Chapter 02

"Kairos Leonel Abella-Ferrolino," the brute said while literally grabbing my hand and then gave it a brief kiss. Agad ko naman iyong binawi dahil nandidiri ako sa presensiya niya. He just smirked at me and faced Gregory.

The brute which named Kairos offered his hand and then they went for a man hug. Naputol lang ang pagtingin ko sa kanila nang biglang bumulong si Zoey sa aking tainga.

"Kilala mo pala ang pinsan ko, Lil?"

Nagpakawala ako ng malalim na hininga at sumagot, "Not until now."

"Hm," Zoey only said and called the boys. "Kai, Greg! Balik na tayo sa stop natin. Baka hinahanap na tayo ng mga kasama natin."

Since nag-commute lang kami patungo rito dahil hindi naman ito kalayuan, kailangan pa naming tumawag ng tricycle or any rideable vehicle.

Papara na sana si Greg sa tricycle na paparating nang pinigilan ito ng isang kamay. I looked up and saw Kairos beside Greg. His hand was on Greg's but his eyes were on me. When our eyes met, he lowkey gave me a wink which made me froze in shock and disgust at kinausap si Greg as if he didn't do such horrible deed.

"Bro, may dala akong kotse," he said. "No need to call a tricycle."

"Ganoon ba? Sige," ani Greg at bumaling sa akin sabay hawak sa palapulsuhan ko. "Tara na, miss."

Thank God the ride was quick. Kasi kung natagalan pa kaming apat sa kalsada, baka natusok ko na ang mata ni Kairos dahil palagi siyang nakatitig sa akin whenever he had the chance.

Some might feel butterflies in their stomachs, pero ibahin niyo ko. I felt nothing but disgust.

Nang nakarating sa stop, ipinakilala ni Zoey ang kaniyang pinsan sa lahat ng mga kaklase ko. I almost choked on my saliva nang nakita ko kung paano namula ang mga pisngi ng mga babae kong kaklase dahil lang nahawakan ni Kairos ang mga kamay nila tig-iisa. The brute even kissed their knuckles! Just like what he did with mine earlier.

Mayamaya ay napagdesisyonan na ni Zoey at ilang class officers—including me—na simulan na ulit ang byahe para makarating kami roon before mag 2PM.

After a couple minutes of driving, we finally reached Oslob. Ipinark nalang nila ang van at ang kotse namin sa parking area since we have to ride a boat para makarating sa mismong island.

And since marami kami, we occupied lots of boats. Kasabay ko sina Greg, si Mang Roman, Zoey and my other classmates. Of course, hindi mawawala ang pinsan nitong walang hiyang nakatingin sa akin palagi.

Seriously, minutes from now tatawag na ako ng pulis! He's such a creep!

Thank God I survived.

"Sumilon Island!" sigaw ng isa sa mga it girl sa classroom noong senior high, si Fei.

Napangiwi ako nang walang hiya siyang lumapit kay Kairos at nagpa-picture.

Habang nakatitig ako sa kanila, napatango-tango ako. Based on their looks, bagay naman sila kasi I can't deny that Kairos is handsome kahit ayaw ko sa kaniya sa hindi malamang dahilan. Fei is a gorgeous one, campus crush.

The whole day in Sumilon Island was fun. Picture dito, picture doon. Ligo rito, ligo roon. I had fun watching my classmates having fun in the sea while I just sat on the seashore with Mang Ramon. Wala si Greg kasi kinuha siya ni Zoey at agad siyang dinumog ng mga kaklase ko.

Tumawa nalang ako sa nakita.

Night came and we finished eating dinner. We booked rooms sa isang resort kasi bukas ng hapon pa yata kami uuwi. Share kami ng room ni Zoey. Gusto ko sana mapag-isa but she kept on insisting na share kami.

As what I've told, I have no close friends but they talk to me occasionally.

"I like your boyfriend, Lil," biglang sabi ni Zoey nang naghahanda ako para lumabas. Gusto ko magpahangin at makipagtitigan sa kawalan.

I chuckled. "Hindi ko iyon boyfriend, Mayor Zoey."

"How come? He looks at you differently."

"Doesn't matter. I only see him as my father's scholar, a friend and a brother."

Hindi na nagsalita si Zoey and faced her phone kaya I took that opportunity to get out.

Hindi ko pa nga tuluyang naisarado ang pintuan nang narinig ko na naman ang nakakairitang boses na iyon.

"Where are you going this late?"

I closed the door, sighed, and faced the brute.

"Kahit saan basta wala ka," I answered and faked a smile.

He chuckled. "Why do you hate me?"

"Just because?" I answered.

"You can't hate someone just because," he said and stepped forward kaya napa-step backward na rin ako.

He kept on stepping forward hanggang sa naramdaman ko nalang ang malamig na pader sa likod ko.

He smirked and placed his hand just beside my face. I gulped out of nervousness. Paano ba naman, ang lapit na ng mukha niya sa mukha ko. Ano ang gagawin niya?!

"See you around, Lili."

Lord, please get me out of this hell.

✓