Chapter 3: Chapter 01
"Tara na kasi! Manood tayo ng screening!" Penelope said.
"I'm tired, Pen!" I groaned while she's dragging me towards the swimming hall.
"You won't regret watching this. You'll see their abs, their fine body, ugh!" She said with her dreamy eyes.
"I will surely regret this! Inaantok pa nga ako, e!" Pagrereklamo ko pero hindi n'ya ako pinakinggan at patuloy lang akong hinatak.
"Just bring Archer if you want someone to join you!" I said while stomping my feet in annoyance.
"Do you really expect she will join me? You know she's married to her books," she said, shook her head, and rolled her eyes.
"At bakit ka ba kasi nandito? Taga UP ka, ah!" Sabi ko pero tinawanan n'ya lang ako.
"My dear, Kezia. Papalagpasin ko pa ba 'tong screening na 'to? Syempre hindi, 'no!" Sabi n'ya at tinuloy na ang paghatak sa akin.
Nakasimangot pa rin ako nang makarating kami sa swimming room. There are a lot of people inside and damn, they're loud!
They are shouting and cheering the names of the competitors. They even painted their cheeks with the jersey number of their bias' name!
Oh, yeah. I'm also an athlete but my supporters aren't that 'supportive'. Well, oo nga naman, babae ako at malamang e konti lang ang 'fans' ko.
"Guerrero! Oh, my gosh! Waaah!"
"Hoy, Davienne! Shuta, ba't ang pogi?!"
"Hala! 'Yong dimples ni Jacob! Hoy 'yong panty ko pakidampot!"
Among the eight candidates, those names have the loudest cheers.
At itong katabi ko? Kulang na lang iluwa n'ya ang lalamunan n'ya sa lakas ng sigaw n'ya.
The swimmers positioned themselves on their spot — or whatever they call that. I can see, Penelope's not the only outsider here. Marami rin palang supporters sila galing ibang school.
"Ateneo de Manila University swimmers, listen up. Two out of eight of you will be occupying the two slots who'll compete against other Universities in the Olympics two years from now if you'll win this screening. If you are able to be the champion in the Olympic swimming competition, you will be chosen as the exchange student in France — any course. So, swimmers, get ready!" One of the officials announced.
Two years from now kasi, may University Olympics na gaganapin na kasali ang iba't ibang University; ADMU, DLSU, UST, NU, AdU, at UP.
Ngayon pa lang, pinapahanda na kami para mas malaki ang chance na manalo.
May swimming, archery, fencing, ball games, wushu, track and field, at marami pang iba.
I'm a track and field runner, by the way.
I remained the frown on my face hanggang matapos ang swimming screening. I was about to drag Penelope out but it turned out she's the one who dragged me sa harap ng mga players.
Wala na talagang kahihiyan ang babaeng 'to.
"Oh, hi, Penelope!" Greeted the guy with dimples — also one of the swimmers.
"Jacob! Pakain naman d'yan!" Penelope beamed and fist-bombed the guy.
The guy smiled and turned his gaze onto me. I'm still frowning because I'm still really, really sleepy. Paano ba naman kasi, puyat ako kagabi dahil sa pagreview ng notes ko tapos ang aga pa akong ginising ni Pen kahit na alas nuebe pa pasok ko.
"Ay, kasama ko pala kaibigan ko." Thank goodness Pen remembered. "So, guys, this is Kezia. Kezia, si Jacob, Lester the Pusit, Ken, at si Dave. Mga kaibigan ko," she said as she pointed the guys in front of me.
I'm really bad in names kaya hindi na ako nag abalang saulohin pa.
"Hi," they all greeted in unison — except for the guy named Drake? Or was it Dale? Hmm. I can not recall.
I smiled and nodded. "Hi,"
The guy whom I believe has the name that starts with 'D' is hella staring at me. Ano bang problema n'ya?
He was also called kanina nung sinabi na ang kasali sa Olympics. Oh, he's a good swimmer naman pala. Hindi lang talaga ako masyadong nanood kasi pipikit na talaga ang mata ko.
"The girl looks sleepy." He told Pen and looked at me. "Do you want some coffee? I'll buy you one," the guy with dimples — whom I believe was Jacob (not sure if I got his name correct, though) — said.
"No, we're actually going home na, 'di ba, Pen?" Palihim kong pinanlakihan ng mata si Pen pero umiling s'ya.
"We'll celebrate your win! Tara walwal!" Pen excitedly said, making me frown again.
She's one of the boys. Ewan ko ba rito sa babaeng 'to, kami lang ata ni Archer ang kaibigan n'yang babae.
"Si Dave lang ta's si Jacob ang nanalo, Buts." The guy-looking goofy said, reminding Penelope.
"Kawawang Guerrero. Sige iyak," she teased Lester, making Jacob laugh.
Siguro dahil sa antok ko, hindi ko na namalayang medyo malayo na pala sila at naglalakad na papuntang coffee shop.
"Here,"
Napalingon ako kay Dave nang inabot n'ya sa akin ang nescafé coffee in can.
Naiwan din pala s'ya.
"Ano 'yan?" Tanong ko.
His brows knitted. "Coffee?" he said, looking confused why I asked the obvious.
"I mean, what will I do with that?"
"Try wearing it," he sarcastically said and left me holding the coffee in can he gave.
He walked towards the shower room kasi hindi pa s'ya nakakapagbihis. Nauna na sigurong mag bihis sina Jacob kasi nakabihis na sila kanina.
Sinundan ko s'ya.
"What are you doing?" He asked when he noticed I am tailing him.
"Walking," I sarcastically said and rolled my eyes, mocking him.
"And what? You'll also go inside?" He smirked and gestured the shower room's door with his head.
Nanlaki ang mata ko nang marealize kong nasa harap na pala ako ng men's CR.
I really should drink the coffee he gave.
Agad akong tumalikod at nagmamadaling maglakad papunta sa pinuntahan nina Penelope.
"You okay?" Tanong ni Pen nang makita ako. Nakatingin din sa akin sina Jacob at Lester at mukhang nawiwirduhan sila sa kung ano man ang itsura ko ngayon.
"Yeah," I replied, making my face and voice neutral again.
"I thought walwal tayo?" I asked, diverting the topic.
They laughed. "Later will be the 'official' walwal. We just met at dapat hindi wild muna ang lugar, unlike inside a club." Lester said, chuckling.
"Oh," I said. Maya-maya, dumating na si Dave at bagong bihis na s'ya at magulo pa ang buhok.
"I'll be busy," komento no'ng sobrang tahimik na lalaki. Ken yata ang pangalan. Pansin kong sobrang introvert n'yang tao dahil ngayon pa lang s'ya nagsalita simula nang makilala ko sila.
"Busy matulog," umirap si Lester.
Ken just shrugged and wore his wireless headphones. Halatang walang pakealam sa mundo.
Pen ordered coffees and pastries. I immediately salivated the moment it was served in front of us.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I'm just really hungry when I'm sleepy." I reasoned out when I noticed they were staring at me while I am rapidly eating my food.
The three laughed — and of course, Dave didn't. On the other hand, Ken didn't seem to notice that the others are already laughing kasi nakasandal na s'ya sa bintana at natutulog na.
"Pen, she's cute," Jacob said, chuckling while looking at me.
Penelope giggled. "Of course, she is! Kanino pa ba magmamana? E 'di sa kaibigan n'ya!" And she laughed her soul out.
"Ganda n'ya, 'no? Ligawan n'yo na?" Pen added, which made my eyes open wide.
"Pwede," Lester kidded. I smiled awkwardly and looked down.
"Not you, Lester! Gagawin mo pa si Kezia na tulad kong palaging nasasabunutan dahil pinapagkamalan akong babae ng mga jowa mo! My gosh!" Pen exclaimed, blowing her bangs in frustration.
Lester laughed, which proved me that he's really a playboy for the reason that he didn't argue with Pen. Well, it's his life anyway.
The 'unofficial walwal' chitchat ended with the three's laughter. Meanwhile, Dave and I silently ate our foods and drank our coffees.
"Kezia, I'm expecting you to be there tonight, alright?" Sabi ni Jacob at nakipag beso sa akin. Tumango nalang ako kasi wala naman din na akong magawa.
"Hoy men, ang daya. Beso agad? 'Wag gano'n, men! Real quick!" Lester said which made Pen and Jacob laugh again.
"See you again later, Kez!" Sabi rin ni Lester at nakipag beso rin sa akin.
"Bye," Ken lazily said at nauna na s'yang umalis.
"Okay, tama na 'yan. Mamaya ha, alas dyis eksakto. Ang malate, sasayaw sa gitna." Pen said with her warning tone. The two laughed and bid their goodbyes.
"Wait, naiwan ko pala 'yong take-out ko. Dito ka muna, ha?" Sabi ni Pen at dali-daling pumasok ulit sa loob ng coffee shop.
"The club's too crowded with people and based on my observation, you look like a 'house kid' so you better don't go there tonight."
Muntik na akong mapasigaw dahil bigla-bigla na lang nagsasalita at sumusulpot itong si Dave. Nandito pa rin pala s'ya at naiwan na naman ulit kaming dalawang magkasama.
"I'm not a kid," I said, emphasizing every word.
"How old are you, then?" He suddenly asked.
I arched my brow and faced him while crossing my arms in front of my chest but he's still wearing his blank face like he didn't just ask me a personal question.
"Interested in me?"
"No," he scoffed.
"Why did you ask, then?"
"I'm asking because I really don't know if you're a kid or what," he said with his brows knitted.
Is he saying I'm too small to look twenty?! Excuse me, but I won't be a runner if I'm not tall!
"Excuse me?!" I hissed, not able to hold my temper any longer.
Nakakainis na 'tong lalaking ito, ah!
"No offense," he shrugged.
He already offended me!
I fought the urge to raise my middle finger at him because I really don't like doing it but this guy is testing my patience.
"Chill, kid," he said, smirked, and left.
"Hoy, ba't mukha kang papatay d'yan? Ayos ka lang?" Thank God, Pen's already here because if not? Malamang sa malamang e nasipa ko na 'yong lalaking 'yon.
"I suddenly feel like shopping. Come on, let's shop for tonight." I said and dragged Pen to her car and I drove it to the mall.
Pen looked so confused by my sudden thought of shopping. Hindi kasi talaga ako 'yong tipo ng babae na fashionista or anything.
"What?" I asked when she's just looking at me while I pick my dree. "You're more knowledgeable in this stuff. Help me pick my outfit for tonight." I said and Pen immediately giggled and excitedly dragged me inside the women's boutique.
Penelope might be one of the boys but she's so girly with her outfits and make-up. She's also an athlete but she's from an other university.
She's a tennis player so she's sort of popular. She's more popular to boys and I'm on girls. Parang kaibigan n'ya na nga lahat ng lalaki sa lahat ng University, e.
She's just friendly, and not a player. She's just beautiful and that's why boys drool over her.
"This, try this!" Pen said while holding a cocktail dress.
I shook my head. "No, ayoko n'yan."
She frowned and looked for another dress. Maraming dress na s'yang napakita sa akin pero wala padin talaga akong mapili.
And we ended up buying a black silk fitted dress with a v-cut in front which will expose my cleavage a bit.
That grey-haired jerk named Dave made me do this. A kid, huh?
Well, let's see.
I suddenly felt like backing off when I heard the party noises inside the club but Pen already dragged me inside. This woman must have the Best Dragging Award of the Day.
Buong araw n'ya na ata akong hinatak.
I am wearing the dress we bought earlier and I only tied my hair in a messy bun and applied a light makeup. Pen is wearing a blue strapless fitted above-the-knee dress and pinned her hair sidewards. She really looks hot and not to mention her short hair boosted her sex appeal.
"Oh, mama mia." Lester whistled when he saw us. Binatukan naman s'ya ni Pen dahil sa kamanyakan n'ya.
I really wanna go out na.
He's also with Jacob already and he also greeted us, but not the way Lester did.
"Game na!" Pen shouted, her voice blending with the rock music. They toasted for their screening earlier.
"Nasaan na ba si Dave? That jerk. He really doesn't take my warnings seriously." Pen said, shaking her head.
"Because you also never really did your threats!" Jacob and Lester said and laughed. I also laughed with them to get along.
"Si Ken, malamang tulog na naman 'yon!" Umiiling na sabi ni Lester.
They already had their ninth shot but I still only had my second.
"Let's party! Woo!" Pen shouted and she's swaying while walking herself to the dance floor. The guys also made their way to the dance floor and I am left here alone. Again.
And geez, Dave showed up exactly the moment they left me. Is he a psychic or what?
Umupo s'ya sa tabi ko na tahimik at kinuha ang bote ng alak at uminom doon. Heavy drinker ba s'ya? Kasi kung oo, sana all.
"Won't you ask where the others are?" I asked after a minute of silence, minus the party sounds.
"I passed by them and saw them making out with some partiers." He said with a shrug. My eyes widened and my face suddenly heated up.
He chuckled when he saw my reaction. "Don't worry, Pen's just dancing with some guy. She's a party girl but she doesn't do make-outs."
I know Pen knows her limits naman but I'm really so innocent in this kind of topic. Yeah, sure, I know some of it but heck! I can't even imagine they're really doing that? I mean, what for?!
My face heated more when I saw a girl grinding on the guy's lap. What the hell was that?!
My sight was suddenly blocked when Dave covered my eyes with his hands.
"I told you not to come here, kid." He said, and because he is behind me and I'm pretty sure he's near me. I felt goosebumps because of his whispers.
"I already told you I am not a kid," I said between my gritted teeth and I felt he just shrugged and I was surprised when he suddenly dragged me outside the club and took me to the parking lot.
"Hoy, ano ba?!"
"You're too innocent to be there," he said while shaking his head.
"Who are you to even care?!"
"I am Penelope's friend which technically became your friend too and she asked me to look after you." He said with his calm voice and his neutral expression.
"I am already twenty and you are not my dad to look after me!"
"Okay, fine. Go. But don't blame me if you end up getting raped." He said and left. Sumakay s'ya sa kotse n'ya at umalis na.
I was left there while my chest is heaving up and down aggressively. I frustratingly picked a rock and threw it elsewhere.
I texted Pen that I will go home already. She didn't reply, though. She's probably still too engaged with the party to check her phone.
When I got home, I saw Archer picking Penelope's dirty socks that are scattered everywhere. I composed myself first before smiling at her.
"Where did you go?" She asked.
"A club," I replied and made my way inside my room.
I quickly took a shower and did my night skincare routine. When I finished changing my clothes, bumaba na ako at naabutan kong hinatid nina Jacob at Lester si Pen. Mukhang lasing na lasing na talaga si Lester pero mukhang hindi gano'n kasobra ang kay Jacob dahil nakakatayo pa s'ya ng maayos.
Kasama rin nila si Ken at mukhang napilitan lang s'yang ihatid ang mga 'to. Siguro tinawagan s'ya para mag drive kasi lasing ang tatlo.
"Hi, sorry I left earlier." I said and smiled apologetically.
Jacob nodded because he's also drunk and he still needs to help Lester go home. Tinulungan din sya ni Ken. Archer and I immediately helped Pen get inside her room. Itong babaeng 'to, palagi na lang lasing.
While Archer is taking care of Pen, I'm here cooking a porridge because Pen will surely wake up at midnight and will look for porridge to treat her hangover. We're already used to Pen's condition every time she'll come home drunk.
Good thing my first club attendance wasn't devastating — but I am freaking frustrated with Davienne's attitude!
I don't even know why in my two years in Ateneo, I never knew there's a Davienne Johannes Padilla existing.
Well, I also do not know why suddenly, I was able to recall his name when in fact; I am not good at names.
Oh! It's because his freaking attitude is hella frustrating and that's why I remember that grey-haired jerk's name.
Hindi ko namalayan na pinong pino na 'yung luya dahil kanina ko pa pala chino-chop chop. Nakakabwisit naman kasi talaga 'yung may PMS na lalaking 'yon.
Nang matapos na akong magluto, naghugas muna ako ng kamay ko bago bumalik na sa kwarto ko. I decided to open my Twitter account and my feed was bombarded by the swimming screening held earlier.
@aikaaaazen
Omg! Lester is really hot!!! So sad he wasn't lucky enough to occupy one of the slots :(
@felicity0112819
I drooled over Jacob kanina! I mean, wooooow! The aaaabs!
@quinterrific
WALANG MAKAKATALO SA DAVE NAMIN! AHU!
@hadesathena___
Ba't kasi ang hirap nilang abutin???!
Dave seriously has fans? Are they blind? Ano ba nagustuhan nila sa bwisit na 'yon? Hindi na ako nakapagtimpi at nag tweet na rin ako.
@kca_lim
WALA NAMANG ABS 'YANG DAVE N'YO, EH!
Hala, biglang nag sunod-sunod ang notifications ko.
@daveswifey08
Replying to @kca_lim: BULAG KA, TEH?!
@kaydavelangkakalampag
Replying to @kca_lim: ANO PALA TAWAG MO DO'N SA WALONG BUKOL SA TIYAN N'YA?! KAGAT NG HIGANTENG LAMOK?!
Ba't sila galit?!
Hindi ko nalang sila pinansin at papatayin ko na sana ang phone ko nang makita ko ang isang reply.
@djpadilla
Replying to @kca_lim: hey kid, you just accused me of having an interest in you when in fact, you're the one who has on me.
How the freak did this freaking guy read my tweet?! I didn't even use their hashtag nor mention him! I immediately logged my tweeter account out because I'm bombarded with his fans' replies asking why I am noticed by their freaking crush!
The next day was a normal day. Kakatapos lang ng lecture namin about sa history ng cooking and stuffs like that.
I'm a second-year college at ADMU taking up culinary arts as my course.
Yes, I like cooking and baking but I'm planning to be a sports coach in the future. Well, sport is my passion and cooking is only my hobby.
"Good noon, Kez!" Lester suddenly showed up at inakbayan pa ako.
Of course, if there's a Lester, there's surely a Jacob and Dave.
"Good noon," I greeted back and let him rest his arm on my shoulder. He and Penelope are childhood friends at nabanggit na rin naman sa akin ni Pen na mahilig talaga 'yan si Lester mang-akbay.
Ayos lang naman sa 'kin as long as wala s'yang kung anong gawin pang iba.
"Join us for lunch!" He cheerfully invited me. I noticed that among the three, Lester is the jolliest one, and Jacob's cool yet jolly too. Dave? Of course, he's the most annoying one.
Some eyes were on me—I mean, on us—while we're heading our way to the cafeteria. Who wouldn't look my way? I am just walking with these three popular swimmer dorks.
Okay, I admit that they're really hot and good-looking.
"Culinary student ka pala, Kez?" Lester asked, more on, he's clarifying.
"Yeah, second year," I replied and started ordering our food.
"Wow, ipagluto mo kami next time ha? Itong isa kasi rito, ang tamad-tamad magluto." Lester said and looked at Dave who rolled his eyes at him.
"You two always bargain my unit and expect me to cook for you? In your dreams," Dave scoffed, making Lester laugh.
"Just admit that you're bad at cooking!" Lester teased but he didn't get anything from Dave but a frown.
"You two are," said Ken.
"I'm sorry for Lester's big mouth. We also don't know why he is even our friend," Jacob who is sitting beside me whispered in my ear and chuckled a bit.
"It's okay, it's actually nice dahil nakakagaan ng mood." I whispered back. "Pansin ko ngang kabaliktaran n'ya si Ken na sobrang tahimik."
Jacob chuckled. "They sure are the exact opposite of each other,"
"Hoy! Ano 'yang binubulong-bulong n'yo riyan, ha?" Lester suddenly threw a crumpled tissue paper on Jacob's face.
"We're talking about how cute you are," Jacob said while laughing. I also laughed because Lester really looks like he's about to stab Jacob with his fork.
"Hindi dapat nasa iisang sentence ang Lester at Cute," Lester scowled at him.
"Ang cute mo pala, Les," Jacob teased him even more. Lester immediately crumpled lots of tissue papers and threw it on Jacob's face but Jacob still continued laughing.
Dave suddenly stood up and I assume he's going to get our order. Kahit labag sa kalooban ko, tumayo na lang din ako para samahan s'ya. Marami kasi 'yung inorder namin kaya hindi n'ya 'yun madadala mag-isa.
Hindi naman siguro napansin nina Jacob at Lester na umalis kami dahil busy sila sa pag-aasaran sa isa't-isa.
"I'll help you," I said after seeing him struggling to hold the two trays of our order.
He looked at me first and gave me the tray with the more food on it. What a jerk.
The smirk on his face didn't escape my eyes when he turned his back at me. Nag-eenjoy talaga s'yang asarin ako!
"You freaking jerk..." I cursed under my breath and walked back to our table and put the tray down.
We started eating and Lester kept on telling stories about random things like how he was born handsome, how girls always run after him when he's in high school, how many times girls serenaded him, and many more.
Very typical of a self-proclaimed playboy Lester. But he's really nice, I must admit. He really can be trusted like Jacob. Unlike the other one...
"Are you even real? Did you just say you dated a hundred and two women?" I asked, really freaking shocked.
He laughed at my reaction after he told me he just dated girls that many.
"I just flirted with them, not actually dated them. At oo nga pala, ngayong year pa lang 'yan." He said, laughing.
My eyes are still wide open while Lester and Jacob continued laughing dahil sa reaction ko.
"You're cute when you're so shocked, Kezia," Jacob said in between his laughs.
I am still not over with how many women Lester dated in just a year when the lunch ended. I am starting to get along with them now, thanks for Lester's unstoppable mouth.
"Is it okay to watch you tomorrow training for your screening on Wednesday?" Jacob asked when we're already outside the canteen.
"Of course," I said and smiled at them.
Before they bid their goodbyes, Dave suddenly looked at me.
"Oh, yeah, check your Twitter if you have time, kid." He said and left.
I immediately logged in back to my account after he left and my eyes widened when I got a lot of notifications and messages but it's all because of a tweet post.
@djpadilla
I want adobo for tonight, @kca_lim ;)
Did he intentionally post this to make the public think we're 'together' because he knows that his fans will surely hunt me?!
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