Stuck in Between

Chapter 3

Sakin? May natawag? Sino?

Lumapit sakin si Yanz para ibigay ang phone ko.

'Unknown Number'

"Sagutin mo nga," utos ni Yanz.

"Malay mo kakilala mo na nag-iba ng number."

I'm battling between answering and not answering. Wala pang natawag sakin na unknown. They always tell me beforehand pag nagchange sila ng number.

In the end I pressed the answer button.

"Hello." A man's voice was heard. A very deep manly voice.

"Hey who's that?" Tanong ni Lei na kakagaling lang sa kabilang dulo ng swimming pool.

"Uhh hello? Who's this?" I asked the caller.

"Cali?"

Who the hell is Cali?

Lumayo ako sa mic at tinanong kay Yanz at Lei kung sino si Cali.

"He called me Cali. Who's Cali?"

"I don't know, I just came back?" Sabi ni Yanz.

"Uh... Hand me the phone," sinabi naman ni Lei.

Without thinking twice I gave her the phone, still confused.

"Uh yes? Cali speaking."

Me, still not getting the situation, I asked, "You're Cali?!"

Yanz immediately covered my mouth.

"Shh ka muna," bulong nito sakin.

"Ah yes Theo, I'm sorry I gave you the wrong number." Lei said to the caller.

He's.... Theo? Yung nasa GDM?

After that lumapit sakin si Lei.

"Thalieee! Sorry hehe," sabi nito.

"Sinong Theo yun?" Tanong ko. Malay mo ibang Theo pala.

"Yung nasa GDM." Simpleng sagot nito sakin.

"Ba't mo binigay number ko?" I asked.

One week palang yung GDM, they seem nice naman pero parang ang aga para mag-bigay ng number.

"I was supposed to give him my number, but accidentally gave yours. Nalilito na ko sa number natin lagi ka kasi nag-papaload sakin."

"And why do you need to give your number?"

Alam kong ang dami kong tanong, I just want to know.

"The admin, Kuya Josh, arranged a meet up. I forgot to tell you, di ka nag-online kahapon eh."

"Ah meet up."

Sandali, ano daw?

"MEET UP?!"

"Yes, why? Kuya Josh wants us to meet up, nag-ask naman siya if comfortable, all of them said yes." Sabi ni Lei

"Are you comfortable? I mean I can tell them, after all 1 week palang naman tayo sa gdm eh." Dagdag nito.

"No, it's fine. Nagulat lang ako."

"Hey are you done? I went to get the delivery." Yanz laughed a bit.

"So Cal-, Lei explain. Ba't naging Cali ka?" Tanong ni Yanz.

"My internet name. Napadpad ako sa stan tweet gawa ni Thalie, I don't want to use my real name no." Sagot ni Lei.

Right, gumawa pa yan ng ibang Instagram account para makasali sa Instagram GDM.

My god, this girl.

"Ay ganon, may pa-fake name." Sabi ni Yanz habang natawa.

"Ate Lei! Pupunta daw sina kuya Caiser at Caleb." Sigaw ni Aiden mula sa balcony.

Tumango lang si Lei at nagpatuloy sa pag-langoy.

"Si kuya ba hindi pupunta?" Tanong ko.

"Bukas pa daw po pupunta si kuya Kyzer." Sagot nito.

Mag-iisang buwan ko narin pala hindi nakikita sa kuya. Busy kasi siya.

Dalawa lang kaming magkapatid. Close kami ni kuya. Mabait at napaka-protective. Kay mom lang ako close, 'di kami nagkakasundo ng tatay ko.

"Thalie!" Tawag sakin ni Yanz at sabay buhos ng tubig. Nasa isa pa namang balde.

"Hoy napakasalaw!" Sigaw ko habang natawa sina Yanz at Lei.

"Sapol!" Hagalpak na sabi ni Lei.

Tuwang-tuwa yan? Ngayon alam ko ng pagtutulungan ako lagi ng mga 'to.

Umahon na kami at nagbanlaw.

Pagkalabas ko ng bathroom nakasabay ko si Lei papuntang kitchen.

"Ay nga pala, kailan meet up?"

"This Sunday daw sabi ni kuya Josh. Do you have any plans on Sunday?"

"Oh no perfect timing." I said with a smirk.

I'm supposed to meet dad this Sunday, to meet up with my 'future fiancé'. I show no interest in boys unless it's in a sexual way.

I've never liked any boys in my life. Even girls. Ever since my dad cheated, I've never seen love as something I'd want to have.

I saw how stupid my mom is. She still forgave him even after doing it for 5 times.

She always tell me that it's her fault for being busy. She's a surgeon. And of course my dad would have a lot of time. He's the owner of the hospital. Even though he's the owner, my mom is still the one running it. Minsan si ninang.

Without them baka bumagsak na 'tong hospital namin.

I don't want to get married. After daw ng graduation ko ikakasal ako. I still have time.

My dad told me if I have no plans, we'll meet up on Sunday.

I guess I won't be going.

I went to get some cereal. Magkasama kaming tatlo ngayon, nakain. Mga ilang minuto dumating na yung dalawang kapatid ni Lei.

Unang lumapit si kuya Caiser kay Lei to hug and kiss her forehead. Tapos sumunod naman si Caleb.

Miss ko na si kuya. He's the only man I trust.

I suddenly heard a notification from my phone.

May nag text.

Unknown: Thalie right?

Sino naman to- ay oo nga pala.

Thalie: Yes, hi Theo it's me hahaha

Theo: Sorry I called without a warning earlier. Akala ko kasi si Cali eh nasabihan ko na siya.

Thalie: It's fine hahaha

Theo: So, nasabi niya ba sayo?

Thalie: The meet up? Yes.

Theo: Okay di ka kasi online kagabi hahaha

Thalie: Are you going this Sunday?

Theo: Yes, how about you?

Thalie: Yes same

Theo: Okay then, I'll see you on Sunday.