Loving A Deceiving Monster (COMPLETED)

Chapter Twenty-Six: Pressure

Christmas season came without much a-do. In no time, Christmas party na ng Jaime Academy. Sa lahat siguro ng school sa buong siyudad nila, ang school na yun ang hindi uso ang exchange gifts. You give gifts only to people you like. If you don’t know each other, then expect no gifts either.

Dahil may kahiligan si Kyra na magbasa ng mga good quality fiction books, niregaluhan niya ang kaibigan na si Ginger ng copy ng The Wedding Planner’s Daughter. While Ginger gave her a diamond studded white wrist watch.

Hiyang-hiya naman si Kyra nang makita ang regalo sa kanya ng kaibigan.

“Ginger, hindi ko yata matatanggap to, mukhang sobrang mahal nito ah”

“Shut up, Ky!” may irita sa mukha na sagot sa kanya ni Ginger. “I really want to give you that, and besides, gift ko sayo yan. Take it or else, magtatampo ako ng bongga”

“Pero kasi, mukhang ang mamahalin nito, kumpara mo naman sa gift ko sayo---“

“Ano ka ba, Ky. This is YOUR gift to me, and I appreciate it. It’s always the thought that counts, my girl. The price completely doesn’t matter. Wala kang gift sakin for three Christmases, mind you”

“Okay lang---“

Ginger laughed at her. “Joke lang, eto naman” ngiti nito sa kanya. Then her face became serious. “I’m glad you’re smiling na. If you don’t mind, okay na bang mag-open up ka sakin?”

Kyra gave her the same look she always give her bestfriend when asked the same question.

She shook her head. “Hindi pa. Makakapaghintay ka pa ba?”

“Of course! Anytime, Kyra.” Ngiti ulit sa kanya ng kaibigan. “As long as you’re okay, I’m fine with it. It just really seems na something’s bothering you”

Then, a familiar song surrounded their whole classroom.

Iris by Goo Goo Dolls.

Napatingin silang pareho sa harap ng classroom. Wala silang hinandang program actually, pero yung mga classmates nila ay nag-iinsist ng kahit konting kasiyahan.

One of their guy classmate approached a girl classmate and asked her to dance. Tilian naman ang mga girls. Hiyawan naman ang mga boys nung pumayag yung girl.

Di nagtagal, nagtayuan na rin ang iba pang boys at kanya-kanyang aya sa ibang mga girls para magsayaw.

“Gosh, I suddenly missed your brother, Ky!”

Kyra half-laughed. Hindi pa rin kasi siya sanay na all this time pala, ay may gusto na ang kapatid niyang si Al sa kaibigan niya.

Kaya pala tuwing nandun si Ginger sa bahay or shop nila ay bigla na lang siya nitong kinukulit: para masipat si Ginger-__-

Kyra looked around the room. She’s unconsciously looking out for Cade na nakatayo lang sa tabi ng bintana all that time. Malayo ang tingin nito but the moment Kyra looked at him, he was already looking at her. Pareho naman silang nagiiwasan ng tingin. Hanggang ngayon, hindi pa din alam ni Kyra kung bakit niya nagawa ang yakapin ito.

Sa sobrang pag-iwas niya ng tingin kay Cade ay hindi niya namalayan ang nakatayong si Ash sa harapan niya. He stood there, with his one hand held up towards Kyra. Ginger just nudged her by elbow para mapansin niya ito.

Kyra looked at Ash. He’s smiling at her, as always. “Will you dance with me?”

This time, buong klase na ang nakatingin sa kanilang dalawa. There were even some na nilabas na ang mga phone nila to capture pictures. Everyone teased them. And yet again, napatingin na naman sya sa side ni Cade.