The Thirdwheel (COMPLETED)

Part 14

T I A N A ' S

"Should we lunch out? I am craving for pizza!" si Jana, nang lumabas kami ni Jerrod mula sa AVR.

Pareho kaming may free-cut tatlo kaya extended ang magiging lunch break namin. So we're thinking of going off-campus to eat and kill time.

"Sure, saan?" Jerrod asked while the three of us were walking towards the elevators. Noon break na kasi, so we'll need a few more minutes to wait 'til we can crowd in any of T building's three elevators.

"I don't know... maybe, Yellow Cab? Okay lang ba, Tia? Or you want something else?"

"I'm fine with anything," sabi ko lang, already looking forward to an almost empty lift.

At noong bumukas 'yon ay awtomatiko ang pagharang ng braso ni Jerrod sa elevator doors, so Jana and I could safely walk in. Nakarinig kaagad kami ng mga mahihinang pag-sipol mula sa loob, signalling a familiar crowd.

"Jerrod, Jana!" bati ng iilan na nasa loob ng lift, sabay humalakhak.

I am used to having strangers acknowledge the people I'm with, wherever we go. Jerrod may come off timid and Jana may be tamed, pero hindi naman makakaila na may kanya-kanyang social life ang dalawa. Unlike me, they have a lot of batch mates who also went to study here in the University. The siblings are also widely known for owning a well-established study hub even when they're still students themselves, while also being always present on party scenes.

Jana turned to them at nakipagpalitan na ng pinag-uusapan. Habang si Jerrod naman ay tipid lang na bumati sa kanila. Pasimple niya akong iginiya sa isang sulok nang nahinuhang magiging magalaw na ang kanilang mga kakilala. Walang imik din akong nagpatianod, before silently proceeding with staring at the steel walls. The enclosed space was giving me nausea, and the crowd was starting to make me feel uneasy, lalo na noong napansin na nila 'yong presensya ko.

"Abaaa! Jerrod, nakita ko 'yon! Sino 'yan?"

"Camille Irah's cousin, a blockmate, a friend." Jerrod answered hastily, pero mukhang ayaw pa siya tantanan ng mga kaibigan nila.

In fact, dahil sa sagot niyang hindi sigurado ay mas nag-ingay lang sila, more so when I felt Jerrod shielding me with his body.

Hinilig ko ang aking tagiliran sa nakapaloob na handrail nang magsimula na sila sa typical na pangangantyaw. There were still strangers inside the lift, but Jerrod and Jana's acquaintances were compelled with being rowdy. Kahit na nakatalikod sa kanila, ay na-iimagine ko na ang mga mapanlokong ngisi kasabay ng kung-anu-anong paratang nila sa amin. Naririnig ko rin si Jana na patawang pinipigilan sila, natatakot na yatang mapikon nang tuluyan ang kapatid.

The elevator stopped on every floor. Napapikit nalang ako doon, thinking being in this noise will probably last longer than anybody would want to. I should've been more persistent with convincing Jerrod on taking the stairs again, next time. We could've saved more time and energy from any means of human interaction.

Sa huling pagbukas at pagsarado noong elevator, ay unti-unti nang humupa ang ingay ng grupo. Siguro ay nagsawa na sa pagiging aloof ni Jerrod sa mga pang-aasar. Naisip kong kulbitin na si Jana at maghimutok, only to find them quietly talking beside me. Bigla naman akong nakaramdam ng pagka-lito nang mapagtantong, ibang tao na pala 'yong nakadikit sa likuran ko. My defenses had probably worn out over time, dahil hindi ko man lang naramdamang lumipat na pala si Jerrod sa tabi ko.

To appease my uneasiness, I took a meek step forward to create a bit of distance from the stranger. I mean, I was within a trusted University, but I just couldn't help myself. My forehead knotted when the stranger also took a step closer to me, too. His action would've sent me fidgetting, if it weren't for that particular clean mixture of fresh mint and herbal spices. A particular musk, I knew the first time, I'd go gaga over. Napatuwid ako ng tayo and threw a discreet glance at the man standing stiffly behind me.