The Oleander Woman [Free Space Series #1]

CHAPTER 57: Territorial

"I'm waiting for you! Mabuti naman at lumabas ka na!" Tinakbo niya kami. "Oh! Nandito narin pala si Gail, isa pang maganda. Kasama mo si Zhain?" Niyakap niya ito.

"She's sleeping in our house,"

"Hala ka.. hindi ka nagpaalam? Baka magalit yun!"

"She knows about this. I just didn't wake her up when I left the house because I didn't want to disturb her from sleeping."

I smiled at Khairo after seeing him. Ngumiti rin siya sa'kin at binigyan ako ng marahang yakap. Nandito na kami ngayon sa pwesto nila. I even saw Van and their other bandmates, pero wala ang kaibigan naming si Lynpen.

"For you," inabot ko yung maliit na box galing sa bag ko.

"Wow! Regalo? Nag-abala ka pa!" He excitedly opened it. Kahit ang mga nakapalibot sa kaniya, nakitingin at nakisilip kung ano ang nasa loob nito. "Ang ganda! Bebe oh! Tignan mo, niregaluhan ako ni Tamg ng shades!"

Van stood up and gave me and Gail a seat.

"Mukhang mamahalin!" Tuwang-tuwa anito habang katabi na ngayon si Sofia. They're reacting like their house isn't as big as a mansion.

"I'm not in the mood to drink," rinig kong pagtataray ni Gail kay Vixen. Hindi nito tinanggap yung alak na alok niya kaya ako ang sunod niyang inalok.

"Thanks," nginitian ko siya.

Habang umiinom, hindi nakaligtas sa'kin ang paglapit ni Kaori at Catrina sa banda namin. They're both wet because of the water. Catrina is wearing a blue one-piece, while Kaori is wearing a black sando and a short. Yung tuwalya na pinangpupunas sa kaniya kanina, nasa balikat niya na nakapatong.

I tried so hard to act normal by looking at everyone but her. I should thank God because Gail is beside me. Habang nasa kaliwang banda ko naman si Van na hindi rin umaalis sa upuan niya kaya parang nakakandado ako ngayon.

"You did not bring your boyfriend with you?" Biglang nagsalita si Catrina, nakatingin sa'kin.

The others start looking in my direction after hearing what she just asked me. Kahit si Gail at Van kumunot ang noo sa narinig.

"Boyfriend? May boyfriend si Tamg?!"

"He's actually not my boyfriend," inilingan ko ang OA na nagreact na si Sofia. "He's just a friend."

"Weh? Kita ko nga e, your hands are around his wrist yesterday! Imposibleng hindi mo boyfriend yun!" Catrina added, causing for the others to look at me surprised. "Huwag ka na mahiya! Tayo-tayo lang naman ang nandidito!" 

"But he's really not my boyfriend." Akala ba nito nagsisinungaling ako?

"Oh, come on! Kung ako boyfriend mo, makikipag break kaagad ako sa'yo. It's so obvious! Look at your lips. It has a wound on it, he probably accidentally bit you while you two were kissing." Hinila niya si Kaori at itinuro ang labi ko. "Look."

I looked away when our eyes met as I forced a laugh to hide the awkwardness. What the hell.. how idiotic you are, Catrina! E siya may gawa nito sa'kin!

"See? See?! Tumatawa siya! It means totoo yung-"

"Why are you being so annoying right now?" Gail cut her off. Kaagad siyang natahimik katulad ng ibang mga tumatawa. "Are you this insensitive to not see her reaction? You're literally making my friend uncomfortable." 

"What? What kind of trick is this again, Gail? Of course I'm not making her feel uncomfortable. Ikaw lang nag-iisip niyan." 

"How dumb..." Gail shook her head, na parang natatangahan siya sa kausap niya. "Come on, Tamg. Let's get out of here-"