18
FOURTH
“Dude, I know it’s just a lie.” Greg said. Like a punch in the face.
I didn’t say anything.
“Lahat yun, joke time lang pala.” He continued.
“Kanino mo nalaman?” I asked cynically.
“Nadulas si Wilson---”
“Sabi na nga ba eh. We shouldn’t have told Bettina---”
“Fourth ano ka ba!” Humawak siya sa magkabilang braso ko at tinignan ako sa mata. “You know he likes her! Pero, ano ‘tong ginagawa mo?!”
“Pare, all this time. Alam mong ako yung nauna. Ako yung nauna sa kanya---”
“Pero Fourth... Joey gave you a chance to prove yourself.” He sighed. “But, anong ginawa mo?”
“Kilala mo ko Greg, alam mo kung ano yung nakagawian ko. It wasn’t counted---”
“YES IT IS!” He yelled. “For Pete’s sake Fourth, have you seen his face pag nakatingin siya sa inyo ni Joey?”
And it hit me.
“Alam mo ba? Nagalit pa ko sa kanya... Akala ko kasi ginugulo niya talaga kayo ni Joey---”
“Yes. Ginugulo niya kami---”
“Pero walang kayo Fourth.” He muttered.
And he’s damn right.
Walang kami.
“I know... But I’m still hoping...”
“Hey.” Biglang labas ni Joey sa clinic room na may hawak hawak na saklay. “Kanina ka pa tulala ah? What’s wrong?” She asked – concerned.
“Huh? Wala. Wala.” I lied. “Ikaw? Kamusta ka na? Anong sabi sayo?” I asked.
“Well... Everything is fine. But hell, I need to use this daw muna.” She said sabay nguso sa saklay niya.
“But how ‘bout yung likod mo? Okay naman ba?”
“Nung una lang masakit... Although ngayon, hindi na gaano. Don’t worry, I’m fine. Ikaw nga ‘tong mukhang may sakit eh. Namumutla ka.” Sabay lakad papunta sakin – kahit iika ika.
Agad ko naman siyang nilapitan at inalalayan.
"Don't force yourself Joey."
JOEY
“Okay na ko Fourth. Don’t worry, you sound like a tatay already.” I muttered in a matter of fact. Kahit wala naman akong tatay.
Pano ba naman kasi, simula nung pinalabas ako sa clinic hanggang sa paghatid niya sakin. Hindi na siya tumigil sa kakabilin, sa kakasabi, basta! Kairita.
“Joey---”
“Yeah. I know. I know.” I rolled my eyes. “You’re just worried and all, but Fourth ano ba. You’re so kulit---”
BINABASA MO ANG
Meet Me Halfway
Teen FictionPrologue He loves shrimp And I’m allergic. He’s smart So I let him do my homework. He’s pretty creative While I’m not productive. He doesn’t want fights So I kick him most of the time. He’s too sensitive And I don’t care. We’re differ...
