Chapter 5

"Ayun oh. Doon tayo, Astraeus. Mukhang maliliim ng konti dahil sa puno," turo ko sa pinakamalilim na sulok dito sa parke.

Astraeus nodded at me. Nabigla ako nang lumapit siya sa akin, he got the basket from my right hand without saying a word, payong nalang tuloy ang hawak ako.

I could feel my sweat ease up a bit. Kami ni Astraeus ang naglatag ng picnic blanket, si Elly naman ay tinignan ang mga laman ng basket, pati na rin 'yung dala kong sweets.

"Mariella, I'll just put this dito ha," tinuro niya ang isa sa mga basket. "Mamaya pa naman 'to kaya dito nalang muna sa loob." Tumango ako sa kanya. Kinuha ko ang tote bag na hawak ni Astraeus kanina, puno pala ng mga boardgames iyon, medyo natuwa nga ako nung makita kong may UNO.

Astraeus was busy putting the unnecessary things away. Tutulong naman ako ulit. I just couldn't take it anymore and I had to drink water badly, Elly and I were such babies drinking from the same pet bottle.

"This is really good." Elly's nanny made us bento boxes. It had tamagoyaki and a bit of tempura. Japanese cuisine never made me so satisfied just until today.

"Tubig." Tinapik ni Astraeus ang hita ko. Mukhang sisinukin na.

"Teka lang naman," irap ko. "Oh. Eto."

"Busog na ako Astraeus. Iyon nalang 'to." Hinimas-himas pa ni Elly ang tiyan niya. Dumungaw ako sa bento na inabot niya kay Astraeus. Pambihira naman, kalahati ng isang tempura nalang ang laman at siguro dalawang kutsara ng kanin.

"Kainin mo 'yan. That is literally too little," sermon ni Astraeus.

Bumaling sa akin si Elly. 'Come on. help me out,' she mouthed.

Inirapan ko siya at hindi sinang-ayunan. Her nanny took the time and effort to make us bento boxes, she should show a bit of appreciation. Spoiled brat talaga.

"Lagi niyo nalang akong kinakawawa. Why does it feel like you don't love me that much," bulong niya, halatang pinaparinig pa.

Napalingon ako kay Astraeus na bumuntong hininga. I saw how the sweat from his jaw traveled down to his neck, his colar was soaking in sweat. I really don't like our get-up. Well it's not like I have a choice.

"Ipa-shuffle mo kay Astraeus. I'm eating." Inutusan ko kasing ipa-shuffle kay Elly iyong mga UNO cards. She rudely declined my request and stuffed her mouth with macaroons. At the back of my mind, I wish she would just choke.

"Astraeus wala ka bang dapat gawin ngayon? You seem awfully free today. It's quite scary," I said. The reason why I couldn't shuffle the cards myself, was because I was organizing the used bento boxes from earlier. Eto si Elly naman walang kasilbi-silbi. 

"Bukas pa," tipid nitong sagot. Tumango naman ako. I silently watched as he shuffled the cards.

I could see the veins from his hands protruding. I was intrigued and wanted to touch it. I obviously had to refrain myself. I tilted my head and looked elsewhere. Shuffling cards was nothing interesting, but I could watch him the whole day.

Tumingin ako sa langit. Mainit pa rin, pero hindi katulad kanina ay paminsan-minsan nang natatabunan ng ulap ang langit. A dog and their owner were walking, hindi ko mapigilang mapangiti. I've always wanted a pet, but I have asthma, masyado akong sensitive pagdating sa balahibo.

"Hoy tanga. Reverse nga eh, mamaya ka na bumunot," tinampal ni Elly ang kamay. 

"Aray ah. Kailangan talaga manakit?"

"Oh, Astraeus draw four, kulay yellow sunod." Napabusangot ang mukha ko sa sinabi ni Elly, I didn't have any yellow cards. Labag sa loob ko nang dumukot ako ng isa pang card.

Playing UNO with Elly reminded me of how petty she was. Kalauna'y siya rin naman ang nanalo. Sadyang gano'n lang talaga.

"Uuwi na'ko maya-maya." Napasulyap ako sa relo ko, I remember that I still have to drop by the school para kunin ang ukulele kay Agatha.

We played a bit more. Napaos ata ako katatawa dahil over maka-react si Elly sa snakes and ladders. I could even catch a glimpse of Astraeus smiling, that was rare. 

"Oh my gosh I have to win this." Napapikit si Elly. Kinuha niya ang isa sa mga microwaveable tupperware na dala namin at pinasok doon ang dice.

She closed her eyes aggressively and began to shake the tupperware real hard.

"Ayan tanga tumilapon," I said in reflex when the dice sprung out of the container.

"Oops. Sorry." She scratched her forehead and sheepishly smiled at us.

"I'll get it." Astraeus stood up. Nasa walking lane tumilapon ang dice, medyo malayo. Me and Elly followed Astraeus by sight as he went over to pick up the one and only dice, we have.

Naiwas ang tingin ko ng humikab ako. I felt like stretching my arms, imagine having a picnic tire you. "Anong oras na?"

"Alas tres--Oh my gosh watch out!"

Napalingon agad ako sa pwesto ni Astraeus. My hands landed on my open mouth when his body collided with the fast-paced bike.

"Goodness gracious, are you alright?!"

"A-Ayos lang ako," the frail looking woman who rode the bike said

"I wasn't talking to you," mataray na sagot ni Elly. "Si Astraeus tinatanong ko. Astraeus ayos ka lang?" Patuloy na inusisa ni Elly si Astraeus, saglit niyang sinulyapan ang babae at tinarayan.

"Here." I handed Astraeus a bottle of water to wash the scratch on his elbow. Tinignan ko ang babae pinapalpagan ang palda niya at ngumiti nang kaunti nang tumingin ito sa akin.

"I'm really sorry about earlier, Astraeus. How can I make it up to you?" 

Nagpatingin kami ni Elly na parehong nakakunot ang noo. She knows him? We were probably thinking about the same thing.

"It's fine, Devorah. Come with me, I'll tend your wounds." Natulala kami ni Elly nang hilahin ni Astraeus iyong babae sa palapulsuhan.

Now that I think about it, she sort of looks familiar. Pareho lang kami ni Elly na malayong nakatingin sa kanilang dalawa. I saw how flustered the girl was when Astraeus used his handkerchief to wipe off the blood from the woman's scratch on her knee, she was wearing  a dress that's why she scraped her knee off.

"Oh... that's Devorah?" Elly said it in more of a question than a realization. "Holy shit," she laughed in disbelief.

"Devorah? From last night?" Takang tanong ko. If I'm not mistaken, I could vividly recall having brought the name Devorah from one of our conversations last night. It's a really pretty name.

"Who else?" Hinawakan ni Elly ang balikat ko at naglakad  na papunta sa kanilang dalawa. 

The two who seemed absorbed by their own world were soon interrupted by Elly--the opposite of a wingman.

"Hey there." I could hear the friendly tone from Elly's tone. Long was the hostility from earlier.

I looked around while slowly walking close to the group of three. The sky was in hues of golden yellows, it left a warm touch to my tanned complexion and felt like a comforting hug. Ngayon ko lang din napansin na kanina pa pala kami. I could feel the dried leaves crunching from the sole of my shoes. I wish I could stay longer but I have to get going.

"Hey..." I drew attention from the three of them.

"Oh hey. I'm Devorah!" She had a huge grin on her face, she even extended her hand at me for a shake. Devorah had a pretty smile on her face, plus her gorgeous set of teeth. I squinted my eyes and looked closely at her face.

Does she even have pores? Her face looked like a porcelain doll's.

One thing I could point out was her glasses. I remember seeing her with Astraeus last night and she has none.

"Oh, my glasses?" She touched the frame of her glasses and lifted it a bit. "I don't usually wear these, just outside school."

"O-Oh..." I nodded my head awkwardly. "Elly, Astreaus, I have to skidaddle..." Once again, this couldn't be more awkward than it already is. Wow so fun.

"Oh. Saan ka? This early?" Devorah said. It seemed like she had no intention of leaving afterall, I mean it's not like it's such a big deal--I mean the more the merrier, right?

"Hatid na kita--"

"N-No!"

Kumunot ang noo ni Elly sa akin. Her face wrote a why-the-hell-are-you-shouting look.

"I-I m-mean no. Dito ka nalang, and besides, Devorah's here. Ihatid mo nalang silang dalawa ng sabay kapag uuwi na kayo." I finally regained my sanity.

"Honestly, Mariella, you don't have to worry," Elly yawned and looked at her nails. "I can just call my driver and pick us all up. Astraeus you go ahead," pananaboy ni Elly sa kay Astraeus.

Pinandilatan ko siya. I looked at Astraeus and Devorah that were both talking while grinning. Her mouth formed an 'o' shape. I rolled my eyes when she finally got the memo.

"Sige Devorah una na ako," he smiled at her, Devorah nodded and lightly waved her hand at him. "Elly, just call me if you need anything," bumaling ito kay Eleanor.

Elly ignored him. She acted frantic as if she just read the most unfortunate text this noon. Lahat kaming tatlo ay kuryosong nakasilip sa kan'ya.

"Oh no..." Elly pouted. "Ite-text ko sana si Manong ahead of time to pick us up. It turns out na hiniram pala siya ni kuya." She pursed her lips and lightly shook her head. "Well, I guess me and Devorah would be commuting then." Lumingon si kay Devorah at tinanguan ito. Devorah looked at her, confused, and nodded with her in sync.

I mentally facepalmed. Elly chose the corniest excuse ever. Pero hindi na ako umalma at sumakay nalang rin, I think it's worth giving a shot.

"See, Astraeus. Dito ka nalang. Diyang lang ako pupunta sa school, I just have business with Agatha today, I'll text you when I get home. Hindi pa naman marunong mag-commute si Elly, besides how could you not company Devorah." Nanlaki ang mata ni Devorah nang banggitin ko siya at takang tinuro ang sarili niya. I winked at her.

I got you girl.

It was obvious how she liked Astraeus. I can't confidently say that it's a mutual feeling but I don't think Astraeus is having a hard time loosening himself around her. I'd be more than glad to help them out. Kung papalarin, she would be Astraeus' first--imagine how cute that would be?

"Mariella I can just drop you off. It's not like I'd stay there until you leave." Napairap nalang ako. I just hate how pushy he is.

"Sayang pamasahe? Oh come on I've sold enough from my Etsy shop to pay for my jeep expenses," buwelta ko. I felt bad for arguing with him, it's just that I just really wouldn't want him to come.

"You sure?" Inusisa niya ako. Really?

"Sure na 'yan, Astraeus." Hindi na siguro makatimpi si Elly at sumingit na sa pagtatalo namin. It was now an argument of three. I felt bad for Devorah, she really had to see us like this.

It took a lot of persuading before melting down Astraeus. Kung si Elly nga naman ang kasama mong makipagtalo, hinding-hindi ka talaga mananalo. It's weird but she's just built like that. She's just like a nagging housewife.

"Fine. But at least text me." Bumuntong-hininga siya. 

Napangiti naman ako at masiglang tumango. "Of Course. Now if you excuse me, I had business with the student council," maarte kong sabi na nagpairap kay Elly.

Napatingin ako kay Devorah when she giggled. I smiled at her and wink, she couldn't help but turn into a cute blushing tomato.

Tumalikod na ako, sukbit sa balikat ang sling bag ko. As soon as I turned away my smiled faded. Napahawak ako sa panga ko at ngumiwi. It sure hurts smiling a lot. Nakakangawit ng panga.

I took my walk out of the part to appreciate the ambiance. Kanina kakaunti lang ang tao pero ngayon med'yo dumagsa na, kung sabagay hindi na rin kasi mainit. I clutched onto my sling bag and subconsciously hummed 'Hey Jude'.

Siguro nakailang rehearse kami non ni Austin sa loob ng dalawang linggo, imposibleng hindi ako ma-LSS. I looked above the sky and admired the flock of birds from above. Sinundan ko ang tali noong dalawang saranggola na nakita ko, it landed on two kids maneuvering it from a distance.

"Cute," I whispered.

"I know right." Napatalon ako nang may kung anong kumiliti sa tenga ko. A familiar voice welcomed my ears. It was as playful as a kitty cat.