You for All Lifetimes (Ferrer Series #2)

Kabanata 17

Kabanata 17

Triple Date

"Okay, look..." panimula ni Philip. "My parents already talked to me about this. Certainly and definitely, I'm not up for it. Not now, not ever."

Nagtaas ako ng kilay sa kanya. Nakahalukipkip lang sa tabi niya si Filomena, halatang masama ang loob sa kung ano, at halos irapan ang lahat ng bagay na madadapuan ng mata niya. Napailing na lang ako. Mas problemado pa siya kaysa sa kapatid niyang directly involved.

"However, they also encouraged me to at least try it out, and then decide later on. Kaya kami nandito at ipinakilala sa'yo, Serene," ani Philip. "But please know that even if I like your personality, or like you as a person generally, no engagement or marriage, or even a romantic relationship will ever happen between us. Probably friendship, I can definitely offer that."

Napalingon ako sa banda ni Ate Yvonne nang lumapit siya para bumulong. Napabuntong hininga na lang ako. Talagang sa harap ng kausap namin siya bubulong ng ganito. "What the hell is he implying? He's indirectly rejecting you as if you're such a bad catch for a fixed marriage!"

Matalim ko siyang tinignan dahil sa naisip niya. Ni hindi sumagi sa isip ko ang ganoon tungkol kay Philip! This girl! She just innocently mouthed a 'what?' to me with an arched brow. Ewan ko sa'yo, Ate Yvonne.

"I'm glad we're on the same page," sagot ko. Isang buntong hininga ang pinakawalan ni Philip nang marinig ang sagot ko. "Ang totoo, ang sitwasyon natin ngayon ay pinagdaraanan na rin namin ngayon. Kaming tatlo."

"Really?" nagtaas ng kilay si Filomena sa'kin bago pinasadahan ng tingin ang mga katabi ko. "How unfortunate."

Ate Yvonne sarcastically scoffed beside me. Kaya naman marahan kong binangga ang paa niya sa ilalim ng mesa, na binangga niya rin pabalik bilang sagot. Napailing na lang ako. She's so childish! Kahit mas bata sa kanya ay pinapatulan niya!

"My sister here is being fixed here to Shan, who, as you already know, is my boyfriend. Another complication here is that... my sister has a boyfriend of her own," paliwanag ko. Tumango-tango si Philip habang nakikinig. "So... I guess, not that it's all normal to me but... it's not really... you know, shocking to the core. Not that I expected it."

"Hindi ba... nakakailang ang sitwasyon niyo? You're sister is dating your boyfriend, Serene," ani Philip. Tumango ako.

"Yes, she is. However, during their dates that I set, Ate Yvonne brings her boyfriend along."

"Enough with that sharing," agad akong napabaling kay Shan nang marinig ko ang boses niya. I sighed. His deep voice is scary. Like a wild beast beside me, completely jailing me in my seat with his arm and legs. "What's your plan if you're not up for this?"

"Hmm, I can't really say no to my parents after this meeting," ani Philip. "So, I suggest, like what you're already doing, I'll date Serene for the sake of my decision on this."

Shan violently exhaled, making me look at him as he shook his head. My jealous boyfriend. Napangiti ako. Agad kong ipinatong ang kamay ko sa tuhod niya para magpapansin. Halos irapan niya ako nang masilayan ang ngiti ko. Kunwari ka pa, Shan. Alam kong nacucute-an ka sa'kin dahil halata namang nagpipigil ka ng ngiti.

Ate Yvonne laughed at what Philip said. "Oh, what a situation we're in. History keeps repeating itself. Mabuti pa si Kuya Yvo at hindi ginugulo ni Mama."

"May girlfriend ka ba?" tanong ko kay Philip. Saglit siyang natigilan bago tumikhim. "Uh... para sana kung gagawin natin ang date na sinasabi mo, pwede mo siyang isama para... alam mo na, hindi ka mailang, at maintindihan din niya ang sitwasyon natin."