Embracing the Wind (Formentera Series #2)

Chapter 1

I heaved a heavy sigh as I looked at my friend — Aster. Paikot-ikot siya sa swivel chair habang malalim ang iniisip. After a seconds, she removed her lollipop out of her mouth and creased her forehead.

"Maganda naman ako, matalino at may katawan... bakit wala akong jowa?"

For the nth time, I sighed. I stood up and walked towards her. "Baka hindi mo pa panahon," sabi ko kaya tumingin siya sa akin.

Mahina niya akong hinampas kaya natawa ako. "Bakit?" natatawang tanong ko.

She rested her back and closed her eyes. "Maybe I should use your card."

My brows wiggled. "Card? What is it? What do you mean?"

"'Yung ako na lalandi! 'Yung ako na manliligaw!" She clapped her hands as she opened her eyes.

"Really? Are you serious?" I chuckled.

She nodded. "Kasi naman, 23 years old na ako, Yen. Gusto ko na mag asawa," aniya.

I sat down on the sofa and took the magazine that was on the mini table. "You are still young, Aster. Mag enjoy ka muna sa buhay..." I said as I turned the page of the magazine.

"Nag e-enjoy kaya ako! Pero syempre..." Naglakad siya patungo sa akin at tumabi. "Iba pa rin kapag may kasama ka sa buhay. 'Yung may mapagkukwentuhan ka ng mga bagay bagay... ah basta!" She crossed her arms.

"What am I to you then?" I said and looked at her.

She rolled her eyes. "Kaibigan. Pwede ka ba maging jowa? Hindi tayo talo. 'Pag ikaw jowa ko walang magaganap na sex."

"Oo nga pala, hindi ka ba hinahanap ni Chester?" tanong ko kaya bumuntong-hininga siya.

"Tinataguan ko nga 'yon, e. Sobrang higpit kasi sa'kin, e, hindi naman ako magpapawasak sa kung kanino lang," she said.

Tumayo ako nang tumunog ang cellphone ko. There was a dm from someone. Naglakad ako patungo sa kama ko at kinuha ang cellphone ko saka binasa ang mensahe.

@ethanreal
Hey. How are you?

My forehead creased. "Why did he message me?" Nagkibit-balikat na lang ako at nagtipa ng ire-reply. Wala namang masama sa pag message niya sa akin.

@hopelevisay
Hi, I'm doing fine. How about you? :)

Mabilis na lumabas ang typing bar kaya umupo ako sa kama para hintayin ang sasabihin niya. Baka gusto niya lang makipagkaibigan sa akin.

@ethanreal
I'm fine! What are you up to?

@ethanreal
Oh... Am I feeling close? I'm sorry. I just want to know more about you. Ang alam ko lang ay model ka.

Napangiti ako.

@hopelevisay
I'm talking to my friend.

@hopelevisay
No, it's okay, Ethan. What do you want to know about me?

@ethanreal
Am I disturbing you?

Nireply niya iyon sa sinabi kong nakikipag-usap ako sa kaibigan ko. Tinignan ko si Aster.

@hopelevisay
No. She's now busy with her phone.

@ethanreal
Oh. Uhm... How old are you?

@hopelevisay
I'm 22. You?

@ethanreal
I'm 25. Do you believe in "age doesn't matter?" hahahaha.

I chuckled.

"Ano 'yan? Kinikilig ka? Dalaga ka na, Yen?"

Napatingin ako kay Aster. Mataman siyang nakatitig sa akin.

"Hindi ah! Minessage lang ako ni Ethan—"