The Best Friend's Girlfriend

Chapter THIRTY FIVE

Ericka

"A-anong ibig mong sabihin?"

Saglit na napatingin sa akin si Norris bago niya napagpasyahang bitawan yung braso ko.

"Baka kasi mapagod ka sa pag-akyat. Concerned lang ako. Ako na lang ang aakyat para tignan siya. Hintayin mo na lang kami dito." He smiled.

He looked sincere and really concerned kaya naman hindi na 'ko tumutol pa. Pumayag na lang ako sa suggestion niya at tumango.

Then he went up and I walked back to the parking lot para doon na lang maghintay.

I fished for my phone from my pocket and plugged my earphones in. Nakinig na lang ako ng music para kahit papano hindi naman masyadong tahimik yung paligid.

A few minutes later, Keil was already running towards me. Napaayos ako ng tayo.

"Are you okay? Masama ba pakiramdam mo?" He asked worriedly as he approached me.

I shook my head. "Okay naman ako. Sobrang nainip lang kasi ang tagal mong bumaba."

He sighed in relief. "Shit. Akala ko naman kung ano na." Naghahabol pa siya ng hininga kaya di siya nakapagsalita agad.

"Why? Ano ba sinabi sa'yo ni Uri?" I can't help but ask. Mukha kasing tinakot siya ni Norris kaya naman nagmamadali siyang makababa agad.

He just shrugged. "Uwi na tayo? Sorry natagalan ako. Gusto mo kumain muna?"

Tatanggi pa sana ako but my stomach gave me away. It grumbled so loudly, I had to step a few onches away from Keil. What the hell? Bakit ngayon pa?! Kanina naman hindi ako nakakaramdam ng gutom ah?

Keil laughed. "Sige na, kain muna tayo. Bawi ako sayo kasi pinaghintay kita."

We got in to his car and he started the engine. Di muna siya nag-drive because he was still catching his breath from running.

"Okay ka lang? Bakit ka kasi tumakbo? I asked him.

"Nataranta kasi ako sa sinabi ni Norris eh." I raised my brow and he continued talking. "He said you're in immediate need of company. Akala ko naman kung ano na nangyari sayo. Yung mukha niya kasi kanina, hindi maipinta."

Napatawa ako. This guy's too gullible. "You're too worried about me. Nagiging funny ka na tuloy. Funny-walain."

He pouted. "Bakit? Masama bang mag-alala? Kanina ka pa kaya matamlay. Siyempre matataranta ako kung may bigla lalapit sa akin tapos sasabihin kailangan mo 'ko."

"Oo na. Oo na. Alis na tayo. Gumagabi na, oh. I need to get home by 8."

He did as I said. He revved up the engine and drove out of SJA's parking lot.

We went to a food park within Valenzuela. Maliit lang yung place and it opens at 4pm kaya naman ma-swerte kami dahil may nakuha agad kaming table. Madami din kasing nagpupunta sa place na 'to since there are different varieties of food you could find. I didn't want to eat a heavy meal because I still have to join my family for dinner. Um-order lang si Keil ng burger and grilled cheese sandwich since late merienda lang naman daw namin 'to.

As we ate, hindi ko napigilan yung sarili kong magtanong.

"What took you so long? Wala ka bang katulong maglinis ng classroom niyo?"

Napatigil siya sa pagkain and glanced up to look at me. "A-Ano mag-isa lang ako. Tapos sobrang madumi yung room."

"Ganun ba. Dapat sinama mo 'ko. Para kahit papano may katulong ka."

He shook his head. "Mapapagod ka lang. Okay na 'yun." Tapos ngumiti siya sa akin.

Bakit parang lahat ng tao sa paligid ko, concerned sa mga kilos ko at ayaw akong mapagod? Hindi naman sobrang strenuous yung paglilinis ng room or pag-akyat ng hagdan, diba?