Embrace the Suck (Bad, #1)

Chapter Seventeen

Saint:
Almost. Did Oliver drive you home?

Napahinga ako nang malalim nang mabasa ang text nito. He really is a busy person. Kung sabagay, matagal na sana itong graduate at nagta-trabaho na dapat. For some reason, he chose to extend. Chose talaga dahil ang alam ko ay wala itong bagsak. Sa pagkakaalam ko ay matalino si Saint. He just really opted to leave subjects behind.

"Lalim no'n, ah," puri ni Oliver at inihinto ang push cart na tulak-tulak. Tumango siya sa shelves. "Spices."

Pagkahatid kay Nina sa bahay nila ay sa malapit na supermarket kami dumeretso ni Oliver. Bawal ang pet sa loob ng supermarket, kaya hindi na muna namin dinaanan si Shadow sa daycare.

Umayos ako ng tayo at tiningnan ang list na ginawa ko sa aking phone. I need Annatto powder. Sachet lang ang kinuha ko dahil konti lang naman ang servings na gagawin ko. Kumuha ako at inilagay rin agad sa cart. Tiningnan ko ang phone para sa susunod na kailangang bilhin.

"Peanut butter," I read.

"What's wrong with you? Parang kanina lang, ang saya mo pa?" Oliver asked with a creased forehead. Maya-maya pa ay dumilim ang mukha niya at sumimangot. "Is it Saint? What did he do?"

I immediately shook my head. "Wala siyang ginawa."

"Then why? I know you, Kenna. Alam ko na ang mga galawan mo. I know when something's bothering you. Now, spill," maarteng sabi nito.

"Saint's busy and he's taking too long in responding. His replies were short and cold, too. He probably doesn't like clingy girls." I stated it nonchalantly, like it wasn't bothering me at all but I know I can't fool Oliver.

Namutla si Oliver. May guilt na dumaan sa mga mata niya habang nakatingin sa akin. "Is it because of what I said earlier? Kenna..."

Kumibit balikat ako. "Tama ka naman."

"You shouldn't be listening to me. Kay Nina ka makinig! Or better yet, listen to what your heart says. Other people's opinion shouldn't matter to you."

"I'm being clingy. That's what my heart says." Ngumuso ako. "I think I understand it a bit. Saint's years older than us. Siguro ay iba ang preference niya kasi matured na siya. He's not into clingy relationships. So, I'll just adjust."

"Kenna." Oliver grunted. "You shouldn't have to change for someone to like you. If he can't accept you for who you are, then he doesn't deserve you."

"I think relationship is a two-way street. If you like someone, you sometimes have to change so you can be worthy of that person, too," simpleng sambit ko.

"I know you, Kenna, you don't really think that way. We both know the real reason." Makahulugang tumingin siya sa akin.

Of course, he knows. We've been friends for years. He'd seen me at my lowest point. He'd been with me through it. Oliver has a hint on how my mind works.

I flashed him a bright smile. "Want to sleepover? I'm cooking Kare-Kare."

"Game!" he quickly exclaimed.

He knows how my mind works, but I know how his mind works, too. Pareho sila ni Nina. Basta makarinig na magluluto ako ay nakakalimutan na nila ang lahat. It's like a freaking magic amnesiac word to them.

Kinuha muna namin si Shadow bago dumiretso sa bahay. Parang bahay na ni Oliver ang bahay ko, he doesn't need to be told to be comfortable. Hindi na niya nga kailangan pang umuwi sa kanila para kumuha ng gamit dahil may mga gamit siyang naiiwan dito tuwing nagsle-sleepover.

Habang nagluluto ako ay nakaupo lang si Oliver sa dining area. He's scratching the lazy pooch who's comfortably lying on his lap.

"May damit ka na ba para sa rave event?" tanong ni Oliver mula sa living room.