A CATena of Kisses

9 Gossip

9 GOSSIP

There was a definite pull to him and in that moment I had to know why.
--Nicole Gulla

Nag-order na sila sa Teriyaki Boy. Habang nag-aantay ng order ay nagkwentuhan silang dalawa.

"So, are you an alumnus of the university?" tanong ni Cat.

"Yup. Magkaklase kami ni Gael, and Ms Chan was our professor." sabi ni Sebastian.

"Whoa! Veteran na pala si Ms Chan." pabirong sabi ni Cat. Tumawa lang si Sebastian.

"I was her favorite then. I think I was the favorite of most of my professors." mayabang na sabi ni Sebastian.

"Pa-cute ka kasi." natatawang sabi ni Cat.

"Well, it worked on them. Is it working on you?" tanong ni Sebastian. Nginitian lang sya ni Cat.

"So, enough about my school life. Reminiscing makes me feel old. Why did you hold your friend's hand when we were at the party? Were you trying to make me jealous?" naniningkit ang mga matang tanong ni Sebastian.

"Di ka talaga nagpapaligoy-ligoy no?"

"Nope. So, why?"

"I wasn't trying to make you jealous. I was nervous. I had to hold something or someone familiar." pagka-klaro ni Cat.

"Of me?" tanong ni Sebastian habang tinuturo ang sarili nya.

"No." umiwas ng tingin si Cat.

Na-realize ni Sebastian kung sinong tinutukoy ni Cat. "Ah...Gael." Tapos naalala nya ang kissing scene nila Gael at Cat. Medyo nagselos nanaman sya. "Don't mind him. He's quite intimidating if you don't know him. But he's a really nice person." pagpapaliwanag ni Sebastian.

Pero iba ang iniisip ni Cat. {Hay...hindi ko naman pwedeng sabihin sa kanya ang pinag-usapan namin} Nag-nod na lang si Cat. "Yeah...siguro nga."

Tumahimik sila pareho. Buti na lang dumating na yung food. Nagkwentuhan pa rin sila habang kumakain.

"Do you think I can convince you to skip your last class for the day so we can hang out, watch a movie or do anything you like?" tanong ni Sebastian.

Cat smirked. "Ha-ha. Hindi pwede no. I'm a scholar, Sebastian. Hindi pwede basta-basta mag-miss ng class." sabay kuha ng maki at subo sa bibig.

Nag-pout si Sebastian then he crossed his arms on his chest. "Fine. I'll just wait for you after class then." sabi nya.

{Ang bilis a. May back-up plan agad.} "Don't you have work or something?" tanong ni Cat.

"I am the owner so I can skip work anytime I like." hindi nagyayabang si Sebastian; just stating a truth.

"Well, lucky you, Mr Valdez." sabi ni Cat.

Pagkatapos nilang kumain, hinatid na sya ni Sebastian sa next class nya. Pinagtitinginan pa rin sila dahil sa gwapong-gwapong nilalang na kasama nya.

"I'll see you later, love." sweet na pagpapaalam ni Sebastian.

"Nakakarami ka na ng love ha. Sige na. Kitakits!" pabirong sabi naman ni Cat.

Nakasalubong ni Sebastian si Nathan nung paalis na sya. Nginitian nya to pero masama ang tingin ni Nathan sa kanya. Di na lang pinansin ni Sebastian yun. Pasipol-sipol pa syang naglakad palayo.

---

"What's he doing here?!" ang bungad ni Nathan kay Cat.

"Huh?" nagulat si Cat.

"Kayo na ba, Cat?" tanong ni Nathan na halatang nagngingitngit na sa selos.

"Nope." casual na sagot ni Cat.

"E bat ganun? At ano yang flowers na yan, Cat? Did he give those to you? Are you two dating?!" bad trip lang si Nathan.

"Hmm...define dating. Sinabi nya kay Mrs Chan kanina that he's courting me. Dating na ba kami pag ganun?" tanong ni Cat.

Iritableng-iritable na talaga si Nathan. "He's too old for you, Cat. I don't like him. I think he's just going to fool around with you then dump you later." nagtatama na halos ang kilay ni Nathan sa inis.

"Chill. Una, alam nya na I'm not planning on having a boyfriend til I graduate. Pangalawa, I treat him na parang kayo ni Mike. Friends. Lunch buddy. Katambay. Pangatlo, ba't ba bad trip na bad trip ka?" pagpapaliwanag ni Cat.

"E di wag mo na syang paasahin. Stop this nonsense now, Cat. After a few days and chit chat, ka-status na namin ni Mike yung lalaking yun? Saka kaibigan kasi kita kaya ayoko na lolokohin ka lang ng kung sino-sino." sabi naman ni Nathan pero deep inside, iba ang iniisip nya, {I don't want to lose you. I really like you, Cat}.

"Ang negative mo naman. Carry lang to. He's just trying to be friendly and I'm not in any position to reject his friendship."

"Ewan ko sa yo, Cat."

Pumasok na ang prof nila kaya naputol ang usapan nila.

---

Nag-ring ang phone ni Gael.
<<What is it?
>>They had lunch together. He just told everybody that he's courting her. He walked with her to her next class. He's currently waiting for her class to finish.
<<{Damn, Seb. Have you really lost your sanity?} Ok. Just keep me updated.
>>Yes, Mr Ortega

In-end na ni Gael ang phone call. {What am I going to do with you, Seb? And that girl...she just wouldn't listen. Argh.}