Head in the Sand (Erudite Series #3)

Kapitulo 19

"Why did you come here?" I fixed my cap and stared at Graham. "Sabi mo ngayon 'yong practice mo sa pageant, sinabi ko na sasamahan kita, 'di ba?"

Umiling ako sa kaniya. "No, Graham. I meant practice in my condo. Not in España. I'm going to practice in my condo, that's why I didn't want us to go to QC today."

Umawang ang bibig niya, malamang napagtanto na mali ang pagkakaunawa niya. Maybe magulo rin ang sinabi ko. Pero, teka...

"'Tsaka, sinabi ko na rin sa 'yo na 'wag mo na ako samahan, 'di ba? Kasi kaya ko na," dagdag ko.

When he was about to speak again, I saw Mari coming to us. Ang aga naman niya, sabi ko bibili pa lang ako ng almusal namin, e.

"Ba't ka nandito, Dani?" Mari asked as he glanced at Graham. "Bibili pa lang ako ng McDo."

"Ikaw 'yong pinsan ni Lara, 'di ba? 'Yong nagtuturo kay Dani mag-commute?" hindi nagsalita si Graham agad. "Sorry, eidetic memory," dagdag ni Mari.

If I know, Mari stalked Graham because he said Graham was good-looking when he went with me to España. That's why Mari remembered Graham, not because of his eidetic memory kuno.

"Anyway, bakit ka nandito pala?" Graham turned to me. Inuutusan niya ba akong mag-explain?

Tinignan ko si Mari at bumuntonghininga. Fine, I'll explain the situation to this loud classmate of mine.

"There was a misunderstanding. He thought he was going to teach me how to commute today, but I actually said no since I have to practice my talent portion with you guys."

Ngumuso si Mari. "Nagsayang ka ng pamasahe, Graham." Aniya.

Why does this happen?

I felt bad again! Ano ba 'yan!

"'Lika, Graham, libre na lang kita ng almusal muna. Pasensiya na, gumatos ka na naman kahit na 'di mo naman ako tuturuan." Hinila ko ang kamay niya.

"Sama na me!" si Mari na ngayo'y nakabuntot sa aming dalawa ni Graham. "Graham 'wag ka na muna umuwi, alam ko na ano'ng role mo sa practice ni Dani!" deklara ni Mari.

Tumawid kami at naglakad patungo sa McDonald's.

"Role? What are you talking about, Mari? He should go home, baka may need pa siyang gawin for school." Apila ko.

"Sa bagay, busy ka ba, Graham?" hinawakan ni Mari ang shoulder ni Graham.

Mari's action irked me. Kulang na lang tanggalin ko 'yon. Pero kinontrol ko pa rin ang mga kamay ko dahil wala naman akong karapatan gawin 'yon. Wala rin namang masama sa ginawa ni Mari. Graham seemed to also not mind.

"Hindi naman, I can stay for a while," Graham said as he opened the fast food restaurant's door for Mari and me.

"Then, you'll be the judge! Imaginary judge ka ni Dani, since lahat kami siya na ang gustong manalo, kailangan may objective person sa audience niya."

Napabaling ako sa dalawang kasama ko dahil sa mungkahi ni Mari. "I don't need a judge in my audience! Huwag na, Graham! Uwi ka na lang, you don't have to say yes to this monkey."

Mari scoffed loudly and gave me an offended look. "My beauty is not comparable to a monkey! My brain as well! I'm a unicorn, Dani! How dare you call me a monkey?!"

Um-order na lang ako habang naririnig ang patuloy na apila ni Mari sa sinabi ko.

Binigla niya naman kasi ako. Graham watching me act and sing? Absolutely not. Decline. Rejected. Hindi puwede. My voice isn't even great, why would I want him to listen to me? Baka pagtawanan lang ako nito.