Damn it, Maria! (Squad Series 1)

46 🌈 Caleb, The Adventurer

🌈🌈🌈

There were few moments in his life that surprised him, as if such events were possible.

This one of those moments.

Nagising na lamang si Caleb sa sikat ng araw at kumakantang boses ni Maria.

"♪♪Humanap ka ng pangit
Humanap ka ng pangit
Humanap ka ng pangit
at ibigin mong tunay!♪♪"

Napansin siya nito. "Good morning, Mon-Mon!" bati nitong punaimbabaw sa musika ng sasakyan.

Tuluyan siya nagkamalay, umayos ng upo. "What..." bulong niya, nakapa ang seat belt

Presko ang simoy ng hangin at maulap. He glanced at the car digital clock. It was ten in the morning.

Maria was driving his red convertible through the highway to devil knows where.

He didn't even know she knew how to drive.

"May tinapay sa back seat," sabi nito, at sumipsip ng juice sa pinakamahabang straw na nakita niya. It spiraled to a tumbler between them in the front seat. It was one of those straws marketed to children. "Juice, you like?"

"What the hell is this?!" sigaw niya. He remembered inviting their club mates, Maria giving him something to drink and then...

Natampal niya ang noo. She asked her if he wanted adventure. He doesn't remember what happened after.

It was the drink. He was sure. Hindi na siya natuto sa mga dating karanasan. "Maria, what did you put in my drink last night?"

"Something," anito, higit na naging abala sa pagsipsip sa mahabang straw, tingin sa kalye.

"What 'something'?" he growled.

Bigla siyang nahilo nang mabilis na kinabig nito ang manubela at tumigil sa gilid ng kalsada. Pinatay nito ang musika.

"Basta something," anito at inilagay ang kamay sa dibdib, "Walang nilagay na laway this time, promise Mon-Mon," at nagpatuloy. "Nag text si Tamara sa'kin. Sabi niya pinapupunta mo raw sila sa bahay. Kaya nag sabi na ako in advance na dalhin ang sangkap na something para makatulog ka."

Pinanood niyang dahan-dahang gumapang ang kamay nito sa back seat, habang nakatingin lang sa kanya at papaawa. It amazed him how she's able to get a sandwich without looking and took a bite with a puppy eyes.

"Galit ka ba?" anito, at nag-alok. "Gusto mo?"

He stayed quiet for a moment, stared at her. He stared at her so hard.

Liking Maria is like hitting two birds in one stone, like Matthew said. But it feels like he took the stone and hit his head with it.

She's a hurricane... of stones, uncontrollable.

"Pa'no ako napunta sa kotse?" seryoso niyang tanong, hindi inilayo ang tingin.

"Syempre, binuhat ka," and giggled, "dummy."

He called him dumb. Him, Caleb Montreal. Only she can do that.

"Sino ang bumuhat sa'kin?"

"Matthew," anito.

"Sino pa?"

"The guard," at nagdagdag, "please don't fire him."

"Tinawagan ko na in advance ang Daddy mo, may approval na rin ng doctor. Wala ka naman daw lagnat. Nagpaalam rin ako kay Master Hokage... well, he said no kasi may paparazzi and maybe kidnappers daw, pero wala siyang magagawa di ba? Di ba?"