Paper Planes (Sandejas Siblings: Companion Book)

Kabanata 11

Dumiretso kami ni Jer sa paborito naming pwesto sa likod ng klasrum at nakita ko kaagad na nakareserba ang upuan doon.

I chuckled at that, inilahad sa akin ni Jer ang upuan ko at naupo ako roon pero nagtaka nang makita ang isang kuwaderno roon na may nakaipit na pulang rosas.

Mabilis akong sumulyap kay Jer na ngumisi lang at tinaasan ako ng kilay at ipinatong sa lamesa niya ang gamit ko.

"Saan mo ito pinitas?" bintang ko kaagad nang makakuha ng ideya.

Natawa siya, he licked his lower lip and brushed his hair before leaning in for a whisper.

"Binunot ko sa hardin," the brute answered.

"What?!" I shook my head and smacked his arm. "Yari ka kapag nalaman ng guidance! Ikaw talaga, Jer!

"I'll just use my charms, then." He shrugged.

Sumulyap ako sa laman nito at napangiti nang buksan ang kuwaderno. It was a series of handwritten letters kaya sumulyap ako kay Ejercito na tamad na nakasandal sa upuan at nakapatong ang kamay sa hita ko.

"Kailan mo ginawa?" I asked him.

"Matagal na," he looked at me and his lips twitched. "Magkaibigan pa lang tayo ginawa ko na 'yan. I was just finding the right time when will I give it to you."

My heart melted, naramdaman ko ang maingay na pagkalabog ng puso ko at napabuntonghininga ako at sumulyap sa kanya.

"Thank you," I murmured.

"Welcome," his lips protruded. "But...uhm, hon, would it be okay if you'll read it when you're alone? I mean...it was embarrassing so, I was hoping..."

"Okay, okay..." I laughed and nodded. "Hindi na," sinara ko ang notebook at sumulyap sa kanya.

"Why are you holding that ball? Soccer?" I asked him.

"Later," he murmured and gave me the ball, kinuha ko iyon sa kanya at bahagyang nilaro.

"Sa uwian?" I asked him.

"Yeah," he nodded. "What do you wanna do for our break?"

"Hmm, how about we start studying? Next week na ang final exams. We should start reviewing articles, lalo na sa law. Sumasakit ulo ko." I sighed.

"Leave it to me," he smiled. "I'll teach you how to study articles, library?"

"Sure," I smiled.

He nodded, kinuha ko mula sa kanya ang libro ko at sinubukang buklatin. He was looking at me, nang sumulyap ako sa kanya ay isinandal niya ang ulo sa balikat ko at tumitig din sa libro.

"Do you have plans after grad, Lena?" He suddenly whispered.

I froze, naalala ko naman ang usapan namin ni Auntie.

"Mayro'n na rin," I murmured. "You?"

"Hmm, wala pa. Plano ko pa lang pakasalan ka kapag graduate," aniya.

My eyes widened, gulat na tinignan ko siya na natatawa sa tabi ko.

"Ang aga pa para doon, Jer!" I exclaimed.

"Hmm, hindi mo naman siguro ako sasagutin na wala kang balak pakasalan ako?" he asked, shot his brow up to watch me.

"O-oo naman," nag-init ang pisngi ko. He chuckled and swiftly kissed my cheek. Nanlaki ang mata ko at hinampas siya bago tumingin sa paligid at nakitang wala namang nakatingin.

I was about to sigh in relief when I saw my friend, Cecille, grinning from the front row. Napaubo ako bigla roon at tumawa si Jer sa tabi ko bago nag-thumbs-up naman si Cess sa harapan at ngumisi ulit.