I Brought My Heart To Hong Kong

Chapter Seventeen: Tattoo

Chapter Seventeen
Tattoo

I don't want to cross out the possibility of someone you like to finally like you back.

And Al, who has been admiring Jayden for a long time now might not be an exception. There's always a huge possibility he'll like her in return. Ang sabi ko nga, maganda si Al. Mayaman. Matalino. Bakit nga naman hindi magugustuhan ni Jayden?

Al said it herself now. He likes her too.

Kailan pa? Bakit sinabi ni Jayden na hindi niya gusto? Was that to keep his business away from me? Doesn't he just want me to meddle like how I do with Zywon and Chloe's relationship?

"What are you thinking, Hails?"

I'm lounging in the common room with Chloe. Napansin sigurong ang lalim-lalim ng iniisip ko kaya naupo sa carpet, sa tabi ko.

"Wala naman," maikli kong sabi saka tumayo. The whole thought of Al talking to me and Zywon warning me about things made me uneasy for how many days now. "May kukunin lang ako sa kwarto ko."

Hindi ko nilingon si Chloe nang makalabas. Hindi pa man ako nakakapasok sa kwarto, dumating si Tita Erine sa harap ng pinto.

"Hailey."

"May problema po ba, Tita?"

Umiling siya kaagad. "I just want to remind you. Iyong mga laundry baskets ninyo, can you bring it down the laundry area? Isasama na raw nina Ate Mina."

I stood shyly.

"Oh, hindi na po!" Napakumpas ang kamay ko sa hangin para tanggihan. "Kami na lang po."

"Maabala pa kayo-"

"Kami na po ang bahala," paninigurado ko. "Wala rin naman po kaming ginagawa."

Matagal bago ko siya nakumbinsi. Napabuntong-hininga na lang nang hindi ko tinigilan.

"Alright, if that's what you wanted."

Tipid akong ngumiti. I wouldn't just let anyone do the laundry for us. We've been staying here 24/7, with free food and everything. We can at least lessen the burden if we do the laundry ourselves.

"Tita," I called. "Saan naman po ang laundry area?"

"Sa tabi ng kitchen, Hailey."

Tumango ako at nagpasalamat. Bumalik ako ng kwarto para kunin ang labahan ko. Binalik ko rin si Chloe sa common room para sabihan siyang isasabay ko ang kaniya kung papayag siya.

"Maglalaba ka?" I gave her a quiet nod. "I'll help."

Chloe left me to get her laundry. Pinuntahan ko rin si Won para sabihin kung pwedeng sila ang maglaba ng kanila. I don't think it'll make me comfortable to... work on theirs.. lalong-lalo na kay Jayden. Just the thought of it makes my heart pound.

"Kayo na ang maglaba ng inyo ni Jayden," sabi ko at nag-iwas ng tingin. "Malalaki na kayo."

Hindi na sinundan ni Won ang pag-uusap namin noong nakaraan. Hindi na rin niya nabanggit sa'kin pero tuwing nagkakatabi kami ni Jayden, inaangatan ni ako ng tingin. Sa dulo, maiilang ako tapos kunwari magba-banyo ako o may gagawin.

"Okay," he said shortly. Nakakunot ang noo niya sa'kin. "May problema ba?"

"Wala!"

But Won's my best friend. He knows when something is up with me. Tumayo siya para daluhan ako. Mas lalo akong napaiwas ng tingin.

"Tungkol ba 'to sa sinabi ko noong nakaraan?"

"Ano bang sinabi mo noong nakaraan?"

But I perfectly know what he said. I only think there's the need to remind me that again.