Chapter 13

"We'll go shopping. You want to join, Cady?" Deanna, one of my friend slash classmate asked. 

I smiled at her offer. She's one of the nicest friend in our room. Kasama niya 'yung mga kaibigan niya rin, a mixture of both girls and boys. Their friendship are solid. Masaya silang kasama. Sayang naman. "Can't. Sorry. Practice, e."

Nanghinayang iyong mukha niya. "But next time, okay?"

I smiled. "Sure. Thanks. Ingat kayo, ha?"

We bid our goodbyes and I watched them leave the room. 

I sighed.

Mukha tuloy akong loner ngayon. Maya was so busy coping up with her studies and with her activities with the boyfriend. Masyadong ginalingan 'yung time management. Sadly, 'di yata ako kasama sa mga schedules niya. Hindi na kami nakakapag-usap masyado if not for lessons and assignments. Naninibago ako. 

Naiintindihan ko naman...

And I'm happy as long as she's happy. 

I'm gonna support her. That's what friends do... I want to be a good friend to her so I'd support her with her decisions. Kahit 'di talaga ako palagay doon sa boyfriend niyang isang araw lang siya niligawan.

The boys are complete when I arrived in the Music Room. I immediately smiled as I see them. Well, at least nandito pa sila. Sila na lang muna kukulitin ko habang busy ang bestfriend ko sa iba.

Busy sa pag-strum si Jessi at Note. Si Guilbert naman, may experiment na namang beats sa drum niya. Tapos si Lucky... kumakain. I giggled. Puro pagkain ang alam nito. Dami rin pagkain na naka-tago sa bag niya. For emergency purposes daw. Sabay-sabay silang napa-tingin sa akin nung sinarado ko iyong pinto. They greeted me upon seeing me with smiles.

"What's up," I said as I sat down beside Note. 

"Kain ka muna." Inabot niya sa 'kin 'yung burger na nasa tabi niya. 

"Princess, sa Linggo, ha?" Jessi told me. 

My brows furrowed. Iniintindi kung ano 'yung sinabi niya.

"It's his birthday, Skylah," Note whispered over my ear and that's where I was enlightened. Oo nga pala! Wala pa akong gift!

I guiltily looked at Jess. He just smiled. "Anong gusto mo regalo?" I asked.

"Not needed. Just attend the party. It's my sister whom handled everything. I just want my friends to enjoy what my sister has been obsessing about for weeks," sabi niya tsaka tumawa. Tapos mukhang natigilan siya, but smiled after. "Isama mo rin si Maya."

I nodded. Ang bait talaga ng magkapatid na 'to. Sayang talaga. I thought Jess and Maya would make a great chemistry. Gusto ko pa naman siya para sa kaibigan ko. But it's true that love is unforeseen. You wouldn't know who will you fell for... and if he's good or bad for you. Sabi nila if you just feel it, you grab it. Feelings do make people crazy.

"Have you invited her?" I asked him, out of curiosity—na agad kong pinagsisihan kasi parang natigilan siya. 

He then shrugged and smiled. "Hindi ko maka-usap. Busy, e."

I nodded. Suddenly felt bad for him. Nginitian ko siya. "I will go with her."

After eating, we started our practice for some songs in a different genre. Nag-bukas kasi ng resto bar iyong pinsan ko at gusto niya na kami 'yung unang mag-perform doon. What's more thrilling is, it's a paid gig! I'm so excited. Malapit na 'yung birthday ko, e. This is enough gift for me already. An opportunity for me and my boys.

After the practice, I asked the guys to eat out. Jessi politely declined since he's fetching her sister from her school. Si Guilbert naman, may date daw—as usual. His hobby was to date every female student in this campus. I want to roll my eyes to him but did not push further. Hinayaan na lang namin. Si Lucky at Note lang 'yung nabitbit ko.

"What do you guys like to receive for a gift?" I asked Note while walking around the mall.

Since Maya's not with me, sila na lang iyong isinama ko dito para bumili ng regalo kay Jessi. I'm already guilty as I am that I forgot about his special day. I feel so terrible as a friend.

"Cake!" Lucky suggested. 

I make a face. "It's for a gift kay Jessi, Luck. Hindi 'yung gusto mong ma-receive. You look like food."

Note chuckled before putting his hand on his shoulder. "Ayos lang 'yan, pre. Bili kita cake mamaya."

Lucky's eyes twinkled as he looked at Note. "Talaga ba? Totoo?" Note nodded. "Sure 'yan, ah? Baka scam ka lang d'yan."

Natawa ako. "Takaw mo pero 'di ka naman tumataba." 

"Aba, princess, nag-wo-workout yata 'to," he said before flexing his biceps. Tapos tsaka siya lumingon na naman kay Note. "Gusto ko 'yung gaya ng sa 'yo, pre."

He's actually tall and lean pero halatang may laman na 'yung braso niya. Parang iyong katawan lang din ni Note, though Note's was more toned and it's already evident even if he's just wearing a plain shirt. 

Note chuckled. "Matigas naman, pre, ah?"

"Gusto ko 'yung gaya ng sa 'yo. Dagdag pogi points 'yan, e."

Nauna ako sa paglalakad dahil ang daming tumitingin sa amin. Magka-akbay pa rin 'yung dalawa si likuran ko habang nag-uutuan. I shake my head. Pumunta na lang muna kami sa isang restaurant at pinakain sila para hindi na kung anu-ano iyong mga pinagsasabi nila.

Ganadong ganado si Lucky habang kumakain. Ang laki talaga ng bituka ng tao na 'to. 

"Ito na lang 'yung iyo." Kinuha ni Note 'yung pinggan ko tsaka ipinalit sa kanya. Nabalatan na 'yung mga shrimps sa pinggan na binigay niya.

I bit the side of my cheeks to avoid smiling. 

"Magbabalat ka pa tuloy ulit," sabi ko habang tinitignan 'yung ginagawa niya.

He smiled. "Ayos lang 'yan. Kain ka na."

I nodded but still waited for him until he's done peeling the shrimps.

Sabay kaming kumain habang si Lucky, mangangalahati na 'yung kinakain. Bilis talaga kumain. Ano kaya hitsura niya pag na-in love? I'm suddenly curious. Simula kasi nung nalaman ko na may boyfriend na si Maya, lagi na akong naku-curious kung anong hitsura ng mga taong kakilala ko pag nabihag na sa pag-ibig. Say Maya for example. I didn't really expect her to be the first one among my circle of friends who would get her first commitment. Though crossed out na si Guilbert 'dun. Aabangan ko na lang ang pagse-seryoso niya.

"May nililigawan ka na ba, Luck?" I asked. 

Gulat si Note na tumingin sa 'kin. Bigla naman nabulunan si Lucky. 

"T-tubig..."

Binigay ko agad sa kanya 'yung baso ng tubig. Nauubo pa si Lucky habang sinusuntok iyong dibdib habang nagbu-buntong hininga. 

"Pucha, akala ko mamamatay na 'ko 'dun!" he exhaled. Paulit-ulit. Tsaka niya ako tinignan. "Ano ba 'yan, princess?! Nakakabigla mga tanungan mo!"

Note, whose recovered from my question, laughed. Ngumiti ako kay Lucky.

"I'm just curious, okay? Puro ka kasi pagkain. Wala ka pa bang nagugustuhan?"

His face turns pink. Nanlaki 'yung mga mata ko. "Oh. So, meron na."

Nanlaki din 'yung mga mata niya. "Hindi pa naman ako sumasagot!" Uminom ulit siya ng tubig. "Pero pwede ba 'wag na natin pag-usapan? Ang awkward e! Bakit ba ito 'yung topic? Nananahimik lang naman ako dito na kumakain. Kayo na lang mag-usap ni De Cordova."

I rolled my eyes. Ang damot! Pero sige, hinayaan ko na lang.

"Do you seriously ask that to everyone?" Note asked me while obviously stifling his laughter.

"What? I'm curious, okay?" I defended myself. 

Sumimangot ako tsaka kumain na lang. Naalala ko na naman 'yung sagot niya noong tinanong ko siya ng tungkol sa topic na 'to. Araw-araw akong nanghuhula sa kanya kung sino iyong babae pero lagi na lang mali. Or not. Ewan, baka ayaw niya lang sabihin talaga.

Tumawa siya. "I'm not saying anything." He pressed his lips and smiled. "Ikaw ba? May nagugustuhan ka na?"

Bigla akong naubo. 

Inabutan agad ako ng tubig ni Note. Uminom agad ako 'dun tsaka huminga nang malalim nang paulit-ulit.

Lucky covered his mouth with his fist. Halata namang tumatawa siya dahil nanginginig 'yung balikat niya! I glared at him. "'Di ba? Ang awkward?" sabi niya habang natatawa. 

"May nagugustuhan ka na nga."

"Huh? H-hindi naman ako sumagot," I repeat Lucky's words din. 

I bit my lower lip. Natahimik na si Note. Ayokong sumagot. Am I obvious? Baka masabi ko kasi 'yung pangalan niya pag sumagot ako.

* * *

Tahimik pa rin si Note kahit noong pauwi na kami. We dropped Lucky by their house. Ngiting-ngiti 'yung isang epal habang nagpapaalam kasi kanina pa tahimik 'tong isa. 

"Are you mad?" I asked him when Lucky already left.

Nakita ko 'yung pagtingin ni Kuya Rick sa rear-view mirror. Noong nakita niya na naka-tingin ako, tumikhim siya tsaka bumalik sa harap 'yung tingin.

"Hindi, ah," mono-tone na sagot niya.

Sumimangot ako. Ang plastic nito.

"Bakit ka galit?" 

"Hindi nga ako galit."

"Why are you not looking?" I demanded. Halos naka-harap na nga sa kanya 'yung upo ko, e. Siya naman, naka-crossed arms lang habang nasa likod ng upuan ni Kuya Rick 'yung titig niya!

Hindi pa rin natinag. I grab his face with both of my hands. Tapos iniharap ko sa 'kin. His poker face went into surprised. Nanlalaki 'yung mga mata niya nung nakita niya na magkalapit 'yung mukha namin. 

Itinapat ko 'yung mata ko sa mata niya.

"Nagtatampo ka 'no?" I asked. 

His brows furrowed. "Hindi, ah."

Hindi ako natinag. Tinitigan ko pa rin iyong mata niya. Ugh, unfair. Ang ganda nung pagka-visible brown ng mata niya. I bit my lower lip. Pero I released it quickly when his eyes fell on it. Stop it, Cady!

Tumikhim ako.

"Be fair. You don't tell me about the girl you like so I also won't mention about the guy I like. If you want to know who he is... then I think we need to bargain," I smirked. Binitiwan ko na 'yung mukha niya tsaka humalukipkip at tumingin sa harap.

He breathed beside me. I saw in my peripherals that he's still looking at me.

"Sige," he replied.

Ha! Sige lang pala—"What?!"

Napa-double look ako sa kanya. Seryoso ba siya?! I babbled about that because I'm sure that he won't ever talk to me about the girl! Bakit biglang pumapayag siya ngayon?!

He shrugged. "Sige. Let's do bargaining about the facts." Humilig siya sa harap para maka-silip kay Kuya Rick. "Kuya, pakibaba kami sa may park."

"Sige, Sir," sabi ni Kuya Rick at agad na huminto sa tapat ng park.

Nagpa-panic na ako sa loob ko nang binuksan niya 'yung pinto. Tumingin pa siya sa 'kin bago siya bumaba. "Let's go." 

"Good luck, Miss Cadence," sabi ni Kuya Rick habang itinataas 'yung fist niya. Akala yata niya napapalakas niya 'yung loob ko. E mas lalo lang akong kinabahan!

I swallowed hard as I followed Note. Naka-upo na siya sa may bench na nasa ilalim ng acacia tree.

"Seryoso ka ba talaga dito?" I laughed nervously. "H-hindi naman kita pinipilit na mag-sabi nang tungkol sa kanya. You know, I value your privacy..."

I was scrambling inside while thinking about many possibilities.

Anong sasabihin ko pag tinanong niya ako?! Na gusto ko siya?! Goodness! Shut up ka lang dapat, Cady!

Magkaka-sakit yata ako sa puso.

"Why are you nervous?" Note asked. Tinignan ko siya. He's looking at me with an amused expression. "'Di ba, gustung-gusto mong malaman kung sino siya?"

"Pero you'll know kung sino 'yung... ano..." I looked up at the leaves swinging from the tree. "'Yung... ano ko..."

"'Yung gusto mo?" he completed my sentence.

I looked at him horrified. Sobrang nagpa-panic na ako! He laughed when he saw my face. "The fuck, why was your reaction like that?" 

"'Wag na nating ituloy 'to!" I announced then stood up. "Nagbibiro lang naman ako, e ! I'm not really serious about that bargain!"

Hinila niya agad iyong kamay ko kaya napa-upo ulit ako sa bench. 

"But you don't joke when I'm serious, princess," he said. He shrugged. "Let's bargain." He said like it's an easy thing to do. "My girl's currently 16 this year."

"My girl," I mocked. "Hindi mo pa nga naliligawan."

Tumawa siya. "Don't break the dream, Skylah." Umiling siya. Naka-ngiti pa rin. Masaya? "Your turn."

Umirap ako. Ka-edad ko pa 'yung babaeng gusto niya. Sabagay, ka-level din namin—grade 9. 

Huminga ako nang malalim bago sumagot. I just need to give a blur detail! 

"He has brown eyes," I said.

Kumunot 'yung noo niya. "Wow. Laking tulong."

I giggled. "Your turn."

"She's smart."

"Vague!" I complained. "Maraming smart na grade 9!"

Tumawa siya. "I'm just following your pattern."

"Fine! He's handsome."

He smirked and arched a brow on me. "She's pretty."

"He's super talented."

"She's famous."

Naningkit 'yung mga mata ko. Kinolekta ko sa isip kung sino 'yung mga kakilala kong grade 9 na sikat sa school. "Sino?" I asked, getting out of the game.

Tinawanan niya ako. Gosh. He's clearly enjoying this! "It's your turn."

"He's kind. He's supportive. He's polite. And he's famous, too!" pagmamalaki ko. Tinaasan ko pa siya ng kilay. 

Kumunot na 'yung noo niya. "It's hard to determine who that guy is. You have so many friends."

I smiled victoriously. Very good, Cady! Hindi tayo obvious. 

"Your turn!" I reminded him.

Umiling siya. "She's kind. She's supportive. She's polite. But feisty."

Sumimangot ako. "Dinadaya mo na yata ako, e. Ganyan 'yung sinabi ko, ah?"

He chuckled. "You don't have a guess?"

"I want her initials," I demanded.

He looked at me like he's challenging me. "Will you give me his?"

"'Wag kang gaya-gaya. Iba dapat 'yung sa 'yo," I replied, obviously nervous.

He smirked. "Sige. Give me three reasons why you liked him."

I stared at him. Three lang? Ang hirap naman... But okay!

Naka-tingin lang siya sa 'kin at naghihintay.

I started enumerating. Itinapat ko sa kanya 'yung kamay ko. "He's gentle with me and takes care of me. He's always with me when I need someone to lean on. He makes me happy."

He stared at me a bit longer. He bit his lower lip, then he slowly nodded. 

"Your turn!" I asked. "Her initials!"

The side of his lips arched up. He looks straight in my eyes. "C.S.Z."

C.S.Z?

Familiar...

Nakatingin lang ako sa kanya. My mind was crumbling to think about who the frick is C.S.Z when something dropped on my head like a bomb. Inalala ko iyong mga descriptions niya kanina tungkol 'dun sa babaeng gusto niya.

"C... S... Z...?" I asked Note for confirmation.

Marami bang C.S.Z ang initials na grade 9 at 16 years old?

"C-can I ask for another c-clue?" I asked, biting my lip hard.

Naka-tingin lang kami sa isa't-isa. Ang lakas ng tibok ng puso ko.

And... Note became serious all of a sudden. 

Mas lalo akong na-pressure.

"She can sing... very well," he started. Oh, my God? "She doesn't know how to cook, but that's fine with me. I can cook for us. She's very friendly. She's nice. She loves music."

My mouth went agape.

"She's a grade conscious. She handles responsibilities very well. She loves her family so much. She's cheeky and joyful. Her guilty pleasure is eating ice cream. She often wrote songs. She's loud and mostly opinionated."

"A-and?"

"She's been with me since time immemorial. We learned how to ride a bicycle together. We both attend swimming class, again, together. I taught her how to play basketball because she's jealous and doesn't like to just cheer because it bores her. I learned how to cook because of her. She makes me happy. She became an inspiration to attend school everyday. She's a walking ball of sunshine," he chuckled. "No guess yet?"

"Is she really C.S.Z?" I asked, barely breathing.

He nodded. "Nothing but sure."

"Do you t-think, there are multiple of C.S.Zs in school?"

"I only know one C.S.Z," he replied with a smile.

And I'm Cadence Skylah Zamora.

My mouth hang open. "You're... not... serious, are you?"

"I am, though."

"Oh, my God," I whispered, having wide-eyed on him.