EMILY

10: The Reunion

Track 10

"Sige na Eimee please. Ngayon lang talaga."

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Talaga naman 'tong si Ice, makulit din at kalahati.

"Hindi nga pwede." I said as I took the vacant seat at the cafeteria. Nilapag ko sa gilid ng couch ang backpack ko at nilapag naman niya ang tray ng pagkain namin sa mesa. Sa may tapat kami ng glass window naupo na kita ang kalawakan ng school. We're at the third floor, by the way.

Umupo siya sa tapat ko kaya kitang-kita ko kung paano siya mag-pout. His hooded eyes are now sporting this puppy-eyed look. Puppy eyes times pout! Ano ka na? Oh my gulay! Wag ako Ice!

I made a face. "Tigilan mo nga yan. Di mo ko madadaan sa pagpa-pa-cute mo. Pati para kang baliw diyan." Sabi ko habang natatawa pero ang totoo niyan anlakas makakumbinsi nung hitsura niya. I almost said yes.

"Pumayag ka na kasi. Isang set lang naman, sige na please." He pleaded at talagang pinagdikit pa niya yung mga palad niya.

It took me so much will power to say no. I saw how he heaved out a sigh. Disappointment and sadness is both visible in his face. Na-guilty tuloy ako.

I understand where he's coming from. Hindi niya ako kukulitin kung di talaga kailangan at sa totoo lang, gusto ko siyang pagbigyan. But I couldn't just risk it. I can't and he knows why.

He fell silent and just started eating his pizza. He's not even looking at me. He's now giving me the silent treatment. Siopao naman! Alam ko na ganito kakahantungan nito eh. Ang bilis magtampo.

'No, Eimee. If you give in, mas mahihirapan ka lang sa huli. Tiisin mo na lang muna yang si Ice. Mawawala rin tampo niyan.'

'Tampo? Alam mo kung gaano katagal magtampo yang bestfriend mo!'

'But you can't just agree and go there. At alam yun ni Ice kaya dapat intindihin rin niya yung part mo.'

'But he's asking a favor! Parang di mo naman kaibigan at parang wala kayong pinagsamahan ah.'

The two voices inside my head started clashing. Nakakabaliw. Sumasakit ang ulo ko.

Hindi ko tuloy na-enjoy yung merienda ko. Si Ice naman, heto wala pa ring imik sa harap ko at nakatungo lang. He's done eating  at hawak niya yung phone niya. Mukhang may ka-text. Naka-ilang buntong-hininga siya ng malalim tapos napapailing habang nagte-text.

Maya-maya pa, sumandal na siya sa upuan pero tahimik pa rin siya at hindi pa rin niya ako pinapansin. Nakatingin lang siya sa labas ng bintana.

Ah crap, bahala na!

I was about to tell him my decision when a group of guys came and approached him.

"Yo!" One guy tapped his shoulders at sabay kaming napatingin ni Ice.

Teka lang. My eyes wandered to the guy in his side and then to the other two guys standing behind the former.

Sabay-sabay silang napatingin sa akin and their eyes suddenly widened in recognition. So do mine.

"Hey!" Gulat na bati sa akin ni...yikes, I forgot his name. But I can clearly remember him. He still have the no-suklay-look. Payat pa rin siya at matangkad. Well, it's only a month ago when I last saw him. I tried to think of his name pero di ko talaga maalala. But I'm pretty sure it starts with a letter M.