Chase of Heart

Chapter Four

“WHAT’S WITH YOUR FACE, BRO?” Mike asked trying to tease Chase. Nagtawanan silang lahat at mas lalo lang sumimangot si Chase “You know what Chase, there’s nothing you need to worry about. Heart’s just my best friend and so is you, I’ve actually seen how you stared at her from afar for quite some times now. Kung gusto mo ikaw na maghatid sa kanya.” Dagdag pa ni Mike.

“Shut up, Castro. Ako talaga ang maghahatid sa kanya kahit ano pang sabihin mo.” Hindi ko alam kung kasali ba ako sa usapan nila o hindi.

I need to talk to Mike about this thing. Ako ba ang tinutukoy ni Chase sa sinabi niyang mahal niya?

I guess I need to find things out on my own. I mean, just by thinking of that idea, there’s already a butterfly flying around my stomach, how much more if it’s already confirmed that it’s me?

“Pero may practice pa kayo,” si Loisa ang nagsalita, “atsaka sinong maghahatid sa amin? Hindi ba dati si Chase?” dagdag na tanong niya.

“It’s okay. Chase’s priority starting this day will be Heart. Ipapahatid ko na lang kayo sa driver namin.” Marco said and winked at Chase. I rolled my eyes at him.

“Bye, Heart.” Aya kissed my left cheek and flashed me a smile.

Agad naman kaming naglakad ni Chase patungo sa kung saan niya iginarahe ang sasakyan niya habang nasa likod naman namin si Mike.

“So, just see you at home, babe?” Mike asked me with a grin on his face. I shook my head in disbelief.

“Sige na!” Humalakhak siya at sumakay na sa kotse niya at agad na pina-andar.

“I’ll break his neck if he touch you in any ways.” Chase muttered as he opened his car’s door for me. I hopped in and watched him hopped inside too.

“Tell me Chase, ako ba talaga ang tinutukoy mo?” I asked without any hesitations as he started the engine of his car. He looked at me and raised me one brow.

“Isn’t it obvious?”

“Bakit ang sungit mo, nagtatanong lang naman ako ah.”

“Ba’t ba kasi ang bait mo sa kanila? You can at least snob them.” Natawa ako.

“You know exactly that I can’t simply do that, Chase. Atsaka kaibigan mo sila.” Sagot ko naman, “Atsaka bakit ko naman gagawin iyon kung hindi naman tayo? Ni hindi ko nga alam kung seryoso ka.” He sighed heavily and slowly nodded.

“Right. I’ll just show you how serious I am first. Pero sana kapag tayo na bawas-bawasan mo ang pagiging mabait mo sa mga lalaki.”

“I can’t believe that you’re possessive, Chase.” Nakita kong namutla siya at tumingin sa akin.

“Y-You don’t like possessive?” He asked in a worried voice.

“I don’t. Nakakasakal iyon. Kaya kung magkaka-boyfriend man ako, gusto ko iyong alam kong mahal ako pero hindi ako ipagdadamot kasi naniniwala siya na hindi ko kayang gumawa ng bagay na ikasisira naming dalawa.” He nodded slowly and sighed heavily.

“Damn. I… I’m not really possessive. I just can’t help it when it comes to you. Don’t worry, baby. I’ll try my best not to be one. But as of now, I want to tell your parents first that I’ll court you.” Chase parked his car in front of our house. Saka ko lang napansin na mabilisan lang pala kaming nakarating.

“H-How did you know-”

“I’m friend with Mike, right?” He gagged as if he can read what’s on my mind. I nodded slowly and tried to open his car’s door but he immediately stopped me. “Let me.” He said as he exited his car and opened the other side of his car’s door for me. I flashed him a small smile as I got down from his car.

“Thank you.”

“Let’s get inside lovers!” Mike shouted with a grin on his face. I rolled my eyes at him and he just laughed.

“Y-You’re staying?” I asked. And I nearly hit my own head for what I’ve asked.

“You don’t want me to stay and meet your parents?” he asked as if he’s testing me.

“I-It’s not like that. I… nevermind. Let’s go.” I replied as I turned my back because of my turning red cheeks. He laughed slowly but I felt his presence on my back as I step inside our house.

“Mama, Papa.” I stated as I found them sitting on the living room’s sofa, “Tita Min? Tito Ray?” I asked in disbelief as I saw Mike’s parents with us.

“Hey…” they greeted me back with a smile. Tumingin ako kay Mike na nakasimangot.

“Kailan po kayo nakauwi?” I asked not removing the smile on my face.

“Kanina lang. We’re actually here to tell you something. And I’m pretty sure that both of you and Mike will be excited.” Tita Min even giggled.

“Come on, mom. Just spill it.” Mike said.

Mike’s has been living alone for quite some times now. Maliban sa dalawang katulong nila ay wala na siyang ibang kasama sa bahay nila na nasa harapan lang ng bahay namin. Sa Canada nagta-trabaho ang mga magulang niya at tuwing disyembre lang sila umuuwi. Nakakatuwang isipin na ngayon ay nandito sila.

“Why don’t you introduce your friend to us first?” Tito Ray said as he saw Chase behind my back.

“Ah opo, si Chase po. Kaibigan namin ni Mike. Ka-banda rin po siya ni Mike,” tumingin ako kay Chase, “Chase, he’s Tito Ray, his wife Tita Min mga magulang ni Mike. And this is my Mama, Love and my Papa, Arman.” Mahabang pagpapakilala ko.

“It’s nice to finally meet you po, sir and ma’am.” Naglahad siya ng kamay sa mga magulang namin ni Mike. Natawa naman ang mga ito at agad na umiling.

“Drop the formality, hijo. Just call us Tito and Tita.” Tita Min said.

“Umupo muna kayo at nang masimulan na natin ang paguusap.” Saad ni Mama. Mayamaya lang ay dumating ang nagiisang kasambahay namin na may dalang tray ng sandwich at orange juice.

Agad naman akong kumuha ng juice sa isang malinaw na baso at ini-abot ito kay Chase na tahimik lang.

“Thank you.” He said, half smiling.

Mike cleared his throat, “Ako ba hindi mo bibigyan?”

Nagtaas-baba pa ang kilay niya na parang nangaasar. Umiling na lang ako at nagsalin ng isa pa sa baso at pagkatapos ay ini-abot ko ito sa kanya.

“So we’re here to tell you that Ray was assigned to manage the C.U Hotel in Paris. Alam naman namin na may balak din kayong mag-migrate sa Paris kaya gusto sana namin na magkalapit na bahay na lang ang kuhanin natin doon.” Tita Min said, trying to start a conversation.

“Lilipat kayo sa Paris?” Mike asked Tita Min. Both Tita Min and Tito Ray shook their heads.

“Tayo, anak. Kasama ka.” Sagot naman ni tito Ray.

“That’s perfect. Kaya lang ay hindi pa namin alam kung kailan kami aalis dahil hinihintay pa naming matapos sa second year college si Heart.” Sagot naman ni Papa.

Napatingin ako kay Chase. Nakatiim bagang siya na parang hindi nagustuhan ang narinig. And I wonder why. It’s just funny how I can’t read him by his moves the way I can do to others. He seems so uptight.

“And that’s the reason why we’re here. Kasi may nakuha na kaming bahay, gusto lang naming ibigay sa inyo ang address dahil mauuna na kami ni Min doon. Sigurado naman na sa inyo sasabay si Mike.” Nakangiting sagot ni Tito Ray.

“Naku, maraming salamat. Kailan naman ang alis niyo?” si Mama ang nagtanong.

“Sa susunod na linggo.”

And the converstion about this Paris thing just went on. I don’t actually know what to say. It’s pretty obvious that whether I like it or not, we’ll still leave.

I never hesitated on my decision about this thing. I don’t know why but this time, I’m having second thought. It’s as if I can’t live something… or someone.

My mind brought me back to reality as Chase cleared his throat, “It’s really nice meeting you po, but it’s getting late and I actually need to go home.” He said politely.

“You can stay for dinner, hijo.” Papa said trying to offer him. He just shook his head and smiled.

“Next time na lang po siguro.” Marahang tumango si Mama at ngumiti.

“Aasahan ko iyan. Balik ka dito ha?” Tumango si Chase at nagpaalam na, “Ihatid mo siya sa labas, Heart.” Tumango naman ako at agad na sumunod kay Chase.

“Huy.” Tawag ko nang makalabas na ito ng gate.

“Bakit?”

“Galit ka?”

“Hindi.” He replied shortly as he hopped inside his car and drove off. s**t. What just happened?