The Courtship of A Dragon (Encantadia Modern AU)

iii

PIRENA

Ina Calling...

Her thumb hovered between accept and decline, thinking of the other person on the other line. It had been a week and three days since she fled away from her mother's nest. It wasn't the first time, and she thought, it wouldn't be the last, too. She shut off her phone, wearing once again the face of someone more headstrong.

"Hitano, tandaan mo, marami akong high school pictures sa isang phone ko." Bumalik siya sa pananakot sa kaibigan habang nakaupo sa passenger's seat. The two of them were inside Hitano's car. It's not like it would stop Pirena from blackmailing him into telling her what she wanted to know. "Yung Motorola, sige."

"Tsismosa ka na pala ngayon," nang-aasar na sabi ni Hitano. He wasn't looking at her, even they were stucked in traffic at that moment, and that's when she figured it wasn't just nothing. "Nothing to worry about, promise."

"You smiled, jerk." She kicked him lightly on his right shin. "Isa."

"Ako pa talaga ang jerk ngayon," Hitano mumbled, hindi sapat para hindi niya marinig. "Wala lang 'yun. Don't you trust me?"

They had their quick practice the moment she returned from Dean Ether Arde's office. The guys acted strange the entire time. There was a lot of unneccessary jest and awkward laughter. It was only when they had reached upon an agreement to continue their practice tomorrow that she brought up her previous question, the one everyone in the room pretended that they did not hear. Ang sarap nilang tirisin lahat, naiisip niya.

"Right now, yes, I don't." She glared at him, not minding that he wasn't looking. Isa pa, she enjoys grilling him whenever she has a chance. "Bakit narinig ko ang pangalan ko?"

The car in front of them started to move. A little. Mag-a-alas-diyes na ng gabi at baka sermunan siya ni Hagorn.

"We're waiting for you," said Hitano. He turned on the radio and searched for a better station. "Nabanggit lang bigla nang kung sino man sa kalagitnaan ng convo."

He finally settled with a station playing Tadhana. It was already on its last chorus, much to Pirena's dismay.

"30 seconds before coming up with that answer," She smirked, putting her feet on the dashboard. She knew how much that annoyed him. "Liar, liar, pants on fire."

"Sigurado ka bang wala kang boyfriend, makapanggisa ka ha." He was starting to sound stressed out yet trying to be playful. Good, that's how she could get him easily.

"Hitano, it's all written on your face." She pointed out. It was a bit dark inside yet she could see him clearly between the shadows. "Wag na tayong mapunta sa away at sabihin mo na ang tinatago ninyo."

"Nag-aaway ba tayo?" Hitano retorted, having enough audacity to laugh his ass off. "Bakit di mo pa ako nilalayasan?"

Nagkatitigan sila nang matagal-tagal. Damn him. "Isusumbong kita kay Ali." Pananakot niya at sinuntok niya ito nang bahagya sa kanang braso.

"Hey, I'm the driver," Hitano sighed, massaging the area where she hit him. "Mag-seatbelt ka kasi."

"Ano ba 'yan, di pa kayo n'yan ha." Teased Pirena, forgetting the real issue for a while. She sat down properly, feet off the dash, and even put on the seatbelt for the first time. "Under de saya ka na, mygod."

"So, tanggap mo, if ever manligaw ako kay Alena?"

"May magagawa ba ako?" Pirena shrugged. "Ang tanong, sasagutin ka ba?"

"Depende sa'yo." Mabilis na tugon nito. "I mean, ilalakad mo ba ako?"

Natawa siya. Full-on tawa. Nang tumingin siya sa kausap matapos ang sandaling kasiyahan, a part of her thought na hindi biro ang mga huling sinabi nito. That and she had just gotten the answer she was looking for.

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Avisala Eshma for reading :) Hope you enjoy reading this short chapter. Open po ako for constructive criticism. Don't be afraid to share your thoughts. Hit vote if you like this chapter. Thank you again.