal nang nag-develop ng immunity 'yung katawan ko d'yan sa eww pick-up lines mo no."
"Oh?" He teased, his eyes flickering playfully. "I don't think so."
"Hindi ko hinihingi ang opinion mo – Aaah! Ano ba?!" He swiftly seized me by the hand and half-dragged me towards the gymnasium's exit. Mabuti na lang at abalang-abala ang mga tao sa kaka-usyoso kina Key kung 'di, they would've seen me flushed and about to faint. Oh, geezus. Anong klaseng pagsubok ito?
"What do you think you're doing? Hoy bastos, h'wag mo nga akong mahawak-hawakan!"
"Can't you tell?" Tanong niya as he gives off an amused chuckle. "I'm kidnapping you."
"Ayoko nga! Let go of me, moron!" Pagrerebelde ko. And I may or may not have smacked him in the head. Twice. "This is a punishable offense!"
"Don't be such a tease Ellie, saan ka naman nakakita ng kidnapper na humihingi muna ng permission bago mangidnap?" Nginitian niya ako, it's his pompous, I-always-get-the-girl lopsided grin. "Relax, your kidnapper just wants to take you out on a date."
---
(Three days later) Monday, after class
Student Council Room
Tradition na dito sa Manila International School na one month bago ang Quarterly Exams, nagkakaroon ng after class tutorial sessions facilitated by the SC. Tinitipon namin ang mga qualified at mga masunuring nerds para iligtas ang mga nanganganib na bombahin ang exams.
