DV Series: decoding the boys (under revision) ??

20 - bad for me || edited

My brows raised in surprise. I didn't expect that he'd offer.

He sighed, looking frustrated. "I get it, I get it. Bawal. Stupid issues."

Silence ensued after that. What he said made the three of us think deeply.

Kung may concern pala si Justin sa issues nila, bakit pa niya ako hinatak dito? Was he risking a fight o sadyang wala lang siyang pakialam?

For the first time, nawala ang atensyon sa 'kin ni Racel. Nakatingin siya sa kung saan, nag-iisip din.
Justin spoke up again after a minute, breaking the quiet.

"How is she? Your friend?"

"Ahron?" taas-kilay kong tinanong. "She's doing well. Busy, as usual."

"Laging busy? You know she doesn't even return my texts?"

"Curious lang. Paano mo ba talaga nakuha number niya?"

He grinned. "Sources. Connections. Almost everyone knows her." Sinabi niya 'yon without sounding arrogant.

"Payong kaibigan lang." sabi ko. "Kung ano man ang intention mo, I suggest you quit na lang. She'll roast you alive."

"She already did. Not giving up though." He chuckled, and then added with a grin, "So, kaibigan mo na pala kami?"

Racel seemed amused by what he said because the corner of his lips tugged upward.

Feeling nervous under his attention, I wasn't able to answer Justin.

"Wala ka ba talagang balak i-accept yung friend request ko?" Justin continued.

"You know why I can't."

"Yeah, yeah. I know. Issues again. Ang suplada niyong magkaibigan. No wonder . . ." Hindi niya tinapos 'yon at bigla lang siyang ngumisi kay Racel na ngayon diretso na siyang tinitignan. Like they were signalling each other through their eyes.

I didn't know what they were trying to do but it didn't look good.

Justin playfully furrowed his brows at him, causing Racel to shake his head in amusement.

"'Di ba 'ko sagabal sa bromance n'yo today?" I couldn't help but tease, to dispel the growing discomfort they were making me feel.

Sabay silang napabaling sa 'kin, parehas mukhang natawa sa tanong ko.

I couldn't help but watch them in wonder.

Ito siguro ang side nilang dalawa na hindi ko pa nakikita. The other side of Racel Gutierez that people barely see. Relaxed lang, playful. The cool version of him outside the fierceness of the court. I sort of liked it.

I could get used to it.

But I shouldn't.

"Fuck no," Justin said with a laugh. "May kasama kami kanina pero nauna na. Which reminds me, I need to go soon. I need to see my mom."

Naputol siya sa sunod na sasabihin niya nang may tumawag na ulit. He wrinkled his nose at his phone.

"My sister. I think I really need to go. So, pa'no?" he asked us.

Sasabihin ko pa lang na mauuna na rin ako, naunahan na agad ako.

"Go. I'll stay with her," Racel said, startling me.
He's staying? What?

Justin nodded and stood up. Sumunod na rin kami at lumabas ng restaurant.

"I need to run now. Dude, ikaw nang bahala kay Javee?" May binulong si Justin kay Racel na hindi ko narinig bago niya tinapik sa balikat.