Arrogance versus Sarcasm

Chapter 5

Cariffia Filker

So you guys might think that I may be developing a teeny tiny little crush on Arroahn. Well, you guessed right. Who can blame me? Anyone can get lost in his eyes. And the way he speaks is cute. Kahit na sarcastic siya. And now I'm learning more Tagalog words thanks to him and Aly.

We got back to school and was just in time before the class where we were sent out was dismissed. I smiled a little, "You totally are used to this, Ron. How many times have you done this?"

When he looked at me and our eyes locked, I felt like my stomach needs a little budge. It had this funny feeling. For sure, it wasn't the butterflies those girls back in my old school were saying. I'm Cariffia Filker and I don't feel flustered with guys who smiles less than my dad. "Actually, thrice lang ako nagskip. Ngayon lang ako napalabas eh."

I gulped. Now I'm starting to feel self-conscious! Damn it. "Oh? With who? Yung barkada mo?" That word was another word I learned from Aly. I think it meant 'gang' or 'group of friends.'

Napangiti si Arroahn at tumawa ng kaunti, "Kind of. Kasama ko yung best friend ko, si Tyler. Nung second and third time, si Yssa na, your cousin. Mall and stuff lang. Pero nung kay Ty, we went to my flat and just played x-box. Pero we can't drive cars pa nun so we just called a cab." Alyssa, huh? I wonder why he always mention her?

"Flat? Cab? Are those British terms that I should know?"

Tumawa na siya ng malakas and I felt satisfied all of a sudden, "Flat is apartment in other terms. Cab is taxi. That was then anyway. May bahay na kami ng mum and dad ko. I used to stay in the flat alone kasi malayo yung house namin dito. Am I boring you?"

I shook my head, "Oh no no no, you're not. It's interesting, really. You speak English kinda funny too. Must be the accent, Ron." Why am I even trying hard to impress him? I'm Cariffia for fuck's sake! I don't try to impress people. They try to impress me.

He snorted, "Wow. Napuri ako ng isang Reyna. Ewwww di ako sanay. Teka teka, kunwari magkagalit tayo. 2 minutes na lang tapos na ang klase na to. Baka matukso pa tayo nito. Deal?" He extended his right hand.

I glanced at his face and when I realized that he was serious, I took his right with my left hand. "Deal. Anyway, hang out naman tayo paminsan-minsan."

When we shook, I felt sparks from the tip of my fingers flowing though my body until it reached my heart. What's this feeling? What's happening to me?

"...sh mo siguro ako."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at napatingin ako sa kanya. I was dumbfounded really. "Huh? Can you repeat what you just said?"

He rolled his eyes, "Ofcourse I can. Sabi ko, 'Okay okay, basta wag araw araw. Hoy, kanina ko pa hinuhugot ang kamay ko, Affi. Bakit ba ayaw mong bumitaw? Crush mo siguro ako,' Yun."

I immediately pulled my hand out of his grasp and my face felt hot all of a sudden, "What? Me? Have a crush on you? That's one of the seven wonders of the world if that ever happens. You must be delirious, Heeves."

He chuckled, "Back to the last name, I see. No need to ramble, I got your point. Pero, nakakatuwa naman na isipin na I have an effect on you." He paused after a moment before adding, "Just like your cousin."

Then, time stopped for me. Cousin. Cousin? Cousin! Ofcourse it's Aly! "What do you mean just like my cousin? Is there anything you forgot to tell me?"

Then he panicked, "What? Wala akong sinabing ganun. Guniguni mo lang yun. Imagination. Hahaha as if memention ko yung pusang yun. Grabe ka naman mag assume, Affi."

"Then why are you denying it? Pusa? Aren't cats cute? So cute yung pinsan ko? Just admit that you like her, Ron." Just admit it even if it hurts. Not that I like him that much. Just simple fascination. Hinding hindi ako mafafall sa kanya. He's an insolent fool. But I spoke too soon because I know, right from the start, I've fallen for him.

Arroahn frowned, "Huh? So ano ngayon? Oo, cute si Yssa at oo, gusto ko siya. Pero ayaw kong pakelaman mo kami. Di ko kailangan ng mga sagabal." Then he left me. How? Pumasok siya sa classroom at iniwan ako. Bullshit. I heard him talking to the teacher and eventually, she let him stay inside. I didn't move from my spot though. It hurts so damn much and I didn't even notice that he's this important to me. Fuck the world. Fuck my life.

#

"You're not hungry, Fia?" I looked at Aly and grimaced, "I lost my appetite, sorry."

Then she moved the salad away from me, "If you're not, I am! Don't murder the poor salad. Bakit nagbago mood mo?" She had the nerve to ask me that. The very sole of my problems. Bitch.

I rolled my eyes, "Aly darling, that's none of your Goddamn business." With that, I pulled out of my chair and sat in another table. I smirked at one of the guys, "Is this seat taken?"

He shook his head, "No, feel free to sit there." And so I did.

Another guy spoke, "May problema ba sa table niyo? Why are you here? Is it because of the drama? Kwento ka naman oh." I glanced at him and sure enough, he was cute. But not my type and he's not Arroahn Heeves. But I replied anyway, "Not really. I just needed a new crowd. So...what's the deal between Alyssa Cheng and Arroahn Heeves?" Might as well gossip around.

The guy chuckled, "Ahh sila ba? Oh! By the way, I'm Joshua Diaz. Hmm...kasi ganito yun. Si Arroahn ay may crush kay Yssa. Ever since he moved here. Tapos si Yssa ay may crush sa best friend niya, si Tyler Sy. Pero, may crush din si Yssa kay Arroahn. Complicated, noh? Actually, Yssa asked out Arroahn if he wanted to be her boyfriend. Hindi namin alam kung bakit pero nireject niya si Yssa. Or maybe he rejected her kasi nireject din siya ni Yssa. Anyways, that's the weird thing. Wala namang gusto si Tyler kay Yssa so it's not like it's gonna ruin their friendship." Madaldal siya. Eww.

I produced a half-hearted smile and looked back at the group of Aly. All three of them were there and I scowled at the thought that Aly practically hid this from me. Then I remembered something. Mukha naman silang masaya. I'm just an intruder. I don't belong here.

I turned back to my own table and observed the other boys. They were perverted, a lot actually. And I could feel some girls burning holes at my back. They're so envious of me. But I don't care. I fucking hate Aly. But I don't have the right because she met him first. I'm just a nobody. Why am I even learning this Filipino language thing?! I'm gonna leave soon. I shouldn't get attached.

We were about to go home when Arroahn called out Aly. She went to him and I felt like shit.