· · · · ·
xyra
I can't help but to giggle at what Kole just sent. Kanina ko pa hindi mapigilan ang tawa ko sa bardagulan nila rito sa guestroom ng Hachiro.
Kanina ay nagising na lang ako at naka-add na ako rito sa guestroom nila. And guess what? The hormone of your goddess is in war. What a gorgeous start for a gorgeous goddess is it!
It is just almost five o'clock when I woke up, but because of the excitement, I immediately started to move. Siyempre, kailangan kumilos na ako agad at baka maunahan. Not that I'm being selfish, but I am just being careful!
I didn't expect them to reply by that time kasi nga maaga pa. But, who am I kidding?
Hachiro Kings : Guestroom
Azalea:
good morning! sana maganda
ang gising niyo ngayon kasi
maganda na ang sa 'kin ^^
Lead Kole:
gomo
Co-Founder Aizen:
good morning
sent a photo. *1
Co-Head Raiko:
HELLOOOO
Azalea:
hi! buti gising na kayo
Lead Kole:
correction: gising pa, not gising
na
Co-Lead Yohan:
hayok ka ehh
Lead Kole:
sorry ah? parang kasalanan ko na
maraming pinapagawa tas lahat
ngayon due 🙄🙄🙄
It's just been few hours when I started to talk to them and all I could say is that, Kole is the clowny guy. He's the lead at madalas niyang kasama sa kalokohan si Raiko at si Yohan.
Ewan ko rin ba. Bentang-benta sa 'kin ang kagaguhan nila. Baka mamaya lang ay kabagin na rin ako sa katatawa sa kanila. They're just effortless pero ewan.
Aside from them, nandiyan rin si Aizen na co-founder nila. May mangilan-ngilan na ring non-members na sumasali sa usapan pero hindi ko naman sila pinapansin. I am deeply focused sa mga admins.
At napansin ko rin na hindi pa lumilitaw ang founder nila. Kanina pa nga ako nandito pero wala pa rin siya kahit seen or good morning. Siguro hindi pa gising kaya nga hinihintay ko pa rin hanggang ngayon. I bet that he will make his appearance before this day ends.
Walang ingay ngunit malawak ang arko ng labi kong tinahak ang daan pataas sa mga hagdan dahil natigil na rin ang pag-uusap nila sa guestroom. They told us that they were already in their school and already starting their classes, as of the moment. That's why they decided to put an end to our conversation as of now. Baka raw mahuli pa sila.
Nang makarating ko sa classroom ay bumungad kaagad ang nakakabinging ingay ng mga kaklase ko.
Hindi na naman iyon bago sa akin dahil mula unang araw pa lang naming magkakila-kilala ay ganito na kami. Walang hiya-hiya dito, ika nila. Mas matindi pa nga raw 'yung mga nasa ABM, e. Well, I can agree. Nando'n si Owen, e.
Nang dumiretso ako sa upuan kong pinagigitnaan ni Linzy at Charm, do'n ko na nakita ang dalawa.
Charm is smiling in front of her screen while continuously tapping that white button. Pinapalipat-lipat niya pa ang cellphone para maiba ang angle ng shot. On the other hand, Linzy is facing her big and thick book. Kung hindi ko alam kung ano ang pigura niya ay hindi ko siya makikilala dahil natatakpan ng libro ang mukha niya.
"Good morning!" huminto saglit si Charm sa pag-picture at bumati. Binati ko naman ito pabalik.
I carefully put down my bag on my seat before quickly grabbing Linzy's book. Agad naman niyang naibaling ang tingin sa akin sa kabila ng makapal na salamin habang nakakunot ang noo.
I threw her a smile. "Happy birthday!"
"Thank you." Her gloomy face is now replaced by her bright smile.
Naupo ako sa upuan ko bago isinara ang libro. "What's with the book? It's your birthday," I asked her before putting her book on my table.
Itong babae talaga na 'to, hindi marunong maghinay-hinay sa pag-aaral. It's pissing me off that she's still reading her books, until now. Come on! It's her birthday. Can't she take a break!
"I'm fine. 'Yan ang stress-reliever ko," sagot nito na dahilan para mapaismid ako.
"Since when did math become a stress reliever?"
As if I would believe what she just said. Math? Out of all subjects? Mas maniniwala pa ako kung ang sasabihin niya ay Science or Literatures, but Math? My gosh!
She shook her head while smiling at me before stretching her arm to claim her book but I spread my arm wider to bring it farther.
"Can you please just relax? It's your day, Lin! My gosh!"
She looked at me more as if telling me to give up the book but I just arched my brow and glide down my gaze telling her it won't work. Sorry. Maybe if I was Charm, I would but I'm not.
The ends of my lips curved when she produced a heavy sigh. Told you that won't work.
"Okay, hindi na. Just give it back to me," she surrendered.
I offered her the book, but when she was just about to grab it from me I pulled it back to me. "As if."
"Xyra," she called me with threatening tone. Hindi ko siya pinansin at inilapag ang libro sa desk ko bago yumuko roon na nasa kaniya ang tingin.
Nakita ko ang muli niyang buntonghininga at ang pag-iling bago sumandal. "Pumunta kayo sa bahay mamaya. Naghanda sila Mama."
Tumango ako rito saka naglipat ng tingin kay Charm na nakadantay na ang siko't nakapatong roon ang ulo, sa mesa ng armchair ko.
"Pupunta kami kahit hindi mo kami imbitahin, 'no!" ani Charm sa kaharap na si Linzy.
Marahan kong hinatak ang dulo ng buhok nito. "Kung saan naman may pagkain nando'n ka, e."
"Siyempre, food is life kaya!"
Natatawang napailing ako sa ka-hyper-an niya. Basta talaga pagkain ay go na go siya. Ang takaw-takaw niya pero pisngi lang ang tumataba.
Nahinto kami sa pag-uusap nang dumating ang teacher at simulan ang klase. Nagtuloy-tuloy ang pag-discuss nila at d-in-ismiss na rin kami.
"Kita na lang tayo sa bahay niyo. I'll go first, baka magsimula na ang club meeting," paalam ko sa dalawa habang isinusukbit ang bag ko sa aking kaliwang braso.
I just waved at them and when they waved back, I took my way to our club room.
Today is the dated day that we will elect new set of officers for our beloved club, that is unusually late compared to the past year's. Masyado yatang maraming ginagawa ang mga moderator.
"Psst," sitsit sa akin ni Owen nang makapasok ako sa room.
I released a silent sigh before eyes rolled. Kahit kita ko sa peripheral vision na ako nga ang tinatawag ng lalaki ay hindi ko ito binigyan ng atensyon. There's a vacant seat in the middle part kaya do'n ako dumiretso imbis na sa tabi niya.
Wala pa ang moderator namin pero marami-rami na rin ang mga estudyanteng nandito. There are new faces but some are just my colleagues last year. They are all murmuring toward each other. Surely, that's pure fusses.
I brought back my gaze in front of me when I heard a loud screeching noises of a chair. Nang mahanap ng mata ko ang pinanggagalingan no'n ay wala sa sariling napairap na naman ako.
It is Owen, rotating his chair to face me. His chair is just sitting up in the line in front of me. He is holding a camera while effortlessly spinning around, ignoring the other chairs even if they got squished to the other chairs and got messed. This guy is really something.
"'Lika dito. May papakita ako," sabi niya habang inuusod ang upuan habang nakaupo na siya do'n. Dahil na rin siguro sa curiousity ko ay bumigay na ako. I took a peek in his camera kung saan naroon ang ipapakita niya kamo.
My brows collided when I saw what he wants to show me. There are too many pictures. Pictures of different women na hindi ko alam kung saan niya kinuha.
"Ganda," komento pa niya habang malaki ang ngiti habang naglilipat ng mga pictures.
Sinamaan ko 'to ng tingin bago binatukan. "Just as I thought you were being serious to something, you're gonna show me that?"
"Ayan ka na naman sa pabatok-batok mo sa 'kin, e. 'Pag ako, nabobo talaga," sagot niya pa habang kakamot-kamot sa ulo na sumandal. "Init ng ulo mo! Inggit ka lang yata kasi sila sexy at magaganda."
"Excuse me?"
"Oh, bakit? Maganda ka ba? Maarte ka lang!"
"I am not! Gan'to lang talaga kumilos ang mga diyosa."
"Ulul! Kahit ikwento mo 'yan sa pwet ko, 'di siya maniniwala."
"You're so gross. My gosh!"
I can't believe this guy. He really knows how to turn my gorgeous face into a pretty grimaced face. Just how we are even friends?
I shook my head as I exhale. Kung saan-saan ba talaga ako nagsusuot para makahanap ng isang alien na katulad ni Owen? Like... my gosh!
Binalingan ko ulit siya ng tingin para lang makita ang abot tengang ngiti nito habang nakatitig pa rin sa camera niya. He looks like a creep. Capturing women on the street and looking at them like that?
Napailing na lang ako sa itsura ni Owen. Creep.
Well, Owen is one of the photojournalist in our club. That's why it isn't new if you saw him carrying a camera. Kaso lang ay hindi mo rin alam kung paano niya naisisingit ang pag-picture sa mga babae habang seryosong gumagawa ng ipanlalagay sa d'yaryo. And take note that it is school's newspaper. It doesn't make any sense, right?
I took a quick glance into the window to see if our moderator is nearly here. When there's no hint of her, I pulled back my glance and turned on my phone. Baka nand'yan na si Ellis or any founder on my list.
There were lots of them. Nagkakagulo ang inbox ko sa biglaang pag-open ng mobile data. Nagpalipas muna ako ng ilang segundo para maayos na mag-load muna ang mga messages bago ko ito buksan.
Tumagal ito ng ilang saglit dahil ang iba ay active na active pa rin na nag-uusap ngayon. But the guestroom of Hachiro is on the top that's why I opened it first when it got peaceful for a moment.
Hachiro Kings : Guestroom
Head Kreux:
wat ip gawa tayo rr*
*RR, in RPW, refers to the short term of the word Red Room—where they send and exchange s-xual videos.
Shin:
uy nueyan?
Co-Head Raiko:
UY
UY
WAT IP?
Head Kruex replied to Shin:
uy nueyan?
send link pu 😔😔😔
Lead Kole:
gege gawa kayo
Head Kreux:
ay pede?
Achi replied to Lead Kole:
gege gawa kayo
Ay pumayagg gora na mga bhii
Lead Kole:
kung papayag yung bebe q
Head Kreux:
ay
Lead Kole:
pero wat ip?
teneneng~ jooopaaay~
Cofounder Aizen:
cute ng pusa sa school
sent a photo. *2
The recent chats caused me to produce a little chuckle. So they are this organized, huh? Very well disciplined by their founder. Mas lalo tuloy akong na-curious sa founder nila. Kung ganito ka-disiplinado ang mga admins, surely their founder is reserved.
Kalma, Xyra. Kakayanin mo pa rin namang landiin 'yan. Just don't push it too far kapag nahahalata ka na niya. We need a little adjustment and a little longer patience for this one.
Nakuha ang atensyon ko nang isang notification ang bumaba mula sa panel bar.
Ryder Draven:
my classes just ended
want ko manood
tara watch together tayo
Oh, it's Ryder. He's the one and only founder of Draven Dancerhood. Hindi ko sana papatulan 'to kung hindi lang ako na-amaze sa mga paggalaw niya. I can say that he is really a great dancer. He can control his body so well.
I was about to tap on the notification to compose a reply message when I was halted by the person beside me.
"What if ikaw ang mag-head news writer this year?"
Owen cut me from my moment with the Hachiros when he popped that question. I though of it a little for a while.
"Pwede naman. But logically thinking, maybe this is not the right time," I answered him. "And for goddess' sake, I applied as a radio broadcaster."
"Pasok pa rin 'yon, engot!" malakas ang boses na sagot nito. Narinig yata ng buong room kaya napatingin 'yung iba. "Si Zayn last year, hindi news writer pero head."
"Ih! 'Wag mo 'ko igaya do'n."
"Arte," he commented but I just shrugged it off. 'Yan na naman siya. "Sabagay, walang 'ya rin 'yon."
When the room suspiciously became quiet I took glance in front of us. Dumating na pala si Ma'am.
"Okay, Pacheco, paki ayos ang upuan then lead the prayer."
I can't help but to suppress a laughter. Nagtataka pa itong tumingin kay Ma'am Faustino bago tumayo. When he face us, I forced my sight down as I exhale. He always looked so annoyed when leading a prayer and his face just gives me something to laugh at.
Ryder Draven
my classes just ended
want ko manood
tara watch together tayo
i'm still in school, maybe later
pag-uwi ko ^^
okay chat mo ko ahh
sure
I let out a smile after replying to Ryder. He's easy to cope up with. We've been doing things for almost a month. Matagal na siya kumpara sa mga bagong dating. Nauna ko kasi siyang makita bago ang mga nasa listahan na binigay ni Czerina.
Madali lang mahuli ang mga gusto ng lalaki na 'to. He's soft and much open to everyone than those who are like Ellis from Hachiro Kings.
I think it was just two or three days that I did the first moves for him and the rest ay siya na ang palaging nagfi-first move. Speaking from experience, this is the one of the basics. Kapag nakuha mo ang vibe nila within that time, sila na mismo ang lalapit sa 'yo. Trust me.
Ryder and I have been talking and join a call together. He's the one who asked me to join a call with him and that's how I know it's a win for me. Simula no'n he's been calling everytime he wants to call me. It's fine for me since I am just here on the other line with a closed camera and microphone.
Bakit ko bubuksan? Hindi niya deserve, 'no! Hindi ko pa ng ipinapakita ang picture ko kahit kanino, e. Well, that's the rule. Si Czerina palang yata ang may alam ng totoo kong account. Aside from her, there's no one.
Try harder to be above the average standard and strive to be on my level then I might reconsider my decisions.
I exited from our conversation panel and opened the next unread conversation.
Collin Corvin
You replied to Collin's story
huy, grabe na 'yan
grabe ka rin ehh
ikaw talaga yan
weh ba?
seryoso ikaw tlaga yan
Napairap ako nang mabasa ulit ang usapan namin ni Collin. He's the founder of Corvin Comrade and he's clingy. I am not even flirting with him but he's already on me.
As far as I remember, isinali lang ako ni Czerina sa guestroom nila. I don't even know that she added me there until I asked her. She said that she is added by whoever knows and then Cze thought about me. Naalala ko 'yung kabaliwan mo sa mga founder, she said.
They didn't actually labelled the official members of the brotherhood that's why I am not aware that Collin is their founder na siya naman pala 'tong nagpapapansin sa 'kin simula noon pa lang una-una.
Nainis pa nga ako sa kaniya. Muntik ko na siyang i-real talk sa guestroom nila dahil sa pagiging papansin niya pero nalaman ko na siya pala 'yung founder. Of course, I shut my mouth up and just added him on my list.
Pinagtiisan ko rin siya ng ilang linggo na. He's good at start but he's been getting worse every single day. He will demand that we should call. It's just fine for me, though. But when I refuse, he will insist more! E, pa'no nga kung ayaw ko kasi may iba akong katawagan?
There's this one time- no, this happened many times! He asked me if he can call me. I refused because I was with another call with another founder. But he insisted even if I said no many times! Tinawagan niya ako that time and got mad at me kasi raw, Kaya pala ayaw mo kasi may iba kang ka-call.
He left hanging with disbelief in those times. Iiwan niya ako for some hours and he will be back asking me if he can call already. Hindi ko talaga siya maintindihan. Is he my boyfriend to act that way?
Kaunting-kaunti na lang talaga igho-ghost ko na 'tong lalaki na 'to, e. Don't push me too far, bitch.
Nakatanggap pa ako ng isang notification mula sa kaniya. Tiningnan ko iyon mula sa panel bar para mabasa.
Collin Corvin:
call ako
pleeeeease?
I can't help but to roll my eyes around. Speaking of Collin just callin'.
Azalea Rava:
can't, still in school
Collin Corvin:
okiiie :)
Hindi ko na s-in-een ang last message niya at binasa na lang sa notification. I shook my head before letting out a heavy sigh. These founders...
Imbis na i-open pa ang ibang mga founder na nag-message sa akin, dumiretso na lang ako sa guestroom ng Hachiro. I need to at least escape from these guys. Inii-stress nila ang pagiging gorgeous being ko.
Hachiro Kings : Guestroom
Head Kreux:
eto naa HAHAHAHAHHSHA
sent a photo.
You, Co-Head Raiko, and 9 others reacted (😆) to Head Kreux's photo
Co-Head Raiko:
GAGO ANONG KLASENG EDIT
YAN
PANGBASURA AMPOTA
Azalea:
ang jeje HAHAHAHA
Co-Founder Aizen, Head Kreux, and 7 others reacted (😆) to your message
Co-Founder Aizen:
wala na bang igaganda yan?
sent a photo. *3
Lead Kole:
uy kreux ayusin mo ngaaa
Head Kreux:
maayos naman
Shin:
ayos b yn? hahaha
Azalea:
bakit kasi ganyan? HAHAHAHA
Lead Kole:
parang bonak kasi mag eidt netong
ulo na to ehh
edit
Co-Lead Yohan:
Aling ulo daw ba kasii
Head Kreux, Azalea, and 7 other reacted (😆) to Co-Lead Yohan's message
Head Kreux:
ang gago yohan HAHAHAHAHAH
Lead Kole:
mas gago ka kreux ehh
ayusin mo ngaa tangina naman ohh
Shin:
uy ngagalit n yng lead nyi
Lead Kole:
nakakatangina naman kayo
Co-Lead Yohan:
Uy gago ayusin niyo na kasii
Head Kreux:
wait nga lang kasi gago
ang hirap kaya
Lead Kole replied to Co-Lead:
Uy gago ayusin niyo na kasii
isa ka pang gumagatong yohan
tapos gaganyan ka
Azalea:
shut na lang ang mouth, kreux
Co-Head Raiko:
KEEP CALM AND KEEP EDITING
ULO SA KRUS
Achi:
Oo bhii
Wag ka na lang magtalk
Lead Kole:
nung nakaraan pa kasi kreux ehh
Founder Ellis:
Ano 'to?
Pareho lang ang pinagtatalunan sa
main at guestroom?
I can't help but to produce a gasp when I saw Ellis' bubble. Wait. My goddess! He really appeared.
"Hoy."
My head instantly rotated to my side when Owen poked me using his elbow.
"Ano na naman 'yan? Mag-ready ka muna ng pangmalakasang speech, nominated ka as head layout artist, oh," sambit niya bago tinuro ang whiteboard kung saan nakasulat nga ang pangalan as a nominee.
Goddess! Because I am so drawn into the group chat I forgot that I still have an ongoing meeting.
"Okay, well done. To help you, I am with Jesse with the past years since he studied here in junior highschool. And he's been competing for the school in poster making contests. That's all I know. Now, let's hear another words from another nominee, Xyra Andrade. Please come forward."
Wait. My gosh! Ako na agad? Shit!
I immediately stand up when she called me. Ayokong magmukhang hindi ready, though hindi naman talaga ako ready.
Gosh! Kung kailan ba naman kasing nand'yan na ang baby Ellis ko, e! Naudlot tuloy ang excitement ko. But for my Ellis, I'm gonna do my best. Dapat may mailalaban ako.
Don't underestimate me when it comes to impromptu speeches. Remember that I am a radio broadcaster.
"If you are gonna look through my previous works, it'll prove my creativeness and flexibility. I am Xyra Irene Andrade, another nominee for being the head layout artist," I introduced and took another deep breath. You can do this, Xyra.
"Despite of being the radio broadcaster, looking back to the previous years, I have been with our former head layout artist which is Giselle Montes; creating and brainstorming for the right graphics and illustrations that will fit our newspaper. Mrs. Faustino, on the other hand, can testify that I am truly saying raw facts," I continued as I made an eye contact to each one of new faces gathering their trusts.
"Being your head layout artist is a wide opportunity. I can also show you how I really work up with graphics and not just in verbal communications. I truly hope that you can vote for me and let's spice up our newspaper with more conceptualized ideas. With that, I hope you already have an idea who to vote." I gave my last wink and took my bow.
"Very well said, Xyra. And yes, noon pa katulong na siya ni Giselle, the former head layout artist, along with Heidy na gr-um-aduate na rin. She's also a layout artist."
Nang makaupo ako sa upuan ay sinalubong agad ako ng nang-aasar na ngisi ni Owen. "Pa-seminar nga, lods. Bagsak ako sa extempo no'ng junior, e."
Natatawang inilingan ko siya. "Bagsak ka ba no'n?" As far as I know hindi siya bumaba ng 95 sa extemporaneous speech on our junior highschool."
"Sige, ikumpara mo 'yung 96 sa naka-100. Grabe 'yon, lods," rebutt niya pa habang umiiling. "Pero 'pag ikaw hindi pa nanalo sa lagay na 'yon, abangan natin sa kanto."
"Gago," mahinang komento ko bago tumawa.
The election took time and as a former member, it's just normal. We have a lot of positions. Well, newspaper is not an easy peasy weezy spell that in one stir, you'll have it. It requires time and patience. That's the reason why we need proper management and full cooperation of each member.
Kahit anong sawa mo sa paper ay kailangang paulit-ulitin ang pagp-proofread to lessen the typographical errors. Papers and ink are precious. Hindi kami pwedeng mag-print na lang nang mag-print every changes that we will do.
Marami rin ang competition when it comes to journalism at may iba't ibang categories do'n. Some are news, editorial, sports, cartooning, photojournalism, radio broadcasting and collab. We can't let any vacant seat as is. We'll lose our opportunity.
But, I'm glad that our newsletter club still got numerous members. Hindi kami nahirapang magtalaga ng positions because the members are cooperating. Sana pati sa mga susunod na projects ay active sila. Kakalbuhin ko sila kung hindi.
In the end, I became a radio broadcaster and head layout artist while Owen got to be the head photojournalist. At kanina ko pa siya inaasar tungkol do'n.
"Baka ang ending, maging bulgar ang newspaper natin," pagkausap ko kay Owen na ngayo'y kasabay kong naglalakad.
"Gusto mo ba?" nang-uudyok nitong sagot. Napatingala naman ako sa kanya.
Yes, I am looking up. Kaya ayokong katabi siya kapag nakatayo, e. I look like an elf. Why? Because he is seriously 6'1" while I'm just 5'3"!
"'Wag ka na tumingala, baka mangalay ka."
My brows creased because of his statement. "Giraffe kasi ang kausap ko, e."
"Kesa naman sa dwende, 'di ba?" This man is decreasing my self-confidence. "Minsan nga hindi na kita marinig kasi ang layo mo. Makukuba na ako sa kakayuko para lang marinig ka. 'Lam mo ba 'yon?"
"So, is it my fault that you barely clean you ears?"
"Tara sa clinic, linisin mo. Baka mas marinig kita."
"Ew!" I grunted throwing him a disgusted look. "You're so gross."
"Kaya nga lilinisin, engot 'to."
"Why me? You're the one who has a problem!"
"Sino ba 'tong reklamo nang reklamo? 'Di ba, ikaw? Ta's sasabihan mo 'ko ng gan'yan? Aba! Naglilinis ako ng tenga araw-araw. Malayo ka lang talaga."
Sasagot pa sana ako dahil wala sa bokabularyo ko ang magpatalo ang kaso lang may napansin ako.
My brows creased as I was trying to recognize it. I was halted from walking when I finally recognized that smell and as if it was a bell, everything came rushing to me.
No. No. It can't happen right now.
"Owen? Owen?" my mouth unconciously blurted out his name.
"Oh?" he answered. "Anong atin, mars? May sinasabi pa ako tapos sasabihin mo pangalan ko. Trip mo talaga pangalan ko, e, 'no?"
I took a gulp and hold onto his arms as I claim back my breath. Bakit naman ngayon pa? Out of all time? No- bakit pa ulit?
I pressed shut my eyes for a few seconds to gather myself. Bakit ko pa naalala? Bakit hindi pa 'yon mabura sa pandama ko? Pwede bang gaya ng unnecessary files sa cellphone ay i-delete na lang din 'yon?
"Oh, ano nang nangyayari sa 'yo? May masakit? Saan? Pagod na ba paa mo? May tsinelas ako dito sa bag, gusto mong magpalit?"
Nakuha niya ang atensyon ko mula sa pagkakapako ng tingin sa malayo. I slowly give him back my gazes, unsure but I just nodded to his question. I needed that. Thank you. Thank you, Owen.
"Teka." Marahan niyang tinanggal ang kamay ko sa braso niya at binuksan ang bag niya.
While he was busy getting his slippers, I looked down and brought my hand close to my chest, feeling the rhythm of my heartbeats. Napapikit ako bago naglabas ng mabigat pero tahimik na buntonghininga. I don't want him to hear it. He might get worried and I don't want that to happen.
"Oh," sambit niya at narinig ko na lang ang pagbagsak ng isang bagay sa sahig. "Suot mo."
Naglipat muna ako ng tingin sa kanya bago ibinaba ang tingin sa tsinelas niya. I stepped out of my heels and wear his slippers.
There we go. It doesn't really helped me ease the heavy weight I suddenly felt in my chest but it I'm glad he is there to keep me sane.
Yumuko siya at kinuha ang sapatos ko saka isinilid 'yon sa paper bag kung saan galing ang tsinelas na ipinahiram niya. He handed it to me.
"Iuwi mo muna, mamaya ko kukunin 'pag nadaan ako sa inyo."
Mabilis ko lamang na kinuha mula sa kamay niya ang paper bag dahil dama ko ang panginginig ng kamay ko. Mahirap na at baka makita pa niya.
Having a hard time, but I still gave him the warmest smiled I could pull off. "Thank you." For keeping me sane.
"Sabi sa inyo, magdadala kayo ng tsinelas para 'pag uwian na makakapagpalit kayo. Taas pa naman ng takong niyo. Hirap sa inyo, hindi kayo nakikinig."
I took another gulp as that thing is still fresh in my senses. Mariin kong ipinikit ang mata bago siya harapin. "Nakakalimutan ko kasi."
Tamad nito akong inirapan habang naiiling-iling. Parang awtomatiko namang napataas ang kilay ko sa inasta ng lalaki. What? Wow, a?
Nanatili ang matalim niyang tingin sa malayo habang nag-iinarte. Hindi ko na napigilan ang paglabas ng tawa ko.
"Oh, anong tinatawa-tawa mo?"
"Iirap-irap ka d'yan, mali-mali naman 'yung ginagawa mo," I commented. Anong klaseng irap 'yon? Gosh! Irap pa ba 'yon?
"Mali ba?"
My shoulders dropped before throwing an are-you-fucking-serious look.
"Pa'no ba?"
Really? He really doesn't know how to do it?! My gosh!
aribahaghari
found you