Last Summer's Catastrophe

Chapter 24

Presents

"Serious ka ba?" I kept on asking, still unconvinced with whatever he is saying.

"Serious ka ba." He mimicked so I glared at him. "Oo nga, kulit."

"That's absurd!"

"Anong absurd do'n, e totoo naman. Paano ba dapat? Ipinagpakilala sa mga social gatherings gano'n? Formal party?" he asked in a mocking way.

But that's how Landen and I met, in a formal party. His father is the franchise owner of the company where Papa works for. Katunayan pa nga si Papa ang kanang kamay nito. At ipinagkilala kami noong nagkaroon ng formal party and that's where our friendship starts.

"How could you even be bestfriends just because of pogs."

"Gano'n talaga. Lagi kaming sagpi, e. Tapos nanghihingi pa yon sa'kin kapag natalo siya. Siyempre binibigyan ko, paiyak na e," he proudly said.

Mayabang.

He's telling me about his childhood memories and how he got close with the guys.

"Nakuwento ko na nga bang distant cousin ko si Jhaylo?"

My brow instantly shot up. I didn't know that, ah.

"You never mention that."

He nodded and got up from the carpet to face me. Doon kasi siya nakahiga habang ako naman ay sa sofa. In front of us is their large television with a movie playing.

Bumangon rin ako. Pumwesto ng indian seat habang nakaharap sa kanya. Nahagip ng mata ko ang orasan at nakitang ala-una na ng umaga. Time flies so fast when I'm with him.

"Second cousin si Tatay at si Tita Janel, mommy ni Jhaylo," he explained. "Hindi naman talaga kami close ni Jhaylo, e. Madalas lang kaming nagkikita sa reunion at school. E magkaklase sila ni Reinier at madalas nakabuntot doon kaya napasama na rin samin."

Tumango tango ako.

"How about Cora?" Ako.

"Bestfriend niya kaya lagi niya ring kasama."

So their friendship starts with coincidence that turned to familiarity. You didn't really need a concrete start to build a friendship, huh. An unplanned one creates the best friendship.

We both became silent after that. The televison was our only source of sound and light. Even in the dark, I could see how beautiful his face was. Those piercing round eyes, sharp nose, protruding lips and deep dimples won't be missed by my eyes.

"Why don't you invite them here tomorrow? Let's eat breakfast together," napapaos kong sabi.

Para akong hinihigop ng mga namumungay niyang maga. The way he gaze at me makes me crazy. I could feel the butterflies invading every corners of my stomach.

He licked his lips with his tounge as his gaze made its way to my lips. Parang nanuyo ang lalamunan ko doon. I panicked when I saw him swallow hard! Kitang kita ko pa ang pag-alon ng adam's apple niya.

"I'll help you cook our breakfast," dugtong ko pa ng hindi siya magsalita.

He blinked twice like he's finally gotten out from daze. He cleared his throat and finally avert his gaze from my lips up to my eyes.

"Ha? Hindi ka naman marunong magluto."

My brows twitched. Hindi ko alam kung nang-iinsulto ba siya o ano.

"Then I'll be the one in charge of washing and chopping the ingredients if ever."

"Sige. Bahala ka."