I Saved Romeo

Chapter 9

"Huh?" Hindi makapaniwalang reaksyon ko dahil sa sinabi niya. Wala talaga akong naiintindihan sa nangyayari.

Pakiramdam ko sasabog na ang puso ko dahil sa nangyayari sa'min ngayon. I never expected this to happen. Totoong palagi ko 'tong pinapangarap na mangyari, pero hindi ko naman inaasahan na matutupad ang pangarap na 'yon! I often stay up late at night just to imagine scenarios like this, but I can't believe that it's actually happening now. Hindi ko lang alam kung ano ang gagawin ko. I never expected him to do this. I mean, he's not that kind of guy.

But now he's acting like this. Ano ba ang nakain niya?

It seems like he realized that he's doing something strange so he looked away. Umatras siya papalayo sa akin. Napansin ko na agad ang pamumula niya bago siya tumalikod. Sinabunutan niya ang sarili nyang buhok at inis na bumuntong-hininga.

"Naiinis lang ako kapag may umiiwas sa akin nang walang dahilan," he explained.

My cheeks heated as I looked away. So that's why.

"H-Hindi ko naman intensyon na iwasan ka," I started fidgeting as I felt my heart hammering. "I was just too embarrassed because of what I told you yesterday. N-Nahihiya ako kaya—"

"Cassidy, De Guzman, bakit kayo nand'yan? Hindi ba't pinapapunta ko kayo sa office ko?"

Parehas kaming natigilan dahil do'n. Agad naming hinanap ang pinanggalingan ng boses na 'yon at saka namin nakita ang principal. Para akong nabuhusan ng malamig na yelo nang makita ang principal na makahulugang nakangisi sa amin. Goodness!

Nakita niya ba ang nangyari?

With my hands shaking, I forced a wide yet awkward smile. "O-Oh! G-Good morning Madam Principal!" I greeted, sweating because of nervousness. Grabe naman 'to. Doble-doble na ang kaba at kahihiyan na nararamdaman ko. Bakit parang minamalas ako ngayong araw?

"We were on our way, Ma'am. May importante lang po akong tinanong kay Cassidy." Romeo stated in monotone. Napayuko agad ako dahil agad kong naalala ang nangyari bago dumating ang principal.

I wonder what will happen if the principal doesn't interrupt us. Romeo is really weird today. It's like he's not his usual self.

"Oh sige, punta na kayo do'n. Dadaan muna ako sa faculty room kasi may kailangan lang akong i-check at sabihin sa mga teachers."

I was surprised when she looked at me from head to toe. Akala ko tatarayan niya ako katulad ng ibang mga teachers na naiinis sa akin pero mas lalo akong nagulat nang ngumisi ito at saka ako kinindatan. She did that as if she were telling me "good luck".

Ilang beses akong napakurap.

What?

"Hali ka na," ani Romeo at saka nauna nang pumunta sa principal's room. He suddenly turned cold again. I love and know him so much pero minsan talaga hindi ko siya maintindihan.

I just nodded and followed him into the principal's office. Nang makapasok kami do'n, umupo lamang kami sa guest chair kaharap ng desk ni Mrs. Velasquez. Naging tahimik lang kami doon at pareho rin naming hindi matingnan ang isa't isa. Tanging ang ingay lang ng electric fan ang bumabasag sa katahimikan ng buong silid.

Maya-maya pa, dumating na si Mrs. Velasquez na pawis na pawis at halatang stress na stress na. We stood up to greet her for the second time. She just nodded and told us to sit down. Umupo na kami at nagbigay atensyon sa susunod na sasabihin nito.

"Maybe the both of you were surprised because I called you, 'no?" She chuckled and adjusted her glasses that was fallow on the bridge of her nose.

I smiled. "Yes Ma'am. But we're not nervous because I'm sure that we didn't do anything that is against the school's rules. Wala naman po kaming nagawang kasalanan o mali."

The middle-aged woman put her hands on the desk. She gave me a meaningful stare with a smirk on her lips.

"Really? Well, that's right. Flirting isn't against the rules. Basta next time, if you guys are going to do that again, make sure that no one would see you okay? I will try to forget what I saw. I hope your relationship will last forever." she winked at us and giggled.

My eyes widened because of shocked. My cheeks heated, so hot that I could even burn myself. I licked my lower lip and looked away. That's so embarrassing!

S-She saw it!

"W-We're not in a relationship..." Romeo uttered while his lips were quivering. Tumikhim siya para mapigilan ang pagkautal. "She's just a friend of mine and we were just playing around. You misunderstood what you saw, Ma'am."

Nahihiya akong napatingin sa kaniya. He's looking at the principal with his usual expression. Akala ko pa naman mahihiya din siya dahil sa sinabi ni Mrs. Velasquez. Mukhang hindi naman at mukhang wala rin siyang pakealam. Ako lang yata ang nababaliw at nag-o-overthink dahil sa kahihiyan. Goodness! I'm sure that my whole face is red now!

At totoo namang wala kaming relasyon. Bakit ba ang dami kong iniisip? And what's wrong with my heart? Sobrang bilis ng tibok nito dahil sa halong kaba, kahihiyan at pati na rin kilig. Sino ba naman kasi ang hindi kikiligin? Romeo pinned me on the wall while his wonderful eyes are fixed on mine. Parang gusto ko na lang magpagulong-gulong sa sahig sa tuwing naalala ko 'yon.

Maybe he finally fell in love with me? O kahit kaunting interest lang... baka nasusuklian na ang paghihirap ko na magpapansin sa kaniya simula noon pa.

"Hmm... misunderstanding. Okay." She smiled at us with her playful stare. Both Romeo and I looked away.

"Okay, let's proceed for the real topic. I called you here because I want to offer you something. As I said earlier, the both of you are one of the most excellent students here in this school. So I believe that you guys are the perfect pair to do this..." The principal started.

We looked at her, confused. "Ano po 'yon, Ma'am?" sabay naming tanong. Bigla pa kaming nagkatinginan ni Romeo dahil sabay kaming nagtanong no'n. But when our eyes met, I blushed even more so I quickly avoided his gaze.

"A play." Mrs. Velasquez said with audible joy in her voice. "Nasali ang school natin sa isang competition kung saan iba't ibang eskwelahan ang maglalaban-laban. The play is Romeo and Juliet. Hindi ba? Pangalan pa lang halatang para agad sa inyo ang opportunity na 'to."

Romeo's brows knotted. "But Ma'am, are you sure about this? I am not saying that I don't like and appreciate your offer, but you can't choose us just because our names are Romeo and Juliet. It's true that we have the same name as the protagonists but don't you think it's unreasonable if you will only choose us because of that reason?"

"Who told you that I chose the both of you just because of that? I told you, didn't I? You guys are one of the most talented and excellent students in this school."

I bit my lower lip and looked at Romeo. Nakatingin siya kay Principal habang nakakunot ang noo. It's obvious that he don't wanna do this.

Does he dislike being my partner that much?

Aaminin ko, I was excited of that offer. Imagine, magiging partner ko si Romeo sa isang play? And the most exciting part is, we will be playing Romeo and Juliet! It's perfect for us! Gusto ko na kahit sa play lang, makita ko siyang umarte na mahal niya ako. Kahit sa play lang sana magiging kasintahan ko siya at magkakaroon kami ng relasyon kung saan handa kami mamatay para sa isa't isa. It will make me happy for sure.

But it seems like he doesn't want that to happen. Ayaw ko naman na mapilitan lang siya.

I looked at the Principal and smiled bitterly. "Ma'am, you can choose other students. I don't think we can do it. We are only good at academics, but we don't have talent when it comes on acting. Sigurado po ako na marami pang iba d'yan na mas babagay sa play. This will bring honor to our school so I believe that you should choose students who are more compatible--"

"College scholarship on Spain." she cut me off. "If you win that play, you will have a chance to get scholarship in a university in Spain."

Natigilan ako dahil sa sinabi ng principal. My eyes shot wide open and my lips parted as I looked at Romeo. I know that he has always wanted to have this kind of offer even since we were in first year. Nanlalaki din ngayon ang mata niya. His eyes are sparkling and I immediately understood that expression.

He's feeling excited and I'm sure that he will accept this offer after hearing that. Our school is known to give scholarships to intelligent students who give excellent academic performance. Mayroong international partnerships ang school namin sa iba't ibang bansa. Alam kong 'yon ang dahilan kung bakit dito pumasok si Romeo.

"You two are talented, I have faith that you can do this. I've been watching both of you all these years and I witnessed how great you are. So when they offered this to our school, kayo agad ang naisip ko." She took a deep breath and leaned on her chair.

"Sige, aaminin ko. Hindi lang 'yon ang dahilan. Alam ko ang pakikitungo niyo sa isa't isa." My body stiffened when she eyed me. "Juliet, I know that you're always following Romeo wherever he goes ever since you first met him. The whole school knows about you two—the girl who always chases and the boy who always ignores her. I am also aware that some people in this school, including the teachers, dislike Juliet because of that. Mga tao talaga ngayon, ang bilis manghusga. That's why I chose the both of you so you can be closer. I want Juliet to prove everyone that she doesn't deserve to be disliked." She looked at me with a genuine smile. "You'll prove that by winning this play."

I was so embarrassed when she brought up the topic of me shamelessly chasing Romeo but her last sentence made my heart warm. Her smile was bright and it gave me passion. Napangiti rin ako. I never expected that the principal are looking out for me.

I looked at Romeo. He's looking at the floor, thinking about something that seemed so deep. Mamaya-maya pa nagsalita na siya. "I will ask my mother for permission first." He looked at me. "How about you?"

"Kakausapin ko rin muna si Daddy."

The principal clasped her hands with joy. "Okay! Kapag nakausap niyo na ang mga magulang niyo, tell me as soon as possible at ako naman ang kakausap sa kanila para maipaliwanag ko ang lahat. The play will be in next month. The school will provide your needs kaya wala kayo masyadong gagastusin. Kayo rin ang bahalang pumili ng makakasama niyo sa play sa kahit anong grade level or section. Your teachers and seniors will help and guide you, too. Please do your best! Aasa akong magkakasundo kayo sa play na ito."

...

"Really Juliet? That's wonderful! Magandang opportunity 'yan!" Jasmine exclaimed after I told her what the principal told us yesterday. Sabado ngayon at walang pasok, kaya naman nakikipag-kwentuhan ako ngayon sa pinsan ko.

I smiled. "I know right! I am very thrilled."

"Ang galing, 'no? Your name is Juliet and the character you're going to play is Juliet, too! How about the Romeo? Who's going to be your partner in this play?"

Natigilan ako dahil sa sinabi niya. Napaiwas rin ako ng tingin at biglang nawala ang ngiti at saya na nararamdaman ko.

I have never told her about Romeo yet. Pero wala namang masama kung hindi ko sasabihin, 'di ba? She doesn't need to know him.

Or I don't want her to know him.

I can't understand why I'm feeling this way. Paulit-ulit kong sinasabi sa sarili ko na magkaiba ang Jasmine na pumatau sa akin sa Jasmine na pinsan ko ngayon. But for some reason, I still feel a bit anxious about it.

"Juliet, are you okay?" she asked. Nabalik ako sa reyalidad dahil do'n.

I blinked my eyes after getting back to reality. Tumingin ako sa kaniya at pilit na ngumiti. "Yeah. Ano nga ulit ang itinatanong mo kanina?"

She giggled. "I'm asking you kung sino ang gaganap na Romeo. I want to meet him. Stalk natin sa Facebook!" she said with full of excitement. Why is she so excited to meet Romeo?

"He's from another section. I forgot his name and I don't think he use social media. He's a weird guy." I avoided her gaze after saying that.

Of course, it was a lie. I know Romeo very well. I know him better than anyone else. And he uses social media too. Kaya nga lang, hindi ko alam kung bakit hindi ko magawang sabihin iyon kay Jasmine.

"Oh, sayang naman. Pero ayos lang. Basta kapag naalala mo, sabihin mo sa'kin, ha?"

I bit my lips and nodded. What's happening to me? Why can't I tell her who he is?

Pagkatapos namin mag-kwentuhan ay umalis muna si Jasmine kasama ang stepmother ko para mamasyal sa mall. Nasa trabaho pa si Daddy kaya ako na lang ang naiwan sa bahay. Nanatili na lang ako sa kama ko habang china-chat si Klare. I told her about the play at sobrang O.A. ng naging reaksyon niya nang mag video call kami. Napatili pa ito nang malakas kaya kahit sa cellphone lang kami nag-uusap parang masisira na ang pandinig ko.

I also texted Clyde about the play, he has seen my message but he hasn't replied yet. Maybe he's just busy doing something, kaya naman hindi pa siya nakakareply.

Halos isang oras rin ang inabot ng video call namin ni Klare dahil ang dami niya pang kuwenento sa akin tungkol sa nagugustuhan nyang lalaki. At bilang mabuting kaibigan, siyempre pakikingan ko ang mga kuwento niya kahit wala namang kuwenta ang mga sinasabi niya.

Malapit nang mag-alas-dose ng hapon kaya naman naisipan ko nang kumain. Dahil wala naman sila Jasmine at sigurado akong doon na kakain ang mga 'yon, hindi na lang ako nag-luto. Meron naman kasing instant noodles sa refrigerator kaya 'yon na lang ang kakainin ko.

Handa na sana akong lutuin 'yon pero natigilan ako nang tumunog ang cellphone ko. Unknown number ito kaya napakunot ang noo ko. Sino naman kaya 'tong tumatawag?

Daddy told me that I should not answer a call from an unknown number, pero dahil matigas ang ulo ko, sinagot ko pa rin. Baka kasi importante.

"Hello?"

Narinig kong may bumuntonghininga sa kabilang linya. "Juliet, it's me."

My eyes immediately widened when I heard that voice. My cheeks warmed up and I covered my mouth with my hand because of shock from realizing who's the caller is.

"R-Romeo? H-How did you get my n-number!?" I asked. Nauutal ako dahil hindi ko naman in-e-expect na tatawag siya sa akin! I never gave him my number... paano niya kaya nalaman ang number ko?

"You're a member of the Fashion Club, right? Kaibigan ko ang president niyo. I asked him your number so I can call you. What are you doing right now? Are you busy?"

Napalunok ako at pilit na ikinalma ang sarili ko. Maghunus-dili ka, Juliet! Huwag mong ipahalata na kinikilig ka kasi ang guwapo ng boses ni Romeo sa telepono!

"Uhm... hindi naman ako busy. Nagluluto lang ako ng instant noodles kasi hindi pa ako nag-lu-lunch." I answered while biting my lip to stop letting out a chuckle

"Instant noodles sa lunch? Tingin mo mabubusog ka n'yan?"

Napanguso ako dahil sa sinabi niya. Bakit pati ang pagluluto ko ng instant noodles ikinagagalit niya? "Tinatamad kasi ako magluto." pag-aamin ko. At saka nakakabusog naman talaga 'to.

Nagulat na lang ako nang bigla nyang ibaba ang tawag. My jaw dropped as I looked at my phone. Ano'ng nangyari? Talaga bang nagalit siya dahil nagluluto ako ng noodles?

Ano bang kasalanan ng noodles sa kaniya?

Akala ko hindi na siya tatawag kaya nakabusangot na ako,  pero nagulat ako nang muling tumunog ang phone ko pagkatapos ng isang minuto. 'Yon 'yung number kanina kaya sigurado akong si Romeo 'yon. Napangiti ako dahil sa kilig saka ito sinagot.

"H-Hello?" I pursed my lips while waiting for his response.

Muli syang huminga nang malalim bago magsalita. "Punta ka raw dito sa bahay. Maraming niluto si Mama. Dito ka na lang daw mag-lunch."