If I'm Not In Love

30

I was grinning widely as I emerged from the car. Nakita ko agad sila Troy, Melissa at Nico sa di kalayuan and the latter shouted my name habang kumakaway pa na parang kakababa ko lang ng eroplano galing abroad.

I chuckled as I waved back and looked over my shoulder to see Ethon was lazily walking behind me.

"Sasabay ka ba samin mamayang maglunch?" tanong ko and he just shrugged as an answer.

I nodded at him then looked back to my friend's direction at makahulugan akong nginitian ni Nico habang nakatingin lang si Troy sa 'min at nakatungo naman si Melissa.

"Good morning!" I greeted enthusiastically.

"Ikaw na good ang morning," komento ni Nico saka ako inakbayan. "May utang kang kwento." Bulong nito sabay inalis ang braso niya sa balikat ko bago pa makalapit si Troy.

I smiled at him and he smiled back. Tinext ko naman siya kagabi na susunduin ako ni Ethon kaya hindi na siya dumaan sa bahay. As usual, he didn't ask anything and just said okay. Never niya talaga akong napressure.

"How's the feeling?" He asked.

"Happy," I chirped that made him chuckled. He then nodded as he glanced behind me.

Nagsimula na kaming maglakad papunta sa kanya-kanyang classrooms after kong batiin si Melissa. She looked sick though, kaya tinanong ko siya but she quickly dismissed me and told me she's fine kaya hindi na 'ko nag-insist pa. I guess she's not in the mood today?

"See you at lunch!" Sabi ni Melissa nang makarating kami sa tapat ng classroom nila.

I waved at her and smiled but I was shocked nung biglang humarap sakin si Ethon at halikan ang noo ko, just like last night. Napasinghap ako. Feeling ko, sasabog ang puso ko sa gulat at saya at nagtriple ang bilis ng pintig nito nang marealized kong nasa harap kami nila Troy.

My eyes immediately searched for my bestfriend to see his reaction, but he's looking at different direction kaya hindi niya nakita. I followed his gaze and saw Melissa running inside their classroom. Mabilis na nabalik ni Ethon sa kanya ang atensyon ko nang naramdaman kong umatras siya at walang salitang sinabi at basta na lang pumasok na rin sa classroom nila.

My lips slightly parted as I was rendered speechless, but I smiled eventually upon realizations finally sunk in.

"What had just happened?" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Nico. Lumapit siya sakin at hinawakan ako sa magkabilang balikat. "Bakit ka niya hinalikan? Kayo na ba?!" he asked in disbelief.

I wasn't able to respond right away, dahil high pa ko sa pangyayari. Yung butterflies sa stomach ko, heto at nangingiliti na naman.

"Lala.."

Napatingin ako kay Troy nang mahina niyang hilahin ang buhok ko. He smiled at me as he removed Nico's hands on my shoulders and replaced it with his arm around it.

"Let's go," he said softly.

Tahimik kaming nakarating sa classroom habang nakasunod pa rin si Nico kahit lagpas na ang sa kanya.

"Magsiseat-in ka na naman?" tanong ni Troy sa kanya nang maupo siya sa tabi ko.

Nico grinned, "Oo, marami kasing dapat ipaliwanag si Lala."

Troy shook his head disapprovingly. "Stop being nosy," saway nito.

Mabilis na umangal si Nico and clicked his tongue, "Kung ikaw, kaya mong umintindi kahit walang paliwanag, ako hindi, Troy." Umiiling na sabi niya saka seryoso akong tiningnan. "Kayo na ba?"

I quickly shook my head, "Hindi."

"Nanliligaw?"

Kumunot ang noo ko habang iniisip kung may sinabi ba siyang manliligaw siya. "I don't know," hindi siguradong sagot ko.