How am I so into you? (RICCI RIVERO)

Chapter LII: U-Turn

Z A U N E A

"Salamat, ikaw rin. " huling sambit ko at nauna nang bumaba. I don't know why I suddenly felt urgent walking down the stairs intensifying whenever I hear Marco's footsteps behind me but I had no plan on looking back.

When I came downstairs, I saw both of the looks in their eyes. It made me feel sweaty in this backless, sleeveless, airy dress. "Tara na, baka matraffic pa tayo. " I tried to break whatever's between them. But Ricci's eyes were still meeting with Marco's. "Baka gusto nyang sumabay." Ricci offered Marco with an offending grin. I waited and lowkey hoped Marco will hold his horses and say no.

But Marco's stables were weak "I'm good. Enjoy the night bro. "

"Bro? Haha.. oh sige. Ingat ka rin, 'bro'". Ricci replied.

Marco straightened himself preparing to leave while I clinged to Ricci's arms.

"Baka mapano ka ha.." Ricci added while playing with his tongue inside his mouth. He must be playing with Marco.

I saw Marco harden his fists and turned around. I slightly pinched a chunk of Ricci's arms telling him to stop whatever he's doing.

Marco walked away but Ricci was in his pursuit of pissing of Marco. I don't know what's with him that made him too playful about Marco. He walked near the doorway the same time Marco was heading out but I pulled him back enough to make him stop and leaned my head unto his chest while I hug him. I felt him sigh as my hair was slightly blown.

When Marco was distant enough, we both walked near his car. Ricci led me to the passenger seat as usual.

I thought he was going to close the door when I fully sat but he leaned onto my thighs.

"Hindi dapat basta-basta nagdadala ng mga barkada niyang lalaki si Blake sainyo. Lalo na't may kapatid syang babae" he said not looking at me while buckling my seat belt.

"Sabihin ko nalang sakanya. Kwekwento ko rin kila Mama para sumunod talaga sya. " I replied.

He jumped to the driver's seat and started driving.

"Pa'no kaya kung kapatid mo ko?" Biglang tanong ko.

"Ayoko nga. "

"Bakit naman?"

"Ngayon nga girlfriend kita napapaaway na ko, kapatid pa kaya."

Natawa naman ako samantalang sya seryosong nagmamaneho.

Hindi ko na rin sya inistorbo and watched the other cars drive pass us until we reached Kuya Prince and Ate Celes.

They hopped in and played some songs by Ed Sheeran. Practice daw muna sila baka masabihan ng fake fan eh.

"Diba may cover niyan si Unyce?" Ate Celes opened. Napatingin naman ako kay Ricci na medyo napatagal din ang sagot.

"Aa-ahh oo. Yan ata yun. " he said simply.

Naalala ko tuloy yung litratong pinakita sakin na Lauren.

At some point I want to poke him and tell him na "Sabihin mo na". The thought of the conversation kills me.

Sabihin mo na, habang kaya ko pang marinig.

The entire trip was silent since the question. Ate Celes must be feeling guilty. Or even Kuya Prince.

Do they know?

They wouldn't be so quiet if they didn't knew there was a soft trigger.

God. It keeps hurting.

I suddenly felt Ricci's hand grab mine. "Maubos yan." I didn't realize I was biting my nails until then. The warmth was making me feel guilty. If he couldn't tell, should I? He brought my hands sit on my lap while I was still lost. I guess this will only stop if we talk about it.

But the night is still young, so was I to be all serious about everything. It must be some small talk, a 'how-are-you'.

"Any news from La Salle?" You really can't keep your mouth shut Zaunea. I saw Ricci's Adam's apple go up then down while Kuya Prince faced Ricci. Nakita kong nagkatinginan sila ni Kuya Prince from the rear view mirror.

"None yet but I got in Gilas Cadets"
"What? For real? Congrats!" I said squeezing his puffy face like he wasn't driving. Hanggang sa napansin kong he was uneasy. I thought I was squeezing him to much pero I noticed small scratches on the side of his neck.

I tried to touch it, trying to assume where would these scratches would come from yet I pretended like it was nothing. 

I ended awkwardly fake chuckling to the news. "Sorry, proud lang ako sayo. " I said smiling. He just held my hand as a thank you.

And that was the last thing I could remember...

—
I missed writing. Reread a few parts and quite regretted some hahahhaha a lot can really happen in a year.

I had some trouble trying to get back to writing this, I felt like I was missing something. Hopefully, I can fill it as I go through Zaunea's lyfffff.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you continue to do so. :):