Chapter Forty-Six: The Green-Eyed Monster

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[Author's note: Unedited chapter. Will re-visit later. Pardon any error.]

It did not take us long before we got to Xavierville from Maginhawa. Hindi rin naman ganon ka-layo and there aren't many vehicles na rin on the road. I carefully dismount Jake's motorcycle —I'm really not going to get used to riding a big bike. Again, Jake helps me out with the chin strap of the white helmet. I take it off and hand it to him.

Me: Thanks for the ride. Saka thanks din pala sa libre.

He smiles at me.

Jake: Bumabawi nga sayo, di ba?

*This is what true friends are. Despite whatever happened and who was at fault, parang kahapon lang nung huli kaming magkasama.*

Me: Ano oras pala class mo bukas?

Jake: Hindi pa class, training pa muna ng 6:00am.

Me: Ang aga naman, di ba off-season na?

*Off-season being the UAAP season's over na, di ba?*

Jake: Ganoon talaga schedule ko pag M-W-F, Se. Sanayan lang.

Me: Kami naman swimming class ng T-TH 6:30am pa lang nasa pool na kami kanina.

Jake: Buti naman na-langoy ka pa.

Me: Long story gawa nang wala na talaga makuhang P.E., medyo no choice na eh—

Joaquin: Save the story for next time na lang, Dude...

*Wait lang, that voice is the last thing I expect to hear at this unholy hour in front of my aunt's house.*

Me: Hey! Akala ko you got home na?

I did not notice Joaquin's car parked some distance away from our gate. He doesn't usually do that. He parks directly in front of our driveway —always.

Joaquin: I just wanted to make sure you got home safe. Hindi ko kasi kilala yung naghatid sayo.

Emphasis on the last sentence from Joaquin there. Jake adjusts his bike. I think to lower the kickstand and let it stand freely. He gets off the big bike, removes his helmet, and stands beside me.

Me: Oh —yeah, that's right. Uh wait... Ah — Joaquin, this is Jake. Jake, this is Joaquin. Uh— well —Si Jake pala yung best friend ko nung bata pa kami sa province. I think you saw him last Saturday night nung sinundo mo ako. He brought my Lola's pasalubong for me and Auntie —

*I don't even know how to introduce Joaquin to Jake. How nga ba? This undefined thing with Joaquin takes it's toll on me sometimes.*

Jake: Jake pala, 'tol.

Jake extends his hand to Joaquin.

Joaquin: Joaquin.

Joaquin takes Jakes hand and they manage a handshake.

*Buti naman... For a moment there, I thought —ah basta, I may be reading too much into this.*

Joaquin: Dude, you need to rest na. You have second period class tomorrow.

Me: Yeah, I know.

Jake: So paano, Se? Ma-una na ako. Text kita ha?

Me: Sige. Oo nga, you have varsity training pa bukas. Ah—later na nga pala 'yon it's after midnight na pala.

Jake: Sige, Joaquin. Nice to meet you.

Jake mounts his big bike and wears his helmet again, kickstarts his engine, revs it a few times and starts driving away. I can see Joaquin watching him like a Hawk as Jake makes a U-Turn before he drives further down Xavierville.

The Coño Boy 1 & 2: Love What You Will Tahanan ng mga kuwento. Tumuklas ngayon