Love in Trouble

Chapter 5: Partners

Cali's POV

Kinabukasan ay maaga akong gumising para maka-pasok na sa school. Marami na akong lesson na hahabulin.

"Cali kumain ka muna." I shake my head to Yaya Lory.

"Sa school nalang po, Ya." She worriedly looked at me I'll just gave her an assuring smiled.

"Ma'am hatid ko na po kayo?" I shake my head. Then linahad ko ang kamay ko sakanya.

"Gave me the keys, I can drive really." Alinlangan niyang ibinigay ang susi ng kotse saakin. Pinili kong gamitin ang isang Grey na Fortuner.

While I was driving I received a call from Mirae, I immediately answer it.

"Hello Cali? Papasok ka na ba?" I heard her said.

"Hmm yup, just wait me in the cafe' later at lunch. Bye." I said and drop the call.

I'm not in the mood to talk nor speak today I'm too tired for that. I need to gain more energy para maubos ko ang pera nina Mom.

Ng makapasok sa campus ay agad akong dumretso saaming classroom. Nakita ko roon na bakante lahat ng row sa pinaka-likod kaya't napili ko roon nalang maupo. Inilabas ko ang aking libro at nagsimulang magbasa. I love reading books coz it makes my mind peaceful.

"You're absent yesterday, because?" I lazily glanced on familiar voice who's spoke up.

I sighed. "I'm sick." I never lied coz it's a sin. Ah! Really?

"Sick?" His brows shut.

Tumikhim ako bago sumagot. "Fever." He nodded firmly and then put his earphones on.

I glanced at him. He looked darkly handsome with his messy hair and soft features his lips was on a grim line and his eyes was so deep and sharp-----I almost choked when he looked at me.

"What?" I just shake my head. That was so closed!

My class for that day passed really fastly. I comb my black long hair using my finger while walking towards the school garden. Naoag-usapan kasi naming dalawa ni Mirae na dito nalang kumain.

Ng makalapit sa isang hardwood table and chairs ay agad akong kinawayan ni Mirae. I just smiled lightly.

"You fine now?" Ngumuso ako at tumango.

Duh! Ofcourse hindi naman ako papasok kung hindi no! I glanced on the food on our table. There's a vegetable salad, my favorite sinigang baboy, ginataang hipon and some pork chop and also mago juice for our drink.

"Mom cooked your favorite dishes. So let's eat?" I smiled and nodded again.

Talak ng talak si Mirae as always habang kumakain kaming dalawa. I just nod nor shake my head if ever she ask some question.

"What happened, yesterday?" Napatitig ako sakanya. She raised her brow.

I shake my head. "Nothing..why?" She twisted her lips. Anger is evident on her eyes.

"Cali! I know what been happened yesterday!" She exclaimed. I looked at her lazily.

"Alam mo naman pala bakit ka pa nagtatanong?" She laughed sarcastically.

"Dahil gusto ko mang-galing mismo sa bibig mo! Cali I'm your bestfriend. You can tell me what your problem." She weakly said.

My eye brow furrowed. "Fine! Umalis na si nina mommy! Pumunta na sila sa isang condo malapit sa opisina ni dad and what's more impressing? They brought Ashton with them, that fucking guy! Siya yung ampon pero feeling ko ako yung salot sakanila. Noong saturday nagkasakit si Ashton ayon, aligaga silang lahat at parang ikakamatay niya kung hindi siya titignan ng doctor! Pero noong Sunday na ako naman ang nagkasakit wala silang paki! Ang mas masakit pa sinabi saakin ni mommy na---hindi ko raw yon ikakamamatay! Ah! Alam mo ba kung gaano kasakit yun? At alam mo ba kung bakit ako nagka-lagnat?" Hingal kong sabi habang pinupunasan ang mga luhang pumapatak saaking mga mata. Mirae looked worried she was even crying for me.

"Pinagbintangan ako ni mommy na ako raw ang may kasalanan kung bakit muntik ng malunod ang Ashton na yun sa ilog ang hindi nila alam ako ang sumagip sakanya. Sa galit ni mommy pinalabas niya ako sa bahay kahit na umuulan. Hindi raw ako papasok hangga't hindi ako nagso-sorry kay Ashton. Magdamag akong naroon at basang-basa ng ulan pero wala silang paki....wala....Ang sakit pala Rae, ang sakit sakit na para akong unti-unting pinapatay. And ang pinaka masakit sa lahat ng pinigilan ko silang umalis. They just ignored me, they said tatawag nalang ako kung kailangan ko ng pera. Pero Rae sila ang kailangan ko. Hindi pera...Sila Rae sila... " I cried hard. Mirae hugged me tightly while tapping my back.

"Everything will be fine. I'm always here for you. And also my mom, dad, my kuya, yaya Lory right?" She tried to cheer up me.

"Thank you..thank you very much Mirae." She kissed my cheeks.

"Always welcome, Cali." She whispered.

Ng humupa na ang aking mga luha ay tumayo na ako at inayos ang mga gamit para makapunta na sa next class ko.

Pagpasok ay nakita ko agad si Clint na nakaupo sa usual seats naming dalawa. Tahimik siya at mukhang malalim ang iniisip. Tumikhim ako at nagsinulang maglakad patungo sa upuan ko.

Linapag ko ang bag ko at kinuha ang cellphone ko roon. I bit my lower lip when I saw a message from dad.

Dad:

I will not able to give your allowance by myself because I will be going to USA for some business meetings so I will command Secretary Lim to gave it to you.

I sighed and off my phone. I clenched my jaw tighly. I felt my nerve starting to tensed. I closed my eyes and try to be calm.

You can do it Cali! You can do it!

Me:

Sure! No prob. I hope it will be doubled beacuse 50 thousand a week is not fine. So make it 100 or 150. I will be more happy that way. Thank you in advance, mwah!

I bitterly off my phone and keep it to my pocket. I glanced at the jerk beside me he was looking at me deeply. I raised my brow. Neverminding my heartbeat.

"What are you looking at?" I said. He just shooked his head.

"Good morning class." I sit properly when I heard our girl proffesor came in.

"You will be having a project. And it's not a individual grades it will be by partners." My jaw drop when she said that. What? I don't have friend here.

"You will be the one to choose your partner so choose well." She said sweetly at us.

I sighed. If ever walang pipili saakin then I will make it on my own. I can do it though.

The girls are starting to walk in our direction at mukhang alam ko na kung kanino sila pupunta.

"Hmm Clint can I be your partner?" Girl 1

"Clint please! Can we be partners?" Girl 2

"Clint honey, I want to be your partner." Girl 3

"Baby! Please allow me to be your wife---este! Be your partner." Girl 4

Nagulat ako ng biglang tumayo si Clint. Looking darkly handsome, he licked his lips and looked at me.

"You're going to be my partner." He said to me. Naglalag ang aking panga sakanyang sinabi. Nalilito ko siyang tinitigan.

He sighed and grab my hand. "Yes you. Calista Folkner. I'm your partner now." He whispered.

And there's go my heartbeat again.