More Than Anything (Absinthe Series 4)

Kabanata 4

Chapter 4

More Than Anything

I don't know what's wrong with me. I kept on remembering what Crithos said the last time we saw each other. Sinubukan ko talagang iwasan siya. Whenever I see him around, I would turn my back. I would find another way so that our eyes wouldn't meet.

I can't be affected by his words! He's just a boy! Bakit ba ako nasisiraan ng bait sa mga salita ng bata'ng iyon? More so, I couldn't even help but feel the heat creeping into my cheeks whenever I feel his presence.

" You seriously have a problem, V." ani Talia sa aking tabi habang nagbabasa kami ng libro. My mind wandered from the page of the book up to her face. Puno ng pagsususpetsa ang kaniyang mukha habang binabantayan ang bawat kilos ko.

" N-nothing." tanggi ko at ibinalik ang tingin sa pagbabasa.

Saturday night and here we are chilling inside our rooms, reading our own textbook. Study habit lang namin ni Talia na magbasa ng textbook kapag wala talagang ginagawa. I was actually the one who imposed it for the two of us. Wala naman siyang problema doon kasi mukhang willing naman siyang matuto kahit kaunti kapag free time.

" You are seriously distracted!" akusa niya at gumulong sa kama. Her back was on the mattress but her eyes were on me. She looked like she's being possessed. Pinaningkitan ko lamang ito ng mata.

" Why don't we go out? You clearly need it. Mukhang tayo lang ang nandito kasi tahimik na sa ibang kwarto."

" T, I am not in the mood. At saka saan naman tayo pupunta?" I closed the book with a thud. Napahiga na rin ako at napatitig sa kisame.

" Grab some ice cream and pizza. Gutom na rin kasi ako."

" What? We just had dinner like an hour ago!" reklamo ko at napabangon. She groaned and I felt the bed dipped too.

" Sige na, please. Walang dessert kanina, V, kaya please."

I looked back at her. Nakanguso na naman. I rolled my eyes and stood up. Sobrang bigat pa nga ng katawan ko kasi tinatamad talaga akong lumabas ngayon. But if it's Talia, sino ba naman ako para tumanggi. She's my best friend, so far. Siya lang din naman ang nakakatiis ng pag-uugali ko. She treats me in everything like foods and stuff, too.

I wore a denim jacket over my black fitted shirt. Nag-shorts lang din ako kasi mainit sa balat at mahirap hubarin kapag nakapantalon. This evening feels dry and sticky for me, that's why. On the other hand, Talia wore her long pants and shirt. Medyo maluwang naman sa kaniya yung shirt kaya I think hindi naman siya mababanas o maiinitan.

"Where would we go? I am sure crowded ang mga mini stops ngayon." tanong ko kay Talia.

" Remember the stalls of fishballs and such from before? Diba after midnight pa sila nagsasara, doon na lang tayo."

" I thought you wanted pizza and ice cream?" Kumunot ang aking noo.

Talia snapped her fingers. " Exactly! Mayroong stall doon na may pizza and ice cream!"

Umiling na lamang ako. We went to the parking and hopped inside her car.

" The food park's near Sylver's condo, if I could remember." sabi ko kay Talia nang bagtasin niya yung daan patungo sa food park at sa condo building ng kapatid ko.

" Why don't you invite Sylver? Hindi ba nabobored ang kapatid mo at mga kaibigan niya?"

" Sylver texted me earlier that they'll go bar hopping tonight. I am sure he is drunk already."