His Invisible Halo 22 Chapter 21

I was busy highlighting terms for our upcoming exam tomorrow when someone interrupted. It was late for me to realize that Laurene is the one standing infront of me.

"Kelsey, pwede ba tayo mag usap?" tumingin ako sa paligid at halos lahat ng mga kaklase ko ay nakatingin sa amin. Can't we  have a little privacy just for this moment?

I left my highlighter and notebook in my desk before we go outside. Her lips doesn't look pale unlike the other times I saw it. I guess, she's okay now.

"S-sorry about what happened last time. Hindi ko lang talaga ncontrol yung feelings ko. I regret what I did. I just wish if we can still return back the old days. Yung walang competition sa pagitan nating dalawa. " she said. I think that's a good idea. Another thing, I am not competing with her. There's nothing to compete all about. I admit that I felt a little bit jealous everytime that she was chosen as the leader over me. Ganito lang talaga ako kapag naninibago.

"It's okay. I also apologized for what my bestfriend did. Let's just forget about it can we?" she nodded because of what I've said.

"Hindi mo naman talaga gusto si Ash di'ba?" hindi ko alam kung bakit bigla akong natahimik. I don't know why I can't say no.

Instead of answering, I ask her instead even if it's pretty obvious.

"Do you like him?" she smiled after I asked those. She answered me without any hesitations.

"Yes. It's not true that we're already in a relationship but I know we'll get there. Matagal na din naman kaming magkaibigan and sigurado ako na pareho kami ng nararamdaman para sa isa't isa."

I don't understand why at that point, I felt a little bit jealous. I know I am not in the right place to feel this way because nothing's going on between us. Laurene is very confident that Asher likes her more than me. I can't explain what I am feeling right now lalo na nung narinig ko na matagal na silang magkaibigan. They have more memories to reminisce compared to us na halos ngayon lang din naman naging close sa isa't isa.

When Laurene came back, everything was not like before. Kung dati rati ay madalas si River at Asher ang magkasama, ngayon ay hindi na. Asher is eating with Laurene. They're seriously talking about a certain topic when I saw Laurene laugh. Seems like Asher is enjoying her company. Bigla akong nawalan ng gana kaya't nagtext ako kay Ersy na kasama kong kumakain si Draven which is not true.

I just decided to stay inside our room which is vacant now during this break hours. To be honest, I'm very hungry but I don't want to go back to the cafeteria. I'm very mad at Asher because when Laurene came back, it seems like I am not existing in his sight anymore.

Draven: Let's eat together, Remy.

I'm glad that he texted now that I needed him this time. Kinuha ko na yun bag ko para sana lumabas ng makita kong nasa may pinto na si Draven at naglalakad papunta sa akin.

"Please don't skip your lunch. I just want to say that it will make you less cute." he said. I wonder how did he know that I'm here? I'm not in the mood to ask because of my empty stomach that's why I immediately get his take out. Gutom na ako.

Mabilis ko iyong binuksan at kumain ng mapansin kong nakatingin sya sa akin.

"Will you not eat?" I asked. I gave him the food because I'm not comfortable when someone is staring at me  that way.

"Sorry. I just miss your smile. I wish I can see that again." he exclaimed. I felt guilty while remembering those times that we're eating together and my face is always in poker face. Kung hindi naman ay madalas malalim palagi ang iniisip.

I did my best to smile from ear to ear in front of him now. Mahina naman itong natawa.

"That's the old Remy I know." wika nya. Habang kumakain kami ay panay kwento pa din kami hanggang sa tanungin nya ako.

"I haven't heard about your guardian angel from you. You've been telling me that since before." nang sabihin nya iyon ay naalala ko na naman si Asher. Even if we're not in a relationship, I just felt like he cheated on me. We haven't talk until now because he's busy with his soon to be girlfriend. Naisip ko tuloy kung magkayakap o kung ano mang bagay ang ginagawa nila ngayon.

"Forget about that. I'm not interested anymore with that kind of topic." I replied.

"What if I told you that angels existence were true?"

If that's the case, I'm still thankful about the angel who saved me before. It will not change the fact that I still believe about them because I have my own personal experience. I was wrong about thinking that Asher is my guardian angel. Baka nagkataon lang siguro na tuwing nasa panganib ako ay nandyan sya para iligtas ako.

The following days, mas lalo ko syang iniwasan. I'm doing my best for our paths not to cross. He's not even texting me kaya't naisip ko na wala na talaga syang pakealam sa akin. I'm always going out with a lunch with Draven. Ersy keep on asking me but I just told her to don't talk about him anymore dahil baka lalo lang akong mabadtrip.

"Kel, are you sure that you'll come with me?" she asked. River is already there to pick her up. Birthday nya kasi ngayon kaya iniimbitahan nya kaming dalawa. He told us that his guests were just his team mates and us.

"Alam ko kasi na hindi kayo okay ni Asher. Nagkamali ako sa kanya. I thought he's good for you." she added pero wala na sa akin iyon. At kung nando'n man si Laurene, wala na akong pakealam kung makita ko man sila ulit ni Asher na magkasama. I'm going because of my bestfriend. Hindi ko sya hahayaan na magpunta mag isa doon kahit na may tiwala ako kay River.

"Okay. If that's what you want, Kel. Just tell me kung gusto mo na agad umuwi then uuwi na tayo." tumango ako sa sinabi nya.

I'm just quiet inside the car. I'll just speak if they ask something then I'm back to being silent again. Hindi naman naging matagal yung byahe kasi nakarating na agad kami sa bahay nila River. I heard him earlier that he's the only one in their house since his parents are both working abroad. He usually celebrate his birthday with his friends that's why I felt a litte bit sad for him.

Their house is bigger than ours. Nang makapasok kami sa gate ay may swimming pool doon. It's like we went here for a group project kasi parang normal lang kung titingnan mo sa labas at parang walang espesyal na okasyon.

Hinawakan naman ni Ersy yung kamay ko ng makapasok kami sa mismong loob ng bahay nila. Doon ko lang narinig yung mga ingay. There were six guy here. I know Makiro and Joaquin while I don't have any idea about the names of the remaining four.

Nilibot ko ang tingin ko sa paligid. Asher is not here kaya't nakahinga ako ng maluwag. I don't want to see him and I'm sure he felt the same way. Nagawa nga nya akong hindi kausapin ng tatlong araw e.

Nang makita ako ng mga kaibigan ni Asher ay agad silang nag unahan papalapit sa akin.

"Joaquin."

"Caleb."

"Andre."

"Makiro."

"Dexter."

"Ervin."

They all give me their hands to have a handshake. I just shook my head because of their childish acts. Nagtutulukan pa sila makamayan lang ako. Pakiramdam ko tuloy ay para akong nangangandidato.

"Nice to meet you all." I just replied before sitting in the sofa. I don't want to act that way. It's just that, di ko alam kung bakit parang nawalan ako ng gana.

"He's here. He just went outside to buy something." said by the guy with a dimple on his cheek. I don't know if he's Andre or Caleb.

"I don't care." I just replied.

"I didn't say any name but it seems like you already know who am I talking about." he added. It's pretty obvious that he's talking about Asher. Wala naman akong pakealam sa lalaking iyon.

"Stop thinking about him for a while." said by Joaquin.

"We can't enjoy this night if you're like that." Makiro added.

I realized what they have said. It seems like I am the one who ruined the ambiance here. I just force myself to erase all the negative thoughts running through my mind. Ayoko din naman na masira ang birthday ni River dahil sa akin.

Maya maya ay may nagset up ng videoke dito sa loob. Joaquin started singing that's why I can't help myself but to laugh.

"Mas cute ka kapag ngumingiti." wika ni Ervin. I am now familiar with their names dahil paulit ulit silang nagpapakilala sa akin.

"Kel, are you okay now?" Ersy asked. Tumango naman ako sa kanya ng nakangiti. Hindi nagtagal ay nakasundo ko na din itong mga kaibigan ni River. Mababait naman pala.

"The most beautiful girl in english department will sing. Can I hear your  loudest cheers everyone?" Joaquin asked. They keep on cheering for my name kaya hindi ko maiwasan ang pamumula. Nakakahiya.

Caleb gave me the mic. They even choose a song for me. I was about to grant their request only if I didn't see a familiar guy.

"Sorry. M-medyo sumakit ang ulo ko." pagdadahilan ko. Andre immeadiately went to check on me.

"Wait, I'll get you some medicine." wika nya. Bumalik ako mula sa pagkakaupo sa sofa. I saw Asher walking towards here. He sat beside me that's why my whole system went crazy again.

"Thank you." I uttered as Andre gave me the medicine and water to drink.

"You can go home if you're not feeling well." the cold guy beside me spoke. I'm aware that he don't want me here. Siguro ay dadating mamaya si Laurene kaya gusto nya akong paalisin dito.

I just chose not to answer him dahil mamaya ay baka kung ano pa ang masabi ko. Nakaalis lang ako sa tabi nya ng mag aya ng game si Joaquin. I told them that I will join but I will not drink. Mahirap na baka kung ano pang mangyari.

"Make sure that it's not a kind of bullshits." River said.

Lumabas kami at bumilog sa may gilid ng pool. I don't know if Joaquin is now drunk to think of this kind of game. I am expecting that his game will be new to my ears but I was wrong. It is the famous spin the bottle. He even boast that it's with a twist so he explained the flow of game.

"Tangina ang bagal! Game na." atat na wika ni Ervin. Para tuloy kaming mga bata ngayon.

"I think Andre likes you." bulong sa akin ni Ersy na katabi ko ngayon.

Hindi ko alam kung paano nya iyon nasabi. Siguro sadyang mababait lang talaga sila sa akin.

My gaze went to Asher that is silently watching but his stares were all on me. He didn't join the game.

"Ervin will be the one who will give the dare to Maki." Joaquin said. Wala akong kaalam alam na nagstart na pala yung laro.

"Stay under the pool for two minutes." nanlaki naman ang mga mata ko matapos na sabihin iyon ni Ervin. Anong klaseng dare 'yon?

"Easy. Can you extend it for 5 minutes then." mayabang na wika ni Maki. The next thing I knew, lumubog na sya sa pool. Seryoso? Kaya nyang makatagal sa ilalim ng tubig ng limang minuto?

"Baka mamamatay sya." nag aalalang wika ko. They just laugh because of what I have said.

"Maki is just like that. Mayabang talaga yan pero pagkatapos ng tatlumpu't segundo aahon din 'yan." sagot ni Dexter. He's right. After 30 seconds ay umahon na din si Maki. Mabuti na lang at hindi seryoso yung 5 minutes.

The game went on. Hindi ko maiwasang mapatawa lalo na ng pinakain nila si Joaquin ng limang calamansi. River spinned the bottle hanggang sa tumapat yung bote kay Andre at sa akin. He will be the one who will give me a dare.

"What do you want her to do?" Dexter asked.

"I don't want to give her a complicated dare so I'll just make it simple."

"What dare is it?"

I noticed Andre's stares on me. Nagkatingin tuloy kami ni Ersy. Mukhang tama nga sya.

"Give me a 10 seconds hug." he said kaya't mas lalong naghiyawan ang mga kaibigan nya.

"Nice!"

"Watch your move. Someone might be jealous!"

Hindi pa din sila tumigil sa pagtukso sa amin lalo na nung tumayo ako para yakapin si Andre.

The game continues. Mas madalas na natatapat sa amin ni Andre yung bote. Minsan ay ako ang nagbibigay ng dare, minsan naman ay sya.

I was busy laughing ng makita kong galit na pinaipod ni Asher si Andre.

"Move! I'll join this nonsense game of yours." he said. Hindi pa din matanggal ang tingin nya sa akin na parang kakainin ako ng buhay.

"Kabahan ka na Andre!"

"Looks like someone here is jealous."

Ako na mismo ang nag iwas ng tingin. River spinned the bottle at nakita kong tumapat iyon sa akin at kay Asher. He will be the one to give me a dare.

"Jackpot!" Ervin said.

"Nice one!" Maki.

I looked at Asher. I can't help but to get nervous about what he will say.

"Let's go inside. I'll give you my dare." I felt something in my chest. Nagsimula na silang tuksuhin ulit kami. Tumayo na si Asher samantalang ako ay nagdadalawang isip pa din kung susunod.

"Follow him. Kasalanan mo. Pinagselos mo e." natatawang wika ni Ersy. We should be both mad at him pero nagbago na naman yata ang ihip ng hangin.

"Follow him so we could start the game again." River added.

Kinakabahan naman ang sinundan sa loob. He's directly looking at me samantalang ako ay todo iwas ng tingin.

"W-what is y-your dare?" I asked. He move closer to me kaya't napaatras ako.

"Kiss me." I am shock hearing what he said. Nagulat na lang ako ng hapitin nya yung baywang ko papalapit sa kanya.

The next thing I knew, he was now kissing me slowly but passionately.

Chapter end