Twins are in Love ✓

CHAPTER 4: The Gorgeous and Conceited Guys

SKYE

"Don't mind us here, Skye. Just continue reading it," Lynn said. 

And I did. Muli ko nang ibinalik ang atensyon ko sa magazine at binasa ang guys' section sa article.

Name: Lander Carredano

Age: 18

Course: BS in Mechanical Engineering

Description: Gwapo. Mayabang. Lynn's twin brother.

Name: River Mijares

Age: 18

Course: BS in Criminology

Description: Gwapo. Mayabang.

Name: Osean Ledesma

Age: 18

Course: BS in Hotel and Restaurant Management

Description: Gwapo. Mayabang.

Name: Haru Santillan

Age: 18

Course: BS in Information Technology

Description: Gwapo. Mayabang.

Name: Forest Ferrer

Age: 18

Course: BS in Legal Management

Description: Gwapo. Mayabang.

Name: Laker Buenafarte

Age: 18

Course: BS in Architecture

Description: Gwapo. Mayabang.

Name: Cliffer Montalvo

Age: 17

Course: Bachelor of Fine Arts

Description: Gwapo. Mayabang.

Name: One Montecaztres

Age: 18

Course: BS in Electronics and Communications Engineering

Description: Gwapo. Mayabang. Genius. He's popularly known as Snob Heartthrob. Uno's twin brother.

Name: Uno Montecaztres

Age: 18

Course: BS in Computer Engineering

Description: Gwapo. Mayabang. Genius. Formerly known as Nerdy Heartthrob. Now, he's popularly known as Playboy Heartthrob. One's twin brother.

NOTE: Don't ask me why their descriptions were only like that. I asked them to describe their selves as simply as possible. And they all answered in one word. Gwapo. I only added the other word mayabang because they were really like that. As for the Montecaztres twins, they're really smart and genius. If you're unsatisfied and wanted to know more about them, you do it on your own and see for yourself. 

RIOT IN BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Last month, MEU's Blue Orions, defending champion, and UN's Red Centurions faced each other for the second time around this basketball season. But, who would have thought that the rivalry of the two universities (Montes Escholastica University and University of North) would end up not in numbers but in brutal and bloody fight inside the court? As for me, I was not surprised at all.

BO Captain, Uno Montecaztres, surprised all their fans, rival fans, referees, coaches, University Basketball Association (UBA), and other audience when his fist landed directly to RC Captain's jaw during the jumble. Other BO players already kicked and punched their rivals. The calm and quiet Uno's twin brother, One, broke the arm of one of the RC players. The referees already whistled and tried to stop the fight, but none of them stop. We, the badass gals, were just standing and looking at the fight, but silently cheering for the Blue Orions.

All players of the both teams were injured, but the rival players were the most bruised and beaten. All their players end up in the hospital, especially their captain. UBA held an investigation and made a decision. MEU Blue Orions were disqualified in the championship because they started the fight. But, upon more investigation, Red Centurions' players were involved in a fight the day before the championship game. They had beaten Cliffer Montalvo, the youngest BO player, into death. The Montecaztres twins found him lying on the ground in the corner of the street, already vomiting blood and almost dying. UBA also disqualified UN Red Centurions. And both teams were suspended until the next basketball season.

MEU School Committee also made their decision. Since the BO players did the first attack and it also happened inside the university, they were also suspended using university's gym for their basketball practice for six months.

#TWINSRELATIONSHIPGOALS NO MORE?

Montecaztres twins have known for being close to each other. Their relationship became the #TwinsRelationshipGoals of every twin inside and outside of this university. But, one month after the basketball championship, the heartthrob twins were seen barely talking until they became completely distant to one another. That was also the time when Uno's image of being stick-to-one girl had gone. He became the most popular Playboy Heartthrob. He always embraced all the girls who will throw themselves on him with wide open arms. You will see him playing and flirting around inside the campus. The good boy and nerdy heartthrob no more. While One, known for being snob and silent-type, became even more snob especially to all the girls who have interest on him.

All students were always asking us what happened to the Montecaztres twins. But, they had this speculations that Uno got hurt and dumped by his girlfriend that's why he changed. We, the badasses and BO players, and as friends of the Montecastres twins, didn't confirm the speculations. 

We don't know what really happened to them. Even though we know, we won't tell you about it because you don't need to know. So, stop being nosy and mind your own f*****g business. Leave them or us alone. Get a damn life, bitches and assholes!

What? Uno had a girlfriend? I asked myself after reading the article. Well, as the article or Lynn said, stop being nosy and leave them alone. Siguradong personal kung anuman ang hindi pagkakaunawaan ng kambal at hindi na dapat ako makialam pa sa kanila.

At ganun pala ang nangyari sa basketball championship nila. Iyon ang narinig kong pinag-usapan nina Uno kahapon sa gym. Binugbog ng kalaban ang kaibigan at ka-team nila kaya naiintindihan ko kung biglang magdilim ang paningin niya at biglang manuntok during the game. Sigurado akong grabeng pagtitimpi ang ginawa nila nang mga oras na iyon. Been there, done that.

I was about to say something when the bell rings. It means, morning classes will start now. They groaned in frustration, but stood up. I did the same before returning the magazine to Lynn. 

"Keep it, Skye. Ikaw lang at ang mga babaeng ito ang binigyan ko niyan. I'm still pissed and annoyed because it was the first time that the articles I wrote in that magazine were rejected and edited by my assistant. Kahit pampalubag-loob man lang sakin, magkaroon kayo ng copy na ako talaga ang sumulat. So, bear with my style of writing there. That's my way of expressing my overflowing emotions when I wrote something about my best friends."

I smiled. "Thanks, Lynn."

"Let's go to our own classes. See you around, Skye," paalam na ni Rillette at nauna na sa aming umalis.

"Hey, Pipe. Magta-tryout si Skye sa volleyball this Friday. Tell your team to be nice to her."

"Ang iba man sa kanila ay certified bitches, alam kong reasonable at nasa tama ang pagpili nila ng bagong players. Especially our captain." Then, she beamed a smile at me. "Don't worry, Skye. Just give your best there, and I know you can do it."

"Thanks for the encouragement, Piper. I'll do my best to make it on your team."

"See you later, guys!" she said before turning around, together with Finley and Hill.

Nagpaalam na rin kami ni Lynn sa isa't-isa para pumunta na sa mga klase namin.

-----

ASH

"Ash, let's go." I heard Uno said outside this room. 

Pagkatapos kong ayusin ang mga gamit ko, lumabas na ko at sabay na kaming naglakad. "Where's One?"

"Outside." 

"Okay." At naglakad na kami sa hallway.

May nakasalubong kaming babae na bahagyang bumangga sa katabi ko at muntik nang matumba kung hindi pa ito naagapang saluhin ni Uno. "Careful, Miss Cute."

"If I would fall for you, I wouldn't mind," pagbanat ng babae sa kanya.

Uno smirked. "Next time that you would fall for me, I can't assure you that I'll catch you. So still, be careful," he said meaningfully before leaving the girl dumbfounded.

Seriously? Ganyan na ba talaga siya? Hindi pa rin ako sanay sa bagong Uno, naiiling na bulong ko sa sarili ko bago sumunod sa kanya.

Nang matanaw ko si One sa labas ng building ay agad ko siyang nilapitan. "Sorry to keep you waiting, One. Let's go."

He nodded in response.

Ngayong araw lang kaming tatlo pare-pareho ng oras nang uwian kaya ngayon lang din ang pagkakataon kong makasabay sila pauwi. One was on my right while Uno was on my left side. We walked in silence. An awkward silence to be exact. Hindi ko na nga lang pinansin ang kakaibang tingin samin ng mga estudyante habang naglalakad palabas nitong campus.

After thirty minutes, we arrived in the subdivision. We walked in awkward silence again. We live in the same subdivision. Our home was just few blocks away from their home. We moved here when I was five. After that, the three of us became best of friends. Although I admit, sa kanilang dalawa, kay Uno ako mas malapit.

"Aw!" Napahinto ako sa paglalakad nang matapilok ako. At hindi ko sinasadyang mapahawak sa braso ni One nang bahagya akong matumba. Naramdaman ko yung pamilyar na kuryenteng dumaloy sa braso ko nang magkadikit ang mga balat namin.

"Are you okay, Ash?" 

Nakita ko ang pag-aalala sa mukha niya kaya pilit akong ngumiti. "I'm okay, One." Sinubukan kong tumayo, pero agad din akong natumba nang maramdaman ang pagkirot ng paa ko. Buti na lang at nakakapit pa rin ako sa kanya.

"Are you hurt?" tanong pa niya habang inaalalayan ako.

"Sort of. Kumikirot ang paa ko. Mukhang hindi ko kakayaning maglakad."

"Clumsy as ever, Ash."

Sinimangutan ko si Uno at inirapan.

"I'll carry you."

Nagulat ako sa sinabing iyon ni One at nakita kong seryoso siyang nakatingin sakin. Pilit akong umayos ng tayo at bahagyang lumayo sa kanya. "N-no, One. Mukhang pagod ka na, eh. Si Uno na lang ang magbubuhat sakin."

"What? Me? Do I look like I'm not tired to you?" he asked, frowning.

Pinandilatan ko naman siya ng mata at ipinarating na alam naman niya kung bakit ayokong magpabuhat sa kakambal niya. Mukhang na-gets naman niya kaya wala siyang nagawa kundi magpakawala ng isang malalim na buntong-hininga at pumayag.

"Okay, I'll carry you." Bahagya siyang yumuko patalikod sa akin para makasakay sa kanya.

Naramdaman ko naman ang pagluwag nang pagkakahawak ni One kaya hindi tumitinging sumakay na 'ko sa likod ni Uno. 

"I'll go ahead now," sabi ni One.

Bago pa man ako makasagot, tumalikod na siya at nauna na ngang maglakad. Nagsimula na ring maglakad si Uno. Nakatingin lang ako sa likod ni One habang nauuna siyang maglakad sa amin. At halos sakalin ko naman ang kakambal niya nang marinig ang mahina, pero nakakaloko nitong tawa. He's teasing me. "Stop laughing, Uno."

Nang-aasar na mas lalo pa siyang tumawa. "Every time he will offer to carry you, you always turned him down. You're not good for a man's ego, Ash."

Napasimangot naman ako. "You know why I always do that."

"Yes and I can feel it. The beating of your heart for him. Faster and louder."

Inihilig ko ang ulo ko sa balikat niya. Alam ni Uno ang nararamdaman ko para sa kakambal niya. Noong mga bata pa kami, pantay lang ang pagtingin ko sa kanila. Pero, noong mag-high school ako, bigla na lang nag-iba ang pagtingin ko kay One. Kakaibang kilig na ang nararamdaman ko sa kanya tuwing titingin siya sakin. Kakaibang saya na ang nararamdaman ko tuwing nakakausap ko siya. At sobrang bilis ng t***k ng puso ko kapag nasa malapit lang siya o di kaya ay nagkakadikit kami.

Dahil ayokong malaman niya ang pagbabago ng nararamdaman ko sa kanya, medyo lumayo ako. Pakiramdam ko kasi, malalaman niya ang itinatago kong feelings sa kanya. At hindi ko rin maiwasang umasa na may pagtingin din siya dahil sa mga ginagawa niya para sakin. 

Ganun naman tayo kapag nagkagusto sa isang tao, 'di ba? Bibigyan natin ng ibang kahulugan ang mga ginagawa nila, pero ang totoo, wala naman talagang kakaiba. Tayo lang ang nag-a-assume dahil tayo yung may gusto sa kanila.

Para maitago ang tunay kong nararamdaman, si Uno ang mas madalas kong samahan. Si Uno ang mas madalas kong kausap. Dahil kay Uno, payapa at relax lang ang puso ko. Kaya simula noon, mas naging close pa kami. 

"Don't you have any plan to say it to him?" he suddenly asked. Sapat ang distansiya namin kay One para hindi nito marinig ang pinag-uusapan namin ni Uno.

Pinagmasdan ko ang mukha niya habang nakahilig pa rin ang ulo ko sa balikat niya. "What about you? Don't you have any plan to talk to him again?"

He became serious and didn't answer.

"Are you still mad at him?"

He frowned. "I'm not mad at him. We're not mad with each other."

"Then, why? Bakit hindi pa rin kayo nag-uusap hanggang ngayon?"

He let out a sigh. "Let's just say, we have this so-called mutual understanding that we need to stay away from each other for now. Even though we don't say anything to one other, we both know that we need some space."

"Space? Until when? Noong unang buwan na hindi kayo masyadong nagkikibuan, naintindihan ko pa 'yon dahil may pinagdadaanan ka. Pero, habang lumilipas ang mga araw, mas lalo kayong nagkakalayong dalawa. Hanggang sa tuluyan na nga kayong hindi mag-usap. Dahil pa rin ba iyon sa kanya?" 

I can feel his body tensed. "I don't want to talk about what happened three months ago. And it's not the only reason why One and I were not talking."

"Ano pa ang ibang dahilan?" He didn't reply. I sighed. "Ngayon ko gustung-gustong hanapin ang babaeng iyon para ipamukha sa kanya ang ginawa niya sayo. You changed because of her. You changed, but not in a good way, Uno."

"Stop mentioning her in front of my face."

"No, Uno. Dahil sa kanya kung bakit ka nagkakaganyan ngayon. She destroyed you. She turned you into a heartless person. I can't believe her. She only hurt you despite all you just do was loved her with all your life. And to think that you even pr---"

"Shut up, Ash. Shut the hell up before I put you down and let you walk on your own," he cut me off.

Ramdam ko ang kaseryosohan sa sinabi niyang iyon. Kitang-kita ko rin ang sakit at galit sa kanyang mga mata. Ramdam ko rin iyon habang buhat niya ko. Nanginginig sa galit ang mga kalamnan niya.

Tumahimik na ko at muling tumingin sa harap bago ipinatong ang baba ko sa balikat niya. Mas humigpit din ang kapit ko sa kanya. Gusto kong iparamdam sa kanya na nandito lang ako. Kami ng kakambal niya. Kami ng mga kaibigan niya. 

I miss the both of you. I miss you, Uno. I miss the the real you. At naniniwala akong babalik ka sa dati mong sarili. Naniniwala rin akong makakalimutan mo siya at magmamahal ka ulit ng iba.