Captured by Love

27

Papa told me that we'll be spending the holidays in Canada, hindi pa namin napaguusapan ni Andrei dahil marami pa siyang inaalala lalo na patapos na ang season. At hindi ko inexpect that my sister would book a really early flight back for us.

"Tahimik mo." he'd ask. Sinundo ako ni Andrei sa LRT, I am early dahil sabay kaming magbebreakfast.

I poured the maple syrup on my pancake, "Ate already booked our flight." simula ko.

"Ah, sa Canada ka magspend ng Christmas at New Year no?" Tumango ako. Andrei knows about it, nandun kasi siya nung magkaskype kami ni Ate Aika.

"So kelan kayo aalis? Kasabay mo ba sila Tita or mauuna sila?" tanong niya. I bit my lower lip, how do I tell him na a week from now ang flight ko at hindi na ko makakanuod ng finals?

"Uhm. Magkasabay kami lahat." sagot ko.

"Ah, so next month pa kayo aalis?" ngumunguya pa siya when he looked at me waiting for my answer. Lalo tuloy akong naguilty.

"We're leaving next week. Wednesday." I said to him in a low voice. I raised my gaze so I could see his reaction.

"Wednesday?"

"Uh huh."

"This coming wednesday, huh?" he repeated while stirring his orange juice.

"Yup."

"So, wala ka dito sa next game?" he asked but it doesn't feel like a question at all.

"And the games after? Or sa finals?" sadly I shook my head left and right.

"Ah." We both fell silent for a few seconds.

"Are you mad?" I was the first one to talk.

"No, wala naman akong magagawa jan. It's just sad na hindi ka makakanood. We might get it you know."

"The championship." Andrei continued.

I heaved with my head down I apologized, "I'm sorry." and then I felt his hand held mine, he squeezed it as if telling me that it's okay and that he understands.

"Like you said before, it's not okay but I understand." but it doesn't look like it.

Andrei walked me to my first class, fingers linked like always.

"Text you later. Okay?" he said to me then kissed the side of my head before walking away.

Hindi ako mapakali dahil alam kong disappointed pa rin siya na aalis ako ng maaga at hindi ko siya mapapanood. I know na crunch time na at ayaw ko na sanang dumagdag sa worries niya, I want to be there to support him pero wala naman akong magagawa.

Buong araw lutang ako, thinking of ways to make it up to him.

"Oy Tingting, natutulog ka ba na nakadilat iba na yan." says my blockmate, Michelle.

Natauhan naman ako. Nasa library kami to study for a quiz, kanina lang nagtext sakin si Andrei na tapos na ang classes niya at sa dorm na muna siya tatambay. He said he'll meet me up after my last class.

"Wag mo na pansinin yan si Ernesto, nagtatampo kasi yung boyfriend kaya wala sa sarili." singit nung isa ko pang kablock na si Gyra. Both of them are part of the women's volleyball team.

"Ay ang taray. Trouble in paradise." biro ni Mich, Gyra giggled because of it.

"Ssh!" tumaas ang kilay ko when I heard the librarian hushed them.