Under Our Starry Sky

CHAPTER 19: Confusion

(Caden)

I'm currently at the SU's food court at the university, having some snack with my friend Jackson. He's my close friend since high school. Kuya Chester's actions towards Roma keeps me thinking these days. 

"Hoy, pare."

I shifted my attention to Jackson.

"Kanina pa kita tinatawag. Kung puwede raw makiupo sabi ng pretty girls na 'to?" he said.

At nakita kong may tatlong babae nga na nakatayo sa tabi niya. Tapos ngumiti sila sa'kin at kumaway.

But I just made a cold, straight face and shook my head as a response.

"Sorry, girls. Better luck next time," Jackson told the girls.

You can see a huge disappointment on those girls' faces. I also heard them whispering something as they walk away. Then Jackson gave his attention to me.

"Hoy, Pareng Rendel. Bakit ka tumanggi? Sayang 'yon! Gaganda pa naman din ng mga 'yon. Kala ko naman makakapang-chics na ako kapag dumikit ako sa'yo," he complained.

"Narinig mo ba 'yong sinabi ng mga babae? Napakasuplado mo raw! Porket pogi at matalino ka, ganyan ka na," he added.

I'm just ignoring his nonsense tantrums. I don't care about them anyway. Besides, I'm busy thinking about something right now.

Or should I say, someone?

"Hoy, gutay-gutay na 'yang burger steak na 'yan. Kanina mo pa tinutusok-tusok ng tinidor. Alam mo, kung ayaw mong kainin, ibigay mo na lang sa'kin," he blurted.

Umiling lang ako habang ang atensyon ko ay nasa pagkain pa rin.

"Ah, alam ko na. May iniisip ka na naman, 'no? Tell me, pare. Si Kiara the diyosa ba 'yan?"

I shook my head. "No. I'm thinking about Kuya Chester."

"Bakit naman? Ano ba 'yon?"

I let out a sigh before I speak, "Well, it seems like. . ."

I turned my gaze on Jackson gestured to tell me to continue talking.

"He likes my fiancée," I spill out.

His eyes widened, "Ano? Talaga? 'Yong fiancée mong hilaw? Ano ngang name niya?" sambit niya.

Jackson knew that Roma is living in our house right now and asked him to keep it a secret.

"Roma Cassandra," I answered.

"Ah, yeah. The girl who helped you na bugbugin 'yong grupo nila Marco. Ang angas ng babaeng 'yon. I'm curious how she looks like."

Kinuha ko ang phone ko sa bulsa ko. Pinunta ko sa gallery, and clicked Roma's photo. Yeah, I have this photo of her na stolen pa. Then I showed it to him.

"Wow, pare. Not bad. She's cute. She can be my crush," aniya sabay tawa.

I looked at him. "Woah, pare. You know that I'm joking, right? Parang papatayin mo 'ko sa tingin mong 'yan, ah. Samantalang no'ng sinabi ko sa'yo noon na crush ko si Kiara, tumawa ka lang. 'Yong totoo?" he said while his hands are raising leveled on his shoulders.

He narrowed his eyes. “Wait. She looks familiar. I think I’ve seen her before.”

We paused for awhile while I'm looking at him and waiting for him to continue talking.

Jackson's eyes widened, then he gasped.

“Wait. Don't tell me, she's that girl na pinagbintangan akong manyak sa convenience store?”