I am staring at France who is currently in my room right now. She will stay in here tonight since it's weekend tommorow. Ricca won't come over because she's busy preparing her oral debate.
Kanina pa iyak ng iyak si France habang dinedelete ang mga picture nila ni David sa phone niya. Turns out, Alexa and David is really cheating on her. She just found out just this week when she saw it with her two own eyes.
I feel a little bad though. I didn't tell her what I saw last Monday.
“I'm so sorry France. I should have warn you. It's just that I...didn't expect-”
“Tangina May Ann, a-akala ko ako lang yung malandi sa pamilya, meron pa pala.” umiiyak na sabi niya.
Umawang ang labi ko at napangiwi. Hindi ko alam kung matatawa ba ako o maaawa dahil sa sinabi niya.
“Ang s-sakit, May. A-ang sakit...” umiiyak pa rin na sabi niya.
I pursed my lips then walk closer to her. She must really love David. I hugged her to give some comfort.
“You'll be fine France. It's okay.” I said.
We stayed quiet for a couple of minutes. Her cries died down but she is still sobbing. I just stayed by her side and hug her.
I took my phone from the bed side table when it beep.
Ranzell calling........
I looked at France first before answering the call.
“H-hello?” I said.
“Hi sweetheart” he said on the other side of the line.
I bit my lip to prevent my smile. Gosh, just hearing his voice makes me so happy.
“Anong ginagawa mo?” he asked.
Napatingin ako kay France at bahagyang napatawa. Nakikidinig na rin siya sa pinaguusapan namin.
“Nothing. I'm with France right now”
“France? Nasaan kayo? Baka kung saan saan ka niya dinadala ha”
I bit my lip again. Para siyang magulang ko.
“What are you, my father?” natatawang tanong ko.
“Sinasabi ko lang, baka-”
I was surprise when France took my phone out of my hand and put it on a loudspeaker.
“Hoy, nakakaoffend ka ha” pasigaw na sabi ni France.
I laugh and took my phone back from her.
“Nandito lang kami sa bahay.” I said.
“She's spending the night in here.”
“Ahh akala ko naman kasi kung nasaan kayo ngayon.” he said.
“What about you? Where are you right now?”
“Nandito rin ako sa bahay. May tinatapos lang akong essay.”
I pursed my lips. So he's busy?
“Are you busy? I can drop the call-”
“Wag” pigil niya agad sa akin.
“Nagpapahinga lang muna ako”
“And how are you gonna have your rest if you keep talking to me?” kagat labing tanong ko.
He stayed silent for a second.
“Nawawala ang pagod ko kapag kausap kita.”
I bit my lip hard to stop myself from smiling. Gosh. I was about to answer when I heard Nanay called from outside our door.
Nauna nang tumayo si France at lumabas.
“Ahh Ranzell, I'll just eat” I said.
I heard him sighed.
“Okay. Kumain ka ng marami.” he said.
“Okay. Ikaw din.” I said.
“Sige, tatawag ako ulit mamaya”
“Yeah, sure.”
Nakagat ko ang labi. Walang nagsasalita sa amin pero wala ring nagbababa ng tawag.
“Ibaba mo na” natatawang sabi niya.
I chuckled then nod.
“Okay, bye.”
It's really a tiring day. Kanina nung recess nag away sina France at Alexa sa canteen. Actually, it's more like si France ang umaway kay Alexa. I can't blame her though.
As for David, kanina niya pa rin sinusuyo at sinusundan si France. Yung isa naman iwas ng iwas. Pati ako nadadamay dahil sinasama niya ako kahit saan siya nagpupunta.
I hope they can still fix everything up.
Pauwi na kami ngayon ni Ranzell. I manage to convince him na ihahatid na lang ulit namin siya ni kuya Jude sa bahay nila mamaya.
“Gosh, I hope France and David fix everything between them.” I said.
“Kanina ka pa hinihila ni France kung saan saan” natatawang sabi niya.
I pouted at him.
“Napagod ka?” he asked.
I rolled my eyes at him.
“Obviously. I even tried to stop her from almost pulling out Alexa's hair kanina dun sa canteen.”
“Oh? Talaga?” nagugulat na tanong niya.
“Yeah” tumatangong sabi ko.
Vacant hour kasi namin yun tapos nung pumunta kami ng canteen ay nandoon din sina Alexa. France couldn't contain her emotions, so she went to her.
“Nasaktan ka ba?” tanong niya.
Saglit akong natigilan bago umiling. Naiilang akong tumingin kay kuya Jude na nasa unahan lang naman ang tingin.
“O-of course not.”
Tumingin siya sa akin atsaka tumango.
“Oo nga pala, may game ulit kami mamaya.” nakangising sabi niya.
Tinaasan ko siya sa kilay.
“Basketball?”
Tumango siya.
“Oo. Babawi kami, natalo kami last time eh”
Sinimangutan ko siya. You even denied me, asshole.
“Buti nga sayo” I said then looked away.
I heard him laugh making me pursed my lips.
When the night came, I was contemplating if I should text Ranzell or not. I wanted to ask him if they win the game or not. I was planning to go in there but I Mom and Dad came home earlier than expected.
Dali dali kong kinuha ang cellphone ko ng tumunog iyon.
Ranzell calling........
“Hi” I answered.
“Hi- Oo sige...next time.”
My brows furrowed. It looks like the game just ended. Medyo maingay rin sa background niya.
“Sorry, katatapos lang.” he said.
“It's fine. Did you win?” I asked.
Narinig ko ang pagtawa niya bago sinagot ang tanong ko.
“Oo naman. Ako pa ba.” mayabang na sabi niya.
I rolled my eyes.
“Psh, napakayabang mo.” nakangusong sabi ko.
Tumawa muli siya. Nakagat ko ang labi. He's laugh sound so manly.
“Are you....going home already?”
“Oo na, wala naman na akong pupuntahan pa.”
I pursed my lips then nodded my head. Humiga ako sa kama habang hawak ang cellphone at nakatapat yun sa tainga.
“Matutulog ka na ba?” tanong niya.
“Later na. I'm not really that sleepy pa naman. Tell me about your game.”
“Hmmm....nanalo kami. Medyo malayo yung score namin sa kanila. Pero baka may next game pa ulit.”
“You....really like basketball noh?” nakangiting sabi ko.
“Oo..pero mas gusto kita.”
I slightly chuckled. Gosh, this guy is so corny.
“I don't think Jon jon play basketball though...” sabi ko.
My brows furrowed when the other line went dead silent.
“Hello? Ranzell?”
“Bakit mo siya sinasali sa usapan?” malamig na sabi niya.
Umawang ang labi ko at hindi agad nakasagot.
“Uhh...it's not like t-that. I mean...you're best friends and c-commonly they share the same habits, r-right?”
I heard him sigh but he's still not saying anything.
“Ranzell? Are you mad?” I asked.
“Hindi”
Nakagat ko ang labi. He sound mad.
“How about.....jealous?”
Saglit na katahimikan muli ang namagitan sa amin bago siya nagsalita.
“Hindi, bakit naman ako magseselos?” he said.
I bit my lip. He sounded so defensive.
I chuckled.
“Okay”
“Okay”
I laugh at his cuteness.
“I'll sleep na” I said.
Narinig ko ang buntunghininga niya. Nakagat ko ang labi para pigilan ang tawa.
“Sige, goodnight. Bangungutin ka sana”
Umawang ang labi ko dahil sa sinabi niya.
“Your so annoying.” nakangusong sabi ko.
“Mas lalo ka na” he said on the other line.
I rolled my eyes but I can't prevent my smile.
“Sige na, bye na.” I said.
“Bye” simpleng sagot niya.
“Bye sweetheart” I said teasingly before ending the call.
I tuck myself to bed with a smile on my face. He's annoyingly cute.
Nakatayo ako ngayon sa harap ng saradong classroom namin. Maaga akong nagpunta ngayon sa school. Wala pa rin ngayon si France, pinuntahan ko siya sa room niya kanina.
I am tapping my foot on the floor. Para lang malibang ako. I don't have anyone to talk to right now anyway.
Nang mag angat ako ng tingin ay agad akong napaayos ng tayo ng makita si Ranzell na naglalakad papunta sa gawi ko. I pursed my lips then looked around.
Nakanguso siya habang nakatingin sa akin. Natawa naman ako.
“What?” tanong ko ng huminto siya sa harapan ko.
Sumimangot siya atsaka nagpakawala ng isang buntunghininga.
“Good morning” he said.
Natawa ako dahil parang labag sa loob niya yung sinabi.
“Do you really wanna greet me a good morning or not?” nakataas ang kilay na tanong ko.
Naitikom niya yung labi atsaka tumitig sa akin. Titig na nakakapanghina pero pilit kong nilalabanan.
“Tinawag....” mahinang sabi niya.
My brows furrowed.
“Tinawag mo akong......sweetheart kagabi..” nakangusong sabi niya.
Umawang ang labi ko atsaka nagiwas ng tingin. Nakaramdam ako ng hiya ng maalala yung tinutukoy niya.
“Ulitin mo...tawagin mo ulit akong ganoon”
I was shock when he suddenly held my hand making me look at him. He is staring back into my eyes with a very calm smile on his lips.
“Sweetheart...” he said sweetly.
I don't know if he's calling or just making me say that word again. I pursed my lips then looked away.
Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko ng pagsiklopin niya ang kamay naming dalawa. Umawang ang labi ko atsaka napatitig sa magkahawak naming mga kamay.
When I looked at him, he is smirking at me.
“Kilig ka?” he asked teasingly.
Sinimangutan ko siya at akmang babawiin na ang kamay ko ng mas lalo niyang higpitan ang pagkakahawak doon.
“Let go of my hand..” nakangusong sabi ko.
“Ulitin mo muna..” nakangising sabi niya.
I pursed my lips then rolled my eyes at him. I heard him laugh then he pich my cheek again.
“Ranzell...” I said, annoyed.
I slap his hand away from my cheek.
“Wag nga kasi..” nakangusong sabi ko.
Natawa siya.
“Ang ganda mo..” nakangiting sabi niya.
Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin pero hindi ko mapigilan ang pag kawala ng ngiti sa labi ko.
“Shut up” nakangusong sabi ko.
Nang tumingin ako sa may hallway sa katabing building ng sa amin ay bahagyang nanlaki ang mata ko. I forcefully pull back my hand from Ranzell's hold when I saw Kath and Syndy walking over there.
Ranzell also look shock because of what I did. Sinundan niya ng tingin ang tinitingnan ko kanina. Nakita ko ang agad na pag tiim ng bagang niya.
When he looked at me, his face were already emotionless. I lowered my gaze. I feel terrible.
“I'm sorry..” mahinang sabi ko.
He didn't do nor say anything. I slowly looked up to him. He bitterly smiled.
“Hindi kita maintindihan..” he said.
I swallowed hard. The truth is I'm scared of his friends judgements towards me. Kahit dati, alam ko naman na hindi maganda ang tingin nila sa akin. They think ako ang epal sa love story ni Maxine at Jon jon. Noong nakakasama ko pa sila nung kami pa ni Jon jon, they didn't treat me bad but they didn't treat me good either. I tried to get close but there's always been a gap that I can't cross.
I broke up with Jon jon because I know that he also feel the same for Max. He's just so indenial about it.
We live in a community with a very judgemental people. And that's the truth.
“Hindi ganoon ang mga kaibigan ko, May Ann. Mababait silang tao.” he said.
I looked up to him and nodded.
“I k-know...” But I never felt it before. I am not that close with them.
He sighed then shook his head.
“Hindi pa nga tayo, kinakahiya mo na ako. At sa mga kaibigan ko pa talaga.”
Natigilan ako at hindi na nagkaroon ng pagkakataon na sumagot dahil tinalikuran niya na ako at naglakad na siya palayo.
I sighed and bit my lip. Is my reason unacceptable? Do I really care too much of what they are going to say? Is it so immature?
I feel so weak and gloomy all of a sudden. Ranzell is really mad at me. Hindi niya ako pinuntahan nung recess. Then I saw him hanging out with his friends in the canteen.
“Anong nangyari? Hindi pupunta si Ranzell?” France asked as we are having our lunch in one of the bench in the field.
“Probably not” I murmured.
“Bakit? War kayo?”
I sighed then looked at her.
“Am I being immature?” I asked.
Saglit siyang natigilan atsaka dahan dahang tumango. I pouted.
“Alam mo kasi, masyado kang nagki-care sa sasabihin nila. Tsaka kilala ko sina Kath, mababait sila.” she said.
“I just don't want them to think of me....differently” mahinang sabi ko.
“Ayaw mong masira sa kanila, kaya kayo ni Ranzell ang sisirain mo?”
Nakanguso akong umiling. Of course not.
“How are you and David?” I asked just to change the topic.
Umismid siya atsaka umirap sa hangin.
“Bahala siya. Sabi niya paghihirapan niya daw hanggang sa mapatawad ko siya.”
“And?”
“Edi, maghirap siya. Bahala siya, ginusto niya yun eh.” she said.
“What about Alexa-”
“Don't ever mention that bitch name” mataray na sabi niya.
Napangiwi ako.
“So, hindi pa rin kayo okay?”
“Sa tingin mo ba after nung ginawa niya na yun magiging okay pa kami.”
“So, wala na rin naman pala kayong chance ni David?” nakataas ang kilay na tanong ko.
Nag iwas siya ng tingin at hindi ako sinagot. Of course, she loves him.
When the class ended, I decided to talk to Ranzell already. I texted him to meet me in the lomihan. Nagpahatid ako doon kay kuya Jude at sinabing mauna na siyang umuwi dahil mag cocomute na lang ako.
I sat down on the one vacant table and waited for him before I order our food. Kakaunti lang ang customers nila ngayon, mostly yung mga construction workers.
I checked my message to him but there is still no reply from him. I pursed my lips and put my phone back into my bag. I will just wait for him.
It's already five-thirty now. Nangunot na ang noo ko dahil wala pa rin siya. For how long do I have to wait for him?
I waited for another few minutes. Then the rain started pouring down. Where is he? Hindi pa siya pupunta? Is he that mad and disappointed at me?
Napatingin ako sa taas ng may biglang pumatak sa pisngi ko. Akala ko ay ulan pero luha ko pala yun. The thought of him getting disappointed and not coming here hurts me so much. I wipe the tears that came streaming down my face.
Nakayuko akong tumayo atsaka kinuha ang bag. Nakayuko pa rin akong naglakad papalabas ng lomihan. My tears keeps streaming down my face.
Huminto muna ako sa may gilid ng lomihan para sumilong muna at magpatila ng ulan. Wala kasi akong dalang payong. Nakayuko lang ako habang nakatayo roon.
Kinuha ako ang cellphone atsaka nagtipa ng message kay kuya Jude. I will just tell him to fetch me here. Natigilan ako ng may maramdamang huminto sa may bandang gilid ko.
Nag angat ako ng tingin para tinginan kung sino yun. My lips parted when I saw Ranzell standing right beside me. Medyo basa ng ulan ang buhok at uniform niya. Nakalagay ang isang kamay sa bulsa at nakahawak sa bag ang isa.
Naitikom ko ang labi ng sunod sunod nang tumulo ang mga luha ko. Nakagat ko ang labi at agad na napayuko para punasan ang mga luha.
I heard him sighed before walking closer to me. Later on, I was envelope into a warm hug. His arms were wrapped around me, hugging me so tight.
“I'm sorry...” he murmured.
I felt him kiss my hair. Niyakap ko lang siya at hindi humiwalay. When my cries died down he pull himself away from me.
Bahagya siyang yumuko para magpantay ang mukha namin.
“Kanina ka pa?” malambing na tanong niya.
I looked away then nod my head. He held my face then wipe the tears in my face.
“Sorry, ngayon lang ako. Late dismissal kasi kami ngayon. Tapos umulan pa.”
I just nod my head. Hindi ko alam kung bakit parang bigla na lang ay nawala na ang boses ko.
“Galit ka ba?” tanong niya.
I looked at him then shook my head.
“Bat ayaw mo akong kausapin?” kunot ang noo na tanong niya.
I bit my lip before looking away.
“I...I'm sorry Ranzell...” mahinang sabi ko.
I sighed then looked at him. My lips parted a bit when he smiled at me.
“Kumain ka na ba?” nakangiting tanong niya.
Nakanguso akong umiling.
“I was waiting for you...”
He chuckled a bit before pulling me close to him. Inakbay niya ang braso sa akin atsaka ako iginiya muli papasok.
“Kain muna tayo bago kita ihahatid pauwi. Umuulan pa rin naman.” he said.
Nakagat ko ang labi atsaka nag angat ng tingin sa kaniya. Why is he so kind and very patient?
“R-ranzell....” I called his attention.
Nagbaba siya ng tingin sa akin.
“Bakit?”
“I'm sorry for being so immature and unreasonable..”
Saglit na umawang ang labi niya bago ngumiti.
“Gusto kita eh, kahit pa immature ka tsaka unreasonable. Mataray ka pa atsaka masungit.” natatawang sabi niya.
Sinimangutan ko siya atsaka kinurot sa tagiliran.
“Hindi ko sinabing mataray ako atsaka masungit..” I said.
“Bakit? Totoo naman ah” he said defensively.
“You are so nakakabwiset” nakangusong sabi ko na ikinatawa niya.
Ipagpapatuloy..............