Within Seven Days

WSD [36] - Delight and Prickle

Chapter 36

“Sabi ko na may iba talaga eh,” sabi ni Ivy. “Hindi ganon babae sa pounder! Hindi siya papatol kay CK ng ganun ganun lang. Besides, old school un! Gusto nun liligawan muna parents niya before siya.”

“We got your point na, Ivy. No need to repeat it all over again. Seryoso, sakit sa tenga,” sabi ni Fatima.

“Hmm, grabe! Parang hindi niyo ko na-miss!”

Oo nga pala, nasa cottage kameng six: ako, Ivy, Fatima, Rence, kuya Tyrone and Palicpic. The rest? May kanya-kanyang business.

“Hindi talaga noh. Sino ba nagsabi sayo na na-miss ka namin,” pang-aasar ulit ni timang.

Tumingin sakin si Ivy, “Bakit Maknae? Hindi niyo ba ko na-miss ha?!”

“Na-miss naman kita,” sabi ni Kuya Tyrone. “Wag ka na mag-alboroto diyan.”

“Kilig naman siya!” sabi ni Rence. “Tara nga, Mikay.” Hinawakan ni Rence yung kamay ko tapos hinila ko paalis. Hinila in a gentle way.

“San ba tayo?” tanong ko.

“Wala naman, maglalakad-lakad lang. Nakakasawa na kasama mga kaibigan mo. Ang dadaldal,” sabi ni Rence.

“Kaibigan mo rin sila! Duh.”

Ngumiti siya tapos ginulo yung buhok ko.

Tumingin ako sa kamay namin.

Ano ba kame? I thought. Gusto ko magtanong, but I’m too afraid to hear the answer. Ayoko ma-disappoint. Lalo na’t ngayon alam kong gusto ko na siya. Hindi ako magpapaka-Nec na halata namang may gusto kay Jayson pero tanggi pa rin ng tanggi. I can clearly distinguish my feelings unlike her.

He suddenly snapped a finger in front of me, “Huy! Tulala ka!”

“A-ah sorry..”

“Sino bang iniisip mo? Nakakaselos naman.”

Seryoso hindi ko na kaya. “Ano ba tayo, Rence?”

I’m determined to know his answer. Whether it may be good or not, I’ll accept it.

He looked away, “What do you mean?”

“Stop playing dumb on me,” I warned. “Eto.. yung eto. Why are you suddenly holding my hand as if it isn’t a big deal?” as if on cue, he let go of my hand.

“I’m sorry..”

“I don’t need your apology, Rence. I need answers.”

“Do you like me?” I asked firmly.

He remained silent. And I was getting pissed because of his muteness.

“Alam mo, if you’re not going to answer me, let’s just not talk. Nakakasawa na kasi eh.” I was just about to leave when he suddenly spoke.

“Yes.”

I stopped on my tracks. Did I hear it right? Tell me I heard it right!

“Yes? What yes?”

“I don’t want to repeat myself dammit!”

“Ok, then.” I said then attempted to leave but he spoke again.

“Fine!” he gave up. “Yes, I like you. Happy?”

Fatima’s POV

“Nakoooo magsasarili na yung dalawa,” sabi ko.

“Gusto mo tayo rin?” sabi ni Palicpic.

“Heh! Hindi pa rin tayo bati, ok?!”

“Timang naman! Utang na labas! Nagsasawa na ko sa pagpapa-choosy mo kaya pwede ba?! Makipag-ayos ka na! Alam ko naman na gusto mo rin eh, masyado ka lang maarte!” sabi ni Ivy.