When We Crash (When Trilogy #2)

Chapter 5

Baka

“Damn! I said stop it! That was before I met you!”

An overwhelming feeling struck through my veins. With his words, my head is spinning again. Was it because it’s been a long time since I felt special to someone? Because hell, that’s what he’s making me feel right now. He’s making me feel special; like I’m the only one.

“C-chill… I’m just asking.” Sinubukan kong gawing kaswal ang aking boses.

Nag-iwas na lang ako ng tingin, kinuha ko ang phone ko sa bag at sinindian yung pocket wifi kong dala. No matter how I feel special, I have to keep in mind that this man sitting beside me once shattered my heart and I’m not giving him the chance to do it again.

I browsed on the IG to completely ignore his presence. How did I end up being with him, anyway? The original plan was to attend a convention, wala sa plano ko ang makita at makasama siya ulit! Sa pag s-scroll ko ay bahagya akong napasinghap nang makita ko ang latest instagram update ni Brody. Buhay pa pala ang isang ito?

I look closely at the picture. Litrato iyon ng isang matayog na building na mukhang kakatapos lamang gawin. I read his caption.

‘The fruit of hard work’

Realization hit me. He’s the one who build this! Hindi ko maiwasang hindi mamangha. Parang kailan lang noong pare-pareho pa kaming mga estudyante.

“Posting your accomplishments just to attract girls? How low.”

Nagulat ako sa bigla-biglang pagsasalita ni Yael. Hindi ko namalayan na maging siya pala ay nakikisilip sa screen ng phone ko. I looked at him, ready fired him back.

“Brody’s not like that. He’s a real gentleman and he doesn’t need to flaunt his accomplishments just to attract girls.”

“How did you know that he’s a gentleman?” tinaasan niya ako ng kilay.

“He paid for me in a jeepney ride!”
I still remember that time. Noong crush ko pa siya, noong bago ko pa nakita si Yael Salcedo sa loob ng eroplano.

“He paid for you in a jeepney ride? I can pay for your plane ticket, Beatrix. I can even fly the plane myself for you.” His voice was calm yet solid and proud. He’s indeed a smooth killer.

“Boasting your capabilities just to attract girls? Now that is very low of you, Mr. Salcedo.” I grinned. Beatrix, one. Yael, zero.

“No, I only intend to attract you. Do you still call that ‘low’?” Ganti niya saakin at siya naman ngayon ang ngumisi. Awtomatikong namula ang magkabila kong pisngi.

“I’m done talking to you.”

Humalakhak siya. “Loser, baby.”

I didn’t replied because he’s right. I am a loser. Loser for him. Kahit anong klaseng argumento ay hindi ako manalo-nalo pagdating sakanya. No matter what I do I can never win againts Yael Salcedo.

Eventually the two came back, panting and full of sweat.

“Maganda ba?” I asked Kaye, pertaining to the cave.

“We didn’t have the chance to see it… Nag-aya na siyang bumalik dahil masyado daw malayo.” Matt answered me instead. I looked at Kaye with a grin on my face.

“Ano kasing alam…” mapang-asar kong komento. Sino ba naman kasi ang hibang na lalakad nang pagkalayo-layo habang tirik na tirik ang araw? Tapos ay pareho pa silang walang dalang tubig.

Kaye just made a face.

The sun is setting and our boat is filled with silence. Tanging tunog lang ng makina at ng tubig ang maririnig mo. Our island hopping is almost over, pabalik na kami ngayon sa bay at ni isa ay walang nanghas na magsalita saamin. Kami na ulit ang magkatabi ni Kaye ngayon pero na kay Yael pa rin ang mga gamit ko.