Euphoria: Dosage of Rhapsodies

Chapter 33

"What do you think you're doing?" Hindi ko na napigilan pa ang sarili kong tarayan si Israel. Why wouldn't I? Wala naman kami sa office ngayon para itrato ko siyang boss ko.

"Kumakain ng ice cream."

Obviously... He's obviously wanted to tease me.

I wanted to punch his chest, his face... every part of his body just to release my frustrations. Kaso alam kong hindi ko pwede gawin 'yon lalo na't nasa public place ako.

"By the way, pwede ba namin malaman kung ano'ng ginagawa mo sa lugar na ito?" Eli shifted the topic, breaking the silence enveloped us earlier.

"The same reason why both of you are here," kaswal nitong tugon habang enjoy na enjoy na nilalantakan ang hawak niyang strawberry ice cream.

Because of the view, nawalan ako bigla ng gana ubusin 'yong akin.

"Just for an ice cream-"

"No," Israel hissed. "I went to see the Giant Christmas Tree to light up."

Ohh, okay.

Hindi na rin ako nagtaka kung pati si Israel ay sumadya rin sa lugar na ito para tunghayan 'yong pagpapailaw mayamaya roon sa Giant Christmas Tree. Everyone does, anyway. Tradisyon ng mga tao sa lugar namin na maging audience habang iniilawan 'yong Christmas Tree, tanda ng pagbubukas ng buwan ng Disyembre.

"That's great!" I was shookt when Eli just clapped his hands as he was smiling at the extent of his face. "Pwede kang sumama sa amin ni Corrine since same lang pala ang dahilan ng pinunta natin sa lugar na ito."

I glanced at Eli hurriedly, questioning him using my facial expression if he's really serious about what he's offering right now to Israel.

This is so not him.

"Sure!" Muntik ko nang mabitawan ang hawak kong ice cream nang tapunan ako ni Israel ng tingin. "Okay lang ba sa iyo, Corrine?"

Kung hindi lang para kay Eli, wala talaga akong balak pumayag at pakisamahan ang lalaki na ito, e. But I left with no option kung hindi ang pumayag na lang na makasama ko siya on this day.

"No problem." I faked my smile. "I don't see anything wrong with having you in our company."

What shocks me the most is when Israel suddenly grabbed my right hand... and then he kissed the back of my palm as if he's a prince in a fairytale kissing the hand of his princess. Kung ako ay nagulat sa ginawa ni Israel, batid kong si Eli rin ay ikinagulat ang ginawa ni Israel based on his reaction now, staring impassively at Israel's hand holding mine.

"Let's get going." Eli stood from his seat bago lumapit sa akin at inakay palabas ng ice cream parlor.

Ito na nga ba ang sinasabi ko, e. That's why I'm against to Eli letting Israel come with us, kasi ang awkward sa feeling at baka dahil kay Israel, mag-away pa kami ni Eli.

"I know you're overthinking again." Hinigpitan niya ang pagkakakapit sa kamay ko.

"Don't worry about me, Corrine. I'm just fine."

"Paano ako makasisiguro na okay ka lang if that guy kept tailing at us?"

"You know the reason why I allow him to come with us?" I glanced at him while he was still looking straight at the road. "Kahit alam kong masasaktan ko ang sarili ko dahil pinagsama ko 'yong dalawang taong importante sa akin, who happened to be lovers before, I still did it. He is Israel, anyway. He is still my friend kahit na hindi niya na ako naalala. And a true friend never leaves their friends behind. A true friend doesn't want to leave his friend hanging on a hot-air balloon alone."