Kabanata 15.2 - Babe

"Hey, I just want to check if the guys are doing o..kay," Ate Laureen stopped halfway, kita sa mukha niya ang pagkagulat. Ang mga mata niya ay naka-focus lang sa iisang tao, naka focus lang kay Kuya Isagani.

She looks furious, namumula na rin ang mukha nito at halatang tipsy na.

"I'll explain," basag ni Kuya Froi sa katahimikan. Lahat ay nagulat sa nangyaring 'yon, I don't know pero mukhang takot sila kay Ate Laureen.

"'Tay na men, world war three na," bulong ni Travis sa Kuya niya pero sapat na 'yon para marinig namin.

"Why are you here? You can't be here," puno ng galit na pagkakasabi ni Ate Laureen habang nakatingin lang kay Kuya Isagani na mukhang kalmado lang at hindi nababahala sa presenya ni Ate Laureen.

"Why can't I be here?" kalmadong tanong nito habang pinaglalaruan ang alak sa kamay niya.

"You left, remember? Without explanations, without saying goodbye!" may lungkot sa mga salitang binitawan niya.

"Taray kathniel, sabihin mo Kuya Gani gant—" si Travis.

"Travis would you please stop? You are not supposed to be here, all of you!" sigaw ni Ate Laureen, pati ako ay medyo kinakabahan sa mga inaasta niya ngayon. Ate stood up and walk towards Ate Laureen to calm her down.

"Babe, please.. I don't want any unnecessary happenings tonight until the day of my wedding, please?" Ate is now holding Ate Laureen's hand. Napabuntong hininga nalang si Ate Laureen, tiningnan muna ng masama si Kuya Isagani bago lumabas ng VIP room.

"Grabe, amazona pa rin ex mo pre," Kuya Morris joked and patted Kuya Isagani's shoulder. Walang tugon na ginawa si Kuya Isagani at nanatili lang siyang kalmado habang pinaglalaruan pa rin ang baso na may lamang alak sa kamay niya.

"You should've told her, she deserves to know it," sambit ni Kuya Grae habang may kung anong inaasikaso sa phone niya. Kuya Isagani stopped for a second and then glance at him.

"Like how Cora deserves to know your reason, too," he fired back. It seems like Kuya Grae wasn't expecting it but he manage to calm and looks like he didn't care or he didn't hear anything at all.

The tension inside the room is suffocating me so I excused myself. Gusto ko sa tahimik na lugar pero mukhang malabo kaya pumwesto nalang ako sa isang bakanteng couch malayo sa kanila. I almost jump when someone whispered behind me.

"You look nice tonight," he whispered.

"I know, pwede ka na umalis," masungit na sambit ko bago umupo sa couch. He did the same, this guy may be hot but he's so annoying like Travis!

"Ayoko, ngayon na nga lang tayo nagkita tapos paaalisin mo agad ako? Hindi mo ba ko na-miss?" Rio said. Umaktong medyo nahuhurt pa kahit hindi naman talaga. Now I remember his name, Rio, the jerk on the pool side.

"Hindi, so may I ask you why are you here?" sambit ko.

"Travis is my friend and Albert is my brother.. or sister? I don't know," he chuckled. So Kuya Berty is his brother? The one who owned a company? Ate Laureen's friend.

I just nodded and glance at the people on the dance floor. They looked happy naman so I felt relieved until Isaiah caught my attention. Lumabas na pala sila ng VIP room without mask, without mask?! Everyone seems shocked but it didn't last for a minute, mukhang ayos lang naman sakanila. Mukhang mas nag-enjoy pa sila.

So I'm staring at Isaiah, sinusuri ang bawat galaw niya. He's holding a glass on his one hand and the other is leaning on the railings, mukhang may hinahanap din siya. I was about to assume that it was me when that blonde girl walk towards him. They are now talking to each other, whispering some I don't know what words. They are obviously flirting, I can see it, and what the fuck? Did he just laugh?

"Looks like you're pissed," malokong sambit ng katabi ko. I glared at him, nakatingin siya sa pwesto nila Isaiah bago tumingin sa 'kin, "You like Jauregui? Seems like he's flirting with that hot blonde chic," dugtong niya.

"Who cares? Kahit maglampungan pa sila dyan, walang pipigil," I sounded like a child now and I don't know why. Isaiah is driving me crazy!

Hinawakan ni Rio ang kamay ko at hinila ako papunta sa smoking area kung saan walang ka-tao tao. Isinandal niya 'ko sa wall habang ang mga kamay niya ay nasa magkabilang gilid ko. I pushed him really hard but nothing happens, he's just staring at me while smirking and trust me, I don't like that smirk, I might kill him!

"You'll thank me later," he whispered to my ears before kissing me.

He kissed me! I'm gonna kill him, why the fuck did he kissed me? I have many thoughts in my head, I was about to push him away when someone pull him and punch his face.

It was Isaiah.

Sa lakas ng suntok ni Isaiah ay napahiga sa sahig si Rio. He was about to punch him again so I pulled him. He glance at me and all I can see is anger. Rio finally stood up, tila walang pake sa natamo niyang sugat.

"Talk to you later, babe." He grinned before leaving us.

That jerk, ano bang tumakbo sa utak no'n at hinalikan ako? It's not my first time kissing a guy but that guy, he's a real jerk. I think I know what he's talking about and I don't like it. The fact that he kissed me gives me creepy feeling.

"Why did you do that?" inis na sambit ko. We are staring at each others eyes and all I can feel is my heart beating so fast.

Too fast to the point that it hurts.

"Because I want to.." sambit nito. There's no hint of regret on his face as he blankly stare at me. I can't read him.

"Don't punch other people's faces just because you want to," sambit ko, I can feel the awkwardness now. Gusto kong kumalas sa pagkakatitig sakaniya pero hindi ko magawa, his eyes is like a magnet. Mahirap kumawala!

Seryoso itong nakatingin sa 'kin, umigting ang panga bago nagsalita.

"Then don't kiss other people just because you want to.. I'm fucking jealous!" he fired back.

I was about to explain when Oly interrupted our moment. Mabuti nalang din at umeksena si Oly. I know, I don't need to explain but I feel like I have to. Maybe I like him, I'm just being denial.

Nagulat pa si Oly nang makitang kasama ko si Isaiah. Iiwan niya na sana kami nang hawakan ko ang kamay nito para makaalis kami mula roon at iwan si Isaiah mag-isa.

"You like him," Oly suddenly speak while I'm dragging him.

"No!" I denied. Shit! I must stop being denial, kahit sa sarili ko lang. I know I like him, not too much but I like him. I know I do..

Mabuti nalang at hindi na siya muling nagsalita. Nagsimula na rin ang huling game.

"Boys, pwede na kayong pumili ng partner niyo," sambit ni Oly. Simula nang makabalik kami ay lutang na 'ko, nawala ako sa wisyo. May last game pa pala kami at mabuti nalang ay sinama ko talaga si Oly. I didn't know I will be this preoccupied!

Nakatingin lang ako sa baba, playing my nails when Oly whispered something to me dahilan para mabuhayan ako. As soon as I look up, I saw Isaiah and Rio in front of me. Nakahalad ang mga kamay nila at hinihintay ako.

Bullshit!

"No.. you know I can't play. Pili nalang kayo ng iba—" Oly pushed me away, kinuha ang mic sa akin na parang sinasabing pwede ako sumali sa laro.

"Just this one Treia it's your Ate's party remember?" sambit ni Ate Dria sa gilid. I rolled my eyes at her before facing these two guy in front of me. Mabuti nalang at abala ang karamihan, ang iba naman ay nakatingin sa'min, waiting for me to choose. Isaiah looks calm while Rio is smirking.

I sighed heavily before putting my hand on his hand, sana lang ay tama ang desisyon ko.

"I know you'll pick me babe," he whispered.