Chasing in the Wild (University Series #3)

08

"Si Kuya, nasaan na?"

Nanatili pa 'ko sa labas saglit bago ako pumasok ulit sa loob. Dad was already cutting the cake and sine-serve na ng waiters sa bawat table. I looked around to find my brother but I was mortified when I saw Sevi talking to my dad! 

"Wala, I think they already left-"

Umalis agad ako, dala-dala si Fraida para pasimpleng lumapit so I could hear their conversation. Sevi was holding a wine glass while his other hand was placed inside his pocket. He was nodding to my dad! Hindi ko alam kung ano ang pinag-uusapan nila.

"Shh," sabi ko kay Ida nang makalapit kami. "Pretend that we're talking."

"We are talking!" She was so confused. 

I faked my laugh and hit her lightly with my hand to pretend we were talking about something else. Her brows furrowed and suddenly put the back of her hand on my forehead.

"Okay ka lang ba?" nagtatakang tanong niya. "Wala ka namang sakit." 

"My gosh, Ida! Just pretend!" I whispered. 

Lumapit pa 'ko sa dalawa at tumalikod para hindi mahalatang nakikinig ako. Marami namang nag-uusap na businessmen sa paligid kaya hindi nila 'ko mapapansin. 

"Sayang ang basketball career mo," my dad said. 

"Okay lang 'yon, Sir. Engineering talaga ang gusto ko." Sevi laughed. 

"That's nice. Maybe I can hire you to build one of our resorts in the future? I see a bright future ahead of you, kid." 

Umatras pa 'ko para mas marinig ko.

"Salamat po, Si-"

Naramdaman kong may nabunggo ako sa pag-atras ko. Dali-dali kong inayos ang sarili ko at humarap sa kanilang dalawa. They were already staring at me, nagtataka kung bakit bigla na lang akong umaatras sa gitna nila!

"Oh, sorry, I was..." I tried to think of an excuse. "Ida pushed me!" 

"Huh?!" reklamo ni Ida.

"Sevi, this is Elyse." My dad looked embarrassed dahil sa ginawa ko. "My daughter. The youngest in the family." 

Sevi's lips slowly formed a smile. Inalok niya ang kamay niya sa 'kin at umaktong hindi kami magkakilala. 

"Sebastian Vincent Camero," he introduced himself. 

"Amora Elyse Ledezma." I faked a smile and held his hand.

Sevi's mouth formed a small 'o,' shocked by the mention of my full name. He didn't know, huh.