In Between (SC, #4)

Kabanata 48

Kabanata 48

Calm

"Pero tangina, wala bang magsasabi ng joke sa huli?" it's still Tripp's deep and confused voice boomed against the surrounding. His gaze ping-ponged between me and Genesis. He gripped the Smirnoff's neck tightly and his brows furrowed. "Dude, this is the time you should said joke in the end." He chuckled even he's not that drunk. Hindi pa nga siya talaga nakakainom ng pangmalakasan niya. His eyes suddenly flitted to Jace's direction. "Tutal ikaw makakasagot. What can you say about this?"

Jace shrugged his shoulders. "I have nothing to say."

"NOTHING?" Tripp's loud voice laced with more disbelief. "I mean, how can this happened? Genesis and Ish used to hate each others. I am...just not sure how this happened." Ang mata'y lumibot sa aming lahat. "Hindi ba? Dude," he breathed raggedly, pinning Genesis by his intense gawk, "I know how good you are with women-"

"Tripp Salem!" si Jayden, sumingit. Her teeth grinding.

"Shut up, Jayden. Let me finish first," ani Tripp. He stretched his neck. "Taas kamay ako roon. You don't have to do anything...but you persuaded Ish?" Tumawa siya at umiling. "Not against about it. But is it true? We just didn't butt in usually, but you guys..." Still clenched jaw, he raked his hand through his messy hair. He let out a sigh and continued, "Hindi lang talaga ako makapaniwala. No offense, alright?"

"None taken," Genesis replied, lips rising, "but let's just continue with the game?"

Jayden clapped her hands and stood up. Our attention averted to her, but I still could eyes on me, asking me, wanting me to give the truth. Napatingin na lamang ako sa aking palad habang kumukuha ng lakas ng loob.

"The queen has spoken," Kuya Land butted in, referring to Jayden. Nag-angat ako ng tingin sa aking pinsan. She flipped her hair and sat beside me again. I shivered when her shoulder grazed against mine. "Let's just finish the game and drink the night away. Like the usuals?"

"Agreed," si kuya Rett.

"Do you all know?" 'di mapakaling tanong ni Tripp. "Can someone fill me the details?"

"Kalalaking tao, chismoso," Kuya Hunter quipped.

Tripp narrowed his eyes to him. "Wow, ikaw pa nagsabi talaga n'yan? Ikaw nga kulang na lang buong Bocaue, tanungin mo tungkol kay-"

"Fucking A," kuya Hunt muttered under his breath. His hard brooding features is showing off quickly. His hard gaze glowered to Tripp. "Just shut up." The two have heated stare to each other. Nakita 'ko ang pag-iling at pagngisi ni kuya Landon. Si kuya Rett at ang kuya 'ko napailing na lamang sabay inom.

Tripp raised his hands in defeat.

"Let's just play so anyone could keep up." For the first time, Maia spoke. Nagkibit-balikat lamang siya habang pinaglalaruan ang coke in can sa kamay. Tumingin siya sa lahat hanggang sa tumama ang mata sa akin. "That's better, right?"

"Right," si Julia, "so, Ish?" She sweep my features and let a comfort smile warmth me. "Truth or dare daw sabi ni Genesis. Anong sagot mo?" My heart almost swelled but at the same time, my nerves are also chilling. Naramdaman 'ko ang biglang bugso ng kaba sa aking dibdib. My heart is banging against my ribcage. I blinked looking at Julia...who has a smirk across her lips.

"W-what?" all I could uttered coherently.

"Genesis, ulitin mo nga sinabi 'ko. My cousin didn't heard it right," Jayden retort, her words tying with mischievousness. She raised her chin, trying to prompt me like the old times. Kumurap ako habang pinoproseso ang lahat. "Say it again like truth or dare, no in between."