His Silent Addiction

04

I laughed at his reaction and raised a middle finger at him. "Fuck you too Caf!"

Papunta pa lang ako sa cafeteria at halata na ang dagsa ng tao sa hallway kahit sa field naman ginaganap ang mga sports. Mula rito ay rinig ang hiyawan ng mga tao na todo suporta sa mga naglalaro. The crowd can be overwhelming sometimes and most times just annoying.

Pagdating na pagdating ko sa cafeteria, I saw his face among the crowd. Hindi ko alam kung dahil lang ba ito sa taas niya o sa presensiya niya na hinahatak ako para makita siya?

This time, as usual, Bacon is surrounded by girls. Kahit saan ko siya makita parati naman siyang napapalibutan ng mga babae, either throwing him random questions or desperately trying to hit on him. For a split second na nakatitig ako sa kaniya, our eyes met and I caught a faint smile on his lips.

Dali-dali ko namang iniwas ang tingin at dumiretso na sa vending machine. I chose a tuna sandwich and cola. But as I wait na mahulog mula sa machine ang binili ko, I can still feel his gaze on my back which is odd.

I tried to ignore it as much as I can at nanatiling nakatalikod hanggang sa nawala na ito kasabay ng ingay ng mga babae.

Finally, nakahinga ako ng maayos as I lean to get my food. Pero kasabay ng pag-angat ng ulo ko ang gulat nang may mukhang biglang bumungad sa harap ko.

"Hi Nico!" Masiglang bati niya sakin.

I sighed in relief when it was just Basil, akala ko kung multo na. "What the hell dude, malapit na akong atakihin sa puso dahil sa'yo."

"Hehe sorry," nakangiti niyang saad sabay kamot sa ulo na tila ba bumubwelo. "Ano kasi, may ano kasi, nagkaproblema sa ano..."

Alam ko na kung saan 'to papunta. I didn't even let him finish at tinatikuran siya. "If that's about the soccer game, ulit, then count me out."

Naglakad ako papunta sa malapit na table as I felt Basil follow behind.

"Sige na Nic, si Acorn kasi nagka-injury and you know that we're short of members," he pleaded. "I can't back out now at wala naman akong ibang malalapitan."

"So you decided to bother me?" medyo irita kong sagot sa kaniya na ngayon ay naka upo na sa harap ko. "Wala na ba talagang iba diyan?"

"Meron," he weakly answered and raised his head to face me. "Pero ikaw ang kailangan namin, Nic. Alam mo namang simula pa nung junior tayo gusto na kitang sumali sa soccer team and when you did out of pity for me, you led us to the championship. Why can't you do it this time Nic?"

I paused from unwrapping my tuna sandwich, thinking of last year. It was tiring and to be under the blazing sun alone is suffering enough that I just wanted to melt in the middle of the field at that time. I remember, sumali ako sa team dahil sa pagpupumilit ni Basil, and also because of my curiosity. Pero iba na ngayon.

Hinarap ko siya nang seryoso. "I'll do it in one condition," sagot ko na ikinaliwanag ng kaniyang mukha.

This will be my last year in high school, although I can be a rebel student, I also want to set things straight and get the most out of the experience.

"Talaga ba?" he asked in disbelief and just pure bliss. "I'll hold on to your words so whatever that condition is, tell me."

"I'll tell you some other time, for now, hayaan mo muna akong kumain," I told him as I return to unwrapping my sandwich.

Basil immediately stood and smiled as wide as he could. "Okay! I'll meet you at one in the field then, second game tomorrow morning too so don't be late!"

Pagkatapos nun ay bigla rin siyang kumaripas ng takbo paalis. I watched him disappear from my sight at sa wakas ay makakakain na ako ng tahimik.

While reviewing what Basil told me, naalala ko na may laro rin pala si Caf mamaya and a high chance na bukas din which I won't be able to watch although I said I would. I sighed thinking of the bag decisions I make in life, repenting and reflecting upon myself while eating my hunger away.