Beneath Her | [R-16]

Chapter Twenty Six

"How's the States?"

"You ask me that like you didn't visit me for my 18th birthday." naglakad ako ng dire diretso habang tinutulak yung maleta ko papunta kay Ace para yakapin siya.

"How are you?" bulong ko.

"Same old, same old." sabi niya at binuksan yung pinto ng sasakyan niya. Akala ko pinapapasok niya ako pero lumabas bigla si Riley.

"Namiss kita, Nat!" sabi niya at nagtatalon talon para yakapin ako. Ganon rin ang ginawa ko at niyakap siya ng mahigpit.

"What the-?" napanganga ako nang lumabas rin si Brandi. I looked over at face who had the arrogant smile.

"Namiss kita, tanga." sabi ni Brandi at dire diretsong yumakap na rin saakin. Isa isang nilagay ni Ace yung gamit sa sasakyan niya at pinagdrive kami sa isang korean restaurant.

"Hindi ka man lang nagsabi saakin! Nagulat nalang ako kay Ace, bigla na ako'ng inaaya para sunduin ka." padabog niyang sabi at winagayway yung basang lettuce sa mukha ko.

"My dad doesn't even know I'm coming home today." I said casually as I pick up my chopsticks. Kukuha naman dapat ako ng bulgogi sa grill nang marealize ko'ng natahimik sila.

"Seryoso?" Riley was a little hesitant to ask. Tumingin ako kay Ace, na katabi ko, at binalik yung tingin sakanila na mayroong ngiti.

"Si Ace lang ang sinabihan ko. It was supposed to be a surprise, 'di ba?" I sarcastically asked and made face in front of Ace.

"Boring ng surprise mo eh." napakamot siya sa ulo bago kumagat sa wrap niya. Kukuha dapat ako ng kimbap pero nakita ko naglalagay na si Ace sa plato ko. Tinignan ko lang siya, "Thanks."

"Ano'ng plano mo nyan? Saan ka magco college?" tanong ni Brandi. It took me a few seconds to answer. Life in the states made me realize that college isn't everything. I know that's a big thing to say when you're in Asia, but I do believe in it.

"I'm planning to take a year off." sagot ko sakanila. I saw Riley tilt his head to the side, "What for? Hindi ba sayang yung mga taon?"

"Napag isipan ko rin eh. I haven't really decided on what I want to be yet. I wanted to try a few things first. Nakausap ko na si daddy, he set me up on a meeting with her assistant. Kahit utusan lang ako, I'll gladly take it." sagot ko. They seemed to be processing it for a long time. Mukhang marami ata silang tanong para saakin.

"I know it's too privileged of me to do that. But I'd rather do that than enroll in a college when I'm not even sure if I want it and take a dedicated student's place." I explained. I saw Ace smile while Brandi and Riley looked at each other first then smiled.

"If I was as rich as you, I'd probably quit school too." biro ni Brandi. Bibig talaga nito minsan eh. Tumango naman si Riley, "Go lang ate Nat. If you can, why not 'di ba?"

"You sure you don't want to go inside?" tanong ko kay Ace. Riley stayed inside his car while Ace helped me take my baggages to my gate. Umiling siya, "No na. I'm sure your family missed you."

"Are you really?" I chuckled at his statement. I know he's trying to make me feel better. Umiwas siyang tingin habang nakangiti.

"You know what, I'm happy you're taking that step." It processed for a fee seconds that he was talking about me skipping a year. "That's what I like about you. You don't do what's expected of you and just do... you."