Conquering Territories: Completed

31

The four of us bid our goodbyes since we're quite busy today. May tamang oras naman para mag-usap-usap kaming apat. It's just that, we need to prioritize our studies.

"Aris!" I called when Aris started to walk away. Knowing him, I knew some thing's wrong. Sigurado ako na may kasalanan akong nagawa sa kanya.

Aris turned around and simply smiled at me. "Bakit?"

Hindi na ako sumagot pa at ikinalang na lang ang braso ko sa balikat niya. Ipinagpatuloy namin ang paglalakad patungo sa department nila. Sigurado ako na itatanggi naman niya kung tatanungin ko pa kung ano ang mali. Mas mabuti pa na diretsuhin ko na siya.

"I'm sorry," I whispered while we continued walking towards his department. "Sana pala ay sinasabihan pa rin kita sa mga nangyayari sa buhay ko. Hindi yung bigla na lang akong hindi nagpaparamdam sa'yo."

Aris stayed silent for a moment. I thought he would deny everything but, he didn't. Halos ilang segundo rin siyang tumahimik bago siya nagsalita.

"Ayos lang. Siguro ay hindi lang ako sanay." Aris smiled a little after that. It was sadness forming on his face.

"Kasalanan ko pa rin," I said. "Sorry, Kuya."

Aris was stunned for a moment before he shrugged his head. It has been years since I called him that. Sigurado akong nagulat rin siya sa itinawag ko sa kanya.

When my parents died, Aris became a sibling to me. Dahil na rin sa siya ang naging kasama ko, ilang beses ko na rin siyang natawag na Kuya. Magkapatid naman ang turingan namin kaya walang kaso. Ilang buwan rin naman ang tanda niya sa akin kaya ayos lang. Nahinto lang ang pagtawag ko sa kanya na Kuya nang pumasok kami sa High School. Aris na lang sana ang itawag ko sa kanya.

"Tagal na rin 'ah," Aris stopped and turned at my direction. "Ayos lang kahit hindi sabihin lahat. Basta kapag mahalagang pangyayari, sabihan mo ako ha?"

He smiled once again but, it was genuine this time. Napangiti na lang rin ako dahil sa kanya.

"Dito na ako," he said. "Lumayas ka na at mukha kang hatdog rito sa department namin." Aris chuckled before waving me a goodbye. Kumaway na rin ako habang naglalakad palayo. Mabuti na lang talaga at nakausap ko pa siya.

Time flew and my afternoon class was now done. Ilang mga paalala lang rin naman ang ginawa ng professor namin dahil mas gusto raw niya na mag-review ang mga estudyante niya. Mabuti na rin 'yon para maaga akong makapagpahinga.

I held out a deep sigh as I travelled my way out of school. My friends do have some group study, making me walk alone. Mag-aaral na lang rin ako sa bahay mamaya.

"Khaydel!"

My thoughts were interrupted as I heard a familiar voice. Irvin was now standing in front of the school with his motorcycle. His black bomber jacket and black shirt made him an action star. May ilan tuloy na mga estudyante ang tumitingin sa kanya.

Some students looked at me after hearing my voice. Bigla na lang tuloy akong nailang dahil sa mga titig nila. It looks like I did something wrong.

"What brought you here?" I asked when I reached his direction. Irvin just looked at me before shrugging his shoulders.

"Uhm, you?" I just rolled my eyes after that. Ano pa nga ba ang aasahan ko sa lalaking 'to. Mas malakas pa ang tama nito kay Aris.

"Ihahatid kita sa inyo," Irvin said with his slang voice. Hindi ko tuloy maiwasang matawa dahil sa kanya. He looked adorable because of his accent.

"Sure, as if I do have a choice." The two of us chuckled because of that.

Irvin handed me my helmet after that. Dahil na rin sa ilang beses kong pagsakay sa motor niya, parang naging akin na rin ang helmet na lagi niyang ipinahihiram. May pangalan na nga itong Khay sa likod.

Since I'm holding a lot of papers on my other hand, Irvin helped me with the helmet. He leveled his face with mine before snapping the lock of the helmet.

I don't know if it was me hearing things or I really heard someone saying "ayiie" on the side. I just but my lip to contain my emotions. My heart suddenly raced hard. It felt like it was about to blow out.

"Let's go?" Irvin smiled at me, which caused my heart to lose control.

"Hintayin na lang kita sa may tabing-dagat."

I nodded at Irvin after he dropped me off my house. He's really trying to practice his Filipino while he was with me. Nakakatuwa tuloy siyang tignan habang pinag-aaralan magtagalog. Hindi na siya nag-abala pa na pumasok sa loob at dumiretso na sa may dalampasigan. Sinabi niya kanina na may gusto raw siyang sabihin sa akin. Those words from him somehow made me curious and nervous at the same time.

Mabilis akong naghanap ng damit pamalit para mapuntahan na si Irvin. Good thing I found a pullover nearby. Nakakahiya naman kapag nagtagal pa ako sa loob ng bahay.

While changing, I couldn't help but to think about the things Irvin would talk about. Habang nasa motor kaming dalawa kanina, halos hindi ko na siya makausap. We were fine last night. Nagtatawanan pa nga kaming dalawa sa mga kwento niya.

Nakakakaba lang dahil gusto pa niya akong kausapin sa ibang oras kung p'wede naman niyang sabihin na lang ang mga bagay na gusto niyang sabihin. That thing somehow stressed me out.