Book Of Unknown

CHAPTER SEVEN

Bellia’s Point Of View

The two of us got along well before we entered the cafeteria. I treated him to his favorite strawberry flavored cupcake. We were on our way to our favorite spot but there were three female students sitting there.

I pulled the fabric of his uniform to the side, “In another place right now, let's sit next to the saleswoman.” I said and then pointed to where the seat was.

He shook his head and headed to our favorite spot. He adjusted his necktie to get the attention of the three female students, they turned in his direction, I could do nothing but just follow him.

Ipinatong niya ang kanyang kamay sa lamesa at nagsimulang magsalita sa harapan ng tatlo. “Hey, my three beloved pretty schoolmates. May I ask the three of you?”

Kita sa mga mata ng tatlong babae ang pagkakaroon ng interes sa kanya dahil napatigil sila sa kung ano ang ginagawa nila kanina, “Ano ‘yon, kuya?” tanong ng isa.

Lumingon siya sa akin at ibinaling muli ang sarili sa tatlo, “You see this girl behind me?” He asked as he pointed me to them.

Tumango ang tatlo, “Opo, and she looks familiar, kuya. I saw her a few minutes ago, in the laboratory room?” sabi ng mayroong ponytail sa kanyang pulso.

“Uh-huh. I saw her too with Logan, he’s the son of Mrs. Tuan, right?” bulalas ng isang walang necktie na nakasuot.

Hinaplos niya ang kanyang batok. “Well, aside from that. We used to sit here— in this spot. Would you all mind moving and find another table? We both are not comfortable with the other table.”

Nagtinginan ang tatlo sa isa’t-isa. “How can we say no?”

Tumawa siya, “I got the three of you. Now buy three cupcakes, I’ll give y’all your p*****t,” he said and turned to me while taking money from his black wallet.

Inabot niya ang isang daan sa kanila. “Thank you, kuya.”

He shook his head as the three girls left us. Inalok niya akong umupo sa kanyang tabi.

I sat down and gave him a look, “They’re cute, huh?” I adduced.

He shook his head again and took a bite on his cupcake. “Ain’t interested.”

Tumawa ako at saka siya hinintay magbukas ng topic.

“You aren’t mad at me?” He suddenly asked.

Umiling ako habang pinapanood siyang kumain. “Nope, why?” I answered and then laid my two arms on the table.

Ngumuya siya ng ilang beses at saka inilunok ang kinakain. “You should.”

Kumunot noo ako na may kasama ngiti. “Why should I, huh? What’s wrong with you?”

Tumawa siya at umiling. Inabot niya sa akin ang hawak niyang cupcake at sinenyasan na kumagat ako ngunit hindi ako pumayag. Inilibot niya ang kanyang paningin sa loob ng cafeteria habang ngumunguya.

“You really can’t get mad at me, well, you might get used to it. What if I did something wrong to you? You should get mad, not everything I do is always right for you, okay?” He said and raised both his eyebrows at me.

Tumawa ako sa sinabi niya. “Well, I know you’ll not and can’t do something that I could get mad about, don’t insist that I should get mad at you.”

He lost sight of my eyes and dropped his gaze to the table, sadness flashed across his face at how he blinked now.

I swayed my hand in front of him, “Hey, dude. Is there something wrong? I mean, may nasabi ba akong mali?” Nag-aalalang tanong ko sa kanya.

He moved his index finger on the table, writing something on the table with his finger. It was as if he wanted to tell me something he couldn’t say to me.

“Look, I’m curious yet worried about you right now, Gab. Tell me, what’s wrong?” I carved him.

He shook his head as he laid his palm on the table, “Nothing is wrong, I guess? I just remembered mum, I can’t help it. She can’t get mad at me, like you, you know. Even though I was very hardass back then.” He uttered but did not glance at me.

I laughed at what I heard, “Hardass but you’re a smartass, Gab. I’m proud of you for being like that.” ani ko.

He smirked. “Look at my best friend, being proud of me for being hardass, huh.”

Tumawa ako ng mahina. “Well, best memories come from bad ideas with good friends.”

He shook his head and disobeyed me with his index finger. “Good and bad ideas. I can still remember when Matt and I broke our mate’s— our enemies should I say, we broke and stole their painting materials when we’re having an art class back then.”

I frowned. “Matt?”

“Matthew, A-1. He was very good in arts until now. Our closeness never faded after all.”

I nodded and laughed again at what he had said earlier. It’s only now that he tells me a story again, because he’s a busy person like everyone else.

“What are you laughing at?”

“Nothing. Because you stole the painting materials of your enemies. You didn’t mention that before, may I ask why?”

He didn’t pay attention to me and his wide smile suddenly appeared on his face, “Oh, there he is! Hey, Matthew!” He shouted inside the cafeteria.

He raised his hand and waved it in the air. I turned myself in which direction he was looking and saw there what he said was his friend.

“You can’t really stand me. By the way, sit here with us!” He insists.

The man approached our table. He was the man that I was talking about, but only now have I seen him again here in the cafeteria. So, he’s name is Matthew.

Matthew put his finger tip on our table as he approached. “What’s up?”

He laughed, “You got excited, huh? You got excited to meet my childhood friend?” He asked him and pointed at me.

Matthew looked at me and turned his gaze back to him. “I guess not? I’m here to buy some chuckie, as usual.”

He bit his lip, “So, at least you’re already here, mind to introduce my friend? You can’t say no. So, this is Bellia Laurent, she’s the best of the best, bro.” He adduced arrogantly to Matthew.

Matthew pressed the table with his finger tip and raised both eyebrows at him, "I guess I’m not the one whom she was talking about, Gab.” He said and put both hands in his pocket.

He looked at me and pointed to Matthew. “Isn’t he? He was you’re talking about, right?”

Tumango ako, “Yes. He was,” bulalas ko.

Pinagkita niya ang dalawa niyang palad at lumawak ang ngiti, “So, this is Matthew Ortega.” He introduced.

Tumango rin si Matthew nang sinulyapan ako. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Belle.”

Naging iba ang tingin ni Gabriel kay Matthew. “Wait, wait. Did you just call her by the name I used to call her? Infront of me? Woah, dude. Let me say something here, I’ll be the one and only one who will call her tha, okay? Back off, dude.”

Umiling at napangisi na lamang si Matthew, “Stop being immature, Gab.” anito.

He laughed. “I’m just kidding, okay? But you really can’t call her like that, you got it?”

Tumango na lamang si Matthe, “Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say, kiddo,” aniya at umalis na ng cafeteria.

Napailing na lamang ako sa kinilos ng kasama ko kanina sa harapan ni Matthew. “You just acted so immature, Gab.”

Tumingin siya sa akin ng walang ekspresyon. “Okay. Sige, roon ka na kay Matt.”

Tumawa ako. “Hoy, biro lang, ano ka ba!”

Umiling siya ng dalawang beses, “Hindi. Sige lang, doon ka na kay Matt. Pero sa isang kondisyon,” aniya.

“Ano ‘yon?”

He looked at me badly. “Look, you really want me to give you to Matt, you’re still asking what that condition is, eh? You are hurting my feelings now.”

I pinched his nose. “Sus ka! Ang arte mo ngayon.”

“On a condition that when you are at the age of forty, and then you can go to him, deal?” He said seriously.

I laughed even harder inwardly at what he said. “Jusko, Gab. But go ahead, I'll deal when my hair is white then I'll go to him.”

He crosses his arms, “Tss. You decide now, huh? I thought we’re friends? s**t, you rounded me up again with your sweet words,” he uttered and bowed to the seat.

I slapped his arm. “You’re overacting! Stop that, and then what sweet words, huh? What are we? It’s disgusting to be in love?”

He swallowed and touched his nose as he looked at me. “Back off, dude. No feelings involved here, aight? And if you’re the girl who I have to marry, I might commit suicide to not marrying you.”

I frowned and couldn’t believe what he said. “What’s the actual fluck, Gabriel? I didn’t point that envolving feelings, and how can you say so that you might commit suicide if we had to live together, huh? And, hello? Duh. I don’t want to be your slave nor maid. I will not let my beautiful face—”

“Huh. You will not be my slave, though. As if you’re willing,” aniya at itinaas ang kanang kilay.

I felt heat on my face and ear at what he said.

“Because you will be my pet.” He said and then stood up from his seat.

He walked away from our table when I got up and tried to grab his uniform, “I’ll kill you, bastard!” I shouted among the students inside the cafeteria.

He laughed out loud when he got a little away from me, “Hey! Huwag kang kiligin sa akin, masama ‘yan, Belle!” sigaw niya.

“Ate at kuya, baka saan mapunta ‘yang asaran ninyo, ah? Just saying lang po, because ganyan ang mga scenes sa mga nababasa ‘kong novels. Ah! Kilig much!” sabi ng babaeng estudyante.

His eyebrows raised at what the woman said, “Why don't we go there, shall we?" he said and looked at me.

My ears got even hotter from what I heard.

“Shut up, Gabriel Escobar!” I shouted and then chased him out of the cafeteria.