Feeling ko ang liit ng University namin 'nong nakita ko ang lalaking nakabangga ko kanina na nandito na ngayon sa harapan ko. I mean, ang dami naman kasing estudyante sa school! Well, baka coincidence lang talaga. Hindi dapat ako mag-overthink.
Naramdaman kong sinipa ako ni Daisy sa ilalim ng mesa. Hindi ko iyon pinansin.
"Ikaw 'yong nakabangga ko kanina," I suddenly said.
"Yeah. I think it's me," he said with a smile. Tumango na lang ako saka ibinalik ang atensyon sa juice ko. "I'm Zandrey," he said sabay abot sa akin 'nong kamay niya.
Tinanggap ko iyon. "I'm Aira."
"Bakit naman ang tagal mo?" Narinig kong tanong 'nong Dominic kay Zandrey.
"Na-late ako kanina. Ang tagal kong nakapasok kasi nawala ko ID ko," I heard him said.
"Right!" Napalakas iyong boses ko sa narinig kaya napatingin sila sa akin. Agad naman akong nag-sorry. "Nahulog kanina. Isasauli ko sana kaso nakaalis ka na. Saka idadaan ko sana sa lost and found kaso nawala sa isip ko." Hinanap ko iyong ID niya sa bag kaso bigla kong naalala na ibang bag pala 'to.
"Oh. Thank you," he murmured. "Akala ko magpa-file na ako ng affidavit of loss para makapagawa ulit."
"Nasa isang bag ko pala 'yon," I said.
"It's okay. I'll just get it later," he said with a smile.
"Okay," I mumbled.
When I looked at Daisy ay saka ko lang napansin na sa amin na pala nakatingin iyong anim.
"Baka meant to be kayo," biglang sabi ni Daisy. Ang laki pa ng ngisi niya.
"Gaga ka," I mouthed and she laughed.
"Order na tayo!" Masayang sabi ni Jamie.
We ordered some food, ate, and talked the entire time. Well, mostly sila lang naman iyong nagsasalita. Nakikisali lang ako kapag tinatanong ako. Uwing-uwi na nga ako. Kaso biglang nagyaya ng KTV si Jamie pagkatapos kumain. Game na game naman ang lahat, pati si Daisy kaya hindi na rin ako nakatanggi.
Pagkatapos kumain ay lumabas na kami ng café para lumipat sa malapit na KTV. Halos pares-pares sila habang papunta kami doon. I rolled my eyes. Saka ko na-realize na may partner din pala ako, kaso medyo nahuli siya kasi dumaan pa sa CR.
Hindi pa kami nakakalayo mula sa café 'nong maramdaman kong may sumabay sa akin sa paglalakad.
"Hi, Miss," sabi 'nong Zandrey. Kahit hindi ako nakatingin sa kanya, alam kong nakangisi siya. Hindi ko alam sa kanya. Kanina pa siya ngiti nang ngiti eh. Hindi ata nangangalay ang panga niya. "Hindi ka palasalita 'no?" Dagdag niya. Madaldal rin siya.
Saglit ko siyang tiningnan and just shrugged. I heard him chuckled.
"Archi ka nga pala 'no?" He murmured. "Mahirap ba?"
This time, I decided to answer him. Kawawa naman siya kung hindi ko sasagutin, magmumukhang tanga kakadaldal.
"Medyo. Lalo na kapag hindi mo talaga gusto 'yong course," I answered.
"Oh? You don't like Architecture? Eh bakit 'yan ang kinuha mo?"
"Kasi gusto ng Papa ko."
"So pag gusto ng Papa mo, dapat 'yon na din sa 'yo?"
I laughed sarcastically. "He's the law at home."
"Kawawa ka naman," he commented. Natawa ako kasi oo nga, kawawa talaga ako. "Hindi ka naman ipinaglaban ng Mama mo?"
I looked at him and smiled sadly. "Wala na siya."
"San nagpunta?" Napakunot-noo ako sa tanong niya. "Oh, stupid," I heard him said later on. Hindi niya ata agad naintindihan iyong sinabi ko. "Sorry, medyo slow na utak ko kakaaral."
"Busy ka pala sa pag-aaral, bakit ka pumayag sumama sa group date?"
"Wala lang. Gusto ko lang," he answered casually.
Nakarating na kami sa KTV and rented the barkada room since marami kami. Buti na lang may naabutan pa kaming bakante. Friday kasi ngayon kaya akala ko walang bakante.
Naunang pumasok si Jamie sa loob at nauna rin siyang kumuha sa mic, pumili ng kanta at agad bumirit. Ang sakit pa naman sa tenga ng boses niya.
Katabi niya si Francis na natatawa na dahil sa boses niya. They occupied the two-seater sofa sa gilid. Samantalang kami naman doon sa mahabang sofa.
Nasa pinakagilid si Nathalie at katabi niya si Dominic. Katabi naman ni Dominic si Daisy. Jed was sitting beside Daisy and Zandrey was sitting beside Jed. Ako iyong nasa isang dulo ng sofa.
"Do you drink?" Tanong ni Zandrey. Um-order kasi sila ng beer.
Umiinom ba ako? Yes! Noon, hindi talaga. I pledged not to try alcoholic drinks. But second year came and it was a very stressful year. Muntik akong bumagsak sa isang Math subject pero buti na lang ay nabawi ko sa finals. Ito namang mga kaibigan ko sa bloc ay nagyayang mag-inom, pampawala daw ng stress. Sumama ako, with the goal of forgetting about the stress. And I did enjoy it. Since then, natuto akong uminom, pero hindi naman iyong tipong nagiging lasinggera na ako. Minsan lang ako uminom. At isa sa mga minsan na 'yon ay ngayon.
I'm so stressed. Pagod na rin akong mag-aral. Kung hindi lang dahil kay Papa, matagal na akong sumuko.
I looked at Zandrey with a neutral face. "Minsan," I answered.
Saka dumating iyong order naming beer. Zandrey opened a bottle of beer at ibinigay sa akin 'yon. Tinanggap ko naman as I said 'thank you'.
Few moments later, naging maingay na iyong tatlong babae. Halos mag-agawan na nga sa mic. Hindi na ako nakisali and just sat there, listening to them kahit labag sa loob ko. Andito naman si Zandrey na kanina pa ako dinadaldal.
"Why did you agree to join this group date?" He asked.
Feeling a bit tipsy, I answered, "napilit ni Daisy. Saka sa free food"
Narinig ko siyang natawa. "So you don't have a boyfriend?"
Tiningnan ko siya with an arched brow. "Are you flirting with me?"
He chuckled again. "I was just asking if you have a boyfriend."
"Bakit naman ako sasama sa group date kung may boyfriend na 'ko?"
"Good point," he said laughingly.
I made a face when I heard Daisy singing. Feeling ko mababasag ang eardrums ko.
Lasing na ang gaga. Sino na lang maghahatid sa akin pauwi?
And then I remembered Zandrey's ID. "Gusto mo nang kunin ID mo?" Pabulong kong tanong sa kanya. Na-realize kong hindi niya narinig dahil sa ingay ng tugtog at ng boses ni Daisy. So I repeated what I asked a bit loudly. "Gusto mo nang kunin ID mo?"
"Maybe later. Before we go home?" He replied.
"Ngayon na lang! Excuse ko na lang din para makalabas dito," I said. I tried to say it in a way na maririnig niya pero hindi ng ibang kasama namin dito. "Naririndi na 'ko sa boses nila," I added.
Narinig ko siyang natawa sa huling sinabi ko. Saka tumango na lang at nagpaalam sa kanilang lalabas lang kami para kunin iyong ID niya kasi baka makalimutan namin. And then we went out of the room.
Confident akong lumabas ng kwarto pero pagkalabas ay muntik akong matumba kasi nakalimutan kong nahihilo na pala ako. Lasing na ata ako.
Zandrey was quick to help me. "You're drunk," he mumbled.
"Alam ko," I said and he chuckled. Hindi ko alam anong nakakatawa sa sinabi ko.
Nakalabas kami ng building habang inaalalayan ako. We went to where Daisy parked the car to get his ID.
I was already about to open Daisy's car when I suddenly began laughing.
"Why?" I heard him asked.
"Ang tanga," I replied, still laughing. "Wala akong susi ng sasakyan ni Daisy." And he also laughed.
"Yeah, nakalimutan ko rin."
"Lasing ka na rin ba?" I asked. Kasi ako, oo.
"Not really. Nakakadalawang bote pa lang naman ako," sagot niya. Nanlaki iyong mga mata ko. So ako lang iyong ang dami nang nainom? Kasi hindi naman ganoon ka-low iyong tolerance ko!
"Ano 'yon? Ang dami kong nainom. Ako ba magbabayad 'nong lahat ng nainom ko?" I asked and he chuckled again.
"Don't think about it," he replied. Buti na lang! Kasi wala akong cash! Merong konti pero for sure hindi sapat para sa lahat ng nainom ko.
"Gusto mong bumalik na sa loob?" He asked. Umiling ako.
"Dito muna tayo. Pagpahingahin naman natin 'yong mga tenga natin," I said and he laughed again. "Really? Am I that funny?" I finally asked. Hindi na siya tumawa pero andoon pa rin iyong ngisi niya.
"Maybe?" He said with a grin. Sumimangot ako saka sumandal na lang sa sasakyan ni Daisy. Itong si Zandrey naman ay gumaya din at nakisandal sa kotse.
"Ang taas mo. Anong height mo?" I asked. Feeling ko ang daldal ko na. It's because of the alcohol.
"5'11," he replied.
"Ay, wow."
"Ikaw? I think you're about 5'2?"
"Masyado mo namang pinaliitan," I said. "Add 1 inch."
"So you're 5'3."
"Correct!" I heard him chuckled again pero hindi ko na pinuna. Sayang-saya lang siguro siya sa presensya ko.
We were just there leaning on the car when I heard a familiar voice. Lumingon ako and I was right about it. It was Charles! He was talking to someone on the phone habang papalapit sa kotseng katabi 'nong kotse ni Daisy.
Mabilis kong itinago ang sarili sa likod ng sasakyan ni Daisy. Pati si Zandrey ay hinila ko para hindi kami makita ni Charles.
"Why are we hiding?" I heard him whispered, but I just shushed him.
Hinintay ko munang makaalis iyong sasakyan ni Charles bago ako dahan-dahang sumilip para i-check kung nakaalis na ba talaga siya.
"Why are we-"
"Oh God," I grumbled. Sakto kasing paglingon ko ay ang lapit pala ng mukha ni Zandrey.
His lips accidentally brushed the side of my lips!
"Oh my God," I repeated.
Bakit kasi sobrang lapit niya!
I could feel my face heating up in embarassment. Halos hindi ako makatingin sa kanya! Kung saan-saan ko tuloy naibabaling ang tingin ko. Para na akong tanga!"I'm sorry," I heard him said. Wala namang may sadya 'non diba? Pero bakit kasi!"I'm sorry too," I said. Saglit lang akong tumingin sa kanya and looked away hurriedly. Nakakahiya talaga!"Should we go back inside?" He asked. Mabilis akong tumango. Pakiramdam ko nahimasmasan na ako dahil sa nangyari.We went back to the KTV and it was the most awkward walk of my life! Buti na lang naisip kong hindi naman na kami magkikita after nito. Saka malaki naman ang University! Hindi naman ako nagagawi sa college nila. Iiwasan ko na lang din lahat ng mga nakaputi!Pagkarating namin ay medyo hindi na ganoon kagulo. Nakatulog na nga si Daisy. At nakasandal pa kay Jed! Para-paraan talaga ang bruha.Nag-aya na akong umuwi at sumang-ayon naman silang lahat. I had to retrieve the rest of my stuff from Daisy's car after getting the keys from her s
I never got myself in trouble before. Maingat akong tao kaya kampante ako sa mga desisyon ko sa buhay. Hindi rin ako sanay na pinapahiya ang sarili. I know how to get out of situations. I am that smart, as my Mom would say. Pero lately, parang gusto ko na lang ikahiya ang buong pagkatao ko.Nanlalaki ang mga mata kong nakatingin kay Zandrey na nasa harapan ko ngayon. I can see him suppressing a grin kaya mas lalo akong nahihiya. Gusto ko na lang magpalamon sa lupa at this very moment.Kung kanina ay malakas na ang tibok ng puso ko, ngayon ay mas lalo pang lumakas.Ngayon pa naisipan ng utak kong tumigil sa pag-function."Are you okay?" Tanong niya.Alam kong alam niya ano ang sagot sa tanong niya sa akin. Kaya hindi ako sumagot saka tumayo na lang nang maayos. I tried looking away. I can't keep on looking at him when he looks so amused. Mas lalo lang akong nahihiya.I heard him chuckled. "Kumain ka na?" He asked."I was going to," sagot ko na lang. "Nakuha mo na ID mo?" Tanong ko. Thi
After that lunch with Zandrey ay kanya-kanya na kami ng lakad. He still has his classes, while I have to go home. It was still weird for me to be friends with him. Hindi naman kasi ako friendly lalo na sa mga lalaki. Nagtataka pa rin ako how everything happened so quickly. Kanina lang I was determined to avoid him and now we have this weird connection.Or maybe he was just that good in making friends.I still have plenty of free time kaya nang makauwi ay tulog agad ang inatupag ko. But I set an alarm for two hours. Hindi naman pwedeng tutulog lang talaga ako maghapon. Hindi ako pwedeng mag-cram sa mga gagawin ko kasi mababaliw ako. I'm not much of a multi-tasker.When I woke up from my nap, I proceed to doing my plates hanggang sa makaramdam ako ng gutom. Timingly, Daisy was done with her classes and texted me she's on the way. Nagpa-take out na lang ako ng pagkain so we can eat it together."So you're telling me na he suggested to be your pretend boyfriend para tigilan ka na ni Char
Para akong lutang nang matapos lahat ng klase ko. Ilang beses pa akong nakabangga kasi tatanga-tanga ako.Kasi naman eh!Even when the classes are ongoing, all I could think about was what happened earlier. Unang araw pa lang ng plano namin ni Zandrey pero pakiramdam ko hindi ko na kayang panindigan. Dagdagan pa ng text ni Daisy na nag-aaya ng dinner. Hindi ko tuloy alam kung tatanggi ba ako o magpapanggap na lang na may sakit para lang makaiwas.Seriously, this should be easy. I just don't know why things are starting to be complicated.I just continued walking, unsure where I'm going. Ayaw ko pang harapin sina Daisy. Pakiramdam ko hindi ako makakatagal kung nasa harapan ko si Zandrey. Tatakas na lang siguro ako.With my tote bag on my right shoulder and books on my left arm, I walked cautiously. Panay ang tingin ko sa paligid, checking if someone can see me right now. So far, wala namang Daisy o Zandrey na umaaligid.I heaved a sigh. Para naman akong may atraso nito."Hey."Ay, puch
It's Wednesday and it's just the second official day of our deception. While I think it's still cringe, I also think it's quite effective.The entire day yesterday, even if I know Charles is just a few classrooms away from me, he did not come to see me. Noon kasi, lagi siyang dumadaan para magpapansin sa akin, kausapin ako, and all sorts of things he can do to make his appearance be known.Right then, I thought it was a red flag. Ilang beses ko na kasi talaga siyang tinanggihan and even explained myself, but he really can't understand or maybe he does, but he chose not to understand me. The thought of him being overly persistent is bothering me and giving me the creeps.Zandrey and I agreed on this deception to happen only in school, or wherever and whenever we need to. Pero itong isa, kahit walang taong nakatingin, sige pa rin.Just like now.I just woke up and when I got my phone to check it, a notification which says he sent me a message was the first thing I noticed.Good morning!
There were multiple texts from Zandrey when I opened my phone after that particular class. Pero hindi ko muna binuksan and just headed straight to my next class. Pagkatapos nito, bakante na ako so I can go and meet him, before I have lunch with Daisy. Pagkalipat sa next class ay siniguro kong mukha akong busy para hindi makalapit sa akin si Risa. I'm still not ready to continue whatever we talked about earlier. Kapag talaga itong si Zandrey may sabit tapos pa-offer-offer pa na magpanggap na boyfriend ko para layuan ako ni Charles... I will really kick him in the balls! Nadadamay pa ako eh. While the class was going on, I tried to listen as intently as I can. Kaso iyong utak ko ayaw talaga mag-concentrate at kung saan-saan napapadpad. Buti na lang nakapag-d******d na ako ng advance slides at nasilip ko na kanina ang magiging lessons ngayon kaya medyo hindi na ako nag-alala. Hindi naman siguro magpapa-surprise quiz itong si Prof. Hopefully... Kaso hindi talaga sang-ayon sa akin ang
I received a text from Daisy telling me she's at the the new cafe near gate 2. So after talking to Zandrey, doon agad ako dumiretso kasi may klase pa ako.I don't have any idea what it is that she's going to tell me. I don't know if it's that important, but I went anyway. Daisy's stories sometimes keep me sane. Sa dami ng stress ko sa buhay, from school stuff to personal life, I was glad to have someone like her who makes me forget those things. Kasi kung hindi, I might have gone crazy.The moment I got to the cafe, nakita ko siyang kumakaway sa akin, that's why it was easy for me to spot her. She was sitting at a corner.Habang papalapit sa kanya, I look around the place. Okay naman. The ambiance was okay, and there's just a few people. Siguro kasi bago pa at hindi pa masyadong kilala."Bakit nakangiting-aso ka na naman?" I asked as I sat on the chair in front of her. Ang laki kasi ng ngiti niya na para bang hindi maalis-alis."Hindi kasi ako stressed," she replied."Good for you," I
"How did you know I was there?" I asked.When we got out of the building, I almost fell to the ground because my knees were so weak. Kinailangan niya pa akong alalayan para maupo ako sa bench malapit sa entrance.It's indeed already dark. May mga estudyante pa pero kokonti na lang. When I looked up, marami nang bituin sa langit. It would be nice to just look up and watch them twinkling. But I couldn't shake the fear off from what happened just a while ago. Kung hindi dumating si Zandrey, I couldn't imagine what could've happened."I tried reaching you but you were not answering," he replied. "So I asked Daisy and she told me you're probably still in class. So I went there," he added."Bakit mo 'ko pinuntahan?""I was gonna ask about dinner," he replied. "You didn't reply to my texts," he added.I nodded, still looking up above."Are you okay?""I wasn't until you came."This time, I looked at him and tried to smile. But as I smiled, the tears fell. They were inevitable. I was holding