The Ex Value

Chapter 10

BRIGHT

I stared at that person's signature below Win's portrait.

It has been years now. I can't even remember the last time I saw him. But his image I can picture vividly.

Soft brown eyes hidden under those spectacles, dark skin, and a very prominent nose. His face was very radiant, maybe that's the reason a lot of my classmates liked him. Including Win.

I pushed the thought away.

It was all in the past, at wala namang mababago kung patuloy kong panghahawakan ang mga ala-alang 'yon.

After the Devin guy left, I looked for something to do. I went in the kitchen, opened all drawers, and found nothing.

I can hear my stomach growling.

The moment I decided to just go out to eat, a familiar image came gushing through the door.

"Aloha!" It's the landlady. "Good afternoon, Bright darling."

"Good afternoon po," I responded. "What brings you here?"

"Hulaan mo."

"No."

"Hmp! Wala kang pakisama." I just smiled at her. "Nagluto kas ako ng meryenda, eh naparami. Kaya ayon, I decided to invite you. Where's Win sweety?"

"He went out," I said shortly.

"Saan siya pumunta?"

"I don't know. Can we go now? I'm actually starving," I replied fast so she doesn't ask any more questions. I don't really feel like talking about Win today.

"Okie-dokie! Tara na!" And she led the way.

I thought we'll go directly at her house. But then she stopped just outside our apartment, told me to stand there and wait, then went to our neighbor's direction.

After a few minutes, she went out with Devin. Wala siguro silang class ngayon kaya nandito lang siya sa bahay niya. I wonder, does he live alone? I don't recall seeing anyone enter that house bukod sa kaniya.

"Tara tara, I called Devin kasi alam ko hindi to kumakain ng kahit ano kapag hindi mo sinabihan," Madam said. Devin did not even glance at me, he just followed obediently.

I let them lead the way and walked behind them.

Devin looks like a normal teenager kapag tininigtan mo siya from afar. He's got this badboy aura in him that you can see in most teenagers nowadays. Aloof, but confident. I can say from his stance that he's that kind of college student who does almost everything by himself.

Naramdaman siguro niyang tinitignan ko siya kaya he looked back and glared at me. I wasn't fazed and returned the same intensity.

Does he have issues with me?

"Pasok, pasok." I did not notice, nandito na pala kasi sa doorway nina Madam. Her house looks very similar to ours, the only distinctive feature from the outside is her luscious garden. She has all sorts of flowering plants in here. Also, her door is painted bright pink that it's almost blinding.

We entered in peace and was greeted with a very pleasing aroma. I can smell baking cookies, pasta, and fried goodies.

"Upo muna kayo here. I'll just prep the table okay? Feel at home, my babies," Madam told us then left for the kitchen.

I glanced at the guy beside me and who just casually sat on the sofa. He was very quiet. Iniisip pa rin ba niya 'yong signature sa portrait ni Win?