BIG SHOT #1: RICKY

Big Shot #1: Ricky ❣ Chapter Nine ❣

Decency

We’re already finished celebrating Ricky’s birthday.

Like greetings, talking about each other’s lives, opening of presents and all that sorts of stuff.

The dinner went well, in fact aside from Ricky’s ridiculous behaviour, wala namang malaking pagbabago ako na napansin. It was the same old dinner routine.

Right now, we’re all sitting in the living room, drinking our coffee.

I’m busy playing some stupid game on my phone habang inuubos ko yung kape ko.

Ricky and Tin are chatting quietly next to my seat. They’re acting so sweet with each other and it’s really pissing me off.

How could they do that in front of our parents?

You mean in front of you? Tuya ng utak ko.

“Kids, the three of you can go for a spin. You kids, don’t need to stay here and listen about this boring business talk.” Tita Meg said, waving her hand around them.

And just be with Ricky and Tin?

No way!! As if this situation is not torture enough.

I put my cup down. “I want to stay here Tita. I want to be here.” I whined, using my, I’m-so-cute-you-can’t resist-me voice. I looked at Tin and Ricky’s direction. “You can go, guys. Treat this as your date or something.” Nanunukso na sabi ko sa kanilang dalawa bago pa ako mapigilan ni Ricky.

Now, beat that!

I’m not dumb and Ricky’s not subtle at all.

He keeps on interrupting me or changing the subject every time na pumupunta yung topic sa kanilang dalawa ni Tin. Yung mga topic na pwedeng maungkat yung naging relasyon nila dati o yung tungkol sa best friend ko.

I looked around. Nakita ko yung naguguluhan na expression nila Dad at Tita Meg habang si Mama, nakatingin lang sakin. I can’t read her expression.

Nilipat ko yung tingin ko kila Tin at Ricky.

Ricky looked straight into my eyes with a blank expression on his face habang namumutla naman si Tin.

I smirked internally.

“What did you mean hija?” Tanong ni Tita Meg. Halatang naguguluhan to sa pilyang suggestion ko kila Tin at Ricky habang si Tito Lee, medyo amuse na nakatingin sakin. Akala siguro nito nagbibiro ako.

I frowned and looked at them with a shock-like confusion. “You didn’t know Tita?” Nilipat ko yung tingin ko kila Ricky at kunwari na tinakpan ko pa yung bibig ko pagkatapos kong magpakawala ng hindi makapaniwala na singhap. That, of course, my dear, is called special effects. 

I smirked internally.

“I’m sorry guys. I didn’t know. I thought, they knew.”

Oh hell yes! Ako na ang pang FAMAS ang acting!

Tito Lee’s smile disappeared. “Knew what?” He asked sternly.

“About—-“ Kunwari na iniwas ko yung mga mata ko sa kanila at ninenerbyos na pinatunog ko yung mga kamay ko. “Ahhmm.”

“Tin was my girlfriend.” Sabat ni Ricky.

A sombre smile spread across my lips.

Girlfriend.

I didn’t have that kind of privilege before.

Not all of us can be that lucky huh.

I remembered Rickys replied that night like yesterday when Tin said, “You’re my sister’s boyfriend.”

That we are not really together.

“You did what?” Galit na tanong ni Tito Lee.

“How could you?” Shock na duro ni Tita Meg.

“What did you say?” Tiim baga naman na tanong ni Papa.

Lahat sila nakatingin kila Ricky at Tin. Particularly kay Ricky. Disappointment was all over their faces.

“I’m sorry.” Bulong ni Tin habang may tumutulo ng luha sa mga mata nito.

Nakita ko naman na medyo kumalma na sila Papa nang makita nila yung luha ni Tin.

Using tears as a getaway.

Classic!

I sighed exaggeratedly. “Come on folks. What’s with the big fuss?”

To my surprise, Tita Meg responded, “He’s your boyfriend.”

“Actually, he’s my ex-boyfriend. And besides, Ricky and Tin’s story happened like three years ago.”

And yes, I know! I’m being mean!

I want them to figure out na nagkaroon ng relasyon si Ricky kay Tin within the same year na naging boyfriend ko to, kaya ako nag point out ng taon.

Lahat sila mas napasinghap sa sinabi ko. And that’s the reaction I’m expecting.

GOD. I’m smart!

To make my acting more convincing, I looked at them again with widened eyes as I slapped my mouth. “Oh sh!t.” I mumbled.

“Was that the reason why you changed your plans?” Mataas na yung tono na tanong ni Papa.

“Dad, does it matter?” I looked around and shrugged my shoulders in a nonchalant way. “Really guys. I don’t know what’s the big deal about this. They had a relationship, so?” I waved my hand at Ricky and Tin’s direction. “They’re in love.”

“But how about——“ Napatigil si Tita Meg.

But how about you? Alam ko. That’s exactly what she wants to ask.

I grinned at kunwari na nahihiya na tumingin sa kanila. “Actually, I have a boyfriend right now.”

“You do?” For the first time. Sumali sa usapan si Mama.

I beamed at them. “Yup.” I replied, using my lovesick voice.

“Who’s the lucky guy, hija? When are you going to introduce us?” Tanong naman ni Tita Meg. Halata na gusto din nito na gumaang yung usapan dahil halata na galit na si Tito Lee at lalo na si Papa.

Bago pa ako makasagot, Ricky stood up abruptly. “So, how about we take my car for a spin, Rain?”

I frowned and then raised my eyebrow at him.

Alam ko na alam nito na mas madali tong mapapatawad nila Papa kung sasabihin ko na yung ex-boyfriend ni Tin yung boyfriend ko ngayon.

So, what’s his deal?

Anyway, whatever it is. It’s working to my advantage kaya kiber nalang. “Sure.” I looked around. “You’ll meet him soon but for now, I’ll keep him to myself.” Pilya na baling ko sa kanila.

“Rain!!”

“Oh come on, Papa. You’re still my number one guy.” Nakangiti na tumabi ako dito at malambing tong niyakap.

Tahimik naman na tumayo si Ricky habang inaalalayan nito si Tin.

May kung anong aspile na naman na kumudlit sa puso ko.

Habang nagpapaalam kami sa mga magulang namin. I can’t help but notice na ang stiff at cold nila kila Tin at Ricky samantalang sakin, halos madurog na yung buto ko sa ginagawa nilang pagyakap.

At ang nakakagulat, wala man lang akong nakapa na kahit katiting na guilt. In fact, I like it. Does this make me a bad person?

Tahimik lang kaming tatlo na naglakad papunta sa bagong kotse ni Ricky.

I went into the back seat habang si Tin sa passenger seat naupo.

The ride spent in silence. Nag drive si Ricky for 30 minutes at miski isa samin, walang nagsalita.

Talk about awkwardness.

Nang makabalik na kami kila Ricky. Si Ricky lang yung bumaba para kunin yung purse ni Tin na naiwan nito sa couch.

Binuksan ko yung pintuan sa side ko at lalabas na sana para lumipat sa kotse ko nang magsalita si Tin. “So, who’s the lucky guy?” She asked, a bit too casual for my liking.

I sat straight and decided to test my theory. “Remember my best friend, Wyatt?”

Tin gasped loudly. “My Wyatt?” She asked in shock and rage?

My Wyatt?

I didn’t know if Tin was just kidding or just plain crazy.

I frowned. “That Wyatt is my boyfriend.” I replied, pointedly.

“How could you!” Mataas yung boses na sagot nito habang dinuduro ako.

I stared open-mouthed at her. “Excuse me?”

“Don’t you have any decency at all at pati si Wyatt nilandi mo!!”

Is she for real?

Painsulto akong tumawa ng malakas dito. “Decency?” I scoffed in disbelief. “That’s a big word coming from someone like you Tin.”

I looked straight into her eyes. “You don’t have the right to preach me, Ate!” I said in a mocking manner, emphasizing my last word. “That’s the perfect example of a pot calling the kettle black.” I leaned forward. “At least I have the decency to wait at least two years bago ako naglandi as you called it.” I raised my eyebrow and crooked my head at one side. “How about you? You bang him behind my back, two days after he dumped me.” I paused and gave her a sarcastic smile. “Oh wait. Is it really two days or much earlier than that?”

Nang iniwas ni Tin yung mga mata nito sakin, nakuha ko na yung sagot ko

How I wish she would just slap me instead.

Physical pain is more bearable.

Tahimik lang akong bumaba sa kotse ni Ricky bago pa ako makagawa ng bagay na alam kong pagsisisihan ko.

But when I looked up, nakita ko si Ricky na nakatayo ilang hakbang mula sa kinakatayuan ko.

Base on the guilt written all over his face, alam ko na narinig ni Ricky lahat yung naging pag uusap namin ni Tin or at least the last part.

Humakbang ako papalapit dito at huminto sa tabi nito. Without looking at him, I smirked and smiled bitterly. “Colour me surprised.” Malamig na bulong ko.

Pinagpatuloy ko yung paglalakad ko papunta sa kotse ko ng hindi lumilingon sa kanila.

Fvcking bastard.

Fvcking whore.

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