"Nag-almusal ka na ba, hijo?" tanong ni mama kay Demiel.
"Yes, Ma," ako na ang sumagot. Ayaw kong mapilitan kumain ngayong umaga. For sure, Demi won't refuse if my mother will invite him to eat breakfast here. Oras na rin naman, mag-aabang pa kami ng jeep sa kanto. Baka mahuli pa kami sa klase.
"Paano mo naman nalaman, ate?" Jie butt in on the conversation. He just got awake, his eyes were still puffy.
"Stalker ko ang ate mo. Nagpalagay siguro siya ng CCTV sa bahay namin para alamin ang mga galaw ko." Demi turned to look at me, still narrowing her eyes. I slapped him on the arm. Napakadaming kahibangang nalalaman!
"Good bye, Ma!" I kissed her cheeks. "Jie, we'll talk later." I said while raising my eyebrows in motion.
I waved my hands on the air while harshly pulling Demiel with me. Mukhang may balak pa siyang ibulong sa kapatid ko. I hate whispers, masama ang kutob ko sa mga bulong na ganiyan, lalo na kung si Demi ang may ibubulong. It looks like a devil is whispering something evil.
"Dahan dahan naman, Icy." Tinanggal niya ang hawak ko sa polo uniform niya. There was a small part of his polo shirt that was wrinkled because of the tightness of my grip on it earlier. Inayos niya iyon bago muling nagsalita ng kahibangan. "I'm all yours, you don't have to pull me like that." He laughed foolishly.
Hindi ko na lang pinansin ang sinabi niya, tulad ng palagi kong ginagawa. "Looks like you still have plans to steal my brother's shanghai." I looked at him like I was really accusing him.
"Hindi, ah," he replied seriously. "Favorite ko 'yong shanghai pero mas paborito kita." Paulit-ulit niya pang tinatataas ang mga kilay niya. Akala mo naman napaka-cute tignan. Cringe.
"Paboritong asarin." He was like a fool laughing on the road.
Agad akong pumara ng jeep at sumakay nang hindi tinatawag si Demiel. I thought I could leave him, but the driver called him. The driver looks close to him because he even greeted him and said he was handsome. Maybe he's one of his uncle. Gano'n naman talaga ang mga tito and tita, right? They always praise their niece and nephews, kahit minsan ay hindi na kapani-paniwala.
Naramdaman kong bumigat ang natitirang espasyo sa gilid ko, hudyat na umupo pa rin siya sa tabi ko. Bakit ba naman kasi gustong-gusto niya pang sabay kami pumasok at umuwi? Napakatanda na. As if he didn't know how to go to school alone.
"Oh, 'di ba! Buo na ang araw ko kasi naasar na kita." He laughed. I just rolled my eyes.
Akala ko no'n, kapag pumasok ka ng senior high school, parang college na ang galawan. I was wrong. Dama ko pa ring high school student ako though, iba na ang mga subjects namin ngayon. Hindi na katulad noong junior high. Also, it's more challenging being a senior high school student. Ang daming magagaling, advance rin ang mga knowledge nila. Parang pang-college na agad ang mga baon nilang prior knowledge. But still, hindi naman ako napag-iiwanan, because I love to browse on internet last summer. I also learned a lot from the teachers' videos on tiktok and on youtube.
"'Yong seat mate ko ang gwapo," she uttered, smiling all the time. It was as if he's fantasizing that specific guy. "Mysterious guy and he has cold personality. Gano'n ang type ko."
Hindi ko alam kung sinong guy ang tinutukoy niya. We're supposed to be on the same class but Isha was transferred to another section because she wasn't able to attend the first week of class.
"Sus!" Pabirong umirap si Ziny. "Di ako naniniwala."
"Kawa-wattpad mo lang 'yan, Mare." Demiel commented.
Nagkahiwa-hiwalay na kami nang matapos ang lunch time. Hindi ko nakita si Isaiah sa klase kanina, hindi siya pumasok kaya hindi namin siya kasabay nag-lunch. Hindi ko naman alam kung nasaan 'yong bagong tropa ni Demi. Inayawan na siguro siya dahil sa sobrang kaingayan niya.
Nang makabalik ako sa room, walang teacher at ang ingay sa loob. I placed my bag on my arm chair and silently sat down. Buti nalang at tahimik lang ang katabi ko, he's busy playing Mobile legends.
I glanced at the white board. Nomination for muse and escort... September na nga pala next week. They were already preparing for this coming intramurals. Hindi naman ako interested dahil hindi naman ako sporty. Marunong ako mag-volleyball, pero hindi ako magaling. Besides, hindi ko talaga hilig sumali sa mga gan'yan and sa kahit ano pang competitions. Hindi ko naman na kailangan ng mga extra curricular grades, kaya ko namang bawiin sa mga recitations, activities, requirements and examinations namin.
"I nominate Kicy Jynette." Nagulat ako nang marinig ang boses ni David. We're in the same class, but we rarely talk, when it just so happens that we're group mates in a group activity. I looked back and glared at him. Anong trip niya? Alam naman niyang ayokong sumasali sa mga gan'yan.
Madalas din akong ma-nominate noon pero tinatanggihan ko, hindi naman ako mapipilit na gawin ang isang bagay na hindi ko gusto. I don't want to join those because I don't want other people's attention.
"I second the motion."
I sighed. Nomination pa lang naman. Kaunti lang naman sa mga classmates ko ang ka-close ko, for sure, hindi ako iboboto ng karamihan. I just stayed silent as if they're not talking about me.
"Close the nomination na! Si Icy nalang."
I shifted my gaze at them. What?!
"Oo nga! Maganda, matangkad tapos brainy pa. Oks na tayo riyan."
Lumingon ako kay Idy, na parang batang humihingi ng tulong. I want her to disagree. I can't represent our class. Ano ba ang alam ko sa mga gano'n? She shook her head when she got what I wanted to convey. I sighed.
"Magtaas ng kamay 'yong mga disagree." It was the class president.
Nilibot ko ang paningin ko sa buong room, umaasang may kahit isang magtataas ng kamay. But, no one raised a hand. Gusto nila pero ayaw ko. Pwede ba 'yon? Nasa akin pa rin ang final decision, wala sa kanila dahil ako rin naman ang mapapagod sa practice, ako ang haharap doon at hindi naman sila. And, I know that it's not that easy. Baka pag-akyat ko sa stage ay magsing-alisan ang mga tao.
Hindi ko gusto ang nangyayaring 'to. "Hey, I don't want to be the muse. I can't-" I tried to speak and explain but they cut me off.
"Majority wins."
I was about to defend myself when the teacher enter our room. Umupo na ang president at secretary, umayos na rin ng upo ang mga kaklasi ko. Saglit niyang tinignan ang white board at nakita ang nakasulat doon. Muse: Icy, malaki ang pagkakasulat ng name ko roon kaya kapansin-pansin talaga, binilugan pa ng mga kaklase ko.
"Who will be her escort?" she asked. Walang sumagot sa klase. "Wala pa ba?" she asked, once again.
"Wala pa po. Pag-uusapan pa lang namin mamaya."
She nodded and there's a smile plastered on her lips. "I nominate David."
They all agree on her. Hindi na raw kailangan ng voting, dahil pumayag naman na agad si David at wala namang ibang gustong maging escort. Hindi ko alam kung anong nakain no'n at ako pa ang naisipang i-nominate sa muse.
Parang mas lalong ayaw kong maging muse. Siya pa talaga ang napiling escort, pwede namang iba na lang. Panigurado palagi kaming magkakasama niyan dahil sa mga practice. I'm not bitter, I just don't want to be close to him again.
"Ma'am, all goods na. May mga players na rin tayo sa lahat," the vice president of the class said.
Mukhang wala na talaga akong magagawa. I sighed, feeling defeated. Okay, fine. Muse.
"Start na ng advance game sa basketball." Demiel said. He placed a pair of spoon and fork on my plate. "Sumali ako," he smiled at me. As if I didn't know that he loves playing basketball. Mula pa noong grade 7 ay sumasali na siya. He often got injured every time, palagi kasing pinag-iinitan ng ulo. "Marami na namang maiinis sa 'kin niyan."
Ziny and I decided to have dinner, she said she had no one in their big house. His daddy is a mayor so he was always busy and they rarely get along. Auntie still accompanies him often, just like now, Ziny is alone here. Isha's not with us, though. She said she could not leave her mom alone at home.
"Marami ka na namang yayabangan." Ziny rolled her eyes. Tinawanan lang naman siya ni Demi.
"Balita ko, makakalaban ko 'yung lalaki mo sa HUMSS-C."
"Really? Good luck to you, then." She then smirked.
We ate peacefully at that night. It think that's for the first time.
"Jie," I called him when I saw him passing my room. Mukha pa siyang magnanakaw dahil sa dahan-dahan ang mga bawat hakbang niya. Ilang araw na niya akong iniiwasan dahil alam niyang may dapat talaga kaming pag-usapan.
Gulat niya akong tinitigan. His eyes were widened in shock. I laughed at his reaction, it was as if I'm scary.
"Should you tell me something?" I gazed at him. "Why don't you invite her here? I want to meet her."
"Huwag na," he chuckled.
Someone told me that he's courting one of her school mates. I know, he's too young to be in a relationship but I'm not against that. There's always a reason behind everything. I believe that he'll learn something from everything he's doing right now. When I hindered what he was doing, it was as if I had militated him from growing as well.
"Why am I so gorgeous?" Ziny said while staring at her reflection in the mirror.
The first game has started. GAS-A vs ABM-B. Of course, we're going to watch the whole game. I could compare the game to an ice. Chill.
Nagulat ako nang biglang may umagaw sa tubig na iniinuman ko. Muntikan pa akong matapunan. "Kapal mo," Demi commented on what she just said. Inubos niya ang tubig ko. Binalik niya iyon sa kamay ko at tawang-tawa pa sa ginawa niya. I was just glaring at him all the time.
"Mas makapal ka!" asik niya.
"Ikaw nga, ilang taon na nakikisama sa 'min, kahit hindi ka naman namin kaibigan." Isha butt in. Her full attention was still on her wattpad book.
"Bakit? Kaibigan ko ba kayo?"
He sat beside me. Umusog ako ng kaunti palayo sa kaniya dahil pawis na pawis siya at ayokong madikit sa akin ang balat niya.
"Si Icy lang naman kaibigan ko rito." he pouted like a kid. "'Di ba?" He hit my shoulders using his wet towel. Basang-basa dahil sa pawis niya. Napaka dugyot pa rin talaga!
Patuloy pa rin sila sa bangayan nila. Hindi ko alam kung ano ba ang dapat gawin para mapahinto ang mga bibig ng mga 'to. They were all chaotic! They're always like this on a daily basis. Kumusta na lang kaya ang ear drums ko? Mukhang araw-araw dumudugo dahil sa ingay nila!
"I want to be a surgeon." I told them. Bigla naman silang natigil. Bumaling sa akin ang mga tingin nila. Silence... I like this.
"Really?"
"Goods 'yon," he even raised his thumbs up.
"Buti naman at alam mo na ang gusto mo." si Isha.
It was as if I'm serious about that. Ayoko ang profession na 'yon. Pang matalino talaga 'yon. Besides, that was too risky. Sa 'yo nakasalalay ang buhay ng mga patients mo. Hindi ka pwedeng magkamali. Isang maling galaw mo lang, marami ang magbabago sa buhay ng pamilya nila. Ayoko sa medical field. Guilt might kill me.
"Yes, para matahi ko 'yang mga bibig ninyo." Sabay-sabay silang ngumuso nang marinig ang sinabi ko. Parang mga bata!
Bumalik na si Demi roon sa bleachers kung saan nakaupo ang mga kaklasi niya. May tubig naman pala sila roon, bakit 'yong sa 'kin pa 'yong naisipan niyang ubusin. He really loves pestering me, huh?
"Go, Demiel!" Ziny yelled energetically. Pumapalakpak pa at tumatalon kahit na nakasampa siya sa bleachers. "Pag sabit 'yan, libri mo 'ko pizza!"
Saglit pa siyang lumingon sa 'min para kumindat. Wala naman akong ginawa kung hindi tawanan siya.
Madapa sana, napakayabang!
He's running while dribbling the ball, non stop. Hindi ba nakakapagod 'yon? Kung ako 'yan, baka niyakap ko na lang ang bola papatakbo. Traveling. Pilit siyang hinaharangan ng mga kalaban and they're trying to steal the ball from him, pero talagang maliksi siya at sanay na maglaro kaya hindi nila makuha kuha sa kaniya ang bola. He confidently shoot the ball from afar and the perfect angle he wants. Akala ko hindi aabot but...
"Three points from GAS-A!"
He looked up to Ziny. Demi raised his both hands and made a heart gesture. I could see how Ziny rolled her eyes. Bagay sila... Baka mamaya sila pala ang para sa isa't isa. Pero paano na lang kaya ang bawat date nila? Chaotic dates? Or, baka naman araw-araw ang schedule ng away nila. I laughed at my own thoughts.
The game is still on going when David called me. Nagulat na nga lang ako nang umupo siya sa tabi ko. Hindi ako napansin nina Ziny na umalis sa tabi nila. Pareho kasi silang busy ipag-cheer si Demi.
"Akala ko ba may meeting?"
That's what he told me. I will not go with him for no good reason.
"Meron nga," he chuckled.
Nilibot ko ang paningin ko sa buong room, wala namang ibang tao rito bukod sa aming dalawa. I chuckled sarcastically. Anong trip nito, at bakit ako ang trip niya ngayon?
I hurried out of the room. I suddenly remembered what he had done to me before. We were the only two there, so it wasn't far off for him to do that to me again.
"Do you like him?" he asked.
"No," agarang sagot ko, even though I don't know who is he talking about. "I like no one." I said with certainty.
I left him there. I walked back to the covered court, but David is still following me from behind. I looked back and glared at him.
"It seems that you don't want to see me." He chuckled while slowly shaking his head off, as if he's disappointed.
"No, I like seeing you." I let out a fake smile. There's no problem when he's around, it's fine with me. I just don't like him acting that we're close. Hindi na kami katulad noon na isang sabi niya lang, agad agad susunod ako.
"Meeting tomorrow morning," he said coldly.
"Okay. See you, then." I replied before I totally turn my back at him.
Pabalik na ako sa covered court nang makita kong pabalik na ang mga students sa mga room nila. Tapos na nga ang game?
Dumaretso pa rin ako sa court kahit na alam kong tapos na. Naging tahimik na rin ang paligid, wala na akong naririnig na mga sigawan at referee. Hindi ko na rin nadatnan doon ang mga kaibigan ko. Nakabalik na siguro sila sa mga respective classrooms nila.
The next day, I was waiting for Demiel but he didn't came. Nasanay na kasi akong sabay talaga kaming pumasok ng school, mula pa noong junior high school. Hindi siguro papasok ngayon 'yon.
Naglakad na ako papunta sa kanto para mag-abang na ng jeep na masasakyan. I checked my phone, naisip kong baka nag-text pala siya pero wala akong nakitang ni-isang message mula sa kaniya. Baka walang load...
Nagkaroon ng meeting ang mga muse and escort kaya hindi ako nakakain ng lunch. Therefore, I decided to buy myself a bottle of water, before going back to our classroom. Nakaramdam din ako gutom kaya bumili na rin ako ng cheese cake.
Palabas na ako ng canteen nang makasalubong ko si Demi, kasama niya si Rae pati na rin 'yong iba pa nilang tropa. Si Rae lang ang kilala ko sa kanilang lahat. I waved my hands at him but he didn't even gave me a single glance. Wow! I laughed at myself. What's with this man? Hindi naman siguro naapektuhan ang eye ball niya sa laro kanina at kahapon.
I sighed and followed them. Humiwalay siya sa mga kasama niya para bumili siya ng juice, sumunod naman ako sa kaniya.
"Hey," I whispered as I slightly tapped his shoulders. He didn't respond so I called him once again. "Demi!"
"Yes?" he replied without even looking at me. "What do you need?" he coldly said.
English. He's already mad at me. Hindi ko naman intensiyon na hindi mapanood ang laro nila kanina. May kinailangan lang talaga akong asikasuhin. Uh! Hindi ko pa pala nababanggit sa kanila 'yon.
"Sorry," I uttered.
"So, bakit ka muna niya tinawag?" he gazed at me as if he could find answers on my bare face. Tinawag ako dahil may meeting. Sinong "niya" ang tinutukoy niya?
Narinig kong tinawag siya ng mga kasama niya, he just raised his hand and told them, na mauna na.
"Saan ba kayo nagpupunta ni David?" he asked. His eyes were gazing at me, as if he's observing every gesture I'll make.
I explained everything to him and even to Ziny and Isha. Nagulat sila nang malamang ako ang representative sa 'min. Buti na lang at hindi pumayag si Ziny na i-represent ang class nila. Ayoko siyang makalaban. For sure, siya na ang panalo, kung sakali. Not that I'm being competitive. I didn't want this in the first place. But, I could clearly see my classmates' efforts, and even our adviser! May ilang weeks pa bago ang laban, pero ngayon pa lang naghahanda na sila at inaayos ang mga gagamitin ko.
"Wow! Tutulong ako sa inyo." Ziny said while playing my hair. I let her do that since she knows how to braid. Mainit at ayokong nakalugay lang ang buhok ko.
"Okay lang sa 'yo 'yon?" tanong ni Isha.
Hindi. Hindi okay sa akin 'yon. I don't want to expose myself to others. Hindi rin ako komportableng pinagtitinginan ako. Pakiramdam ko may iniisip na silang hindi maganda sa akin kapag ganon.
"I mean, 'yong escort."
"Yes," I replied wholeheartedly.
Of course, it will be fine with me. Matagal na ang nangyaring 'yon. Nakapag move on na 'ko. It's all in the past, and past should always leave on the past. Hindi na dapat pang dinadala sa present. Let go everything from the past. Only the remnants of good memories will or should forever stay.
"Baka magkabalik--" Agad kong sinubuan ng cheese cake si Demi para hindi na niya matuloy pa ang sasabihin niya. Halos mabilaukan siya kaya tawang-tawa ang dalawa sa kaniya.
It was as if I'll let him play with my feelings again. No. I won't let that happen. I swear. Never again.
----
♡