Serenity Hiraya
"Why did you do that?" Singhal ko sa kanya nang makababa kaming dalawa sa gym.
He shrugged. "It pisses you off. Natutuwa ako."
"What?!"
He smirked. "Hindi ka ba nag-eenjoy, Añasco?"
"Bakit naman ako mag-eenjoy, Alvarez?" Inis na tanong ko.
Naging seryoso ang mukha niya. "Exactly my point. Hindi ako nag-enjoy nung mali-mali ang sinulat mo sa notes ko. It was funny for you, right?"
I rolled my eyes. "Duh! It was because you didn't let me sleep nang maayos nung nakaraan kaya nakatulog ako sa klase ni ma'am."
"I did that because you left my diorama. I asked you nicely, remember?"
"Whatever. Don't talk to me again," sabi ko bago siya tinalikuran.
Nagsimula na ring magsidatingan ang representatives sa ibang strand. Ilang minuto rin ay dumating na 'yung teacher na mag-organize sa event.
"Reminder! On Tuesday is casual wear. Please wear your casual clothes and your introduction since naka base sa performance niyo ang magiging half score ng audience impact. Then Friday will be the final walk with the question and answer..."
Bumuga ako ng malakas na hininga nang marinig ko ang instructions ng teacher na may hawak ng Ginoo at Binibining Wika Contest. Kulang na lang ay maging Miss Universe ang contest dahil may preliminaries pang nalalaman.
"That's it, guys! Thank you for attending our practice today. Good luck for Tuesday!" The instructor clapped her hands as she bowed down a little to thank us.
The moment I heard it, I immediately sat down on the bench and brought out my handkerchief. I am so tired and my feet hurt with all the walks and stands. It felt like this was the only time I sat down after two hours of practicing. Good thing tomorrow is Saturday. I don't need to leave the house.
Nagulat ako nang tumabi sa akin si Alvarez.
I avoided his gaze when I remembered what he said last time. He seemed cool with it while I nearly died of embarrassment after my classmates started calling me 'binibini.'
"Kumain ka na?" Tanong niya sa akin habang nagpupunas ng pawis.
"What do you want?" Mataray na sagot ko.
"I was just asking you kung kumain ka na. Hindi ba pwede?"
"Hindi pa, bakit?"
"Lugaw tayo?" He asked as if it was just normal for us to eat together.
"Hindi pa naman ako gutom. Tsaka, wala akong pera, nasa unit," palusot ko.
"Libre ko..." sagot niya bago tumayo at sinuot ang bag niya. "Tara na. Anong oras na, oh."
Makaaya, akala mo hindi niya ako inaasar kanina.
I sighed before getting my bag and my tumbler. Upon standing, my knees buckled weakly, which made me almost lose my balance.
I almost fell to the floor if Alvarez wasn't fast enough to grab my arm.
"Tapos sasabihin mong hindi ka pa gutom?" Natatawang tanong niya.
"Shut up. Tara na nga."
Sabay kaming naglakad palabas ng gym. Nang makarating kami sa main gte ay madilim na ang langit, probably it was because it was already 5:30 PM.
Dumiretso kami sa lugawan na madadaanan namin pauwi. I settled in one of the seats while he ordered for us. Mabilis din namang sinerve sa amin ang lugaw na may kasama pang togue.
Ngayon ko lang naramdaman ang gutom nang malanghap ko ang amoy ng lugaw.
Mabilis akong sumandok sa lugaw bago ipinasok sa bibig ang kutsara dahilan para mapaso ang dila ko.
"Aw," I groaned.
"Alam ng mainit hindi man lang hinihipan bago sumubo."
Nag-angat ako ng tingin kay Alvarez na nakakunot ang noo. Kinuha niya ang sarili niyang kutsara bago inilipat sa aking mangko at hinalo ang lugaw.
"Hindi ba tinuro sa'yo na haluin muna ang pagkain o kaya ihipan bago kainin?" Tanong niya bago inihipan ang pagkain ko. "Tanga..." I heard him murmured.
"Excuse me?" Iritang tanong ko. How dare him call me tanga? Kasalanan ko bang gutom na ako at nawala 'yon sa isipan ko?
"Walang daanan," sagot niya. "Oh, kumain ka na," utos niya nang matapos siyang maghalo.
I rolled my eyes but still followed his command. We ate in silence but I could feel him staring at me.
"Kailan ka huling kumain?"
"Nung lunch break. 11:30," sagot ko.
"Bakit hindi ka kumain nung 2? Vacant natin 'yon, ah? Alam mong may practice tayo, e."
"Wala akong pagkain tapos wala nga akong pera 'di ba? Paulit-ulit ka talaga."
Kinuha ko ang togue bago ito sinawsaw sa suka. In fairness, masarap ang togue nila. Unlike sa ibang tindahan na hindi ko alam kung ano ang nilalagay kasi sobrang alat. Tamang-tama rin 'yung lasa ng suka nila, manamis-namis.
"Alam mo kung saang lugar nag originate 'yung togue?" Tanong niya bago kumagat sa pagkain niya.
I shrugged. I don't know. Gano'n na ba siya katalino para malaman kung saang lugar galing ang togue?
"Saan?" Pakikisakay ko.
"Sa Tuguegarao."
Natigil ako sa pagsubo nang marinig ko ang sinabi niya. Naibalik ko sa bowl ang kutsara nang narealize ko ang joke niya.
"Last mo na 'yan, ah."
He laughed at my retort. He even threw his back as he laughed lovingly.
My ears felt at ease when I heard his laugh. He sounded so handsome. His white teeths were showing perfectly even though he tried to cover his mouth.
Ang pogi niya talaga tumawa.
I cringed at the thought. Nope, hindi siya gwapo.
Pinupunasan niya ang gilid ng mga mata niya nang maka recover siya katatawa sa sarili niyang joke.
"That was good. It was funny."
"Sana pala nilagyan ko ng alamat ng togue 'yung notes mo sa MIL para mg mukhang ikaw ang gumawa."
When he heard my statement, he immediately changed from goofy to stoic. He was now serious as he glared at me.
Doon ako napatawa. His reaction was priceless.
I raked my hair using my fingers while laughing. He was still looking at me like I was some kind of enemy.
"Kaya pala ang bilis mong pumayag na gawin 'yung notes ko. May plano ka pala."
"Of course. Do you think I would let you have a higher grade than me? Dream on, Alvarez."
Tinigil niya na ang pang-aasar sa akin matapos 'yon. Sabay naming inayos ang mesa bago kami nagbayad at umalis sa lugawan.
Pagdating namin sa unit ay inilabas ko agad ang heels na kanina pa nasa bag ko. It was a beige platform heels with straps. I borrowed it from Vi since I don't own this kind of footwear. She wanted to lend me her stilettos but I refused.
First is I don't know how to walk on heels and secondly, mabilis magka paltos ang paa ko.
I took a half bath first before changing into a pair of pajamas. I tied my short hair first before wearing my glasses again. I went back to the living room to practice my walk.
Kinabit ko muna ang strap ng heels sa paa ko bago ako dahan-dahang tumayo habang nakahawak sa couch.
Saktong bumukas ang pinto ng kuwarto ni Alvarez at iniluwa ang bagong ligo kong roommate. He was now wearing a black Nike shorts and a white plain tee. I was amazed how he managed to hold his 60 oz tumbler using only his one hand, the ends of his fingers almost meet.
"This okay?" I asked him while pointing at the heels I'm wearing.
"Akala ko hindi ka marunong mag heels?"
I rolled my eyes. "Duh! Kaya nga mag-aaral na ako ngayon."
"Pwede ka namang hindi mag high heels, ah?"
I snickered with his retort. "Gusto mo lang magmukhang matangkad kapag magkatabi tayo."
"Matangkad naman talaga ako."
I started walking with heels on while he was still watching me. Nakahawak pa ako sa wall dahil pakiramdam ko ano mang oras ay mawawalan ako ng balanse.
This is harder than I thought. Kung lakad pa nga lang ay nahihirapan na ako, ano pa sa pag-ikot?
I walked from the living room to the kitchen to where Alvarez was standing. He already filled his tumbler with water but stayed there to observe me. He watched me intently like a hawk, as if waiting for me to fall.
Sinubukan kong maglakad nang hindi nakahawak. Maliliit lang ang hakbang na ginagawa ko dahil sa takot na matapilok.
Because of that, he extended his hand in front of me. My brows almost collided with his actions but I still reached for his hand. His palm was warm and unlike my other guys I've held hands with, he has the softest skin. His fingers felt nice against mine as he became my guide.
I shivered with the electricity that flowed between our bodies. I shrugged it off as I tried to focus on what I was doing.
Itinaas niya ang kamay naming magkahawak bago nagsalita, "practice your turn."
Dahan-dahan akong umikot sa ilalim ng braso niya na tila ba nagsasayaw kami. Biglang naging malabo ang paligid matapos kong umikot at napatitig sa kanya.
He was staring at me, keeping an eye contact. The blood rushed up to my face as I felt the butterflies dancing on my stomach because of the look he's giving me. The kind of gaze that will bring me to my knees.
Muli akong naglakad habang hawak niya ang kamay ko, gumagabay. Ang sumunod na hakbang ay nagpakita na tanga talaga ako dahil natapilok ako. Pero, imbes ma matumba ako ay naramdaman ko ang presensya niya sa likod ko.
He held my waist gently.
"Be careful," he whispered.
He said that in a low tone. I know it's his normal voice but that sent shivers down my spine.
Unconsciously, I took a step forward and with my buckling knees, I slipped. At dahil hawak ko ang kamay niya, sumama siya sa pagbagsak ko.
I landed on my butt, yet instead of wincing in pain, I laughed.
Alavrez was behind me, his left hand on my waist. He was also laughing with me. He helped me to sit properly before removing my heels.
Tawa ko lang siguro ang maririnig sa buong unit. Ang epic kasi ng pagkalaglag ko. Mukha pa akong palaka sa paraan ng pagbagsak ko kanina dahil saktong kulay green ang pj's ko.
"Ang..." he paused. "Ang tanga mo naman."
"Wow, sorry ha?" Hawak ko ang tiyan ko dahil sumakit siya katatawa. "Gusto mo ikaw nalang mag heels?"
"No, thanks. Baka maging Cinderella pa ako."
"Princess in the frog tayo ngayon kasi mukha akong palaka," nakangiting sagot ko. "HAHAHA ang sakit na ng tiyan ko."
"Kokak," sabi niya na mas nagpatawa sa akin.
"Pfft—Stop! Ayoko na tumawa."
Mula sa pagkakasalampak sa sahig ay tumayo na ako. Inabot niya sa akin ang heels na hinubad niya bago niya binuhat ang sarili patayo. Binalikan niya ang tubigan niya bago nakangiting pumasok ng kanyang kuwarto.
The following week was a literal hell week. Ang dami na ngang requirements, nasira pa 'yung electric fan sa room. Kaliwa't kanan ang pagpaypay sa room na tipong halos lahat ay nagrereklamo na. Everyone was busy with their own activities, including me.
"Ang init! Ano ba 'to trial sa impyerno?" Reklamo ni Vi habang inaayos ang case study sa CPAR.
"Luh akala mo naman hindi sanay sa init. Anak ka ni satanas 'di ba?" sagot ni Lester. Nang marinig 'yon ng kaibigan ko ay napatigil siya sa pagpaypay.
"OMG, so ikaw ang nawawala kong tatay?" She even acted like she was shocked.
The class went silent for a while before roaring with laughter.
"Burn, pare! Demonyo ka pala e!"
"Kung ako 'yan, par, iiyak talaga ako," rinig kong pang-aasar ni Carl.
"Oh, tama na guys! Tapusin niyo na 'yang ginagawa niyo para free tayong lahat mamaya. Support natin sila Steb," anunsyo ni Jasmine sa harap.
Today was casual wear. I already changed my top to a casual attire but I am still wearing the school skirt. I was wearing a cream modern Filipiñana crop top that has statement beads and embroideries .I will pair it with a black wide leg pants. My hair was tied in a messy bun which I'm not sure how it was possible. My hair was short yet Cassandra managed to tie my hair. Jasmine also put a ribbon on my hair that looked like I was filipina during the 1960's pero modern version.
Ngayon, habang inaayusan ako ni Marcus ay hindi ko hinahanap ng mata ko si Alvarez. He can't be late. Where is he?
As on cue, narinig kong humagikhik sa tabi ko si Violet na kinakabitan ako ng kwintas.
"Pogi ng jowa mo ngayon, ah?"
"Nasaan?"
"Ayiee, so jowa mo na nga? Real na?" Bulong niya sa akin.
I glared at her and that made her laugh. She pursed her lips as if pointing at someone. I looked at the direction she's pointing to and I gasped.
Alvarez was walking to the gym like a model. I was caught off guard with the way he looked. He was wearing a beige short sleeve button up with open buttons while wearing a white shirt inside. His pants were also black and he paired it with black converse shoes. His obsidian wavy black hair was brushed to the back, completely transforming his usual messy style.
Tulala pa rin ako sa kanya hanggang sa makaupo siya sa tabi ko. My nostrils immediately caught a whiff of his perfume. He smelled heavenly with an earthy and musky scent that's quite addicting.
"Ang ganda mo, Raya! Mas maganda ka kapag walang salamin," sabi ni Gina matapos kong ikabit ang contact lenses ko.
"Thank you, ngayon lang 'to." I giggled before looking at the mirror.
She's right. I looked pretty today. Pakiramdam ko ay walang makakasira ng confidence ko ngayong araw.
Galing sa labas ay patakbong lumapit si Carl sa pwesto namin ni Alvarez na may dalang buko juice.
"Pre," tawag niya sa attention ni Alvarez na hindi man lang siya nilingon. "Gusto mo ng BJ?"
Agad na nag-angat ng tingin ang isa mula sa cellphone niya. "Tanginamo, dugyot!"
Sabay kami ni Carl na tumawa dahil sa reaksyon ni Alvarez. Halos magsalubong ang makakapal niyang kilay dahil sa kagagawan nung isa.
"Buko Juice ang sabi ko! Dugyot ng utak mo," paratang ni Carl.
Alvarez only raised his middle finger before resting his back on the chair and giving his attention back to his phone.
Nang magsimula ang program ay sabay kaming pumunta sa dulo ng gym. Nandito na rin ang ibang candidates. Mabuti naman ay kahit sa loob lang ng dalawang araw ay natutunan kong maglakad sa heels nang hindi na natatapilok.
"Ngayon naman ay ating panoorin ang Ginoo at Binibining Wika ng Humanities and Social Sciences Strand..." Naghiyawan ang mga manonood, lalo na ang mga taga HUMSS.
"Humanista! Humanista!"
"Simulan natin sa HUMSS A!" That was our cue to walk.
Rinig ko ang tilian ng klase namin. Kanya-kanya silang pag video habang magkasabay kami ni Alvarez na rumampa.
We had ten seconds to pose and it was all planted in my head. First is to walk to the middle, then when I get to the center, I'll rest my weight on my right hip and pause for a second. Then, make a turn on my left before resting my arms on his shoulder. That's what we've practiced during the weekends.
But, I almost lost my composure when it changed because Alvarez has another plan.
When we got in the center, he removed the short sleeve button up revealing his sleeveless white top. It made the crowd roar in amusement upon seeing his biceps. Even the other strands were screaming with his stunt.
I was about to rest my arm on his shoulder after the turn but he caught my waist instead and pulled me closer to him. My eyes widened when I felt his hand on my skin that caused a surge of the whole zoo in my stomach.
Even though I was shaking inside, I smiled at the camera before turning my back. Alvarez held his button up using his finger before putting it behind his shoulder as he walked.
"That wasn't planned," bungad ko sa kanya pagkabalik namin sa likod.
"I know. Pero lumakas ang audience impact natin," he answered before winking.
Tumalikod ako sa kanya para hindi niya mapansin ang namumula kong mukha. What the hell?! What's happening to me? Why am I even blushing?
Natapos ang program bandang mga 5:30. Sabay-sabay kaming umuwi para mag sangyup. Pagkaupo ko ay agad akong tinabihan ni Francisco.
"Uy, hello. Ang ganda mo."
I smiled and giggled at his compliment. "Thank you. Hindi ko pa natatanggal 'yung makeup."
"Maganda ka pa rin naman kahit walang makeup. Mas gumanda ka lang ngayon."
"Salamat, ha? Pero huwag kang mambola, please."
"Hindi, ah. Kaya nga gusto kita e..." mahina lang ang sinabi niya pero narinig ko. "Joke."
Umakto lang ako na parang walang narinig. Dumating na ang mga inorder namin kasabay nung cheese na favorite ko.
"Guys..." Kinuha ni Francisco ang atensyon ng mga kasama namin. "Anong cheese ang fake news?" Hawak pa niya ang cheese ng sangyup.
"Ano?" Tanong nila.
"Edi, chismis." Siya ang unang tumawa sa joke niya. Nakakabinging katahimikan ang bumalot sa amin na siyang nabasag ko.
I cackle with laughter because of his joke.I find it funny. Cheese, cheese-mis. Nakakatawa kaya.
"Corny mo, labas ka na."
"Uwi na tayo, beh."
"Wala na. Wala na akong gana kumain," pang-aasar ng mga kaklase ko.
"Oo nga..." bumoses si Alvarez. "Ang corny."
I raised my brow at him when I saw his dark face. He was looking at me and wiped the smile off my face. He then glanced at Francisco before paying attention to his food.
Anong problema niya?
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elluneily 🌷🍰🎫