Bits of Chemistry | ✓

Kabanata 25

Kabanata 25

"CL?"

Napamulagat si Tito Eije nang tawagin siyang CL ni Euan. Agad naman humalakhak si Euan at ngumiti nang pilyo sa aming dalawa ni Etienne.

"Charing lang," Euan shrugged off. "Kabado agad kayo, wala pa nga."

Etienne buried his face on my stomach deeply. Mas humigpit ang yakap n'ya sa akin. Patuloy naman ako sa panga-alo sa kan'ya ngunit lumilipad ang isip sa sinabi ni Euan.

Why would I be scared of CL? Pakialam ko nga ba kung dumating siya? I have Etienne with me. I should stop thinking about CL. Hindi naman naging kami ni CL. What we had was probably just puppy love. At hindi pa nga n'ya ito binalik sa akin. It was only one-sided too.

"What happened to your hair?" Tito Eije looked confused, his small eyes squinting. "Is this stress or?"

"I bleached our hair, Tito!" Walang takot na pahayag ni Euan. Nangingiti pa habang pinapakita ang buhok. "Bagay ba sa akin ang pink o red? Etienne will dye his hair in grey!"

Tito Eije's face gradually relaxed. Inayos nito ang salamin n'ya at ngumiti nang kalmado sa amin.

"That's great! Have you guys eaten? Gusto n'yo ba na magpa-room service ako? It is already late, nag-dinner na ba kayo?"

Ngumiti naman ako kay Tito Eije. He was as thoughtful as Etienne. Kaya naman nakumpirma ko lang na lumaki si Etienne sa isang magandang pamilya.

"We'll eat outside na po siguro, Tito." Si Euan ang sumagot. Nagawa n'ya pang ngitian ito. Hindi man lang natakot na baka pagalitan siya dahil pinagtripan ang anak n'ya.

Yet maybe Tito Eije was submissive too. Halata naman kasi na hindi ito masyadong matapang sa anak. He's very lenient to his kid. Kailanman ay hindi ko narinig itong pinagalitan si Etienne. Tita Ellise also treats Etienne like a baby. Kaya naman lumaki ang anak nilang spoiled ngunit mabait. . . Kapag walang sumpong. I scoffed before diverting the thoughts away.

"Kakain tayo sa labas?" bulong ko kay Etienne. I went to the headquarters to get the requirements for the scholarship but I don't mind eating out.

Wala rin naman akong kasabay kumain sa mansion. Lalong lumamig ang bahay dahil mas naging halata ang paglayo ni Adren sa amin. It created a cold war inside the house. The Javiers are also busy these days, hindi tuloy kami madalas mag-usap ni Yna dahil nasa college na rin siya.

"I don't know," Etienne shook his head while still facing my stomach. It tickled me but I didn't mind. He was acting cute. I like it.

"Ayaw mo ba?"

"Ayaw ko kay Euan. Kung di lang dahil sa 'yo, I swear I'll —"

Bumusangot naman ako sa kan'ya. I held his ear like I was threatening him that I'll pull it. "What did I say about manipulating things? Hm? Love, anong sinabi ko tungkol doon?"

I made it clear to him that I wasn't into the idea of him manipulating someone or people just to get his own brand of justice. It doesn't work that way. Si Arrisea at Adren nga ay hindi pa rin naguusap hanggang ngayon. I felt guilty despite not being involved with their break-up. I didn't want to live in guilt. Subalit wala rin naman ako'ng magawa sa ngayon.

Umangat ang tingin n'ya sa akin. His eyes softened. I brushed his hair upwards to assure him that I wasn't angry.

"I'm sorry, Lavy." His lips gently touch my stomach. "I don't want you to be upset. . ."

"Huy? Nandito pa kami?" sita ni Euan sa aming dalawa. "Respeto naman sa aming tatlo? Nandito tatay mo, Etienne oh?" bahagyang dinuro pani Euan si Tito Eije na namumula.