Chapter 10: Jerk

"How dare him say those words at me! He's a jerk, a total jerk!" I yelled while holding a can of beer.

After he left me there, with my bags on the floor, and people curious looks. I felt so humiliated. And it was because of that fvcking Zian, he's totally a jerk!

"Bakit ba kasi? Ano nangyari?" Archie asked while watching me.

"It's because of you, idiot! Kung nagreply ka lang sana kaagad, it wouldn't happen in the first place! What took you so long to fetch me, huh? Are you enjoying your date with that girl?!"

"Oh, nagtanong lang ako naging kasalanan ko na agad lahat. Aba'y hindi na ito tama, atsaka... Ikaw naman ang may pakana no'n, ah! Bakit parang ikaw pa ang galit? Pasalamat ka nga at sinundo kita, bitbit ko ang mga pinamili mo, halos ubusin mo ang laman ng card ko, pinag-drive kita pauwi... pagkatapos ng lahat ng iyon naging kasalanan ko pa?!"

I covered my ears because of his loud rants. "Get lost."

"Sabi mo, e. Linisin mo 'tong bahay kung hindi isusumbong kita sa angkan natin kung paano mo ako maltratuhin sa sariling pamamahay ko. I'll rest, Persian Audrey. Sana mabulunan ka."

I cursed at him and frustratedly threw the can I was holding.

After that, I washed those shits and it turned out I broke some, I didn't care though. I am not a freaking maid, so why I would do that in the first place?

"AUDREY, how have you been doing? Nagkakasundo naman ba kayo ng pinsan mo?" Tito Isiah asked when they arrived from where they went.

"He's very annoying, Tito!"

Tita Nadya laughed. "Bare with your cousin, Audrey. Let's eat somewhere since we finally have a free time." She squeezed my hand and smiled.

I nodded. I hope my parents are like this.

"Where do you guys wanna eat?"

We're already inside the car and driving somewhere. Archie and I were at backseat of the car, while his parents are infront.

"Kahit saan, Mommy," Archie answered.

"How 'bout you, Audrey? Do you wanna try some restaurants out there?" Tito Isiah asked.

"Hmm, yes," I shortly answered.

Dahil sa pagkabagot habang nasa biyahe ay binalingan ko si Archie na panay lang ang cellphone sa tabi ko.

"Archie," I called.

"Bakit?" tanong niya, ang tingin ay nasa cellphone pa rin.

"Do you have the number of that jerk?" I almost whispered, not wanting Tito and Tita to hear me.

"Sinong jerk?"

"Look at me first!" I pinched his arm.

"Aray! Sino ba kasi?" mariing tanong niya at hinaplos-haplos ang balat kung saan kinurot ko.

"That jerk, Zian."

His eyes widened. "Bakit? May gusto ka ba sa kaniya?!" I covered his mouth. "Lower down your voice, do you wanna die?"

He attentively shook his head and gave me his phone.

"Good." Kinuha ko ang cellphone niya at kinalikot.

BFF Zian.

"What the heck is this? BFF, seriously?"

"Pake mo naman, inggit ka lang. Ako may BFF, ikaw wala."

"Shut the fvck up," I muttered while copying Zian's number to my phone. "Don't you dare to talk," I threatened when I gave him his phone.

"Ba't, ano bang gagawin mo sa number niya?" mahinang tanong niya.

"Nah. Just shut your mouth."

Umusog siya papalapit pa sa akin. "What the heck are you doing?"

"I-text mo," he said.

"And who do you think you are to ask me? Huwag ka nang mangialam."

"Sige na, hindi ko naman sasabihin. Lokohin mo. Sendan mo ng chainmail."

I looked at him. "Okay."

Hindi naman sa sinunod ko ang utos niya, sadyang nagustuhan ko lang ang suhestiyon kaya gagawin ko.

Me:

Send this to atleast 10 persons or else I'll kill you.

"Like this?" Ipinakita ko sa kaniya ang text message ko para kay Zian.

"Bobo, pinagbabantaan mo na iyan, e. Sige na, p'wede na 'yan, nai-send mo na rin naman."

I rolled my eyes and got amused while staring at my phone's screen.

"Oh, he replied!"

Zian:

weh

I sighed. Wala talagang kuwenta kausap kahit sa text.

Me:

I'll kill you.

Zian:

You unknown, I do not have a time for such things. Don't text me, will you?

I arched a brow when I noticed his text suddenly become formal.

Me:

Get ready for my vengeance, I'll cut your head off, you punk.

Zian:

wala akong pake, get lost.

"Pikon," I whispered.

"Ano ba sabi? Patingin nga."

Akmang ilalapit ni Archie ang mukha nang itulak ko siya sa mukha gamit ang kamay. "Tsismoso. Mind your own business, will you?"

He made a face. "Damot."

"We're here, let's go!"

I put my phone back in my bag when the car stopped. We entered a high-end restaurant and got escorted to a private room.

We ordered a lot of food, and started to eat. I only have a garlic butter herb scallops on my plate because I lost my appetite earlier because of Zian's text.

"Are you doing alright here, hija?" Tita Nadya asked.

I nodded. "So far, Tita."

"Ako, my, hindi," sabat ni Archie.

"Why?"

"Kasi iyang si Audrey..."

I glared at him. "What about me?"

"Joke lang. Mabait si Audrey, Mommy, Daddy. Nagi-stay lang siya sa bahay while you were away."

"Really?" Tito said.

"I am, Tito. I didn't go to a club," I said proudly.

"That's good, then. Your Dad will be happy to know."

I snorted. "As if."

We're on our way home when my phone rang. They all looked at me.

"It's Dad," I mouthed.

They nodded.

"Yeah, hello?" I answered.

"Good evening, Audrey. It's Daddy, how have you been doing?" Daddy said.

I said. "I am doing well, Dad," I coldly said.

"That's good to hear. Did you already eat dinner?"

"Yeah. Why did you call, Dad?"

I heard him sigh. "To check on you. I missed you, sweetie."

I let out a small smile. "Me too, Dad. Aren't you busy?" I asked, naninibago lang.

"No, I am actually at the restaurant with your sister and mom, we're having a dinner here when I remembered you. How 'bout you, what are you doing?"

Hindi kaagad ako nakasagot at bumaling muna sa labas ng bintana bago sumagot. "I just finished my dinner with them, Dad..."

"That's good. You aren't being stubborn there, are you?"

"I ain't doing anything unnecessary."

"Great. Just stay there for the mean time, okay? I'll get you when the class starts."

I sighed. "As you said so."

"Hindi ka naman nagtatampo sa 'kin, Audrey?"

"No, Dad," mariing sabi ko.

He sighed on the other line. "Don't worry. Come to think of it, I'm doing this for you, okay?"

"Fine, I'll hang up now."

"Oh, okay. Take care, Audrey. I'll call you again soon."

Ibinaba ko ang cellphone na nasa tainga at napatitig nalang sa labas.

So, they're having a dinner outside? Iyan lang iyong nasa isip ko kanina pa. I shook my head. Nang nandoon pa kami, we couldn't even manage to eat outside, at kapag nagsasabay pa kaming kumain ay hindi pa iyon nagiging maganda. They really can make time with Fiona, and always get busy when it comes to me.

I licked my lowerlip. This isn't the time for that thought, I am already used to it.

Kinabukasan ay isinama ako ni Archie para lumabas. We went to a park just to meet his friends there. The park seemed calm, there are trees dancing with the fresh air, there's this sunny blue sky, and a relaxing view of a playground beside.

They were talking while I was just sitting at the edge of a bench while holding my phone.

I was secretly texting Zian to see his reaction, and I'm actually enjoying it when I noticed how his reactions changed from afar. He's under the shade of the tree near us.

Me:

What's your favorite color?

Zian:

Ba't ko sasabihin? I don't even know you.

Me:

Kailangan mo pa bang makilala ako bago ko malaman favorite color mo? As if I can use it when I get a time to cut your head off.

When I sent it, I immediately hid my phone on between my thighs and looked at his direction.

I can clearly saw his more defined, calm, soft but mysterious face, and his serene expression on his face. He really looks calm.

"Hoy! Umamin nga kayo."

Napaayos ako ng upo nang tumayo siya at naglakad papalapit sa puwesto namin habang nakatingin sa cellphone niya.

"Bakit, ano'ng problema?" si Sam.

"May nagbigay ba ng number ko sa kahit sino, ha?" Bakas sa boses niya ang pagkairita.

I bit my lowerlip when Archie's gaze met mine. "Patay ka," he mouthed.

I glared at him.

"Huh? Kanino naman? Bakit?" sunod-sunod na tanong ni Trisha.

"There's this nuisance one who kept texting me since yesterday. I don't even know if it's a boy or girl. But, I am sure one of you gave my number to whom is this."

Nuisance, really? You jerk.

"Hindi ako, wala akong alam."

"Ako rin, baka naman na-wrong send lang."

"Malay mo tadhana na ang gumawa ng paraan."

Kani-kaniya silang opinyon, pero lahat ng iyon ay hindi pinansin ni Zian hanggang sa nagtama ang paningin naming dalawa.

I felt butterflies.

Wait...

What?

How ridiculous of me to feel a darn butterflies in my stomach.

"Ikaw."

"Me?" I pointed at myself. "What about me?"

"Ikaw ba ang nagti-text sa 'kin?"

I scoffed. "Excuse you? Why would I do that?"

He crossed his arms and looked at me intently.

I raised a brow.

"Hindi rin si Audrey iyon, Zian. Wala namang load iyan," pagsingit ni Archie.

They laughed, I arched a brow. "What's funny?"

They all played innocent and just made themselves busy to prepare for their so-called picnic.

Zian's still standing where he was, he narrowed his eyes at me suspiciously. "I don't believe you," asik niya.

I flicked my tongue and sat properly. "Edi 'wag."

He didn't reply and just turned his back at me to go back on his place earlier.

Napakasuplado!

Maya-maya ay napabaling ako sa cellphone ko na nasa aking hita nang tumunog ito.

Zian:

Gotcha!

My eyes widened, but I immediately acted cool and took a glance at his direction. He's now laying against the trunk of the tree, ang isang siko ay nakapatong sa tuhod habang diretso ang tingin sa akin.

Oh my.

I looked away and just played with my nails. I didn't look at him after a minute para hindi niya mahalata.

Did he just catch me or he's trying to catch me, but didn't expect this to happen? Such a wise jerk!

"I caught you, brat."

Napatalon ako sa gulat nang may biglang nagsalita. I slowly lift my head up until I saw Zian's well-built body.

"What are you talking about?" maang-maangan ko atsaka tumayo para pantayan ang tingin niya.

Hindi ko kinakailangan tumingala sa kaniya dahil magka-level na ang tingin namin dahil na rin sa suot kong heels.

"Tss, fooling around. What are you up to?" he answered.

Lalo ko pang kinunot ang noo ko para magkunwaring wala talaga akong alam sa sinasabi niya.

He stepped forward. Ang lakas ng loob porke't walang ibang nakakakita sa amin dahil ang mga kaibigan niya ay nandoon sa kabila at naglalaro sa may playground.

"I don't know what you were talking about, and whatever it is... I don't really care."

He put his hand on his waist and still looking at me with narrowed eyes.

He bit his lowerlip then nodded repeatedly.

I felt my breathing hitched so I ought to look away.

"Look at me," utos niya.

Inuutusan niya ba ako? Pinagkatitigan ko nalang ang mga punong nagsasayawan para lang hindi siya matingnan.

Bakit nga ba hindi nalang ako umalis, 'di ba?

"I'm talking to you," he repeated.

I let out a breath and acted cool when I faced him. "What? Huwag mo nga akong pinagbibintangan. You're too assuming," lusot ko pa ulit.

"Woah, ako pa'ng assuming? E, huli ka na nga. Are you playing with me?"

Oh, that was a blow.

"I said... I don't know what you're talking about, so... can you stop?" pagtataray ko, para mapagtakpan ang kagagawan. There's nothing about it, bakit nga ba big deal?

"Okay, as you said." He took his phone out and did something. Later on, I felt my phone beeping on my hand.

I am really doomed.

Nagkatinginan kami.

I took a peek on my phone. "Oh, it's my Dad. Let me answer this first," I said. How lame of you, Audrey.

"Talaga lang, huh? What a coincidence. But sure answer it first."

I secretly pressed the silent, so it wouldn't make a sound. Confirmed, it was Zian who's calling. I didn't answer it and just put it on my ear, pretending that I'm talking to someone while still facing him.

"Yes, Dad? Hmm, I'm good..." I pretended.

I saw how Zian's expression went amused. Pinagkatitigan ko pa ang mukha niya hanggang sa may nakakuha ng atensyon ko. There's this something with him... especially to his eyes.

I felt drowned by his stare that fast, so I didn't know that I wasn't talking anymore, and just staring at him deeply... to his eyes.

I swear, he has the most beautiful serene eyes I have ever seen in my life. It looks perfect, his hazel brown eye color hits different. It was like you're looking at the most beautiful desert only you can see.

What's with him?

"Are you done shamelessly staring at me?"

I made my mouth close when I didn't notice it was already open.

I cleared my throat. "W-what? Yeah, I mean... What are you talking about?!" Ganoon nalang ang pagkataranta ko.

He sexily chuckled. "Geez, I don't know why I'm thinking this... But you just looked like a cute puppy. A little liar cute puppy," he continued.

I felt my cheeks blushed! Oh my. He has this effect, really? What's happening?

"Stop it!" I said and put my phone in my back pocket. "You know what? Don't assume things, Zian. Huwag mong ipilit na ako iyon, dahil hindi ako iyon," I said, with an air of finality.

He smiled, showing his perfect white teeth. "Sabi mo, e. Hindi ko naman ugaling mamilit sa walang kasiguraduhan, pero..." He stepped forward and crouched a bit. "...ugali ko'ng mamilit sa bagay na sigurado ako." He crouched more, until he's now near my neck. He tilted his head and blew soft air on my neck. "Gotcha," he whispered as I felt my phone being taken away.

My forehead creased.

What did he just do?! I thought... I thought it really was something! But it's an another move to trick me! Asshole!

"Hey, give it back to me!" I yelled.

Nagsimula niyang kalikutin ang cellphone ko. Sinubukan kong bawiin sa kaniya, pero inilalayo niya dagdagan mo pa na ang higpit nang pagkakahawak niya.

"Tsk, may password pa, malas..." I heard him mumble.

"Zian! I said give it back to me!" I hit his arm repeatedly.

"P'wede ba wait lang? Iche-check ko lang!" bulyaw niya. "Aha, alam ko na."

I stopped and just death glared at him while he's still busy with the phones he's holding.

He then showed it to me.

He called the unknown number and it rang on me as Zian's.

"You know what, brat? You'll just look like a creepy obsessed girl over me. Really? What was this for?"

I gritted my teeth. "You bastard..." I tried to reach my phone again, but he just didn't let me get it.

"You better answer me first, before I give this back to you. How's that?"

I swallowed, calming myself down.

"What do you want from me?" I seriously asked.

"Me?" He bit his lowerlip, and looked up before looking back at me again. "You. What do you want from me?" He repeated what I asked.

"Fine..." I paused. "Gusto mo talagang malaman?" hamon ko.

He didn't hesitate to nod. "Yeah."

"Okay, then." I grabbed his shirt's collar and made him looked down at me. "I wanted to get even," I whispered as I tilted my head but before I could kiss him, he pulled my forehead away using his index finger.

"Oh, that move, yeah?" He cooly said. "But let me clarify things first. You said, you wanted to get even... and then you had the urge to kiss me? You wanted to get even to what? What did I do?"

This jerk's really getting on my nerves.

"Kung may intensyon kang paglaruan ako, dito pa lang tumigil ka na... Gusto kong malaman mo na hindi lahat ng lalaki sa mundo ay mapapaikot mo. Let's say you're beautiful, but do you think all guys out there only like pretty faces? If you think so, you're definitely wrong. You just can't use your pretty face to attract boys, you're a woman yourself so you should know better. Kasi kung hindi mo alam iyon? Maybe you're still immature and hasn't grown up yet."

His words hit me like a poisonous dagger. For me to able save myself from what he said, para hindi halatang natamaan ako ay malakas na dumapo ang palad ko sa mukha niya.

His lips parted, conscience evident in his serene eyes.

I admit it. I lose for the first time. He was the first guy who didn't show any of interest, the first guy who made me feel rejected, the first guy who did me wrong, the first guy who made me feel humiliated, the first guy who didn't get seduced, the first guy who refused to kiss me, and the first guy who made me realize something I should have realized a long time ago.

In my entire life, I've never felt it all until now. I seemed like got tantalized by him. But I won't give him the satisfaction, he just hit my button.

"I didn't expect that a jerk like you can make me feel this way. How dare you to lecture me, who are you? You are just nothing to me. You're just a jerk yourself," I said as I took my phone from his hand and harshly pushed him to excuse myself.

I don't think I can like a guy like him. He's the worst guy I've ever met.