The Antiquity of Us (La Fortuna Series #2)

Kabanata 8

Kabanata 8

Friends

Galing sa front seat ng Mustang ni Atlas ay tinanaw ko ang napakagandang tanawin sa labas. He stopped his car at a roadside facing a beautiful green alkaline lake. Hindi 'yon gano'n kalawak pero mas malaki 'yon sa sukat ng isang swimming pool. It's under a downward-sloped pasture.

Sa kanluran nito ay may maliit na boardwalk at nagtatayugang pine trees. Pinalilibutan din ang lawa ng kulay maroon na jogging track kung saan kasalukuyang pinage-ehersisyuhan ng iilang taong-bayan. It was like a leisure park with all the colorful bushes of flowers and wooden benches on the sidewalk.

Sunod na napunta ang tingin ko sa isang malaking kahoy na karatula. Mangha akong napatango-tango nang mabasa ang nakaukit doong pangalan.

Benavidos Boulevard
Suprema Lake

Nilingon ko si Atlas. "What are we doing here?"

"Just out to get some air."

"Air?" I scoffed when our eyes met. "Ibibigay ko lang naman sa 'yo 'tong painting mo. You don't have to bring me to a usual date spot. Baka ano pang isipin ng mga tao."

He arched a brow. "Bakit, ano bang iisipin ng mga tao 'pag nandito tayo?"

"That we're dating?"

Ilang segundo kaming nagkatitigan nang bigla siyang humalakhak. He slightly cocked his head and shook it as a ghost of smile rose on his lips. Ibinalik niya ang tingin niya sa 'kin, may aroganteng ngisi na sa labi.

"Lugi," aniya.

Nagpantig ang tenga ko. "What did you say?"

"Biro lang," agap niya. He reached out for my left cheek and pinched it.

I shoved his hand away, iritang-irita na. Humalakhak lamang siya kaya mas lalong umalsa ang dugo ko.

Okay Iowa, calm down. Last na 'to. After this, you guys will act like you don't know each other anymore. Magiging payapa na ulit ang buhay mo kaya konting tiis na lang!

Tinignan ko siya ng masama. "Stop that, Las. Ano bang trip mo?"

"Ikaw."

"Ako?!"

"Ikaw, anong trip mo?" nangingiting paglinaw niya.

"Bakit ako, e ikaw 'tong tinatanong ko?"

Nahilot ko ang sentido ko. Until when were we going to stay like this? Pareho naman kaming may pinag-aralan at respetado ang pinagmulan pero ba't 'pag nagkakasama kami, para kaming mga bata na nagtatalo sa pinakamaliit na mga bagay?

He shrugged and looked at me indulgently. "Are we really gonna pretend like we don't know each other after this?"

"'Yan ang napag-usapan natin, hindi ba? I give you your painting, you give me my peace of mind," kalamado kong wika.

"You make it sound like I'm ruining your peace, princess."

Tinanguan ko siya. "Because you do, cadet."

"Coming from you?" he trailed off to give me a knowing look. "A girl who barged into our quarters and saw me naked? Talagang ako pa ang may sinirang kapayapaan dito?"

"Excuse me?" I let out a sharp breath. "If I know, you're not even that bothered about it! Mukha ka namang arogante at mayabang dahil alam mong may maipagmamalaki ka sa katawan mo!"

"Anong ibig mong sabihin?" He twisted his lips naughtily. "May maipagmamalaki ba talaga ako, Ionna?"

I blushed profusely. Oh my god. Did I just say that aloud?