Sunken Promises

Kabanata 4

"Ano? Nasa France ka na nga, nago-ghost ka pa rin?" iritang tanong ni Ivy. "Tapos nagustuhan mo na kaagad? Gusto mo ng sapak, Cressida?"

We decided to Facetime each other today since we all have our schedules cleared yesterday. Gabi na rito habang umaga naman kila Ivy at hapon kila Creia. It was hard being in different time zones but we still managed to communicate with each other.

"Sorry na nga po, Ivette. Sadyang marupok talaga kami ni Lyra," si Creia.

I don't know why they decided to address each other with their first name. Hindi na lang ako nakikisali dahil hindi ako sanay. It feels so weird.

"Huh? Pa'no ako nasali d'yan?" I asked innocently. Since when did I become marupok?

"Kakakita mo pa lang, crush mo na? Marupok!" Creia insisted.

"Hindi naman po ako na-fall. Crush lang. 'Di katulad ng iba riyan," I sneered at her.

Naikwento ko na kasi sa kanila na mayroon akong crush dito. Idinadamay naman ako ni Creia sa pagiging marupok niya dahil doon. Ni hindi ko pa nga siya gusto e. Nang sabihin ko kay Arius na tulungan niya ako, ibig sabihin ko roon ay tulungan niya akong mapalapit doon, hindi tulungan niya akong magustuhan din n'on. I explained that to him last week and for some reason, he seemed to be relieved about what I said.

"Heh, ewan ko sa inyo. Nandito na 'yung private art tutor ko, bye na," she said.

"Inaantok na rin ako e, bye!" 

We ended the call and I turned off my laptop. Pagkatapos ay ipinatong ko iyon sa study table ko saka ako nagpatugtog ng classical music. My phone then vibrated when I lied down on my bed.

From: Arius

see you tomorrow ;)

I smiled and typed my reply

To: Arius

can't wait to see you too <3

We became really close since he started helping me get closer to Keith. Kung minsan ay siya na rin ang sinasabayan ko tuwing papasok at uuwi. Nagtatampo na nga sa akin si Andrick e, kaya minsan ay pinupuntahan ko na lang siya sa bahay niya para sabayang kumain bago kami pumasok.

"Kumain ka na ba?" Arius asked while driving.

Ihahatid na naman niya ako ngayon pumayag na lang din ako dahil hindi naman papasok si Andrick kaya wala akong ibang masasabayan. Naulanan kasi 'yon kahapon at hindi kaagad nakauwi dahil nasiraan din daw siya ng sasakyan.

"Hindi pa. Tinanghali na kasi ako ng gising e."

Kahit late na ako nagising ay nagawa ko pa ring mag-ayos. Today I'm wearing a cream knitted sweater tucked in my black knife-pleated skirt with my black thigh-high boots. My hair is tied in half pigtails and I added volume to my thin bangs.

"Here," he handed me a Starbucks paper bag.

I opened it and found a pink drink and a croissant inside. Kaagad akong napangiti at tumingin sa kaniya.

"Thank you so much for this!" I held up the paper bag and smiled widely.

"You're always welcome," he chuckled and lightly pinched my cheeks.

I took a picture of the paper bag and made Arius its background before I ate the croissant. I put it on my story and even added a sticker that say 'thank you so much' before I mentioned him. Kaagad iyon nakita ng mga kaibigan ko at isa-isang nagreply ang mga ito.