Chapter 10

Bitchfriends

Nagmamadali akong pumunta sa next class ko at hindi maalis sa isipan ko kung paano ko iniwan na lang si Korg sa clinic. Kung pwede ko lang bawiin ang oras at mag-stay pa nang matagal kasama siya, push ako na gawin iyon pero hindi eh, study first before anything else. Just like the golden rule of every student na mag-aaral muna nang mabuti but those who failed to do their one mission, got no one word and ended up a hill on their belly.

But still, he was the one who opened up the topic for that dinner and the only thing I would do is too agree that it would happen tomorrow... and I didn't even give him an answer and said I would give him what I think and that's pabebe because I was totally in it, siguro nga kahit mamayang gabi, push na ako but he's injured and still need to rest and I think that's okay.

My phone were exploding with Pee shooter's call and I couldn't answer it dahil nagmamadali na rin akong marating ang next class ko. When I reach the elevator, nasaktuhan ko pang nagsarado ito and those people inside didn't even mind na hintayin akong makapasok sa loob. I have no choice kundi ang tumuloy sa hagdan diretsyo hanggang fourth floor.

I was exhausted when I reach my room and found Pee shooter on his seat, calling on his phone and there's no other person he would dial and that's me. Pumasok naman ako sa loob at naupo sa silya ko. Hindi ko alam kung mas lalo akong mabibinat sa ginawa ko. Masyado kong pinapagod ang sarili ko.

"What the hell, Arya? Tumakbo ka?" aniya na galit pa sa akin.

I timidly nodded on him, "yes... there's no fastest way to get here."

He grunts when I said those words, "kung mabinat ka kaya, girl? Dapat kasi nag-stay ka na lang sa clinic o kaya umuwi ka—"

And I put my hands on his face, "let me stop you right there and I think you already know the reason kung bakit ayaw kong gawin iyon diba?"

He nodded, "but still, kung gusto mong gumaling. You need to obey."

"What do you want me to do, Pee shooter? Obey your words?"

"Ew." He said disgusted, "I see where you're heading and I don't like it... what happened at the clinic, did you get any enough rests?"

Gayak na gayak naman akong tumango sa kanya.

"Woah! What happened there?"

Napakunot noo naman ako sa tanong niya, "I just had some good rests?" I said.

He shook his head, "no... that's not what happened, really?" but I didn't make a respond. "But on lunch break, I heard Korg has been injured, nagkasama kayo sa clinic 'no? Tell me the truth, Ava!"

"That's not my name!" I exclaimed, "but yes... we did... not what you think, we just talked."

"What made you think what I think it was, Anna?"

I shook my head, "oh... nothing..."

"And so what else you guys have been talking?" he said, "c'mon before our professor comes."

I took a deep breath before telling it, "I think he's ready for the dinner tomorrow."

His eyes widened and jaw drop as I told him what we talked about. Hindi siya kontento doon kundi hiningian pa niya ako nang supporting details kung para saan ang dinner at sino ang nag-initiate na mangyari iyon. Ang kulit ni Pee shooter pero mas kinikilig pa siya sa akin at dahil nga sa hindi maganda ang pakiramdam ko ay hindi ko masyadong mapakita ang feels ko sa kanya, mabuti na lang ay naiiwasan niyang saktan ako kasi he cares daw—but when I'll be fine, he's going to put jokes on me, all over again.

The class has started, mabuti na rin iyon dahil natigil sa pagtatanong sa akin si Pee Shooter and that's must be the second time na nakakuha ulit ako nang katahimikan galing sa kanya. I couldn't focus on the lecture pero hindi naman ako bubulagta na lang bigla, I can still carry myself, excited na lang talaga ako umuwi.

-

An hour and a half we were dismissed. Uwian ko na at kailangan ko nang magpahinga nang todo todo. Palabas na kami ni Pee shooter ay nakasalubong namin si Bella at bigla na lamang akong niyakap nito.

Nagtaka naman ako sa ginawa niya dahil bigla bigla na lang niya iyong ginawa.

"Bella? Anong meron?" tanong ko sa kanya saka niya ako pinakawalan sa mahigpit na pagkakayakap niya.

Napahinga naman siya nang malalim, "I'm sorry for yesterday... the way I treat you."

Napangiti naman ako sa sinabi niya, "you don't need too do that, siguro tama lang na magtampo ka dahil hindi ko sinabi iyong tungkol sa Decathlon but whatever happens, kung saan ako masaya iyon pa rin naman ang pipiliin ko."

She nodded and smile, "good to know that but when Philippines told me you were sick, I feel horrible."

Natawa naman ako sa sinabi niya, "why?"

"Because I think, the way I treat you and the weight of pressuring you to stay on Drama Club. I'm sorry for that... are we okay?" she said, her eyes were telling me she's really sorry and I couldn't help to admire how good person she is.

I nodded, "we're good whatever happens, right?"

"Right, I found a good friend in you..." she said and put his arms on Pee shooter's shoulder, "and also, Philippines really did a great job finding himself a girlfriend."

Inalis at tinulak naman ni pee shooter si Bella, "duh, girlfriend your face, Bella. For your information, you were the one who initiated to be my friend and because I had no choice, I befriended you and look how we end up. Bitchfriends."

"Wow." I said, processing those words coming out from him, "that's really a cool word, bitchfriends."

"You know, I just made it up, bestfriends... but just because we're not only best but bitches that's why we ended up on that name. You are really a part of the group, Apple."

I rolled my eyes on him, "you were making fun of me by using stranger's name, why?"

"I already said my point, Anne, better mixed up your brain to remember those words."

"Will do," ngiti ko pa sa kanya. "Any way, I gotta go, we'll keep you updated with my condition—"

"Also the dinner!" pahabol pa ni Pee shooter.

"Of course, will do... see you guys!"

They headed to their buses and I jump in to my bus. I sat on the usual seat. Hinintay pa ang ilang students na sasakay sa bus. Habang naghihintay, mula sa kinauupuan ko ay nakita ko ay lumabas ng main building si Korg—masaya na sana dahil may pahabol pa bago ako makauwi pero ang hindi ko ikinatuwa ay kasama nito ang brunette girl na siyang inalalayan papunta sa parking lot kung saan naka-park ang Ferrari nito.

Gusto kong puntahan sila doon at agawin si Korg mula sa kamay ni brunette girl pero hindi ko magawa, wala akong lakas para gawin iyon kundi hinayaan ko na lang masaktan ang sarili kong panoorin silang dalawa. The brunette girl helped Korg get inside his car, hindi si Korg ang naupo sa driver's seat kundi si brunette girl ang magda-drive ng sasakyan. I watched them drove away and I could feel the jealousy rising up in my system.

I know the feeling of riding with him on the same car, pero syempre, gusto ko rin maramdaman iyong ako magda-drive for him.

This brunette girl really has some effect on Korg. Swerte niya.

The bus left Savvy. Fifteen minutes when it reach my destination. Binungad naman ako ng parents ko at tinanong ang kondisyon ko, I said that I was doing okay and my condition seemingly doing fine also. They told me to go down the stairs after changing my clothes and in just a matter of minutes ay bumalik ako sa sala kung nasaan sila.

"Good thing it's week-end and you have some time to rest." Ani Mommy. "What about happened at school?"

"Oh, my friend helped me getting on the clinic," I stopped because I saw their reaction and they are totally worried by it. "Philippe was just concern because I was sick, they give me some med and enough rest and that's all."

My parents let out a deep breath after hearing it. It's a relief from them, but they eventually notice how I am focus on my mobile phone and I didn't mind what's happening but when I notice their stares at me, I stopped looking at my phone and give them my attention.

"What?" I asked.

"What's with your phone? Who you are talking to?" Father asked.

I shook my head, "no one, I was just searching some people."

"Who?" Mom asked.

"You don't have to know it." Sagot ko naman sa kanya. "And actually, this doesn't matter between you guys."

"But it is." Father said.

"Okay, you guys wanna know it?" I said and they nodded instantly, I sighed before continuing, "okay, remember, Korg, right? He wanted to do the dinner tomorrow, it was his free sched and he just only needed my approval."

"And what did you say?" Mom said, her reaction were so giddy.

I shrugged off, "I didn't... I said, I would think about it."

"No, you should do it." Father said, and I look at him so caught off. "I mean, we wanted to meet him right? So, the only answer you should say is yes, and you should do it right now."

"As in now?"

"Yes, honey, now." Mom added.

"But I don't actually have his number."

"Social media is free right?" Father said, "then you should message him."

I was forced to do this thing. Hindi ko alam kung matutuwa ako sa pagiging supportive nila pero hinayaan ko na lang din naman. I search for his name but I couldn't search it anywhere, kaya naman pinuntahan ko ang profile ni Pee shooter at swerte namand dahil friends sila and his name is actually, Korgian Patrick Sawyer—and it's a fine damn hell good gracious hot name.

I added him.

"So, what happened?" Mom asked.

"Mom, I just only added him, not message." Sagot ko naman. "I'll message him and we'll wait."

"Were okay on waiting." Father said. "Always does."

I click the message icon on his profile and I couldn't compose myself on what to message him.

Hi Korg! This is me, Alex, well, if you just don't recognize me. Regarding on the dinner tomorrow, I'm good with it and we'll go for it! See you, okay?! :*

I click sent. But when I re-read it and realized what emoji I put in it, I couldn't delete the message because it was already sent in him and one there's only thing I could do, wait for his respond.

"We'll prepare your favorite dishes, Alex." Mom said, "wait, did you asked what his favorite dishses so we can cook it for him?"

I shook my head, "no Mom, but you don't have too... this is not a romantic dinner okay? It's just I asked him a favor and he openly accepted it, there's nothing in between okay? Just a normal dinner between us."

"Ah... normal." Father mumbled.

The night goes deep pero wala pa rin akong natatanggap na reply mula sa kanya. Hindi na naman nangulit ang parents ko kung may reply na ba si Korg dahil ready na sila sa dinner na mangyayari bukas kahit walang kasiguraduhan na matutuloy nga. Habang nakahiga ako sa kama at hinihintay na dapuin nang antok ay bigla na lamang may nagpop-up na icon sa phone ko and I couldn't calm myself because it is Korg!

It is really Korg!

Muntik na akong mapabalikwas sa kinahihigaan ko para ibalita sa parents ko na nagreply na siya pero pinili kong kumalma at isinarili na lamang. I open up the icon and read his reply.

Korgian:

Yes. See you!

And my heart melted away. This is really happening.