Say My Name

Chapter 11-Jelly?

Mabilis na lumipas ang mga araw. Natatapos ang klase ni Rina ng hindi niya namamalayan. She's in high energy at palaging positive vibes. There was no other school activities dahil naka-focus ang school administration nila sa preliminary classes dahil malapit na rin ang prelim exams ng mga mag-aaral. Nagkakaroon na rin ng mga assigned groupworks and projects sa kanila.

As usual ay pauwi si Rina galing sa university at kasabay niya sa paglalakad papuntang subdivision ang mga kaklase na naging close na rin niya sa wakas. She's no longer hesitant to be with them. Although si Cheyne pa rin ang pinakamalapit sa kanya sa klase ay unti-unti na ring lumalawak ang circle of friends niya.

Nariyan sila Mariz, Crizelda, Jake, Arnold, Alvin at Melchizedek na ilan lamang sa mga nakakasabay niyang umuuwi. She's been with them for almost two months na rin. Kahit mas lamang sa bilang ang boys na mga kasama ay hindi alintana ni Rina sapagkat si Melchizedek lamang sa kanilang grupo ang kung tawagin sa klase ay straight. 

Dek's a good guy. Sa sandaling paglalagi ni Rina sa university ay ito ang kauna-unahang classmate niyang lalake na nakasundo niya except of course for Arnold, Alvin and Jake who are trio gays. 

Wala siyang masabi sa mga katangian nito. He's a good guy and has the physical attributes any woman would drool over with. He's tall, fair-skinned, broad shoulders, chiseled jaw, defined lips, sharp nose and bright almond eyes. Ang mga matang yun ay madalas mapang-asar pero alam mong sinsero. Mabait ito at laging supportive sa kanya, sa kanilang lahat sa grupo. 

He's somebody who will give you the feeling of having a boyfriend and a friend at the same time. Let's leave the boyfriend part. Having someone like Dek as a friend is both lucky and dangerous.

Well, lucky is the woman who can capture Dek's heart. That is, we don't know yet.

Bagaman alam ni Rina na harmless ang lalake ay hindi niya pa rin maiwasang ilayo ng bahagya ng sarili sa binata. He's still a man though and a georgous one at that. 

The rest of the group are all beauty and brains. The ladies are easy to talk to. Madalas ang trio na sina Arnold, Jake at Alvin ang funny sa grupo. They bring more joy in every conversation dahil sa maya't maya nilang pagka-crack ng jokes ng walang paalam. Madalas din ay si Dek ang nagiging subject ng banat nila. Buti na lamang at hindi madaling mapikon ang lalake.

Masayang nagkukwentuhan ang grupo habang naglalakad. Maya-maya lang ay nagkaayaan ang grupo na tumambay saglit sa isang cafe sa may bungad ng subdivision. It so happened na walang masyadong tao doon sa kasalukuyan. Ang kagandahan ay maaliwalas sa cafe na yun tuwing hapon.

Pumasok ang grupo nila Rina sa Cafe de Inoxente at naghanap ng six-seater table. Pinili ni Rina ang pinakomportableng uupuan malapit sa veranda ng cafe. Para kasing isang visitor's lounge yun. Ngunit bago pa man makaupo ang dalaga ay natanaw niya ang dalawang bulto mula sa kalapit na restaurant. Masayang nagkukuwentuhan ang dalawa. Napatitig siya sa babaeng tumatawa at hindi maiwasang may pahampas pa sa balikat ng lalake. Lumiit ang kanyang bilugang mga mata sa nakikita.

Jade's back is facing her. Hindi tuloy siya nakita ng lalake. Kate's also busy talking to him that she did not mind anything else before them. The air around the two will make someone believe they are indeed a couple. 

So, the go-getter is busy. So busy that that he has idle time for a chit-chat. 

Jealousy crept on to her. Her face crumpled right away and she emitted a cold aura within her. She wanted to turn around to avoid the sight but she was soon greeted by the handsome smiling face of Dek. 

"Hey pretty-face, you okay?" Dek asked after sensing her aura became colder.

Rina retracted her glance at the sweet couple before her and tried to push away the jealous thought that is clouding her mind. 

Damn it, Rachel Irish Nate Alexanne!

She's with her friends at the moment. Stop having crazy ideas, self. You're too young for that. She reminded herself. She let out a small smile to Dek. She mentally noted to thank him later.

"I, aahm, am fine, I guess. Namalikmata ata ako. Maybe I'm tired from the whole day class plus the walk." Napahaba ang explanation niya dahil sa kaba. 

Did Dek saw me looking at them? Oh, God! 

Napa-praning na ata siya.

Like a gentleman that he is, Dek supported her to sit on the red couch. He then promptly sat beside her blocking the sight where Kate and Jade are seated. She's pleased with the outcome. At least, she won't be awkward seeing the two exchange laughters.

Dek smirked at her as if he had seen through her. "Hindi kita pinag-eexplain pero sige na nga. We ordered your favorite Blueberry Milk Tea. 50% sugar. Hindi available yung triple chocolate bavarian cake pero may blueberry flavored naman kaya sinabi ko kay Mariz na yun na ang kunin para as one na tayo."

"You're the best. You remembered the usual. Kaya favorite kita eh." She grinned. Her gloomy face vanished in an instant. Nagiging moody na rin ata siya. The switch of emotions was so fast that she didn't even realize it herself.

"Of course. Isa pa, ikaw naman magbabayad nung cake kaya dapat lang na yung favorite mo ang masusunod." Pabirong sabi nito. 

Rina rolled her eyes at that. Her sparkling hazel eyes was immediately gone. You want to play. Try on!

"You're kidding right? C'mon, Dek I hate pranks." She countered. Sa totoo lang ay kaya niya namang bayaran. Nagpapaka baby lang siya dahil alam niyang hindi siya matitiis ni Dek. Knowing what his soft spot is, she put on her puppy dog face and stared at his almond eyes.

Dek's eyes went a shade darker. He groaned at her expression. Sly fox! He succumbed at her slyness. He know better than refusing the girl. Besides, Louise had been a good friend and cousin to him. He asked nothing else but to look after this wonderful girl infront of her. She who knows how to detect someone else's weak points. What a cunning of a woman this girl can be? Kanina lang ay ang gloomy ng mukha nito pero kapag ganitong alam niyang nasa advantage siya ay lumalabas ang dugo niyang Gregory. 

Recalling Louise, he always wanted to ask Rina about him. Alam ni Dek na best of friends ang dalawa nung middle school. That is, before Diane came into the picture. Madalas maikwento ng pinsan ang dalaga sa kanya kapag tumatawag siya. Pati ang pagkakakilala nito sa parents ng dalaga ay naidaldal na nito sa kanya. Hindi naman nila pinagchichismisan ang pamilya Gregory. It's just that his cousin is head over heels in love with this girl but still in denial. How pity!

He came back from his reverie upon Rina's voice.

"Thank you, handsome-ass. You know just how to cheer me up." 

"Na-ah. It's my pleasure protecting a princess' smile. Besides, you are a gem to everyone. Especially us, your friends." 

Rina's heart fluttered. This man's words can make a girl sweep off her feet. She remembered her bestfriend Louise on the man's gestures. She sighed deeply again. The guy's been busy on his studies that he forgot to call her. I miss that smarty pants.

After a few minutes of talking, their friends came to their table bringing the food they ordered. 

"Hey lovebirds, the foods here." Alvin teased.

They both chuckled. Their friends won't just leave them alone with the lovebirds thing. She totally forgot about the man that made her gloomy a while ago that is now stealing glances on them from the resto nearby. He gritted his teeth, frowning deeply as his fists clenched.

* * * * *

A/N: Hmm. New character is open for everyone to Add to Cart. Just pm me! Spread the love, inoxentes!

LawyeRen [ R E N ]