The Trouble with the Rule

Chapter 44: Busted

Piper's POV

Someone's in a bad mood, Hailey texted me. I wonder who and why.

I'm too lazy to type kaya I decided to Factime her.

"Who? What happened?"

"Nate. Nagkaroon sila ng sagutan ni Tamara."

"Maybe he went overboard and pissed Tamara."

"Yup. Kaya napagsalitaan siya ng hindi maganda ni Tamara. Hindi siya nagsasalita habang pauwi kami. And guess what.. nalibre niya ako ng di oras sa pagkainis niya."

I laugh at the thought of Nate paying for Hailey's part. That's so not him. Being his bestfriend, ako lang ang nagagawang magpalibre sa kaniya. And whenever he's in a bad mood or in a rush, napapagastos na rin siya without him making it a big deal.

"Sometimes, I'm happy kapag naiinis siya. At least nababawasan pagkakuripot -- I mean, frugal, as he says -- niya. So, tell me the details."

The whole time na nagkwekwento si Hailey, tango lang ako ng tango. When I can't help it, natatawa na rin ako. My guy bestfriend is such a kid sometimes.

"Must be because of his ego kaya nagkaganoon si Nate. All he wanted to do is to have fun kaya lang lumagpas siya sa limit kaya nakapikon siya at napikon na rin siya. I'll talk to him."

"Parehas kayo ng sinabi ni Warren."

"Really? I don't know. Ayon kasi ang first thought na pumasok sa isip ko."

"I haven't thought of it that way. Akala ko lang na-offend siya dahil sa sinabi ni Tamara. Lagpas ang usapan ng ego."

"That may be possible rin. Who knows what he's thinking. Magulo rin naman 'yang si Nate."

I heard on the other line Tita Sab's voice. She's shouting Hailey's name and asking her to help her with something.

"Pipes -"

"I heard her," I said and laugh. "Sige na. Talk to you next time. I'll talk to Nate muna."

"Okay. Bye."

When we ended the video call, nagpunta ako sa may veranda ng room ko. Magkatapat ang room namin ni Nate kaya kinuha ko 'yong maliliit na stones na nasa may pot and throws it at Nate's window.

I could have called him, instead, duh. Why am I doing this?

I was about to go inside my room and call him when I heard a click. He must be opening his window kaya huminto ako at humarap ulit sa bintana niya. And I was right. Nakasilip nga sa bintana si Nate.

"Anong -- "

"I heard something happened," ngisi ko sa kaniya.

Napasimangot siya sa akin at nagkamot ng batok, "Si Hailey nagsabi, ano?"

I shrugged. Mukhang nahihiya siya kaya realization hit me.

"You're not badtrip, are you?"

Pilit 'yong smile niya. Hindi 'yong pilit na naiinis, but pilit na nahihiya.

"Mga 5 seconds lang siguro."

"And the remaining minutes or hours, nahihiya ka na lang. Right?"

Napakamot na naman siya sa batok niya and that confirms it.

"Nate. Nate. Nate. What made you think kasi na she'll tolerate your kakulitan. And take note, habang nagtratrabaho siya. She's serious about working kaya because she really wants to help her family. Inisin mo na siya anytime huwag lang kapag nagwowork siya."