Stranger Next Door

CHAPTER 3

He laughed, while I rolled my eyes. Hindi naman ako umasa. Konti lang so hindi naman masakit.

"Calling me Mr. President is nice. I like it." he nodded his head, "How about you? What do you want me to call you?"

"Anything is fine with me." tipid kong sabi.

"So, anything. Here's your paper. You're finally enrolled and Welcome to Acadian University." nakangiti niyang sabi sa'kin saka inabot ang papel ko.

Imbes na ngitian ko siya pabalik, inismiran ko siya.

"Jerk! I said anything is fine with me but not the literal anything, okay?" pikon kong sabi.

He laughed and he patted my head.

"I know. Just let me think of it for a while. Ayoko ng basta-bastang nickname lang. I want it to be special." nakangiti niyang sabi.

Napahawak ako sa dibdib ko. It's beating faster than usual.

"Why are you blushing?" his question seems mocking me so I stepped on his foot.

Napaaray naman siya sa ginawa ko.

"What the hell, why did you do that?" he asked angrily.

"Kasi, you walks so slow. Pakibilisan naman ang paglakad, Mr. President. Keith and Ate Khaytelyn is waiting." pang-aasar ko saka ako naunang maglakad sa kanya.

I saw Ate Khaytelyn from afar talking to Keith. Kinawayan niya naman kaming dalawa at nagkayayaan kami na kumain sa fastfood bago umuwi.

Keith also told me that the cops investigated in our house at nakitang wala naman daw nananakaw doon. The cops also asked via call if I saw the face of the thief but I said I didn't. He's wearing a bonet that time. His face is covered.

"It's goo to hear that they informed people about the thief last night. At least, maaalarma sila at makakapag-ingat." sabi ko kina Keith habang hinihintay ang order namin.

There are lots of costumer today kaya naman medyo delayed ang order namin.

"Buti na lang talaga kasi muntik ko ng isipin kagabi na multo ang may kagagawan sa'min no'n." natatawang sabi naman ni Ate Khaytelyn, "Matatakutin pa naman 'tong si Bella."

"Ate, I'm not." I stopped her from talking but she teases me more.

"Tama na nga 'yang asaran niyo, Ate." suway naman ni Harris, "Nakilala niyo na ba 'yong iba niyong classmates?"

"Yeah, I met mine. Dennis is his name." Ate Khaytelyn answered.

If I'm not mistaken, she will tell us again that the guy is her type.

"Actually, he's my type. He seems gentleman." nakangiti niyang kwento.

Napairap na lang ako ng palihim. I know her too well. Kahit saan kami magpunta, hindi siya nawawalan ng crush.

"Oh, good to hear. How about you, Bella?" Keith asked me.

"His name is Andrei." I smiled.

"Andrei? So, he's a guy?" kumunot bigla ang noo ni Keith.

What's wrong with him?

"You should be careful in choosing your friends, Bella. Baka mamaya, hindi lang pakikipagkaibigan ang gustong mangyari ng Andrei na 'yon." he said.

Natawa na lang ako because the way he talks right now is full of judgement.

"Stop being judgemental, Keith." I smiled awkwardly, "Andrei seems a nice person just like you. You have nothing to worry about."

He seems shocked of what I said but he smile later on.

"I'm happy knowing that you think of me as a good person." he said, "You know, you're the only one who sees the good in me."

"So, hangin ako, pre?" tanong naman ni Harris at kaagad naman siyang siniko ni Keith.

We enjoyed the moment and talked a lot about each other.

Maybe moving in a new place is not a wrong idea. Aside from we will learn to live on our own, we also met good friends like Keith and Harris. There's nothing I can wish for.

Akala ko nga didiretso na kami pauwi pero nagyaya pa 'tong si Harris. We go to the park. Meron daw kasi do'n nagtitinda ng dirty Ice Cream which is Harris' favorite.

"Buti at naabutan kita ulit, Manong!" Harris' seems excited like a kid after he saw the Ice cream vendor, "Akala ko hindi na naman kita maaabutan. Hindi ka po ba nagtinda kahapon? Galing ako rito."

"Naku, hindi hijo. Kailangan ko kasing samahan na mag-enroll ang anak ko e pagod na ako kinagabihan dahil maghapon kami sa pila kaya ipinahinga ko na lang iyon sa bahay." sagot naman ng tindero.

His smile widened when he saw us.

"Aba'y marami ka palang kasama ngayon. Sino ba diyan sa dalawang babae ang kasintahan mo?" natutuwang tanong ng tindero sa kanya.

I blushed after hearing what Manong asked.

I'm silently hoping that Harris will tell the vendor that it's me. Even it's a joke, okay lang basta sabihin niyang ako.

"Wala, Manong. You know, I'm too busy with my studies. Tatanda na yata akong binata." he jokingly said, "Apat po palang Ice Cream."

"Hay naku, hijo. Ikaw talaga. Wala ring masama kung mainlove." hirit pa ni Manong but Harrison just laughed at him.

"Maybe when I finished my degree." he answered.

Manong just nod while preparing our Ice Cream.

I don't have the right to disappointed because he's an SSG President. Of course, his focus is on the school and not on having a girlfriend.

Namasyal lang kami sa park after buying the Ice cream. We took some pictures, do the bikings, and other physical activities we can do while we're here in the park. Inabot na nga kami ng gabi since meron namang malalapit na kainan dito.

Harris told us that every 7pm, there's live concert here. Hindi naman mga sikat na banda. Usually, random people lang para mag-gig.

Keith wanted to go home pero ipinagpilitan talaga namin ni Ate Khaytelyn na panoorin ang bandang kakanta. We're currently watching at them singing and their voice is pleasing to hear.

"I almost watch it everyday at nakakasawa na. I really want to go home." Keith must be sulking but we just laughed at him.

"It's their first time so please let them enjoy." pakiusap si Harris sa kanya.

Tumango na lang si Keith because even if he said no, he has no choice.

"Ang galing nilang kumanta, noh?" sabi ko but Harris give me a signal that he can't hear what I'm saying.

Inilapit ko ang bibig ko sa tenga niya.

"Sabi ko, ang galing nilang kumanta!"

He laughed.

"Yes, of course. Sila palagi ang tumutugtog dito. Hasang-hasa na sila." he answered.

I whispered on him again.

"Maybe we should go here next time. It's fun watching free concert." nagtawanan kami ulit.

We enjoyed watching and we wave our hands together with the song. It feels like I became a child again. Pansamantala kong nakalimutan ang buhay ko sa US.

"You like it?" Harris whispered on me.

"Yes, I do." I answered without looking at him.

"You like me?"

"Yes, of course." I answered again, I turned my gaze into him when I realized what he just asked. "Wait, wh—"

He sealed my mouth with a kiss. He is not my first kiss after all but why does it feels like first time? That kiss is passionate. It's like a drug, I'm truly addicted.

I know no that one can see us here since it's dark. People are too busy watching the live band singing but a part of me is still hesitant.

We don't know each other yet. We know each other for almost teo days. Sobrang bilis ng pangyayari. I pushed him away, and he looks so shocked.

"I'm sorry, Bella." he was about to touch me but I stepped backward.

Tumakbo na lang ako para makalayo sa kanya. Luminga ako ng tingin sa paligid. Madilim. I thought it was just only my imagination that I saw a girl nearby.

She's smiling at me, and those smile are giving me creeps.

I decided to go near her. My eyes widened when I saw her face.

She has no eyes. Her mouth is full of blood, and stitches. May mga ugat ugat sa mukha niya. Tinabingi niya pa ang ulo niya, and I can't help myself but to shout.

"Help!"

I don't know what happened next. I just woke up lying on the couch. Ate Khaytelyn is sitting beside me, together with Keith. While Harris is standing near the door.

"Finally! Thank God, you're okay." ramdam mo ang pag-aalala ni Ate Khaytelyn.

"What happened?" I asked.

"You passed out." Keith answered, "Buti na lang at nakita ka kaagad ni Harris. Ano ba kasing nakita mo? You keep on mumbling 'Who are you' habang dinadala ka namin dito."

I gulped, so it's true? Me and Harris kissed? That means, the ghost that I saw is real.

"I saw a girl. She's smiling at me." I'm trembling right now, because I can still remember her face, "She—she has no eyes."