Kiss or Slap

L

____________________Chapter L

"May extra ka bang damit?" Keith asked.

"Wala na, eh. My PE uniform is currently at home."

Malapit na kasi ang Christmas break kaya iniuwi ko na ang mga gamit ko sa locker. Ang nga itinira ko na lang doon ay mga libro ko for this sem.

"Umuwi ka na lang," si Mecho naman na hinuhugot ang kanyang cellphone sa bulsa. "I'll call our driver."

"O-Okay."

Keith watched me. His eyes cannot hide the glimmer of his concern. Natural ng malambot ang kanyang mukha at maamo, pero mas umamo iyon ngayon. How can he be shining for me even in a situation like this? A juice was spilled in me, pero hindi iyon naging alintana upang mapuna ko kung gaano kaaya-aya ang hitsura ni Keith.

Umabot kasi iyong basa sa skirt ko. It was pineapple iced tea in two large slim glasses. Mabuti na lang at hindi babasagin ang mga baso niyon.

Mecho is already talking to their driver on the phone when Keith also received a call. Sinagot niya iyon sa harapan ko, sinenyasan niya pa ako.

"Am I required to be there?" He asked with his usual low voice. "Okay. I understand. I'll be there, then."

Alam ko na agad kung ano'ng meron. He was like...the head of the whole population of students here in our school. Maraming nakahaing responsibilad sa kanya.

"May emergency meeting ako at pagtapos ay magre-review pa ako. Call and update me, okay?" He said at lumapit.

Wala sa sarili akong napatango sa kanya at tipid na ngumiti. Sinuklihan niya naman ang ngiti ko at 'saka kinurot ang pisngi ko.

"I'll see you later. Change your clothes quickly. Malapit na ang bell."

"Okay."

Pinanuod ko siyang naglalakad palayo. Grabe naman pala. He was a very busy man, gayong senior high school pa lang siya. He is a top student, at iyon pa lang ay may mga obligasyon na agad. Paano pa kaya kung council president ka pa. Tapos natyempo pa ang research niyo, subject requirements, tapos maico-contest ka pa internationally?!

Jusko. Ako ang nas-stress habang ineenumerate sa utak ko lahat ng responsibilidad ni Keith sa school. He was already stressed about Zaja, and yet after carrying all the school's burden on his own shoulders. Natutupad niya pa rin ang mga tungkulin niya.

Bilib na talaga ako sa'yo, Keith.

"Mecho." Tawag ko bigla kay Mecho habang nasa loob kami ng sasakyan nila.

"Hmm?"

He was currently crossing his arms while his legs were spread wide.

"What is it?" He bragged when he noticed I didn't talk right away.

Should I say it? Why am I even holding back?

He remained looking at me while he's raising a brow. Wala sa sarili akong napanguso at nagpatuloy sa pakikipagtalo sa sarili.

He sighed. "Anyways, what was that? Was Keith always that close to you?"

Pumilig ang ulo ko upang masulyapan ko siya. "Bakit mo natanong?"

"He looked clingy. Ano ka ba niya? Nanliligaw ba sa'yo?" Dire-diretso niyang sinabi.

Agad akong napailing sa kanyang tanong. "Hindi naman.."

"Oh? Hindi pala? Ba't ang yabang niya?" She scoffed and crossed his arms mockingly. "Akala mo kung sino."

I pursed my lips, not knowing what to say. Hanggang ngayon kasi ay iniisip ko pa rin kung sasabihan ko pa ba siya.