The Heartthrob That Can't Walk

Chapter 17

I could hear her almost groaning. She just failed our two-exercise quiz. Paano pa kaya ang finals? Huh, she won’t make it.

Our trip has ended…well. Actually, it was kind of fun. But still, I won’t compliment her. Bahala siya dyan.

“Stanlly, paano ‘yan? Yari ako pag hindi ako pumasa. Ibig sabihin kailangan kong mag summer!” naiiyak na sabi niya.

“Imbis na ngumawa ka dyan mag aral ka. Para pumasa ka. Ang sakit mo sa tenga!”

“Paano nga?! Nag aaral naman ako! Kaso wala bagsak pa rin! Anong gagawin ko?!” niyugyog niya ang balikat ko. Potcha.

“Stop!” inis na sigaw ko. Huminto siya at padabog na humiga sa kama tsaka nag taklob ng kumot.

“Seriously?” I asked in disbelief.

It’s already morning and this girl beside me is still a sleep. Akala mo ang daming ginawa. Ni hindi nga nag aral kahapon. Nag linis ako ng sarili at nag bihis. Pag labas ko tulog pa rin siya.

Lumapit ako gamit ang wheelchair, “Shane wake up,” I tapped her shoulder, “Wake up! Malalate tayo!”

“Takte naman kasi!” reklamo niya.

I laugh. She look pissed. Mas maganda kung maiinis siya buong araw. Para naman makabawi ako kahit papaano.

Nauna ako sa baba dahil na ligo pa siya sa kwarto niya. Mom and Mr. Tori are both eating silently.

“Son, how’s Shane? I heard her grades are not that good.”

“Well, her grades are always not good. Baka nga hindi siya umabot sa second year.”

“Teach her. Para makapasa siya.” She said.

Kumunot ang noo ko, “mom, sa prof nga hindi niya naiintindihan. Saakin pa kaya?”

“But still! You should help her!” she insist.

“Mom, please. Give me a peace of mind.”

“C’mon son! I heard from Mr. Tori that some of your batch mate have a crush on her! What if may matipuhan siya pag nag summer class siya? No,no,no. Siya lang ang pwede kong maging manugang!” oa na sabi ng aking ina.
I hate my life.

But…she’s right. When both of us are in the hallway, many guys are starring at her. Though I don’t really mind. Hindi naman sila nakakalapit.

“Bu—”

“No more buts! Nasisira ang beauty ko, son. Maawa ka sakin.”

Mariin akong pumikit. Wala na akong magagawa. I just sigh and start eating. After a minute she also came. She’s wearing skirt again!

“I told you not to wear skirt.” Seryoso kong sambit.

Natigilan siya at nilingon ako, “hindi pa ako nakakalaba e. Wala na akong jogger.”

Ngumiwi lang ako. Kainis naman, mabuti sana kung hindi niya ako kasama. Marami nanamang titingin sa kaniya. Malamang madadamay ako do’n.

“Let’s go.”

Humabol siya sa’kin. Though she can easily catch up. Habang nasa byahe panay ang sulyap niya. What the hell is her problem?

“Uy, galit ka? May short naman ako e!”

“What? No I’m not.” I curse when I heard Mr. Tori laugh and whisper something.

Fuck you oldie.

“Just shut your mouth daw. Bad mood daw siya. My regla.” Natatawang asar pa niya habang nag mamaneho.

“Ikaw ang manahimik.”

Nakarating kami sa school and as expected it really happened. Bakit ba kasi tamad siyang mag laba? Psh, baka excuse niya lang ‘yon.

“Stanlly, may quiz ba ngayon?” nag aalalang tanong niya.

“Wala,” I sighed, “but there’s a graded recitation. You need to answer it correctly.” Her lips parted.

She look so pissed. Maybe because she realized she didn’t review yesterday. Bad for her. Favorite pa naman siyang tawagin ni prof.

It’s lunch time. She’s not eating her food and obviously in a bad mood. I want to laugh but she might stab me with those eyes.

“Eat.” Utos ko.

“Wala akong gana.” Ngumuso siya.

“I’ll teach you later, pag naka uwi na tayo. Eat now. Bago pa mag bago isip ko.” Umaliwalas ang mukha niya. She smile before eating. Sabi niya wala siyang gana pero grabe kung maka lamon akala mo uubusan.

We got home and she’s exited as fuck. Ang ingay ingay niya. She said it’s a date. While I keep on explaining that it’s not. We just stop when Mr. Tori got pissed and said that we look like Tom and Jerry.

Habang nasa study table at hinahanda ang mga gamit niya. Nag paalam ako na kukuha ng pagkain. She offer herself to get food but I insist.

“I badly want to celebrate her birthday! But she refuse…you know…” I heard mom.

“Hayaan mo na ang bata. Siguro hindi pa siya handa.” It’s Mr. Tori.

What are they talking about? It’s Shane’s birthday? Bakit hindi siya nag sasabi?

Nang makabalik ay nag simula na ako mag turo habang kumakain. While in the middle of discussion I notice that she can learn faster. I wonder why she can’t do it at school.

So…it’s her birthday huh. Should I greet her?

“I-I’ll be back…”

“Ha? Saan ka pupunta? Kanina ka pa hindi mapakali.”

“I’ll just get something stay here.” I push the button of my wheelchair and take the mini elevator. In the kitchen I saw Manang Gloria. I asked her to hand me the ube cake in the fridge. I also ask for a candle.

“Ay mayroon akong naitabing kandila sandali lang.”

Nang mahanap ay nilagay niya ‘yon sa cake at sinindihan.

“Aanhin mo ba ‘yan hijo?”

“Uh…just…” anong sasabihin ko?

She smiled, “hindi na bale. Basta may enjoy ka.”

I’m so nervous. In the end I still enter my room. She didn’t notice me. She’s busy answering the questions I gave her. Nang nasa tabi na niya ako ay doon niya ako napansin.

“Saan ka—” she paused seeing me put the cake on the table.

“So..I heard it’s your birthday. And uh…”

She doesn’t have any reaction. Is there something wrong?

“Bakit may ganyan?” natigilan ako dahil sa tono niya.

“Well it’s just…” arrgh kailangan may tanong?

Nakatitig lang siya sa kandila. Deeply drowning in some thoughts. Bigla siyang tumayo at na pa atras. She look horror.

“A-ayoko niyan!”she scream. Then run outside the room.

“Hey!” I called her, “don’t run! I can’t catch up…” I almost whisper.

-_-