Sunlight Deception (Isla Series #1)

12

"Oh, he's here already!"

I aggresively pulled my luggage when I read Echo's text. It was already around 6 PM at kakarating lang namin sa NAIA. True to Jericho's words, he was here to pick us up. I check my phone again and read his message.

From: Jericho

I'm already here. Take your time, though.

Dinalian ko pa ang lakad ko para hindi na siya maghintay pa nang matagal.

"Slow down," Cali said and held my arm. She was walking beside me kaya noong muntik na akong madapa sa pagmamadali, tinulungan niya ako. Umayos ako ng tayo at inayos ang shirt ko bago nagpatuloy sa paglalakad.

"Chill, babe. 'Di naman tatakas si Echo," natatawang sabi ni Sasy na nasa likod ko. I rolled my eyes at her and slow down my pace.

"Sana all, may sundo." Cali pouted and acted sad. Tinawanan ko naman siya at inagkla ang isang kamay sa braso niya.

"Ihahatid daw niya tayong lahat," sabi ko. Pumalakpak naman sila sa saya.

I looked back when I heard Raya saying something under her breath. She was walking beside Sasy with a hat on her head, wearing an oversized jacket and face mask. Binaba niya ang mask niya para magsalita.

"Ayoko na nito," reklamo ni Raya and pointed at her outfit. "Kairita! Ang init-init pa naman!" She tsked before pulling her face mask up again. I shook my head at her. Kaya ayaw kong maging sikat, eh.

"Pinili mo 'yan. Kaya panindigan mo!" sabi ni Sasy. "Ay wait!" She stopped walking kaya napahinto rin kami. She kneeled to tie her shoelace and when she was done, tumayo siya agad at ngumiti. "Tara na."

We continued walking and went out. There were a lot of people waiting outside. Huminto kami sa harap ng PNB. I looked around para hanapin si Jericho. When I didn't see him, tinext ko siya. Mukhang hawak niya lang ang phone niya dahil madali siyang nakasagt sa mensahe ko.

"Oh my gosh! Is that Raya?!" I heard some girls murmur.

I shifted my gaze from my phone and looked at Raya. Nakita kong nagtatago siya sa likod ni Sasy at Cali para hindi siya makita. I doubt that. Siya ang pinaka matangkad sa amin kaya makikita pa rin siya.

"Oh my gosh! Siya nga! Kasama rin niya 'yong famous niyang friend na vlogger! Si Cali!"

Natawa si Sasy noong pati sa Cali nagtago na rin sa likod naming dalawa. Napairap naman ako dahil doon.

"They can't see you anymore," I sarcastically said. Kinurot naman ako ni Raya sa baywang kaya tiningnan ko siya ng masama.

"Pa-picture tayo!" narinig kong sabi ng bata, nakatingin pa rin sa amin.

"Nakakahiya!" sabi naman noong isa. She was taller than her friend. She looked at me at namula noong ngumiti ako sa kanya.

"Bes! Minsan lang natin sila makita!" pamimilit noong isang babae at pinanlakihan niya ng mata ang kasama niya. She was shorter than her friend and she had short hair. They looked like they were around fourteen.

"Ikaw magsabi!"

With all confidence, lumapit agad 'yong babaeng may short hair. She inhaled a lot of air before opening her mouth to speak. I shook my head. Ang cute.

"Hi, mga ate! Pwede po kami magpa-picture?" she asked sweetly at pinalaki ang mata niya bago kami pinasadahan ng tingin. She looked very excited. It would be sad to burst her bubble.

Cali smiled at the girl. "Sure!"

"Omg! Bes, picturan mo na kami!" she said and immediately gave her phone to her friend. The other girl looked like she was about to faint dahil sa kaba at hiya.