Chapter 5: Thinking of You

CASS

"This should do it." Chad said then handed me the paper containing the introduction he made for my research.

The very next day after that call, Chad asked me a lot about it since he needed my plans on how am I going to conduct it. Afterwards, he started telling me the right and concise way of writing the first part of my paper. I am very thankful that he did not ignored my callback last night. Buti na lang at hindi sya nagtampo nang matindi sa akin.

"Thank you so much Chad! You saved my life!" I even placed my palm in my chest and then I let out a heavy breath na para bang nabunutan ako ng malaking tinik sa dibdib.

He suddenly chuckled at my reaction then he put down the pen on the table, "You're being exaggerated." He then gave a genuine smile he never did before.

This is the very first moment we had this kind of talk. Masyado ko kasi talagang inilalayo ang sarili ko kay Chad. I never thought hanging out with him can be cool because I am always fantasizing how romantic would it be with Zeke. I am totally missing out meet men with genuine kindness for me.

"Is it okay?" He asked again like he was still not sure if his help was enough.

"Yeah! Of course!" I immediately replied with firmness and confidence as I waved the paper on him.

May magagawa pa ba ako? The valedictorian of the batch did it so I have no doubt in this. He explained it to me completely and everything he wrote was precised so wala akong karapatan na magbigay ng violent reaction.

"Great. You can submit it later."

Yeah, I will. Now let's see kung may masasabi pa ang bwisit na research teacher ko!

***

"Are you sure this is your work Ms. Castillo?"

Parang isa akong maliit na mikrobyo sa microscope kung tingnan ni Ma'am dahil halos pumikit na siya sa sobrang paniningkit. Idagdag mo pang nakasalamin ito kaya't pakiramdam ko ay buong detalye ng mukha ko ay tinitingnan n'ya. Her tone and her is expression screamed complete doubt.

"Of course, ma'am! Hindi ako nakatulog nang maaga dahil dyan!" I tried to sound like I suffered in insomnia and exhausted but her face became even more dubious as she glanced back at the paper then back at me.

"I know your works Ms. Castillo. This introduction of yours is far greater from your normal work. If I were to ask, I believe it is made by someone else." I know that she is completely right but I also got offended by how she said it. Nanliit ako bigla.

"Well if you don't believe me ma'am, then it's not my fault anymore. Hindi naman po siguro ibig sabihin na mahina ako sa klase, hindi na ako mag-iimprove." seryoso kong sabi dahil parang na-degrade ako sa inasal niya. I know I'm dumb but it doesn't mean I cannot improve! Well, not now but it's still not impossible!

Napangiwi ito bago inilapag ang papel sa patong-patong na papeles bago inis na nagsalita, "Go back to your seat Ms. Castillo." She even rolled her eyes but I didn't mind her anymore and went straight to my seat.

"How was it?" Trixy immediately came over to me while she leaned her chin in her palms and creepily smiled at me.

Agad ko itong inirapan dahil naiinis pa rin ako at sinabi niya kay Chad ang tungkol sa problema ko. "Well that monster don't believe that it's my work." I irritatedly said before finally sitting in my chair.

"At least you had something to pass today kaysa naman na bulyawan ka ulit niyang si ma'am."

This woman really knows what to say to outsmart me. Well, she was right after all. This day would've been hell for me if it wasn't for her asking help from Chad.

"Well, that's the only reason why I won't slap you in the face."

***

As a payment for Chad's kindness, I granted his wish and went to the Basketball court not just to see him but also to see Zeke. I placed the huge sports bag I brought with me and checked to know if I forgotten anything.

Whenever I come here to watch Zeke's training, I always bring a bag full of water, towel, and extra clothes. But now, I doubled everything since Chad was the one who invited me to come.

"May dala ba akong extrang towel?" Panay ang check ko sa bag dahil ayokong isang towel lang ang gagamitin nina Chad at Zeke. Gusto kong amuyin nang magdamag ang mabangong pawis ni Zeke at ayokong mahaluan iyon ng pawis ni Chad.

"You really don't know when to listen, huh?"

Speaking of the hot and handsome angel, I turned to face him as he angrily yelled at me from behind. He was standing while his arms are crossed and his face darkened. He looks so nice in his blue jersey and his muscular built is just sexy!

"Alam ko 'yong listen, angel ko. Kanta 'yon. Want me to sing it for you?"

Lalo lang naningkit ang mga mata niya sa akin dahil sa pamimilosopo ko. Pero imbes na matakot ay lalo lang akong nabaliw sa kaguwapuhan niya kapag naghihimutok na siya sa galit.

"Sorry na! Inimbitahan kasi ako ni Chad! Pero don't worry, sayo pa rin ang support ko." paliwanag ko rito na agad naman na ikinakunot ng noo n'ya.

"Then go ahead and check out Chad rather than pestering me." Tiim bagang nitong sabi bago naglakad paalis na ikinalungkot ko.

I wasn't in any way, pestering him. Ni hindi ko na nga siya hinanap kanina at nanatili na lang sa kung saan ako pinaupo ni Chad.

"Woah! May chicks!"

Nakuha agad ang atensyon ko nang biglang may sumigaw kaya't napalingon ako't nakita ang paparating na varsity players.

"Si Cassidy Castillo ba yan?!"

"Ang ganda pala talaga ng lahi ng mga Castillo!"

Ako na tuloy ang naging sentro ng usapan nila at panay bigay puri ng mga ito kaya't lalo akong nakaramdam nang matinding hiya.

"Cass." tawag nan ni Chad na at lumapit sa akin nang n*******d-baro at basang-basa ang katawan sa pawis.

"Would you mind if you wipe my body?"

Napaawang bigla ang bibig ko pero agad ko itong isinara dahil baka mahalata ng lahat. Uminit bigla ang buong mukha ko sa hindi malamang dahilan kaya't agad akong napalingon sa sports bag para ibaling sa ibang bagay ang atensyon.

"You look cute when you're blushing Cass."

Lalo tuloy nag-ingay ang mga varsity players at inasar si Chad nang walang pakundangan. Gusto ko na tuloy kainin ng lupa sa sobrang kahihiyan nang biglang may lumagabog na bagay sa sahig kaya't nakuha nito ang atensyon ng lahat.

"We should all continue our training. We don't have time for other nonsense." Napatingin kaming lahat kay Zeke na ngayon ay maawtoridad na nagbigay utos sa buong team na agad naman na sinunod ng lahat, liban kay Chad na hindi man lang gumalaw sa kinatatayuan.

"Um, Chad, start na daw kayo." nahihiya kong sabi rito dahil hanggang ngayon ay mainit pa rin ang mukha ko at ayoko nang makantyawan.

"I won't until you dry me up." ngumiti ito sa akin nang nakakaloko at lumapit pa na animo'y nanunukso. Lalo tuloy akong kinabahan pero wala naman akong nagawa kundi ang sumunod.

Nang magawa ko na ay napalingon ako kay Zeke na pinupulot ang mga nagkalat na gamit niyang mukhang nahulog kanina.

"Tulungan na kita Zeke---"

"Just keep doing what you're doing. Dry that man's skin. You're enjoying it aren't you?" Inis n'yang sabi at minadaling ilagay ang lahat ng gamit bago naglakad paalis.

"Zeke—"

"Let him be, Cass. He hates you, can't you see it?" Chad stopped me from following him as I watched Zeke walking away without turning back.

***

"My sweetheart is finally here!" Tita Devin exclaimed when Chad and I arrived.

He said he will take me to his house since my mother texted me that we will have another dinner with his family. Is it me or parang gusto na ata ni mama na tumira sa bahay nina tita Devin?

"I see you two are having fun together! I already hear the wedding bells ringing!" Tita Devin excitedly said but I almost threw up. I tried to look at my mom to ask for help but she just laughed.

"Stop it mom! Let's just eat then tell her the news." I suddenly glance at Chad who has a smile plastered in his face like he knew something about what's gonna happen and I didn't have a good feeling about it.

"My son is right, let's eat first." Tumango naman si mommy-bear habang nakangiti nang malapad kay tita Devin sa hindi ko malamang dahilan. I really smell something fishy about this news they want to tell me.

"We'll prepare the food." Masiglang sabi ni tita Devin at hinila si mama para dumiretso sa kusina kaya't agad naman akong naghabol.

"I'll help you guys out!"

***

"Tita Devin, why don't I see Zeke around?"

I am actually busy mixing the soup for our dinner when I realized that Zeke was not showing up. Hindi ko ito nakita pagpasok namin ni Chad so I waited but still, I haven't even heard from him.

"He told me that he can't come tonight. He's probably in his unit." Parang nag-aalangan pa ito sa magiging sagot.

He can't come? But I thought he always stay at his unit every weekend? It's still Wednesday. What is going on with him?

"Did he tell you why tita?"

Instead of answering, she just shrugged as a response and then she became silent.

"How was your date with Chad sugar-bum?" Ngayon ay sumingit ma si mommy-bear dahil mukhang hindi niya na rin kinaya ang katahimikan.

"It wasn't a date mommy-bear. He just took me out then, we had some time."

"Oh, I'm sure dear it was a date! Don't deny it Cass! Don't worry, approved ko kayo ni Chadler baby."

This is what I really hate about staying with them. They keep on teasing me to someone I don't like at all! Why can they not just accept the fact that Zeke is the only guy I want? Ever since I was a kid until now, I am still in love with him! Is it not evident? Have I not proven it to everyone?

"It was not a date tita, I assure you that. We're just friends." Again, I tried to deny but they just laughed in disbelief. I really think they just kept ignoring my feelings.

"Soon sugar-bum. Soon you won't consider him as a friend."

***

We all sat on our chairs infront of the long table in the dining room of the Trevoirs. Nakaupo sa kabisera ng lamesa si Tito-papa at katabi naman niya sa kanan si Tita Devina. Katabi naman ni Tito-papa si mommy-bear sa kaliwa kaya't magkaharap kami ngayon ni Chad habang katabi ang mga ina namin.

"The soup is great!" Ani ni Tito-papa pagkatapos sumubo ng isang kutsara ng ginawa kong sopas. Napangiti naman ako sa naging papuri niya at marahang yumuko.

"Well, my daughter is really a great cook." My mom proudly boasted as she pats my shoulder before she continued eating.

"You should cook more often young lady." Tita Devin suggested as she looked at me with her admiring eyes then glanced at Chad who was just watching us gladly.

"I want too tita but, mom will soon be lazy to cook."

Nagtawanan bigla sila habang si mama naman ay nakanguso sa akin kaya't nakitawa na rin ako. I was in the middle of a little happy convo with them when I remembered something.

"Nga pala tita, what was the news you're about to tell me?"

Agad silang nagkatinginang apat habang may malalapad na ngiti sa mga labi. Alam ng lahat. Mukhang ako na lang talaga ang hindi pa nasasabihan. Maybe this news was made to surprise me.

"Well hija, this news was both decided by your mom and dad and us of course."

Napakunot naman ang noo ko sa sobrang pagtataka. I glanced at my mom who seemed very happy even though I haven't even heard the news from them.

"Well you see sugar-bum, you're already 18. Soon, mapapasayo na rin ang lahat ng properties na ipinundar namin sayo ng Daddy-bear mo, and we think it's best to settle this thing since we are looking forward for your bright future..." Napakagat labi si mommy-bear na para bang naghehesitate pa s'yang sabihin ang balita but with trembling lips with a hint of excitement, she spoke, "We both decided that you and Chad will get married after you graduate in college."

My eyes widened in total shock and my jaw hanged. Para akong binagsakan ng bomba't natulos na lamang sa kinauupuan. The announcement in my head was processing but my body was not functioning right. Hindi ako makagalaw. Literal akong nanigas.

"It's for your own good sweetheart." I didn't mind Mom since at the back of my head, I was looking only for one person. Zeke.

I needed to see him and I wanted him now. I cannot let this happen. Did he even know about this? Kaya ba s'ya umalis ay dahil alam n'ya ang tungkol sa balita kaya't ipinapaubaya n'ya na lang ako sa kapatid n'ya?

"I can't. I'm sorry. I need a break."

***