Chapter 17: Lunch

"Nakakainis ka."

"Pinagsasabi mo riyan? There's something beside your lips, so... I wiped it. What's wrong?" Bakas sa boses niya ang panunuya.

I shook my head and crossed my arms on my chest. "Paasa..."

He looked away before glaring at me again. Maya-maya pa ay problemado siyang napabuntong hininga at mukhang tangang nag-iwas ulit ng tingin. "Can you lift that thin clothe up a bit? It's distracting." He merely glanced at my body before making himself sat on the high chair far from me.

I smirked when I realized something. "Is it distracting?" I asked as I looked at my chest, cleavage revealing.

"Yeah."

I shrugged and went near him without doing what he said. "Ayaw ko nga."

He glared at me. "You're so stubborn, gusto mong itali kita?" iritadong aniya.

"You mean, rope in bed?"

"Hindi, talian kita sa paa tapos ilambitin nang patiwarik."

"So you'll be doing something to me in that position?"

"What were you thinking? Ang laswa mong babae ka."

"What? Did I say something?"

"Nevermind. Itaas mo na iyang damit mo, p'weda ba?"

"Why are you so problematic?"

His lips rose a bit. "Hindi ka ba natatakot na baka may gawin ako sa 'yo? Well, hindi ko naman sinasabing may gagawin ako."

I felt my face lightened up. "Gawin? Bakit ako matatakot? I would be so happy!"

"Talaga?" Sarkastiko niya akong inirapan. "Paano kapag may ginawa akong hindi mo magugustuhan?"

"Well, it's easy... I can use my skills on you."

"And what is it?"

"I can punch the hell out of you."

"Hmm, I wonder how it feels like. Ano ba'ng hindi mo gustong gawin ko, let's try what skills you were talking about."

"Gusto mo itry ko sa 'yo? You don't need to piss me off, I would gladly punch you right on your face." I flicked my tongue boastfully.

"Mukhang gustong-gusto mo, ah? May tanim ka ba ng galit sa 'kin?"

I just grimaced and motioned him to stand up. We're already standing up and facing each other.

Walang pasubali kong isinuntok sa ere ang kamao na dapat sa mukha niya tatama, but in my horror he dodged it like nothing!

"Sorry," mayabang na aniya at may papitik-pitik pa sa leeg.

I felt like challenged, so I have to focus more. "Zian..." I called as I punched his face, but he dodged it again. Mayabang siyang ngumisi kaya naman may pagkakataon akong linlangin siya nang mabilis kong ginamit ang isang kamao ko para suntukin ang mukha niya.

And like that, he didn't see it coming making him bruised his cheek.

I stuck my tongue out. "You pathetic jerk," pang-aasar ko.

"What was that? Pangbabae ba iyang kamay mo?" he asked as he held his cheek, he looked hurt but I care less.

"Well, I still remember my lessons in taekwondo back when I was a kid. And I'm glad when I used it on you. Isn't it great?"

"Great mo mukha mo, ang sakit kaya."

"Well, let me heal it."

"Huwag na kaya ko na."

I followed him behind while he's heading outside to heal his cheek. "Ako na nga nag-offer, let me do it." Inagaw ko sa kaniya ang ice pack nang kinuha niya iyon atsaka naupo sa couch nila sa living area.

"Ako na nga kasi."

"You know, my parents are doctors so definitely I know how to heal wounds."

"Hindi doktor ang mga magulang ko, pero marunong din ako."

I glared at him. "Bakit ayaw mong ako ang gumamot sa 'yo? Galit ka ba kasi hindi mo ako nailagan?"

He tsked. "Why would I be? I'm not mad, okay? Sige na nga, ikaw na," he gave up.

Alam kong dampi lang naman ng ice pack sa pisngi niya ang gagawin, but I wanted to do it.

I gently put the ice pack on his cheek. It's kinda swollen, at mukhang malakas nga talaga ang pagkakasuntok ko.

"Lagi ka ba nagbabakasyon dito?" biglaang tanong niya.

I looked at him. "It's my first time."

"Okay. Ano namang naisipan mo at nagbakasyon ka rito?"

I sighed and put down the ice before giving him my attention. "To be honest, it wasn't me. I mean, my Dad planned this, I don't even wanted to stay here."

"Why?"

"It's his punishment."

"Punishment for?"

I sighed again. "For what I did. I was at this club when I made out with a guy I do not even know. Nang nakita iyong mukha niya, nagalit ako."

"Ba't ka naman nagalit?"

"Hey, that asshole was the one who pushed me in my university and it happened that he's the guy I was making out with. Out of anger, I pushed him without me realizing. He then fell on stairs, but swear, I didn't do it intentionally, I was drunk that time!"

"Lesson learned, huwag ka magpadalos-dalos at pangunahan ng emosyon mo. Bakit ka nga ba niya tinulak? You should tell me detailed para magets ko."

I rolled my eyes. "Tsismoso. Anyway, that time I poured my drink on someone's head, she's pissing me so I just wanted to get even. Then that jerk suddenly appeared to push me, sabi niya pa wala akong karapatan mang-bully hindi porke't I am popular or has connections bla bla... Just what the fvck? No one dares to do that to me, so..." I stopped midsentence when I noticed his intense stare. He was just there, listening with a a small smile on his lips while staring at me like I'm some kind of jewel that made his eyes twinkle.

"Are you even listening?"

"Ah, yes. So, what happened next?" He sat properly.

"What did I last say, then?"

"No one dares to do that to me, so..." he mimicked what I said and the way I said it.

I hit him on his chest.

"Why would you do that in the first place, anyway? Hindi maganda ang paghihiganti, Persian Audrey," he said it seriously and I noticed how hot it was when he also mentioned my name.

I smirked. "You're hot whenever you mention my name."

He flicked his finger against my forehead. "Naiintindihan mo ba sinabi ko?"

"The what?"

"Revenge is not always the answer, sometimes you just have to ignore them, so the problem won't get bigger."

"Okay, whatever you say..."

"Continue what you were saying."

I went near him and clung my arm on his.

"What are you doing?" He tried to get rid of me, but I insist until he just gave up and let me.

I smiled. "Well, iyon na nga. When that happened, my parents scolded me as usual. My Dad had enough and took all of my things and I got grounded for weeks, just what the hell? My life was really in hell that time."

"Buti nga sa 'yo, ang tigas kasi ng ulo mo."

I glared at him before continuing. "Wala na akong balita sa lalaking 'yon dahil after three weeks in hell, my father then sent me to Archie's house."

He nodded. "Okay. Aren't you scared of that guy when you come back?"

I scoffed. "No way. He started it!"

"You should apologize. Buti nga't hindi ka niya pinakulong."

I pouted. "I won't apologize because it was his fault!"

"Even so, you should lower your pride sometimes and be humble. Sabihin na nating nauna siya, but it still does not make sense, sa tingin mo kung pareho kayong matigas paano matatapos iyong bagay na nasa inyong dalawa? Your conscience will forever haunt you if you won't apologize for what you did."

"Hindi ako nakokonsensya, Zian. I'm not even sorry when that happened, yeah, sure I was scared, but he deserved it. He's an asshole."

He sighed. "Listen, okay? Did he get hospitalized?"

I nodded.

"Right. Paano kung sa pagtulak mo mas malala pa iyong nangyari sa kaniya? He might die because of what you did. Ano, hindi ka pa rin ba makokonsensya no'n?"

He has a point.

I glanced at him. "Makokonsensya," parang batang sagot ko.

He gave me a faint smile. "Yeah, right. So, ano ang gagawin mo?"

"I won't apologize dahil hindi naman siya namatay."

He groaned. "I'm serious, brat!"

"I'm serious too."

"When you come back there, you must get things straight. No regrets, Persian Audrey. Just do the right things if you don't want to be in hell again."

I pouted. "Should I transfer in your school?"

His eyes narrowed. "Why?"

"Para lagi kitang makita."

He snorted.

"When the class starts, I won't able to see you often again."

"You badly want to see me everyday, huh?"

"Yeah, I'm being honest here."

"Are you treating your boylets like this before?"

Marahas akong napabaling sa kaniya. "Of course not! And what boylets? For your information, Fernando, I don't hang with boys after making out with them in minutes."

He got confused before laughing. "Fernando? What the hell are you saying?"

Natahimik ako. Is he denying it? Nahihiya ba siya sa pangalan niya at natatawa pa siya?

"Kunwari ka pa. Are you shy, Fernando?"

He shook his head a little before closing his eyes. "Baliw ka na yata."

I shrugged and just looked at his face instead. "It's still a bit swollen..." I whispered.

He looked down on me, smiling. "Are you guilty?"

I shook my head. "Dapat lang sa 'yo 'yan. Right, am I still pretty?" I looked at him and raised my brow.

"Smile a bit," utos niya.

I smiled.

"Yeah. Wait, I'll take a picture of you." Ikinalas niya ang braso ko sa kaniya para kunin ang cellphone niya sa gilid, he then focused it on me.

"Smile, ha."

I nodded and smiled like a gullible. He took almost five shots when I had enough. "Let me see it."

He showed me his phone with his selfies!

"What the hell, Fernando?!"

"'Di joke lang, mayroon nga kasi, oh." He showed me my photos, ignoring what I called him.

"Oh, yeah. Should I wear this always? I looked like an angel there." I touched the hair clip on my hair.

He rolled his eyes. "Little devil kamo."

I hit him on his arm.

"Right, let's go. Ihatid na kita sa inyo."

I WOKE up early than usual, kaagad kong ni-text si Zian para ipaalala ang lakad namin.

Me:

Good morning, Fernando. Today’s our date, so don’t forget about it. : )

Zian:

Wtf, brat. Ba’t ka ba Fernando nang Fernando?

I smirked. I noticed how formal his typings right now, minsan kasi hindi, minsan naman formal siyang magtext, depende sa mood.

Me:

i just want it!

Zian:

Mamaya na tayo magdate, aalis kami ngayong umaga.

Me:

Where?

Zian:

Simba with my family. Sama ka? If you want, isama mo si Archie, so it won’t look weird.

Me:

why would it be weird?!

Zian:

Baka ano pa isipin nila’t sabihing girlfriend kita kahit hindi naman.

Me:

Well, it’s fine for me if they assume I’m your girlfriend. Ayaw mo ba?

Zian:

Ayaw ko pa

Zian:

I mean, ayaw ko! Isama mo nalang si Archie para mabawasan ang sungay!

I giggled.

Me:

If you say so, my Fernando.

I chuckled. What's with you, Audrey? Kailan ka pa nahilig sa pang-aasar?

Zian:

Fernando mo, mukha mo.

"Archie! Let's go to church now!"

"Kailan ka pa natutong magsimba? Sinong anghel ang sumanib sa 'yo?"

"Just get dressed, okay?!"

I was wearing a different outfit, it's far from what I usually wear. It's a decent one. A navy blue blazer dress with a hairclip on.

"You looked like innocent today, huh?" I heard Zian whisper when he saw us approaching them outside of the church, doon na kami dumiretso ni Archie sa simbahan.

"'Di pa tapos iyong mass sa loob, mamaya na tayo pumasok," aniya nang bumaling sa wristwatch niya.

He's wearing a white polo shirt that makes him look manly.

"Saan sila Tita, 'tol?"

"Papunta na 'yon dito, umuna lang ako nang kaunti."

I smirked. "Why?"

He rolled his eyes.

"Oh, nandiyan na sila! Anella, Kent!" pagtawag ni Archie.

When I glanced at the family who are walking towards us. The way they walk in unison even with their formal attire scream power, lalo na siguro kung kasama si Zian. I don't know, there's just something in their family. Para bang maimpluwensiya.

"Hello, Audrey! Ikaw pala pinunta ni Kuya rito? Ma, ito iyong sinasabi ko sa 'yo —"

Zian cut off Ariane when she was about to come near me.

"Ari... Si Archie ang kasama niya."

"Pinsan mo ito, hijo?" tanong ng lalaki na old version ni Zian.

"Ah, opo, Tito! Si Audrey," siko niya sa 'kin.

"Hmm, hello... Good morning p-po..." Shit! I stuttered! I've never been this nervous! And my eyes could literally jump out when I recognized the woman beside him. I already saw this woman in the mall! Oh my...

I heard Zian chuckle. Gusto ko siyang hampasin kaso halos sila ay nakatingin sa 'kin. Just what the fvck?

"Ikaw nga. I already saw you, hija..."

Pakiramdam ko ay mayroong pagdududa sa mata ng babae, of course! I didn't even greet her in the mall last time! I just didn't care, but when I realized it's Zian's mother I just want to hide in someone's shirt.

And to sum it up, I introduced myself to them, ganoon din naman sila. They're all soft and kind. Madali silang pakiusapan at pakisamahan kaya naman nagsabay-sabay na kaming pumasok sa simbahan nang tumunog na ang malaking bell sa taas nito. I've never been in a church since then, siguro matagal na at halos nakalimutan ko na rin.

They're just listening seriously when the mass started, wala akong maintindihan sa sinasabi ng pari kaya kung saan-saan nalang lumilikot ang mata ko. Panay naman ang siko ni Archie sa 'kin na makinig kaya naiinis ako sa kaniya.

"Lunch muna tayo," aya noong Lolo nila nang matapos ang misa.

I twisted my lips and glanced at Zian. "Nahihiya ako."

He chuckled. "Kailan ka pa nahiya? Ayos lang iyan, mabait naman sila. Atsaka nandiyan naman si Archie." Wala na akong nagawa kun' 'di pumayag, naglunch kami sa isang Filipino restaurant.

I couldn't help but to admire their family. I just felt... envious. Nagkakasundo silang lahat, walang sagutan na nangyayari, at halata sa kanilang mga mata ang saya.

I sighed. Sana nga ay ganito nalang din kami, pero kung hindi man umayon ang kung sino wala akong magagawa kung hindi hayaan nalang.

"So, how old are you, hija?" asked by their grandfather.

"Hmm, I'm 18...po." Geez, natatakot ako baka pagalitan ako kapag hindi gumamit ng ganoon. Ngayon lang ako naging ganito kaconscious.

Archie and Zian chuckled. "Pasensya na, Lolo, pero hindi po sanay itong pinsan ko na makipag-interact."

I saw Kent and Ariane looked at each other and laughed.

"What's funny?" pasimpleng ani ko.

"Pinagtatakpan ka ni Archie," Zian said.

I bit my lowerlip and secretly hit his thigh under the table.

"Ouch."

"Oh, ayos ka lang, bro?" usisa ni Kent.

I closed my eyes tightly, feeling embarrased.

"Pinagtutulungan niyo si Audrey, tama na nga 'yan."

Napuno ng pang-aasar ang lunch namin. I didn't even enjoy it because I felt conscious. I'm really not fond of gathering.

"Do you think I had fun?" I asked, gritting my teeth.

"Hindi malamang, e, parang kulang na nga lang ay magwalk-out ka kanina kung hindi lang nakatutok ang atensyon nila sa 'yo."

We're now walking somewhere in the mall, nang umuwi sila ay may sarili naman kaming mundo. Si Fernando ay gumawa pa ng excuse na may gagawin sila ni Archie kahit naman halata sa mga mukha ng pamilya niya na hindi naniniwala sa kaniya.

"Let's eat, I'm hungry. You know what! I was that conscious in front of your family that I didn't have the chance to enjoy my food!"

"Kasalanan pa ng pamilya ko? E, wala naman silang ginagawa sa 'yo, ikaw lang 'tong praning."

I rolled my eyes.

We entered an another restaurant, I am starving! But I still didn't enjoy my lunch when I noticed some girls looking at us near our table.

"What the fvck they want?" I hissed.

"Kain na, uy. Ano ba problema?" Zian asked, while staring at me. He just ordered a light food since he already ate, kain nalang din daw siya para may kasabay ako.

"Nothing."

I took a peek at them when I heard them murmuring and I noticed their phones were directed on us. I sipped on my juice and excused myself when I saw them left for a bathroom.

"Hey, it's confirmed. Audrey Valderama's here... Yeah, well, thanks to her..."

I clenched my jaw as I heard a voice from a cubicle, and I really got pissed when I heard my name.

"She's with a guy... He isn't familiar with me, but I think they're dating?"

I harshly kicked the cubicle's door using my heels. "You devil, get yourself out or I'll gonna broke your nose when I get in?"

I saw two girls coming out from the other cubicle, it's her companions.

"Oh, Audrey Valderama. I bet you saw us," said by the other girl.

I ignored her and continued kicking the cubicle's door. "I swear, I'll kill you."

I diverted my attention at the other girls since I couldn't open it. "You devils, are you stalking me?"

"Well, ganoon na nga? Are you dating a guy, Audrey? He's hot, have you already made out with him too, or mas malala pa?"

I glared at her. "Shut the fvck up."

I felt my phone beeped, but I ignored it.

When the cubicle opened, my hand automatically landed on the girl's face. "You bitch, did you just stalk me?"

"Stop it, Audrey or I'm going to call a police!" I heard them say, but I didn't stop.

"What are you up to?" My eyes darkened while my fist tightly clenched on her shirt's collar.

She shook her head and choked. "No... Wala!"

"Wala? Kilala mo 'ko at tanga ako kung paniniwalaan kita."

"I said it's nothing!"

My heart's pounding hard because of anger. I pushed her hard until she's already lying on the floor.

"Persian Audrey..."

Napabaling ako nang narinig kong may tumawag sa 'kim gamit ang mahinahong boses.

"What did you do?" His lips parted when he saw the girl on the floor.

"Zian..." I almost whispered.

He didn't glance at me when his eyes were already fixed on her. "Are you... okay?"

What he said made my jaw dropped. He seriously asked her if she was okay... What the hell?