The Calm and the Storm

07

07

Kaagad kong tinakpan ang bibig ni Aida nang tumili siya bigla! The people inside the coffee shop looked at us. An apologetic smile was the only thing I could offer to them.

"Huy, tumahimik ka nga," pabulong kong sita.

Aida talked while my hand was still on her mouth. Ew, 'yung laway niya.

"Bibitawan kita pero promise hindi ka sisigaw," I said.

She nodded and mumbled a word that I did not understand. Binawi ko na ang kamay ko at kaagad siyang suminghap habang nakangiti.

"Oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh!"

"Aida," I hissed.

"Okay, sorry. But what the hell?! Ba't ngayon mo lang sinabi sa 'kin na nakikipag-flirt ka na pala kay Jeno Emmanuel Serese?!"

My face heated. I rolled my eyes and drank my iced coffee, not sure how to answer her.

I figured I couldn't do this alone. Wala ring ibang nakakaalam kundi siya. Gusto kong magpalabas ng damdamin kaya sinabi ko kay Aida ang lahat ng nangyari sa pagitan namin ni Jeno Emmanuel. Now, I don't know if I made the right decision. For sure, tutuksuhin niya ako.

"It's just nothing."

"Anong nothing?" aniya. "That's a very big deal kaya! Imagine, he asked for your number!"

"Eh ano naman ngayon?"

She sighed and shook her head. "Hindi ako naniniwala na ganyan ka ka-tanga, Trinity. I know you know what I mean."

Of course, I know what she means. A guy asking for my number? Out of the blue? Those were hints that he likes me! Pero ayun na nga, ayokong mag-assume.

"He just wants to be friends," I said.

"Friends? Naniwala ka naman?"

Hindi ko siya pinansin.

"Naku, Trinity. If you are still considering your sister's feelings, ewan ko na talaga. Kung ako sa 'yo, papatulan ko na siya."

"But I'm not you."

"And that's very unfortunate."

Bumuntong-hininga ako at kinagatan ang cake. Ala sais na ng gabi at nagpapalipas lamang ako ng oras. I was about to go to our house for our monthly dinner. Isang piraso ng cake lamang ang inorder ko habang si Aida naman ay umorder ng dinner meal.

"You know, it's not a bad idea."

Sumimangot ako. "It's a bad idea."

"Bakit? Wala namang sinabi si Therese patungkol sa feelings niya kay Jeno Emmanuel."

"She said if an opportunity will present, why not?" I replied, quoting Ate Therese's words when we talked about it.

"It's very vague, Trinity. Hindi niya naman sinabi na gusto ko si Jeno Emmanuel." She even mimicked my sister's voice.

"Kahit na."

Aida smiled sheepishly. "Pero what if... sa isang alternate universe... hindi kayo magkapatid ni Therese tapos nagkakilala kayo ni Jeno Emmanuel, papatulan mo ba?"

"Tigilan mo na ngang manood ng Marvel movies." She's really into those superhero movies nowadays.

"What if lang naman!"

I sighed and looked at her. "Papatulan ko. Pero not in this universe kasi nandito si Ate Therese."

Natawa siya ngunit tuluyan itong nawala habang umiling-iling. "I'm worried for you, my dear friend."