Swipe the Chase (Euro Boys #3)

Kabanata 17

Drown

We left the salas right after what he said. Hindi din naman nagsalita si Venus. She looked hurt and stunned. I feel bad for her cause she false things like that in front of his parents. Kahit ako siguro mahihiya. Mas mabuti na din na hindi na siya gumawa ng pwede niyang idagdag sa kanyang kahihiyan.

Pumunta kami sa kitchen kung saan may daan papaakyat sa pangalawang palapag ng bahay. We headed to the balcony.

Hila hila niya ang isang upuan para sa akin. He placed it in the middle of the balcony. I sat down and took a deep breathe.

I opened my eyes looking at the stretching field at the back of their house. It's really calming to be here. Kung tatanungin ako ngayon, kung saan ko mas gusto, siguro mas gugustuhin ko pang makita at makasama araw araw ang mga baka, kabayo, kalabaw at kambing dito kaysa gugulin ang oras ko sa pakikisalamuha sa mga nasa bar.

I could see Mt. Malulot and Taal lake from here.

Hindi ko alam kung dahil nandito si Uno o talagang malayo na ako sa lugar na iyon. The names and sounds of bar don't excite me anymore. I no longer miss the smell of smoke and taste of liquors.

I feel a lot better here. Less issues, I am taking things lightly now. I am having a better perspective.

What I am lacking now is the courage to make it up with my parents.

"You okay?" I asked Uno.

"Of course."

"Mabuti. Would you mind if I ask what happened actually between the two of you?"

"Who? Venus?"

"May iba pa ba, Elonzo?" Inangatan ko siya ng noo at tinaasan ng kilay.

He smirked and placed his big hand at my back.

"Are you sure you want to talk about it?"

"Yes. Why?"

Umiling siya. "Just don't want something to upset you."

Grabe. Bakit? Great love mo ba yun para ma upset ako?

"Sagutin mo na lang." inikot ko ang mata ko sa ere.

"We broke up." He answered simply.

"Thats it? Of course alam kong hiwalay na kayo! But what is she doing here? Why is she still invited in events? You two are still dating before me. Matagal na kayo naghiwalay diba?"

Tumayo na ako para maalis ang kamay niya sa likod ko. Pwede naman niyang sagutin ang tanong ko. Hindi ako nagagalit dahil pag uusapan namin ang ex niya. Naiinis ako dahil parang hindi pa din siya nakaka move on kaya ayaw niyang i-open up sa akin ito.

"I didn't invite her here. Hindi din si Mama. Pumunta siya dito to congratulate and hand her gifts. Nagulat din ako na pumunta siya dito."

Humawak ako ng mahigpit sa railings ng balkonahe.

"Bakit hindi ikaw ang sumundo sa akin? I saw you entertaining her a while ago. If you don't want her here, bakit mo inientertain?"

Tumabi siya sa akin. He crouched a bit para maipatong ang mga siko sa railings. Kahit nakaganun na siya ay mas mataas pa din siya sa akin.

"Aldous wanted to pick up Alena, too. He pleased me. That picking you up would be a good excuse so he can bring Alena here."

"Pero hindi naman inaya ni Dos si Alena kanina e."

"Ang alam ko nag away sila. So my stupid brother didn't talk to her. How useless." mababa niyang sabi.

"I'm not convinced." Humalukipkip ako. "You are being friends with your ex. Would that be nice?"