Chapter 11
Grocery
It was a miracle he didn't end our connection. Nagpatuloy ang pag-uusap namin sa iba't ibang social media, at ang mas nakakagulat pa, madalas na siya ang nagsisimula ng conversation. Tuwing bubuksan ko ang cellphone ko, may mga random chats siya. Sometimes, he updates me through pictures and videos, which I find so bf material.
Soon, Covy. Soon.
Friday ng hapon, nagkayayaan kaming mag samgyup sa syudad. Madalas kaming lumabas tuwing friday. It is to celebrate our weekly survival at school. Kaartehan lang.
"Napapadalas din ang paglilibot mo sa school, Terry. Parang may pinopormahan ka..." Seth chuckled. Pina ikot-ikot niya ang karne sa chopsticks niya.
Hindi ko alam ang mangyayari kung lumipad 'yan sa ibang customer. Sumubo ako ng lettuce na may pork at kimchi sa loob.
Terry's face crumpled, like she was disgusted. "Ako? May popormahan? Kadiri, huh? Wala akong trip sa crush crush na 'yan!"
"Ay sus! Huwag ako, 'te! Malaki ang tiwala ko sa instinct ko. May gusto ka ring higher year, 'no?"
Terry glared at her. "Pinagsasabi mo? Liking someone isn't my thing. I find it cliché."
"May cliché cliché ka pang nalalaman. Mahuli lang talaga kita," patango-tangong sabi ni Seth, nakaturo ang chopsticks kay Terry.
"Wala kang mahuhuli kasi wala naman! Atupagin mo na lang 'yang pagiging mixed signals enjoyer mo!" sabi ni Terry sa mukha ni Seth at saka ito umirap.
Hindi ako naka-ilag do'n! Mixed signals enjoyer, pero at least, masaya! Saka na isipin ang susunod na heartbreak. We live for the present.
Tiningnan ko si Ays na tahimik na kumakain. I couldn't help but think if she's capable of liking someone too. Noon, naniniwala ako na lahat ay may gustong tao. But when I met Ays, my opinion changed. Hindi ko kasi siya makitaan ng romantic side. Oo, sweet siya minsan sa amin, pero parang wala sa figure niyang magkagusto sa iba.
It seems like she's overly reserved and prim, almost as if every move she makes is meticulously calculated. She gives off an air of someone who is a perfectionist... always striving for flawless execution. I get the feeling that no man will ever meet her standards or be worthy in her eyes. It's like... she always has this disdain perception against men, always finding faults.
Siguro dahil na rin sa mga magulang niyang perfectionist.
"What?" Ays glanced at me.
Dati intimidated pa ako sa kaniya, pero ngayon hindi na. Nasanay na lang talaga.
"Wala lang. I just randomly thought if you're capable of liking someone or not..." I said calmly.
Hinayaan naming magbardagulan ang dalawa. They always argue over petty things. Minsan na rin nilang pinagdebatehan kung anong nauna, itlog ba o manok.
"Hmm, right now..." She shrugged. "I don't see myself... doing that," and she flashed her usual disgusted expression.
"Iyan din ang naisip ko," I chuckled.
I gasped when what I feared flashed in my eyes. Lumipad nga ang karneng nilalaro ni Seth sa kabilang table. Good thing they were students too! Kasi paano na lang kung sa kalbo iyon naitapon?!
Nauwi na rin kami matapos kumain.
I was in the elevator of my building when my phone chimed. It was Eli! Sumandal ako sa elevator habang nakangiti.
Elãzar: Where are you?
I replied momentarily.
Ako: Elevator pa lang papuntang condo ko. Ikaw?
