My Super Shy Boyfriend

9th Chapter: Wait, What? [SUPER NEW]

"I HAVE a stalker," deklara ni Yuni habang nakapalumbaba at nagpapalipat-lipat ng tingin sa'min ni Tray. "I'm here to ask for your help, Tray and Bomi."

Kumunot ang noo ko dahil kahit triggered ako kanina dahil sa pagyakap ni Yuni kay Tray, hindi ko pa ring mapigilang mag-alala. She's only eighteen and though she appears like an adult, she's still a kid inside. "Yuni, nag-report ka na ba sa police? Mas mapo-protektahan ka ng authority kesa sa'min kaya I think, mas okay na sa kanila ka magsabi niyan."

"Bomi is correct," pagsang-ayon sa'kin ni Tray. Kami ang magkatapat sa upuan pero sa kanya naman tumabi si Yuni. And now that he's looking at her with a worried look on his face, I can't help but notice that their shoulders and arms are brushed against each other's. Worse, they look comfortable as if that kind of physical contact is very normal to them. "Of course, we're willing to help you. Pero iba pa rin ang protection ng mga police kesa sa'min. Stalking is a serious crime, Little Yuni."

I almost rolled my eyes at Tray's endearment for Yuni. I know it's not romantic and getting jealous over that makes me feel petty. But I really can't help it, okay?

"But I don't have proof that he's stalking me," sabi naman ni Yuni. "It just happens that I always see him wherever I go and I get this creepy feeling whenever he looks at me. Pero lagi siyang may valid excuse kapag kino-confront ko siya sa mga place na nagkikita kami."

"Who is this guy anyway?" halatang nag-aalalang tanong ni Tray. He can't even take his eyes off her. "And what else does he do to make you feel uncomfortable?"

"His name is Hendrick and I met him three months ago in a photoshoot," sagot naman ni Yuni. "He's also a model and he's the same age as you, Tray. After ng shoot namin for a print ad, nagsimula na rin siyang magtext at tumawag sa'kin. Ang nakakainis pa, mag-schoolmate pa kami. Meron siyang younger cousin sa senior high department kaya may excuse siya kapag dumadaan siya sa classroom ko."

"Sine-save mo ba ang mga text niya sa'yo, Yuni?" tanong ko naman. "Puwedeng evidence 'yon ng pangungulit niya sa'yo."

"No, I used to erase his text messages right away," sagot niya. "And I changed my number last month so he's unable to send me messages since then."

"Aside sa school niyo, sa'n pa nagshow-show up ang Hendrick na 'to?" kunot-noong tanong ni Tray.

"He shows up at my photoshoots, too," halatang frustrated na sagot ni Yuni. "Kung hindi 'yong photographer o co-model ko, meron siyang staff na "friend" daw niya at dinadalaw lang sa studio. Pero sobrang co-incidence naman na for the past two weeks na sunod-sunod ang shoot for different products eh nagpapakita siya para lang dumalaw sa friend niya, 'di ba?"

"Yeah, there's no way that's a mere co-incidence. Kung model din siya like you, hindi nakakapagtaka na may connection o source siya sa industry niyo kaya nalalaman niya ang schedule mo. Pero impossible naman na nagkakataon lang ang pagdalaw niya sa bawat photoshoot mo," pagsang-ayon ng boyfriend ko sa sinabi niya. This time, Tray looks pissed. "Does he talk to you whenever he "visits" a friend?"

Mabilis namang tumango si Yuni. "That's what I'm worried about, Tray!"

"Why?" curious na tanong ko nang napansin ko ang takot at pagpa-panic sa mukha ni Yuni. There's no way she's faking it. She might be a model who can project different facial expressions in front of the camera. But Yuni is very bad at lying. "What did this dude say?"

"He knows that my parents won't be at home this Christmas," nag-aalalang sagot niya habang nakatingin sa'kin. "Hindi ko alam kung pa'no niya nalaman na may business trip sa Italy ang parents ko this December. The last time he talked to me kasi, he asked me to spend my Christmas Eve with him since according to him, he doesn't want me to welcome Christmas alone. Hindi ko alam kung pa'no niya nalaman ang schedule nina Mommy at Daddy when it's supposed to be a secret. Hindi pa naman ina-announce ng family namin na magkakaro'n kami ng lipstick line soon kaya pupunta ang parents ko sa Italy para maghanap ng factory na puwedeng mag-formulate..." Napasinghap siya, sabay tampal sa bibig niya. "That's supposed to be a secret. Don't tell anyone about our company's new project, okay?"