The Ravages of Time

Kabanata 17

Kabanata 17

Away From Home

"So, you mean, gusto mo talaga si Tariq?"

I sighed for the nth time and rolled my eyes in front of my friends who weren't believing what I said. It's already lunchtime and I felt like I was sitting on a hot seat.

"Yes, how many times do I have to tell you that?" I answered and their lips frowned.

"Talaga? Wow, I cannot believe this! Sonnet Ida Vinco is reportedly in love with Tariq!" Keevah asserted.

I glared at her because she was making fun of me!

"Why, Sonnet? I mean, why him? Why Tariq?" Reighn asked. Jushen, Keevah, and Connor nodded, supporting what Reighn is claiming.

"Do I need to tell you that?" I asked raising my brows.

They're invading my privacy and emotions. Why do I need to tell them about my feelings toward Tariq?

"Hindi kasi, nagulat lang talaga kami. Ikaw kasi, never kang nagkagusto sa kung kanino. So, 'yon nga, paano—I mean, bakit? Bakit ka nagkagusto sa kanya?" Keevah explained.

"Because he's handsome," I just answered, which made their lips frown.

Hindi naman talaga iyon ang dahilan ko. I have so many reasons why I like him to the point na baka hindi ko pa nga kayang isulat 'yon.

Hindi ko lang alam kung bakit kailangang ipaliwanag ko sa kanila 'yon. I don't owe them an explanation and I have no reason to explain.

"Anong klaseng rason 'yan?" kunot-noong tanong ni Keevah.

"You can't just like a person just because he's handsome. You have your reason, right?" Reighn commented.

"True, there are so many handsome men in the world, Sonnet. Don't tell me you like Tariq because you know he's rich?" Jushen hypothesized.

I rolled my eyes at her.

"Excuse me?" I raised my brow.

"So, bakit mo nga siya nagustuhan? Higit namang gwapo si Chester sa kanya. Pinahiya mo pa 'yong isa. Kaya pala nakita ko kayo sa Gate 4 no'n kasi gusto mo siya?" Connor uttered.

"I just like him, period. Chester deserves what I did to him, he's arrogant!" I drank my mineral water and placed it on the table loudly.

"True, I wasn't expecting the Cupcake guy's attitude earlier. Para siyang ewan like akala mo kung sino," Keevah commented, to which I agreed.

"Ang babaw lang ng rason niya, for sure hindi naman siguro sinadya ni Tariq na patidin siya, right?" Reighn added.

"But... don't you all get confused why Chester hypothesized that Tariq isn't wealthy?" pagdududa ni Jushen.

"Oo, 'yong mga gamit din ni Tariq, hindi mukhang mamahalin," Connor mentioned.

I gulped.

Sabay silang napaisip at nababasa ko sa mga mukha nila na may point ang sinasabi ni Connor at Jushen.

I smiled.

"Ano naman? Baka simple lang talaga siyang tao. You know, I've watched several movies and stories where the character disguised himself as a nerd and poor one who wore simple and cheap clothes. But the plot twist is that he's the son of the president. Maybe, that's how it works..." Reighn noted.

"Posible nga 'yon," Keevah agreed.

I sighed again heavily.

"What's the matter with you, guys? Rich or not, born in a wealthy family or not, that doesn't make him different. You guys should treat all the people in the world equally," I stated.