Our Substantial Hopes (High School Teen Series #1) [COMPLETED]

15

"So how was your exam? Balita ko finals niyo kanina," Chloe asked.

Nasa bahay na kami ngayon at si Dave naman ay nakauwi na sa kanila. Inimbitahan ko naman siya pero sabi niya may lakad daw sila ng magulang niya.

"It was fine, may iba nga lang tanong nahirapan ako, but I did figure it out," tugon ko at tumabi sa kanya.

"That's good!" she exclaimed then tapped my back.

"Kayo? Kailan 'yong finals niyo?" I asked, facing her and I saw her purse her lips for a second.

"Next week pa, dapat ngayon na week 'yong finals namin but delay."

"It's also good! At least, may oras kayong makapaghanda."

Tumango lang siya at agad humiga sa kama. Ako naman ay nanatiling nakaupo at nakatingin lang sa pinto ng kuwarto. Naging tahimik kami ng ilang minuto. Tanging ihip ng hangin lang ng aircon sa loob ang naririnig ko.

"Kumusta kayo ng kaibigan mo? Did both of you get closer together?" she asked suddenly.

"S-Sino? Si Z-Zack?" I stuttered.

"Yup," she simply said while popping the 'p'.

"Maayos naman kami. Why, is there any problem?" I asked being confused.

Like, why did she bother to come up with those questions?  An uneasy feeling began in my heart but I ignored it.

"Nothing! I'm just asking, baka pinapahirapan ka no'n," she said, assuming.

My brows immediately met each other in curiosity. 

"Why would he do that? Do you know him that much?" I asked still facing at the door. Hindi ko siya kayang lingunin.

"Let's just say we are strangers with memories." Her words struck my ego.

I froze in a moment, 'di ko mabuka ang bibig ko. Damn! If only she knew what Zack was going through right now because of that memories she said earlier.

"Nevermind! Just don't go near him, I really doubt his intentions to you," Chloe asserted.

Bigla natabig ang emosyon ko at ibubuka na sana ang bibig ko pero hindi na ako nakapagsalita kasi may kumatok bigla sa pinto. Chloe stood up and went at the door and she was the one opened it.

"Girls... merienda muna kayo sa baba." Mom invited us to go downstairs for a snack.

Bumaba na kamiat  pumunta sa veranda kung saan nakahain ang merienda. Tahimik lang akong nakaupo sa swing egg chair namin. 

Sina Mommy at Chloe naman ay todo ang pagkukuwentuhan, 'di na ako nakisali sa kanila. I was preoccupied and bothered at the same time.

She actually said that I should avoid Zack, but why? I almost assumed that she still has feelings for him when she said it.

"Sweetie, may balak ka pa bang kainin 'yan? You were so preoccupied. Hindi mo man lang napansin na umalis na si Chloe. Are you okay?" Mommy asked anxiously and she held my hands.

"I'm okay. Stress lang kanina sa exam," I lied and gave her a fake smile.

"Then you go to your room, take some rest. Tatawagin na lang kita kapag ready na ang dinner," she said and she kissed my forehead.

Umalis na ako roon at dali-daling nagtungo sa kuwarto. I immediately laid down on my bed. Kinuha ko ang phone ko na nasa side table ko. Agad akong nagtungo sa messages at nagtipa ng mga salita para kay Zack.

Me:

{Hey! Nakauwi ka na ba?}

{Please reply asap if you see this message.}