Chapter 4 The Interrogation

• • Jada •
• "Girl!” Honey exclaimed from the other end of the line. “We’re stopping at Bistro for dinner,” she informed me.
• We reached the location in less than an hour, as there was no traffic. The area looks lively though it’s Wednesday, a weekday.
• It’s my first time here in Malate. And I’m amazed at how busy the area seems to be. Aside from the bars and clubs around, there are street parties as well.
• When Faith left for the states after her OJT, we went out too. But we only went to the bar that is closest to our house.
• “Sure! I’ll just follow you guys,” I responded before ending the call. I saw Lyken and Steve’s car stop by a restaurant and I did the same.
• After parking, I walked over to Honey, “I’ll just go to the CR,” I whispered and went ahead when she nodded.
• When I stepped out of the comfort room, I immediately looked for the group. I spotted them easily after seeing Ada crazily waving at me.
• They were seated at the back part of the restaurant, right outside the venue. The area looks chill that’s probably why they chose to sit there.
• Aside from that, we won’t be a bother to other customers, especially when Ada and Bambi get started with their antics. They can be loud and annoying for those who don’t know them.
• As I walk towards them, the pinks clapped slowly while looking at me. I even looked behind me to see who they were doing it for.
• “You look different tonight byotch! You’re like a ramp model!” Ada started.
• Bambi nodded without looking at him, “You’re mouth-watering!” he added with a hearty laugh.
• I suddenly felt the need to walk faster as I start to feel embarrassed after what they did. I even noticed the customers seated near them looking at me.
• “Ssshhh!” I hissed at them as I sit down.
• Kobe is on the host’s chair, while I sit on the other end of the table. On his right are Honey, Ada, and Bambi. Seated on my left are their teammates. Lyken is on Kobe’s right side.
• "Let's order!" Kobe announced as he call on a waiter standing close to us.
• He lets us tell the waiter our orders and when he left, one of their teammates immediately turned his attention to me. He extends his hand as he introduces himself.
• "Hi, I'm RJ Tan, you are?"
• "Jada Cuevas" returning his smile and shaking his hand. It feels a bit awkward though as Ada and Bambi nudge at each other while looking at us.
• Even Lyken and Kobe glanced at me and RJ, as well as the two other guys they’re with. If I recall correctly, they’re Steve and Robin.
• “Jada? That’s it?” he asked, brows furrowed.
• “Jadanela actually,” I answered timidly.
• “Unique name. Pretty actually, suits you,” then he smiled while nodding his head. I smiled in return though I can already feel my cheeks burning as the pinks won’t take their teasing eyes off of us while we’re talking.
• “Are you blushing Ja?” Ada called me out. My eyes widened in shock. As I was annoyed, I kicked his foot under the table which made him laugh really loud.
• "You guys are Psych students right?” Steve asked.
• “We’re PT students,” Bambi butted in, pointing at himself and Ada. Steve just nodded at him.
• "Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Is she the one you're talking about RJ?" Robin asked in a loud voice.
• I looked at RJ who is now blushing. This one is good-looking as well. He stands at around 6 or 6 feet 1 inches tall.
• RJ is fair-skinned and he’s got a nice build. His Chinese lineage can’t be denied with the distinct curve in his eyes.
• “Shut up dude!” snapping at his friend.
• “You shut up!” Kobe countered. “You already knew they’re Psych students, why are you still asking?” he chuckled. Honey and I can’t help but look at each other with our foreheads creased.
• “Why does it seem like we’re both interested in Psych freshies?” Kobe added, rubbing his chin while eyeing his friend.
• My forehead’s still creased when my eyes fell on Lyken, who is looking at me too. As usual, he has a blank expression on his face. As if he can’t be bothered regardless of the topic.
• “RJ is a Psych student too,” Kobe started. “The other day during practice, he came late. He said the meeting for PsychSoc just ended. Then he told us that the freshmen representative is a goddess,” he narrated.
• Honey and I can't help but exchange meaningful looks. I’m the freshmen representative, so he’s obviously referring to me.
• In all honesty, I’ve no idea why the President of the org chose me as representative. He just pointed at me during the meeting and assigned me the position without asking for my opinion.
• "Hush man, you’re such a blabbermouth!" RJ snapped, shaking his head at his friend.
• "This byotch got long hair!" Bambi teased before laughing with Ada in unison. I shoot them a death glare to shut them up.
• I feel like I won’t be able to stay longer at our table if they continue talking. Unfortunately, it didn't stop there.
• “Then?” Ada pried.
• “Then we asked who the chick he was referring to. Yesterday, he pointed at Jada. It was actually funny since I’m crushing on Honey too and they happen to be friends. But we just laughed at him because we really thought Jada is a tomboy,” Kobe tells it all, nonstop.
• I wasn’t able to hold back my laughter when everyone on our table, except for Lyken of course, started laughing. Steve even clapped the table as he did.
• “But I was proven wrong. You’re looking gorgeous tonight, Jada. I feel so stupid for thinking you’re a tomboy. I'm very sorry.”
• “I told you, man, my radar won’t fail me,” RJ stated smugly and all three of his friends nodded at him in agreement. Again, except for Lyken.
• He’s been mum ever since we got to the restaurant. He was just there listening to the conversation, but he never bothered to chime in.
• “Lyken, why are you so quiet? Speak up or it might get spoiled,” Ada teased but he just responded with a lazy smile.
• "Is he brokenhearted?” Bambi whispered to Honey.
• “Not yet, I guess,” Robin replied as he nudged on Lyken.
• The conversation continued while waiting for our food. When it came, everyone fell quiet except for RJ who resumed his interrogation with me.
• "So you're from the States?" he asked and I nodded.
• I don’t normally talk a lot. If I remember correctly, I only started opening up when I became friends with Honey, Ada, and Bambi.
• Back in the States, I stayed with my Aunt Magda, she’s an old maid and a bit strict. Not so much with one’s way of dressing, as she said, it’s a person’s way of expressing themselves.
• However, she’s a little conscious when it comes to someone’s actions and manner of talking. That’s probably why I got used to being quiet and shy.
• "Have you had a boyfriend while in the States?" I was a bit taken aback by his question. Even Kobe who’s been listening can’t help but react.
• “Wow, dude! That’s some next-level question right there,” he chuckled. I smiled and shook my head at RJ in response.
• "I see. So do you have plans of going back?" he continued.
• “I don’t think so. My parents are busy with their businesses here. We just had a family emergency back then that’s why we went there. Then we needed to take care of my Aunt so I had to stay and continue my studies in the States. But I'm pretty sure they've no plans of going back anymore," I explained in great length, even I was surprised.
• RJ nodded in response to my explanation while Steve and Robin keep exchanging weird glances. I was curious about their actions but I chose to ignore them.
• I eventually got comfortable talking to RJ. He got some sense, not like the others who are full of air. Who only talk about themselves.
• “Do you personally know Kristoff? Our org president?” he asked again.
• “No. I first met him during our meeting,” confused as to why he asked.
• "I see. He seems interested in you that’s why I thought you two knew each other.”
• Ada laughed after hearing what RJ said, “You haven’t even started courting and you’re jealous already?” jesting at the guy who started blushing again.
• Instead of responding to my friend, he just shook his head and continued eating. He was obviously embarrassed so I kicked Ada again under the table, but he just laughed at me.
• After having dinner, we stayed a bit longer at the restaurant before heading to the nearest KTV bar. It wasn’t that far from the restaurant so we got there in less than five minutes. We didn’t even have to take our cars.
• Honey and Kobe went in first, followed by the varsities. I and the pinks stayed outside, as they can’t wait to get some juicy news.
• “What’s up with RJ? What else did he talk to you about?” Ada pried.
• “Nothing, what’s there to say?” I asked, confused.
• “You byotch! Don’t keep us hanging,” Bambi snapped, rolling his eyes at me.
• “I told you, there’s nothing to be curious about. You guys are cray,” I chuckled before leaving both of them behind.
• When I walked in, they are all seated on the rounded couch. I was looking for a good spot to sit when RJ waved at me, tapping the space next to him.
• I refused to be shy so I walked over and sit next to him. I didn’t notice though that on my right side, Lyken is quietly seated.
• Ada squeezed in between RJ and Steve, while Bambi forced himself between Steve and Robin. Honey and I can’t help but chuckle at our friends' foolishness.