Every Tick of Serendipity ( Ruler of Fate Series #3 )

KABANATA 15

Kabanata 15

The fifteenth tick

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"Sino 'yon?" Tanong ni Kuya sa gitna ng byahe.

I pouted and crossed my arms. "Atlas?"

He looked at me from the rear-view mirror. "Your what?"

My forehead creased as I leaned back on the seat. "My friend?"

He nodded his head. "Kailan pa?"

I rolled my eyes. "What's this? An interview ba?"

He flicked his tongue, "Sagutin mo nalang." masungit na sagot niya.

I frowned at him, "We've known each other mga ilang days na rin naman." sagot ko bago balingan ng tingin ang bintana.

"Ano 'tong narinig ko kanina na sumama ka ro'n nang hindi mo naman alam kung saan kayo pupunta?"

Binalik ko ang tingin ko sakanya. I moved closer to the center and leaned forward between their seats. Naramdaman ko ang pagbaling ng tingin sa'kin ni Kairos dahil do'n, pero pinanatili ko ang mga mata ko kay Kuya. "Excuse me lang, ah? But I know naman kung saan kami pupunta." I pursed my lips and looked forward. "Fifty-fifty?"

"Anong fifty-fifty?" Naguguluhang tanong niya.

I glanced at him next to Kairos. My cheeks started burning when I realized how closed our faces are. Mabilis akong lumayo at umayos ng upo sa likuran. "F-Fifty... Na alam ko kung anong pupuntahan." I gulped, seeing how his eyes peeked at me from the headrest. Iniwas ko ang tingin ko sakanya at sinubukang panoorin nalang ang mga nadadaanan namin sa labas. "Fifty na h-hindi ko alam kung saan."

"Ano?" Kuya Zyler scoffed at me. "Ang labo mong kausap, alam mo 'yon?"

My lips parted when I looked back at him. "I just explained it to you, ah?!"

"Hanep... Fifty-fifty, ano 'yan?" He glanced at me. "Ambagan?"

I rolled my eyes. "Duh? If you think rationally—"

"Rationally? Big word..." Sabat niyang muli. He chuckled. "Spell rationally nga?"

I groaned, hearing his mapang-asar na voice nanaman. "Percent is the only thing applicable sa sinasabi ko—"

"Ano bang sinasabi mo? Ni hindi ko nga maintindihan..."

Sumama na nang tuluyan ang tingin ko sakanya dahil sa ginawa niya na namang pagputol sa sinasabi ko. "You're so dumb-dumb!"

"You're so arte-arte..."

I stomped my feet on his car, and that made his eyes widen when he looked back at me. He shifted on his seat and scratched his nape. "Huwag gan'yan... Tignan mo, uuwi kang naka-taxi ngayon — sinasabi ko sa'yo."

I frowned at him. "I'll sumbong you kay Kuya Xavy."

He scoffed. "Edi, isumbong mo... Samahan pa kita."

My mouth formed an 'o', as I nodded my head repeatedly. "You feel confident, ah?"

"Oh, bakit? Mas yari ka naman kay Nash kapag sinabi kong nakipag-date ka."

My eyes widened. I unconsciously glanced at Kairos, who had his elbow placed on the window, as he played with his lips using his right hand. I gulped. "I-I didn't go on a date!"

He stifled a chuckle. "Talaga ba?"

"Yes! Talagang-talaga! Why would I date someone else?!" I defended, with my eyes watching from the side mirror, how Kairos fist clenched.

"Ano sa tingin mo?" Kuya glanced at him, "Date ba 'yon?" nang-aasar niyang tanong.

My eyes remained on him, even though he gave me a sidelong glance. I gulped and shook my head, with my eyes widened still.