Chapter 38
Rumor
Habang nasa byahe papasok sa school, halos maestatwa ako sa unang post na bumungad sa phone pagka-open ko ng account.
Giovanni Clark Smith updated his profile picture.
Napamulagat ako nang makita ang bagong litrato. It was uploaded last night. If I remember correctly, Giovanni has kept his previous profile picture for two years now.
Hindi pinalagpas ng 5.6k na tao ang bigla nitong pagpapalit ng profile. Inulan ito ng sandamakmak na reactions at comments.
It was a selfie that he personally took, and behind him was the magnificent view of the same sea by the amusement park.
His lips were in a faint smile and his hair disheveled as if seizing that windy moment of sunset. On the other hand, his eyes were looking a bit sideways instead of looking straight into the camera. Animo'y may pinagmamasdang iba mula sa screen imbes na suriin ang sariling hitsura.
Kung tulad ako ng ibang tao, na hindi alam ang kwento sa likod ng litratong ito, iisipin kong mag-isa lang siya sa larawan.
But somewhere between his left cheek and shoulder, I caught my tiny silhouette in a distance, admiring the vast seascape while sitting on the concrete behind him. I wouldn't even be visible unless you'd take a closer look.
I concluded that he took this photo while I was having my alone time at the seaside, when he got us food before he announced his arrival.
I couldn't help but free my stubborn little smile. He did this while I wasn't looking, huh? I didn't even notice everything.
Lumipat ang tingin ko sa caption. At kung gulat na ako kanina, mistulang huminto na ang puso ko nang nabasa ang nakasulat do'n.
The things I'd do for you.
That... was familiar!
Dali-dali akong pumunta sa Stories ko. Nang makitang lagpas five hundred na ang views ng post ko kahapon at nahanap ko ang pangalan ni Giovanni sa viewers, muntik ko nang mabitawan ang phone.
What's with those comments and replies?
Kabado kong hinanap ang group chat namin nila Apollo sa gitna ng maraming mensahe. That was when I knew my hunch was right.
I aggressively scrolled through their chats and I finally found Palmer's message. She sent two screenshots to the group chat. Ang Story ko... at ang profile picture ni Gio.
Palmer: OMG!! Are these two together rn??
Kenna: For real? I saw her story. Wait. I can't process this. Let me check Gio's profile.
Sechalyn: Gio's new DP is a response to Riz's story. You can't convince me otherwise. Wth?
It was obvious from the screenshot of my Story next to Gio's profile photo... that they were both taken from the same place... but from different angles.
I panicked as I neared Mackenzie. Sa group chat ko lang din nalaman na may nag-comment na rin ng screenshot ng Story ko sa picture ni Gio.
Nakatanggap iyon ng maraming reactions at replies. Halos mangalahati ang comment section sa kontrobersiya at teoryang magkasama kami kahapon.
I mean, they're not wrong! Hindi rin naman below the belt ang comments... pero ano 'to?! Bakit nagkaganito?!
Nakayuko akong pumasok ng campus. Medyo maaga pa kaya kaonti pa lang ang mga tao, pero kinabahan ako nang marinig sa hindi kalayuan ang grupong nakasabay ko sa pagpasok ng gate.
I breathed in and out. Everything was going smoothly until a girl from that group pointed at me.
"Oh? Isn't she that girl?"
My shoulders stiffened. One of the guys chuckled at her remark.
"What are you talking about? And don't go pointing fingers like that."
"The one I was just talking about! Is that Odilia? Ugh... whatever! The girl flirting with Gio online!"
I stopped myself from rolling my eyes.
Mambibintang na lang din ng tao, hindi pa inaayos. It's Ophelia, not Odilia! And I didn't flirt with Gio online!
At least not that open to the public.
Hindi ko na nilingon ang grupong iyon at naglakad na lang nang mas mabilis.
"Hey. That's Ophelia," said a familiar voice, making me slow down a bit. "Be careful with your words, Reych. Ophelia isn't that kind of person. Right, Ophelia?"
I sighed. Just as I thought.
Not wanting to look bad, I came to a halt and slowly turned in Edwards' direction. He was walking toward me while sporting his baseball cap and jersey.
Ito ang kauna-unahang pagkakataon na makita siya sa ganoong ayos. Ganoon din ang ibang lalaking kasama niya, maliban sa dalawang babae na mukhang kaibigan, o girlfriend ng ka-team. Napakurap-kurap ako.
So he really is an athlete.
"Edwards. Uh... good morning," I smiled awkwardly and bowed my head a bit.
"Good morning. Do you usually go to school this early?" he then flashed this boyish smile.
Tuluyan nang nakalapit ang mga kasama niya. They all looked... tall and intimidating. Probably because I knew most of them were upperclassmen. Hindi nga lang nakatulong ang titig ng iba, lalo na ng mga babae, animo'y hinuhusgahan ang pagkatao ko.
"Hmm. Oo, nakagawian na."
"How come I haven't run into you this week until now?"
Pagak akong tumawa. "This week, ngayon lang ulit ako nakapasok... I was sick recently."
"Oh! That's why you look pale. Sure you're okay returning to class now?"
"Yep! All good. By the way, may pupuntahan kayo?" I changed the topic as we started walking inside the school ground. "I think this is the first time I see you in a jersey. Pretty neat."
Edwards chuckled as he looked down at his attire.
"Tournament. We're going at it for a week now."
My mount went agape. Bahagya pa akong napahinto sa paglalakad para harapin siya.
"That's nice! Please catch me up on it. Wala akong balita sa mga event ng school lately."
Nilapat niya ang kamay sa puso at umaktong nasasaktan, ngunit nang pabiro siyang hampasin ng duffle ng mga kasama, natawa na lang ito bago ihagis ang kanyang bag sa mga kaibigan na madali naman nilang nasalo.
"Sooo, I think we reached the championship and we're warming up a bit for later? I guess?" he answered playfully.
Edwards and I continued chatting to catch up until we reached my building. Nagpaalam na rin ako sa kanila dahil sa locker ng baseball team ang punta nila. Hindi na rin ako masyadong binigyan-pansin ng mga babae nang mukhang nakumbinsing hindi ako tulad ng iniisip nila kanina.
I finally arrived at our room and I was the first to appear as expected. Sabi sa group chat, may case study kaming dapat tapusin at i-present next week. Sumabay na rin ang feasib kaya lalo akong nakumbinsi na kailangan ko nang pumasok ngayon.
Kinuha ko ulit ang phone nang nakapwesto na sa upuan para magtipa ng mensahe para kay Giovanni.
Me:
How are you going to deal with the rumors?
Ang totoo, wala akong ideya kung papasok na rin siya ngayon. We hadn't had the chance to discuss it yesterday because he was adamant. Yesterday was all about me.
Hindi rin ako umaasahang makakapag-reply agad siya dahil maaga pa. But maybe I thought wrong.
He was a busy man. He was probably getting ready for work or anything important for society, but not too busy to reply to me.
Giovanni:
Good morning to you, too. You're up so early today. Didn't you stay up late last night after dinner?
It was impressive that he noticed it so soon. Ngumuso ako.
Me:
Nasa school ako. Wala pa masyadong tao pero usap-usapan na agad ako ng iba. Why did you do that?
Binalik ko ang usapan sa orihinal na direksiyon nito.
First thing's first, it needed to be straightened out. I couldn't imagine him acting impulsively like that. How could he post that picture? I mean, hindi ba niya naisip na pwedeng magkaroon ng ganitong problema?
Taimtim akong naghintay sa reply niya. I wanted to talk about it. I could imagine the horrifying and made-up rumors that could lead to bullying. I don't need any more distractions right now than I currently have. So as early as possible, I wanted this over and done with.
Pagkalipas ng isang minuto, magsisimula na sana akong magtaka kung bakit hindi pa rin siya nakakasagot, nang lumiwanag bigla ang phone ko dahil sa paparating na tawag mula kay Gio.
Napasinghap ako bago sagutin ang phone at ilapit sa tenga.
"Hello?" sagot ko.
I heard a few rustling sounds in the background before his muffled sigh.
"This is not what we spoke about yesterday, Elia."
Oh, no. It was early in the morning and it sounded like he was already done with me. Humalukipkip ako at yumuko para hagilapin ang sarili.
"Hindi rin natin napag-usapan ang tungkol sa profile picture mo, Gio."
I smiled and gave myself a tap on the shoulder as I pulled it off perfectly. That's what needs to be discussed, good sir.
"Listen, I was informed that you're returning to school next week. So I thought I still have time to smooth things over, while you're away."
I bit my lower lip and squinted as I realized something.
"So it wasn't done on a whim..."
"Yeah..." namamaos niyang sambit kalaunan. "'Course it's not, sweetheart. I'm sorry."
My nerves relaxed slightly after discovering that.
Ewan ko ba. Hindi ko maintindihan ang sarili. O siguro... hindi ko lang maamin ang totoong nararamdaman. Kung tunay bang hindi ko nagugustuhan ang mga nangyayari...
"I'm pursuing you from now on, and I wanted to declare it. In a way that's not consuming for you. That's why I wanted it done while you're not around," pag-amin niya sa kabilang linya. "My plan is ruined now, Elia."
It was refreshing to see his plans and calculations falling apart. And I don't know why it's my fault, but...
"Sorry, you should've given me a heads up." I stretched my left arm to stare at my ring.
This doesn't sound like an argument at all.
Marahang humalakhak si Gio sa kabilang linya. Since we were talking over the phone, it felt like he laughed directly into my ear.
"It's unlikely that you will agree anyway."
"How are you so sure? Kung sinabihan mo ako, edi sana nakapag-pose ako nang maayos sa picture mo. O kaya nagpalit din ako ng profile picture para parehas tayo."
I could hear him suppress his laugh on the phone. Boy, I can listen to his voice all day.
"Wow. You're enjoying this more than I thought."
I shrugged as if he could see me. "That's what I'm telling you. You should've discussed it with me first. Communication, Smith. Communication."
Giovanni couldn't hold his chuckle anymore. He probably found my flippant comments funny or strange, whichever was greater.
"Please forgive my imprudence, my lady. I am but a humble, dummy servant. I'll make sure to keep that in mind," his deep voice rasped suggestively.
Tumawa na rin ako kasabay niya.
Unti-unting nagsidatingan ang mga kaklase. They greeted me with a belated happy birthday, intrigued that I returned earlier than planned.
Alam kasi nilang next week pa ako makakapasok ulit. Kahit sina Apollo, hindi ko rin nasabihan na makakadalo na ako sa klase. Saka ko lang naalala nang humarurot sa akin ang bagong dating na si Seka.
"Bakit hindi mo sinabing papasok ka na? Alam ba 'to ni Apple?" aniya habang pinapalagay sa kaklase namin ang bag niya sa kanyang table. "Okay ka na ba? Bakit pumasok ka agad?"
I lowered my eyebrows. Seka looked more composed than I imagined she'd react once she saw me. Yes, that was her composed form.
"Oo. Hindi ko na kayang magtagal sa bahay ng isa pang araw," I told her the truth. "Marami na akong na-miss na activity. Kailangan ko nang maghabol."
Those two things sounded like they were related, but I meant them separately. Totoong ayokong magtagal sa bahay, pero hindi lang dahil kailangan ko nang pumasok.
"Saang banda ang tahi mo? Sa kanan o kaliwang braso?" she suddenly asked.
"Sa kaliwa?"
Dahil mukhang nakuha na niya ang sagot na kailangan, nagulat ako nang bigla siyang tumili at pinaghahampas ang kanang braso ko!
"Totoo bang may namamagitan na sa inyo ni Gio?"
My mouth fell open at her question. As a result, our classmates' suppressed curiosity finally erupted, as if they had been waiting for someone to bring up the topic!
God! She was so scandalous!
Ganoon ang naging takbo ng araw ko. Minsan, nararamdaman kong may nakatitig sa akin mula sa iba't ibang direksiyon. Nahuli ko ang mapanuring tingin ng ibang tao na para bang isa akong malaking misteryo.
It must be hard to believe that Giovanni was paying attention to a girl like me. Although we haven't confirmed anything yet, I could tell by the way they looked at me.
Some were harmless curiosity, while some were deep-seated insecurity. Hanggang saan aabot ang isyung ito?
"Riz, you took down your Story?" takang sulyap sa akin ni Palmer habang on the way kami sa cafeteria.
Pagod akong lumingon sa kanya. "I might as well dispose of the evidence."
"You do realize that the copies of that evidence are evidence as well, right?"
I groaned. "I don't want to stir more hot potatoes. At para saan pa? Para lumala lang ang sitwasyon?"
"I'd be proud, walking with my head held high if I were you!" tawa ni Seka.
"News flash: I'm not you," I then poked her forehead.
Napayuko ako nang natanaw ang ilang pamilyar na mukha sa daan. As much as I wanted to maintain my friendly image, I didn't have the energy to deal with their possible questions yet.
"How about you, Apple? What do you think? Ang tahimik mo. Hindi ka ba curious kung totoo ang chismis?" Kenna nudged Apollo.
Imbes na sumagot agad, naparolyo lang ng mata ang huli bago nagtaas ng kilay sa amin.
"I'm not curious one bit, dear. I know the truth."
Marahas akong napabaling sa kaibigan. Alam niya ang totoo? Alin doon?
Dahil naunahan na rin naman akong magtanong nina Seka, hinintay ko na lang sumagot si Apollo.
At first, he looked grossed out at our desperate eyes. He attempted to escape but Palmer and Seka held his arms, so he had no choice but to surrender.
"What do you know, Apollo?" ako na ang nagtanong.
Eksaherada siyang bumuga ng hangin at winaksi ang kamay ng dalawa bago lumingon sa kanilang apat, maliban sa akin.
"Remember when I told you that we need to shoot a video greeting for Riz?" he asked them.
Nagpatuloy kami sa paglalakad. Alerto akong nakikinig kay Apollo nang natantog tungkol ito sa recorded birthday greeting nila sa akin kahapon.
"What about it?" si Kenna ang unang tumugon.
"It was Giovanni's request."
"What?" we screeched in unison and stopped.
Kahit alam ko naman ang totoo, hindi ko pa rin maiwasang mabigla.
Apollo crossed his arms in front of his chest and nodded halfheartedly.
"Smith probably surprised her for her birthday. And on top of that..." He cleared his throat and leaned forward. Kami naman itong yumuko rin para pakinggan ang sunod niyang sasabihin. "He told me that he was planning to court this bitch, so the fella asked for my approval."
Pabiro akong sinabunutan ni Apollo. Ni hindi ko na magawang magreklamo dahil sukdulan ang gulat ko sa narinig. Ganoon na rin ang ibang kaibigan.
Did Gio actually do that? He discussed his plan with Apollo... in advance?
Napatunayan na ng apat ang katotohanang nililigawan ako ni Gio. I wavered and confirmed it was true, but I begged them to keep it a secret for now.
Wala naman kaming naging problema sa parteng iyon. Kaya lang, simula break time, para silang nalaglagan ng turnilyo sa kakahagikgik buong araw. Hindi ko tuloy alam kung tamang desisyon bang magtiwala sa mga iyon.
Aside from the untamed rumors, the day was packed with workloads and deadlines.
Nagtataka ako kung bakit gustong-gusto ng mga prof na pahirapan ang estudyante. Bakit kailangan nilang isabay sa ibang project ang ibibigay nilang project? Both feasib and case study were due next week! Could you believe that?
It felt like they were competing against each other to see who has the hardest subject.
Uwian nang nagpaalam ako kina Apollo na titigil muna ako sa office ng Student Council. Nagmensahe ako kay Luisa na pupuntahan ko siya ngayon dahil nakabalik na ako.
I wanted to check on the whole JBA thing. Over the past few days, she hadn't messaged me anything about it. Puro pangangamusta at pagbati lang noong birthday ko ang mga text niya kahit alam kong may pinagkakaabalahan sa org ngayon. I missed a lot so it was part of my stretched-out to-do list, too.
Luisa:
Yes, let's meet! I have a quick meeting with the SC President tho. Mag-stay ka muna sa SC after class, oki?
That was her message twenty minutes before our dismissal. Baka nasa meeting na 'yon sa mga oras na ito kaya tumigil ako sa opisina ng Student Council.
Pagkabukas ng pinto at pagkapasok ko sa opisina, lahat ng taong naroroon ay napatigil sa kanya-kanyang ginagawa nang natanaw ako.
"It's... Ophelia," Syler broke the silence before he sported an awkward smile.
One last glance at the whole office when the realization finally hit me.
I was too preoccupied with the projects that I temporarily forgot about the dating rumor with Gio.
Parang gusto kong masuka sa kaba. These people are Gio's colleagues. I thought I just threw myself into the lion's den.
"Come in! Don't be shy!"
"Hey, girl. Welcome back! How's your condition?"
"Ophelia! Nabalitaan namin ang nangyari!" Katy paused all of a sudden as if she realized something. "I-I mean, God, you collapsed? Don't overwork yourself like that!"
Unable to recover from the surprise, the Student Council girls had to push me toward the couch to make me sit, totally leaving their workspace behind, before they formed a circle around me.
Napatikhim ako. Kahit air-conditioned naman ang office, nagsimula na akong pagpawisan nang malamig.
Pabiro akong tinampal sa balikat ng isang senior na babae, suot ang nakakalokong ngiti.
"Is it true? You and Gio were together on your birthday?"
It was getting more specific and malicious. Mas naging espesyal ang usapan dahil napag-alaman ng marami na kasama ko si Gio kahapon. Sa araw ng birthday ko. Kaming dalawa lang.
My heart was in my throat when I threw a glance at the conference room.
"N-Nasa loob po ba si Luisa?"
I couldn't stay here a little longer at this rate. Bumwelo na akong tumayo para makatakas sa kanila. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang uunahin. Kung ang kahihiyan o ang respeto ko sa kanila.
Tumingin sila sa akin. Puno ng pagdududa at kahulugan.
"Are you sure it's Luisa you're after, Ophelia?" It sounded like a harmless curiosity, but I couldn't help but be a tad sensitive.
Napaharap doon ang iba.
"Come to think of it. They went inside earlier kahit walang scheduled meeting."
"It's been almost a week, but he suddenly dropped by the office... today of all days!"
Nagkagulo sila sa sarili nilang diskusyon. Kumunot ang noo ko. Hindi ko sila maintindihan. Para silang nakabuo ng panibago nilang mundo.
I was thankful enough when Katy faced me, looking ready to give a decent answer, but the conference room suddenly opened.
"Yes, nandyan si Luisa. But-"
"Riz! Ano pang ginagawa mo dyan?" Biglang lumabas si Luisa mula sa conference room.
I turned to her puzzled. "Diba sabi mo dito ako maghin-"
"I texted you again. I need your opinion on something. Halika!" Pinanlakihan niya ako ng mata at hinigit na ako paalis doon.
Wala na akong chance para makapagsalita. Basta niya na lang akong tinulak papasok sa conference room, kaya pagkabaling ko sa dulo ng silid, para akong naestatwa sa nakita.
Giovanni stood from the other side of the long table to come here. Lito akong sumulyap kay Luisa.
"Akala ko ba, may meeting kayo ng SC President?"
"That's what I thought, too?" She was as confused as me. "But Gio was the one inside when I got here," bulong niya sa akin bago tuluyang nakalapit ang pinag-uusapan.
Giovanni was entrancing with his complete navy blue corporate attire on. Mukhang kagagaling lang sa trabaho at dumiretso rito.
"A-Anong ginagawa mo rito? Papasok ka na ba?" tikhim ko sabay silip kay Luisa.
Us talking in front of someone we both knew was awkward as hell.
Giovanni licked his lips as he cocked his head a little to the side, without paying any attention to Luisa.
"Tomorrow," he retorted while giving me a once-over, then back to my eyes again. "I will return tomorrow. Give me a day to finish everything at work, and I will drive you to school tomorrow."
I blinked fast. "Hindi ko sinasabing pumasok ka na agad kung hindi mo pa kaya. Nagtatanong lang ako."
"That's rich, Elia. Ikaw, pumasok ka ba dahil kaya mo na?" he looked suspiciously at me, like he was telling me we both had no choice but to return to school despite knowing the difficulties.
Natahimik ako. May ideya siguro siya kung bakit pumasok ako kahit kailangan ko pang magpahinga, kahit hindi ko pa kaya. Pero siya rin naman, a?
Base sa hitsura niya, mukhang marami pa itong inaasikaso kaya bakit niya pupwersahin ang sarili niyang pumasok agad bukas? Dahil sa akin?
Luisa faked a cough, causing both of us to turn to her. I shut my mouth in the middle of an attempt to speak. Tinignan niya kami pareho.
"Because I've been involved in this setup without my knowledge, I think I have the right to ask something right now."
"Go ahead," si Gio sabay ayos ng tayo bago sumulyap sa akin.
Natanto ko lalo ang sitwasyon ngayon.
Luisa getting permission to speak, she pointed her finger at us. I knew where it was going.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but are you flirting in front of me?"
Muntik na akong masamid. Sinamaan ko ng tingin si Gio para ipakita sa kanya na ito ang resulta ng pakulo niya kagabi!
Giovanni squinted his eyes at Luisa as if she wasn't supposed to be talking like that, but then he wavered realizing there was no reason to lie.
"I'm pursuing Ophelia with the intent of dating her," he confessed earnestly. "Go ahead and spread the word, Ms. Aragon. That's the only truth."
Pati ako, nagulat sa sagot ni Gio. Napatakip ng bibig si Luisa.
"That is not a threat, right? Whoa. This is huge!"
Kumunot ang noo ni Giovanni na para bang hindi makapaniwala sa kaharap. That only proved something to Luisa.
"Oh, my God! So it's true? That you like Riz?" Mula kay Gio ay lumipat ang tingin niya sa akin. "Since when? Why didn't you tell me!"
Hindi ko na nagawang sagutin ang kaibigan dahil sa hindi inaasahang pagkakataon, bumukas ang pinto at bumulaga ang ibang officer ng Student Council. Nasa unahan ang Student Council President at nasa likod niya, ang mga nasa labas lang kanina ng conference room.
Shock was all over their faces. Mabilis kong tinaboy ang kamay ni Gio na nakapatong sa akin pero huli na ang lahat. Nag-unahan makapasok ang mga ito para ulanin kami ng tanong hanggang sa napahilot na lang sa sentido ang katabi.
Napag-alaman kong kinausap ni Gio ang kanilang President kanina. Totoo ang meeting ni Luisa kasama ang huli, pero nagpaubaya ang President na ipahiram ang conference room sa kanya para makipagkita sa akin nang pribado.
Everything happened as if Gio knew that I was about to see Luisa. Hindi ko man tanungin, pero malakas ang kutob kong kalkulado niya ang lahat ng ito.
Maliban na lang sa panghihimasok ng chismoso nilang President at iba pang kasama nila sa Council.
"I'm sorry..." Gio apologized quietly.
Inabot kami ng isa't kalahating oras para pakalmahin ang mga College, pati na rin ang ilang JBA officers na naabutan ang komusyon, bago kami nakatakas. Nandito kami ngayon sa sasakyan niya.
Hindi ko siya inimik. Instead, I went to his Facebook account's setting to turn off his comment section. Tinanong ko siya kanina kung bakit pinapabayaan niya lang ang post niya. Hindi niya ginagawan ng paraan, taliwas sa sinabi niya sa akin.
He should've turned off his comment section at least, but guess what the brute told me?
"I don't know a lot about modern technology. Would you like my phone so you can do it?"
"Why would you give me your phone?"
"Would you rather use yours?" He looked at me in confusion. "In that case, you will need my login credentials. It's giov-"
"I don't need it! Akin na nga ang phone mo!"
He buried his mouth in his palm as he handed me his phone, probably not to prevent himself to say something stupid, but to suppress his protruding smile.
Gio never broke his promise. Kinabukasan, pagkalabas ko ng bahay ay naghihintay na siya sa labas.
"Hindi mo na kailangang gawin 'to. Masyado pang maaga. Tapos mamayang hapon pa ang pasok mo."
"I can stay at school, Elia. The council also agreed to meet at ten, so I'll be busy."
"Dalawang oras ang pagitan. Maaga pa rin." Napailing ako.
"I can sit in your class... Watch you study..." he proposed wistfully while driving.
Namilog ang mga mata ko. Gusto kong isiping nagbibiro lang siya. Pero kung gugustuhin niya, alam kong magagawan niya iyon ng paraan.
Saglit siyang sumulyap sa akin nang natahimik ako. Somehow, I wanted it, too. But of course, that'd be too much. He just confirmed to everyone that he's courting me yesterday, then he'd be attending my class the next day? People would faint, including me.
"Should I stop talking?" sa namamaos niyang tinig kalaunan.
Napabangon ako dahil doon. I always thought he was talkative and clingy more than I expected. But he was probably acting like that because I told him so. I encouraged him to speak his mind and break out of his walls.
"N-No, it's okay." I bit my lower lip and shook my head to tell him it was fine. "I prefer you to tell me your thoughts. If that's what you're meaning to say, don't bottle it up and share it with me. You can be true to yourself when you're with me, Gio... I do appreciate you speaking up... even if it looks like I don't..."
There was a moment of silence between us. When we encountered a stop light, he faced me rigidly, as if he was waiting for this chance to be serious with me.
"Up to what extent... can I speak and act honestly with you?" aniya sabay abot sa aking kwelyo.
Marahan niyang inayos ang tupi roon bago muling iangat ang mga mata sa akin.
"A-As long as it's not hurtful..."
"I can't do that to you." Sinandal niya ang ulo habang pinagmamasdan ako. "How can I say something hurtful when I don't even have any hurtful thoughts about you?"
"Edi... wala tayong problema." Napaiwas ako ng tingin at tinuon ang atensiyon sa harapan. "Nagugulat lang ako minsan, nao-overwhelm, pero okay lang... Hanggang doon lang 'yon."
"I can't help it," he then grabbed the steering wheel when the go signal lit. "You look cute when you're startled. I can make a wallpaper out of it, Elia. Serious."
"Don't you dare, Giovanni. Or else, I will post a recording of how corny you are when you baby talk."
He burst into laughter. "Sweetheart, no way, you record our calls?"
Uminit ang buong mukha ko. Iyon pa talaga ang napansin niya?
"I am trying to humiliate you here, good sir. You don't deny you baby talk?"
"Elia, focus. You record our calls?" He was smiling when he glanced at me. "Because I do, too. I thought I was the only one."
Nalaglag ang panga ko.
He was the only one. My threat was empty. I never recorded our calls!
For the case study, we were free to choose who to group with. Syempre, hindi na kailangang tanungin kung sino ang mga kagrupo ko.
Nakagaan iyon sa trabaho dahil kami-kami rin naman nina Apollo ang laging magkakasama. I was appointed as the group leader without even discussing it with me. Kaya naman para ipakitang nagkakamali sila ng desisyon, naging mahigpit ako sa mga deadline at nag-set ng proper expectation.
"You're so brutal..." Diego exclaimed as he stared at my written instructions.
"Girl, may GC tayo. Sana sinend mo na lang doon," tawa ni Seka. "You're so old-fashion!"
"No, she's meticulous." Napailing si Palmer at ngumisi sa akin. "And inspired. She has her game face on, guys."
Kenna shrugged while settling on her spot. "As long as it makes my grade shine like a diamond."
"No comment," tanging nasabi na lang ni Apollo dahil mukhang inaasahan na ito.
Mas nahirapan at nabigatan ako sa feasibility study namin. Sa katunayan, bago pa man ako bumalik sa Mackenzie, nabuo na talaga ang grupo ko. May mga nasimulan na sila kaya ako ang naghahabol ngayon. Hindi na ako magtataka kung bakit nasa akin ang pinakamahirap na parts.
"Online reward systems ang na-approve sa mga proposed projects namin, Ophelia. Meron na sa ibang chapters, sa financial aspect na lang ang wala kaya..." alanganing ngiti sa akin ng kagrupo.
I nodded. "Sige, walang problema. Ako na sa financial aspect. May nagawa na ba sa project summary at market aspect? Babasahin ko para makita kung ano mga kakailanganin."
Nagtaas ng kamay ang isa. "I'm assigned to the market aspect, but I might need your help with the price study. To see if feasible siya."
Tumingin silang siyam sa akin, binabantayan ang bawat galaw ko. Hindi ko sigurado kung dahil ba sa mga opinyon ko tungkol sa feasib, o dahil sa kumakalat na balitang kinumpirma na ni Gio ang usapan kahapon. They were obviously cautious and conscious of me.
"No problem." I smiled constipated. "Ano ba ang options niyo para sa prices? At saka, since online application ang business na gagawan natin ng study, may IT consultant na ba kayong nilapitan?"
"Uh..." Napakamot sa pisngi ang tumatayong leader ng group. "When I thought about this project, I reached out to my boyfriend to see if he can help us out with the technical side. IT student siya rito sa Mackenzie, kaso..."
"Kaso?"
I shifted in my seat as I waited for her continuation. Kaso namula siya at napaiwas ng tingin sa akin.
"Uhm. Kaka-break lang namin kahapon."
"What?" sabay-sabay naming singhal.
Dahil doon, sinubukan naming makiusap sa professor kung pwede naming baguhin ang proposal, pero bigo kami dahil approved na raw ang project at ang title nito. Problemado kami dahil doon.
"Sana saka na kayo naghiwalay pagkatapos ng feasib natin!" frustrated na hinaing ng ka-close niya sa grupo.
I sighed as I thought of a way to solve this. Habang naghahanap kami ng pwede naming gawing IT consultant, nagpatuloy kami sa kanya-kanyang parte. Binigay na sa amin ng prof ang buong oras ng klase para ipagpatuloy ang project.
After class, para na akong nilubayan ng kaluluwa sa sobrang pagod. Gustuhin ko mang dumiretso pauwi para magpahinga, naging routine ko na ang dumaan sa office ng JBA para mag-asikaso o makibalita.
Minsan kasi, nagiging private study room ito ng officers tuwing downtime namin sa org activities. Baka tulad ko, abala rin sila sa mga project. At tama nga ako. Marami sila sa loob at parang tutunawin na ang mga laptop sa sobrang titig doon.
"Sobrang busy ng lahat, ah? Nag-lunch ba muna kayo?" tanong ko habang nilalapag ang bag sa table ko.
"Vice, snacks lang. It must be nice, huh? Nakakangiti ka pa during this time," madramang sagot ng isa sabay halumbaba sa round table.
"Inspired na inspired, eh. Kwentuhan mo kami, Vice!"
"Anong pakiramdam na nililigawan ng isang Giovanni Smith? Must be nice!"
"Ang swerte, Vice! Ang haba ng hair, baka matapakan! Complete package ang manliligaw!"
Kahit papano, medyo nasanay na ako sa mga patutsada tungkol sa amin ni Gio. Komportable rin ako sa mga co-officers ko kaya natawa na lang din ako.
Naisip ko, walang mabuting maidudulot kung lagi akong matatakot at kinakabahan tuwing tinatanong ng ganito. Being linked to Giovanni, in a romantic way or not, is a busy task. You should expect that your world will turn upside down.
"We're just friends," pabiro kong tago kunwari sa mukha ko para umiwas sa mga paparazzi.
"Oh, come on! What is he like?" They started flocking to me.
"This is the first time he's announced his interest in someone. Yes, he was linked to numerous girls and had multiple dating rumors, but this is the first he verified it! Gio is serious!"
"Kung nagkataon, ikaw ang first girlfriend niya, Ophelia. Sobrang pure siguro ng intention ni Gio, enough to publicize his intention! He's always passionate and genuine in everything he does. Paano pa sa taong gusto niya?"
I smiled shyly. "You're right, but he might hear you. Baka lumaki ang ulo noon."
Nagsitilian ang mga babae kaya hindi ko na naiwasang matawa. I will at least give them that.
Even though I wasn't new to dating, this kind of lighthearted conversation felt brand new to me. It felt good on the inside, like my heart was about to explode with happiness and delight.
Binuksan ko na rin ang laptop ko sa kalagitnaan ng usapan. Habang pinapatong ang phone sa lamesa, napansin kong may isang message notification doon, six minutes ago.
I opened it and realized it was the person of interest right now.
Giovanni:
Are you done with your classes? Let's meet before you go home.
Me:
Hindi mo ako pwedeng ihatid. You can't miss your first class the very first day you return to school.
Giovanni:
Calm down, sweetheart. I want to see you. That's all.
Ngumuso ako dahil medyo duda pa rin.
Me:
Nasa JBA office pa ako.
Giovanni:
I'm on my way. Stay there.
"Siya ba 'yan, Vice?"
Dinungaw ko ang kuryosong officers.
"Uh, oo. Dadaan daw. Okay lang ba? Pwede naman kami sa labas na la-"
"No, it's perfectly fine! Take your time, Ophelia!" Naghagikgikan ang mga kasama.
Napanguso ako dahil mukhang mas excited pa sila sa akin. Would it be alright?
Napailing na lang ako at pinagpatuloy ang pag-i-scan sa naging progress namin sa feasib.
Karamihan sa napiling business ng ibang grupo, sa section man namin o hindi, ay puro food o tangible product ang business. Malimit lang ang pumipili ng service at online products na tulad nito. Hindi ko tuloy alam kung bakit nila sinama sa proposal ang ideyang ito gayong alanganin naman pala ang source namin.
What a headache.
Mayamaya, dumating na si Gio. Nasa unahan niya ang isang JBA officer na marahil ay nakasalubong niya sa daan at pinagbuksan siya ng pinto.
He's wearing a Mackenzie uniform today while holding two paper bags. Pakiramdam ko, matagal na ang huling pagkakataon na nakita ko siya sa ganoong postura. Napahugot ako ng hininga.
He wasn't a student model for nothing. That's for sure.
"Kuya Gio, pasok ka! Pasensiya na po sa mga kalat!"
"Good afternoon, Gio! It's nice to have you here!"
Nagsitayuan ang limang officer mula sa mini sala para bigyan ng espasyo si Gio, pero umiling lamang ang huli at ngumiti sa kanila. Naglakad siya roon para ilapag ang isang paper bag sa round table.
"Good afternoon. Thanks for having me, but you can proceed with what you're doing. I won't overstay my welcome," he then flashed a friendly smile that reached his eyes. "I also brought some snacks. Please enjoy and help yourselves."
Kulang na lang ay kuminang ang mga mata nila sa kaharap. Hindi rin nagtagal ay tumayo na ako. Mukhang napansin iyon ni Gio kaya umatras na siya roon para lumapit sa akin.
"Have you had lunch yet?" tanong niya bago humila ng isang silya patungo sa tabi ng upuan ko.
Umiling ako. "Hindi pa."
"Me neither, so I brought us food." He took the contents inside the paper bag, and then I saw two takeout foods. "Is it okay if I eat here with you? I'm pretty famished."
Binuksan ko ang pagkaing nilagay niya sa harap ko at napangisi nang tumambad sa akin ang nakakatakam na pananghalian.
"May magagawa pa ba ako? Eh, mukhang gutom na gutom ka na." Pinanliitan ko siya ng mata bago umupo. "I just want to meet you before you go home. Yeah, right."
Humalakhak siya habang nilalapag ang inumin sa tabi ng pagkain ko bago tumabi sa akin. Once satisfied with our proximity, he crouched and reached my elbow to whisper.
"Stop being cute when we're in front of your colleagues. They might witness something they shouldn't."
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko kaya mabilis ko siyang tinulak. I turned to others while in a panic.
I caught them blushing and whispering to each other, which caused a bullet of sweat to start trickling down my forehead.
I should've realized it was a bad idea to let Giovanni come over here, given how brazen he was!
Binilisan ko na lang ang pagkain. Puno ng pagtataka niya akong pinanuod habang dahan-dahan siyang kumakain na tila hawak ang oras.
When he savored his drink, I was already focused working on our feasib. Nililinis niya ang mga pinagkainan nang magsalita siya.
"Is there a problem?"
My worries must be evident on my face. Hindi ko alam ang isasagot kaya nanatili lang akong nakatitig sa laptop.
Our paper looked uncorroborated and basic. I couldn't help but feel uneasy. Alam kong may kulang pa at kailangan ko 'yong punan. This will not do.
Nang magpasalamat si Gio sa isang JBA officer, na boluntaryong nagtapon ng paper bag na naglalaman ng pinagkainan namin, muli niya akong dinaluhan.
Pinatong niya ang kamay sa sandalan ng upuan ko, samantalang ang isa nama'y nakapatong sa lamesa, bago yumuko para suriin ang pinagkakaabalahan ko sa laptop.
I had to shift a bit to give him space. Napatingin ako sa kanya. I breathed in his fresh perfume with a hint of an oriental scent—that left a special fragrance in my senses.
But when I lifted my nose to his neck area, I enjoyed the natural scent of his aftershave. It was way softer and gentler than his perfume.
"A feasibility study on the online reward system for online application users," Giovanni read our title page after he scrolled up to the top. "An integrated software application for a feasibility study, huh?"
Binaba niya ang tingin sa akin. Binalik ko na lang ang atensiyon sa laptop at kinuha ang mouse sa kanya.
He must be thinking the same thing—that it was too grand for mere partial fulfillment of requirements.
"This is a unique and impressive concept, Elia, but I'm afraid you're running out of time to execute this."
I sighed. That was exactly my thought.
"Pero wala na kaming choice kundi panindigan ito. I think we can carry this out. We just need a competent IT consultant," I said while scrolling through our paper.
Madali na lang i-execute ang study na ito kung may suporta at kaalaman lang kami sa pasikot-sikot at pagbuo ng application. Mataas ang expectation sa amin dahil naiiba ang study namin. Ngayon, kami ang nagdudusa sa pagpapakitang-gilas.
Sumalampak ako sa mesa nang hindi ko na nakayanan ang pagod. Kanina pa ako nag-iisip. Sumusuko na ang utak ko. Kagagaling ko lang sa sakit kaya hindi ito magandang pangitain.
Napansin ko ang pananahimik ni Gio. Nakatutok lamang siya sa screen ng laptop habang nakadantay ang bibig sa kamay. Wala mang lumalabas sa bibig niya, pero nararamdaman kong malalim ang iniisip nito.
That mannerism again.
"What are you thinking?" I asked him. "Do you know someone who can help us? Baka may kaibigan ka sa IT."
Umayos siya ng upo at tipid na ngumiti sa akin.
"I don't think so," aniya bago tuluyang tumayo sa tabi ko. "I will let you know if I find someone. I can help you with the paper, too."
Tumayo na rin ako para ihatid siya sa labas. "Kung may kilala kang IT na pwedeng makatulog, ako na ang lalapit para makipag-usap. Pero sa paper, kaya ko na, Gio."
Nagpaalam na rin siya sa mga co-officer ko. Muntik pa kaming magtagal sa loob kaya buti na lang nahatak ko agad siya palabas.
"You should rest once you get home first. Let's do a video call later. We can do our projects while on the call because I might need your help, too."
"How could I help you?" I laughed.
"Seeing you always makes me driven. It helps a lot, Elia."
Sa pag-aakalang sinabi niya lang iyon para tuksuhin ako, natigilan ako nang masaksihan kung gaano siya kaseryoso sa mga sandaling iyon.
It wasn't the only weird thing I felt at that moment. Earlier when I told him about my worries about our paper, he was discreetly silent and strange, too.
I couldn't remember the last time I felt this way with him. Assuming that it'd be the last strange thing I would face today associated with Gio, something disturbed me when I discussed the same matter with Kuya Orpheus.
"Your groupmates are quite daring and confident with their resources. I haven't even done something that complicated for a last-minute feasibility study."
Iyon ang topic namin sa hapagkainan. Maaga akong naghapunan para hindi maabutan ang uwi ni Mama. Sumabay na rin sa akin si Kuya.
"I already know that part," sabi ko pagkatapos lunukin ang pagkain. "Ang kailangan ko ngayon ay taong may alam sa software, Kuya. Next week na ito! Saan ako makakahanap ng willing na IT?"
Nilapag ni Kuya ang basong ininuman at kunot-noong bumaling sa akin. A look that told me I was making a big deal out of nothing.
"How on earth did Ulrik Fabian slip your mind? The man runs his own empire that deals with information technology, you dimwit," he spoke in a matter-of-factly tone.
The food I just swallowed surfaced back into my throat.
Sometimes, Kuya tended to make you feel so small and stupid. But today, I accepted my idiocy with all my heart.
"Bakit hindi ko naisip iyon?"
Nagkibit-balikat si Kuya bago ihatid ang mga pinagkainan sa lababo.
"I feel bad for you. Baka side effect ng mga gamot."
Hindi ko na pinansin ang mga pasaring na komento ni Kuya. Pagkatapos kong kumain, umakyat agad ako sa kwarto para i-message si Ulrik.
If there was a candidate who best suited my needs for an IT consultant right now, that would be Ulrik! Oh, my God! I'm so dumb! That man is an IT genius!
Ulrik:
I got you. Let's nail your project, Riz. Tell me when you need my assessment.
Napatalon ako sa sobrang tuwa! Agad ko iyong binalita sa mga kagrupo at nabuhayan kami ng pag-asa.
Nasa kalagitnaan na rin ako ng pagtitipa ng mensahe kay Gio para ipabahagi sa kanya ang magandang balita, nang makaramdam ako na parang... may hindi tama.
Telling Giovanni about Ulrik extending his aid willingly for our project didn't sit well with me.
Tulala kong pinagmasdan ang binubuong mensahe sa kanya. Kalaunan, napagdesisyunan kong burahin iyon at bawiin ang binabalak.
When I asked him whether he knew anyone who could help, why didn't he mention Ulrik?
Unlike me, Giovanni's world was undeniably closer to Ulrik's. When it comes to information technology, online application, and software, it should ring a bell on Giovanni's end.
It was either he kept it to himself, or he also overlooked Ulrik Fabian's expertise. Pero bakit malakas ang kutob ko na may alam siya, pero hindi niya lang binanggit sa akin?
Why would he do that?
My phone's ringtone sent me back to reality. It was Giovanni, requesting a video call.
I forced a faint quivering smile before I accepted his request. And as soon as I saw his face on the screen, my smile slowly vanished.
Speak of the devil... and he doth appear.
April 5, 2023
#GCSeries1
Twitter: @frosennwp
TikTok: @frosennwp