"Sumama ka na, Lori. Ang alam ko sa may night market ka nakatira? Gagabihin ka kapag maglalakad ka pa."
We just finished waiting for Francheska to be fetched by her parents. She offered to take Herrera home first but, of course, the stubborn girl refused. Naiwan siya sa aming tatlo na may bisikletang dala.
Umiling si Herrera. "May bus naman siguro o tricycle dito."
"Walang byahe ang bus ngayong hapon kasi may strike daw, Lori. Hindi mo ba nakita sa news?"
Bahagyang namula ang pisngi ni Herrera sa tanong ni Francis. "Uh... wala kaming telebisyon."
There was a second of awkwardness in the air because we know she doesn't have any social media accounts too. I couldn't help but be annoyed. See, you stubborn girl! Ito ang isa sa mga dahilan bakit kailangan mo ang cellphone! Para updated ka sa balita dahil wala kayong TV.
Why don't they have a television in the first place? I don't think they're that pricey. I think I saw a ten thousand one before. Mura na din for a long time investment.
"So 'yon nga, strike sila kaya walang byahe. Wala din masyadong tricycle na nadadaan dito. Siguro mayro'n sa may resort pero mapapalayo ka pa, tapos baka mahal pa 'yong ipapabayad."
"Oo. Gago, naalala ko no'ng last, pumunta kami sa Tiago tapos two hundred pinapabayad," reklamo na may konting pagsang-ayon ni Francis.
"May pera ka ba para magbayad ng gano'n kalaki para lang umuwi?" I challenged.
Nanlaki ang mata niya at agad na umiling. Of course, mayabang man itong si Herrera, tipid naman siya.
"So hayaan mo na kaming maghatid sa'yo... ng libre," dagdag ko pa. "Bilis na at baka umulan. The wind is starting to pick up."
"Balita ko pa naman may bagyo daw ulit," ani Lionel.
Worried about the expensive fare and incoming storm, walang choice si Herrera kung hindi tanggapin ang alok namin. Nang makarating sa bicycle rack ay nagtinginan kaming tatlo. Walang carrier ang bike ni Francis kaya sa aming dalawa ni Lionel lang pwedeng umangkas si Herrera.
Siyempre, umayaw ako. Aba, kahit na akala niya magkaibigan kami, ayaw ko pa rin sa kaniya!
There were no cars passing by when we rode down the small hill, leaving the quiet upper beach to reach the city port below. The beautiful Tudor houses and old, picturesque buildings filled my view. Puerto Real still kept the classic architectural designs of some buildings and mixed it in with the new, modern ones. Aside from the rich rice fields, beautiful hills, and finest beaches that Puerto Real offers, the city is one of the reasons why tourists visits.
Francis separated from us when we reached Alonzo Street. Doon daw kasi siya maghahapunan sa Tito niya. Kaya kaming tatlo na lang ang naiwan.
I trailed behind them. Malaya kong napapanood ang pag-uusap ng dalawa. Sinasayaw ng hangin ang buhok nila. I almost wanted to wipe Lionel's bright grin when he glanced back at Herrera. Gusto ko siyang sapakin para manatili 'yong tingin sa harap. Paano na lang kung maaksidente sila?
Ang saya-saya naman ng babae habang naka-angkas. She even had the nerve to tuck back a few locks of hair behind her ears. Bakit kasi hindi mo 'yan itinali para hindi magulo ng hangin!
Sinamaan ko sila ng tingin. They look like a damn couple. Hindi naman sila bagay.
Now feeling a bit irritated because I'm acting like a fucking third wheel, I sped up. I didn't hide the annoyance in my face as I passed them by. Binilisan ko para ma-pressure sila't sumunod din, pero wow! Nagpaiwan pa nga ang dalawa!
