Gambler

GAMBLE 74

Bukod sa maingay na bunganga ni Andre as usual habang kausap si River, prenteng nakaupo ang anim sa couch sa living room ng hideout nila.

Wala si Cyd at Hana, both busy with their careers, they're still waiting for Xochitl.

Not only Dous' gives off the energy of the dead while sitting there he was also clueless.

Although they've been friends for almost a decade, this is Via and Brandy's first time hanging out on their hideout, paminsan si Brandy 10 minutes na pinakamatagal niyang nagstay, pag dinadaanan lang nila ni River ang nakalimutan nitong gamit.

Their hideout, it's not that big but it's comfortable. Living room, a kitchen, mini stage with their instruments and the biggest part of it was the game station, may table tennis, kung ano anong klaseng games it's like they own an arcade inside, prolly Cyd's the mastermind.

Pinakamagulong part is the mini stage, there are papers scattered all around that area, probably music sheets and drafts ng mga songs and yung wires ng instruments nila na halos nakakalat sa sahig. It was messy but not uncomfortable to the eyes. Mukha lang rock aesthetic.

"Andre manahimik ka nga kahit isang oras lang. Wala na akong naiintindihan sa pinapanood." It was Via, binato niya si Andre ng piraso ng chips na kinuha pa sa kinakain ni Gian.

"Bakit ba kasi yan pinapanood niyo? Hindi ko maintindihan."

"Pano mo maiintindihan putak ka ng putak." Si Gab naman 'yun ngayon.

"Pansin ko lang gustong-gusto niyo akong pinagtutulungan porke wala si Cyd. Dous o inaaway nila ako." Parang bata pa nitong sumbong, ni hindi siya ginawaran kahit sulyap ng isa. He was just there sitting, watching the movie, quietly.

"Do you think he's breathing?" Pabulong na tanong ni Via sa malapit sa kaniyang si Gab, si Avan kasi ang katabi niya kaso tulog sa sofa.

"Ewan ko nga, Rivs check mo nga kung buhay pa." Pabulong din na sabi ni Gab sa mga kasama.

Bago pa makasagot si River nasipa na ni Brandy si Dous, na agad naman siyang sinamaan ng tingin. "Why?" Iritadong tanong nito, na sinuklian ni Brandy ng ngiti. "Ah buhay pa."

Bigla namang tumunog yung doorbell, napatakip ng tenga si Brandy at Via. Well according to Via, the sound their doorbell was producing when pressed was- to put it lightly, horrible.

Di malaman kung iyak ng kambing na naipit sa lamesa o ano.

Bigla na lang napatingin si Dous sa kanila, and then they looked at each other guiltily.

Paanong hindi, Dous already has a hunch kung sinong nasa pinto. Nagpaalam na si Cyd na di makakarating he is in Cebu kagabi pa for business matters while Hana is busy as usual malapit na ang revalida niya. Isa na lang ang kulang sa kanila.

"Ah baka food delivery yan haha?" Natahimik lang lahat sa dry na comment ni Gian.

"Ako na magbubukas." Presinta ni Via at kaagad na tumayo.

Dous also stood after Via left, pumunta ng kusina at saka naman dumating si Xochitl na pinaupo nila sa tabi ng puwesto ni Dous kanina.

Pagbalik ni Dous galing kusina he saw her, sobrang tahimik ng paligid. He was just there standing at nakasandal sa mesa not wanting to sit on his original seat.

He know his friends too well.

"Hi." Xochitl greeted him, tumango lang ito sa kaniya.

At least he didn't ignore me? She thought

"Oh andito na si Chil, kainin na natin yung biniling foods, then cheers for Via's new project." Nilabas ni Gab yung mga dala nilang pagkain na inorder kanina.

"May bagong project si Via?" Takang napatingin lahat kay Brandy.

Napapamura na lang si Via sa isip isip niya. Siya pa nga nakaisip non, at siya rin nagbalita sa kanila.

Sisniko naman si Brandy ng katabi na niyang si River ngayon.

"Babe diba.. nakalimutan mo agad?"

"Ay gagi kaya nga pala tayo nandito. Sorry Via di ka naman kasi mahalaga." Palusot pa nito.

"Oyy sino nagdala nitong hipon sakto gutom ako." Buti na lang sa katakawan ni Andre naligtas pa rin niya yung stituation, maybe?

While they were busy with food, Dous also busied himself with it. Habang si Xochitl tumitingin tingin sa kaniya from time to time. Nanibago siya sa pakikitungo nito, it was not the usual playful Rush but what can she do? Ramdam niyang kasalanan niya.

Hindi pa siya totally nakakaexplain personally kay Dous, at parang hindi yun yung gustong marinig nito ngayon. So she would respect him but won't give up.

They talked and minsan binabalikan yung mga kalokohan nila nung senior high school. Hanggang maubos nila yung kinakain at mabusog kakatawa. It was nice, just like the old times.