-Jeleina's POV-
"Ito yung Council. Ikaw yung Senior High School Councilor. Bali 14 tayo don." Kuya Ped was showing pictures of the Council. Kuya Gerfred insisted that I call him Ped or Peddy; apparently, it was what I always call him, dati. He has explained the Council members one-by-one. From the president to the councilors.
Jomar, who apparently is also 3 years older than me like Kuya Ped insisted to not call him kuya, stopped Kuya Ped from swiping the photos to the next one. As a result, it stopped to a group photo where I was looking at him. The photo was taken during a meal. The rest were looking at the camera, except for me.
"Birthday mo. 18th Birthday. Sa office yan, pagka tapos ng Mitting De Avance namin sa New site. Sinurprise ka nila Pres. Hindi ka na nag-expect non kasi nagkaroon ka na ng advanced celebration sa isang resort." The photo accidentally turned to the next one. A photo of him and I in a pool. My arms and chin were resting in his shoulders, we were both wearing sun shades. My smile on the photo was genuine, too real for me. I never expected that I would ever smile like that, my whole life; specially with all the shitty things that had happened to me when I was younger. It was apparently a burst shot, which was playing quite slow than usual. There was also a shot where one of my cousins were splashing water on us, a photo where we were kind of shading our faces from the sun whilst looking at it, and other photos of the two of us in the pool.
"Yan yung simple party mo non Ate, invited ang Council with jowa/friends, Animalia at Eoabdidbus." Mara butted in. Like Kuya Ped and Jomar, she preferred that I call her Mara or Majjo, she explained that those were the nicknames I gave her and that she would prefer if I used it when I talk to her.
My mind was bluffing. I, Jeleina, had a birthday party with other people attending? And not just some random people whom my family knows or is acquainted to, but my friends. I never celebrated my birthday where some friends of mine attended. Specially to have more than one friend, three friend groups at this point.
"Yung mga binanggit mo. Can you tell me their names, introduce them to me?"
"Kuya Jomar may picture ba sa phone ni Ate ang Animalia?" the kid turned to Jomar. In response, he just took a phone from his pocket and searched for something, handing the phone to the kid. She showed me the photo, it was a collage; one photo was taken at a coffee shop, the other one was shot at which I suppose is a grand ball. She then pointed at the faces, one by one. "Yan si Tita Dada, owner ng tambayan natin na coffee shop sa harap ng school, minsan tawag mo sa kanya eh zoo keeper kasi siya ang taga saway sa atin. Yan naman si Kuya Kenneth, tawag mo sa kanya Kentot, siya ang pinaka matanda sa friend group natin, 3 years ahead siya sayo. Yan naman si Gerome, si Khate, si Kayce, si Karylle, si Christopher, ako yan, tapos ikaw naman 'to."
"Ate Star! Ikaw nalang mag introduce sa Eoabdidbus." Tala went near us. She was holding an iPad. She showed me a mirror picture, a group one. "Ikaw yang may hawak ng camera, sher ko lang, baka di mo din kilala sarili mo eh. Yan naman ako, baka kasi blurred na naman paningin mo, di mo ako ma recognize. Yan naman si Ashley, pinangalanan mo ng abo, anak yan ng military, minsan tawag mo din sa kanya tangkad sagad. Ito naman si Ruffa, pero mas gusto mo siyang tinatawag sa second name niya tapos ang bigkas mo ay tagalog, ginagawa mong Ma-e, minsan mo din siyang tinatawag na tangsit liit lalo na pag naiinis siya sa tao. Ok na? Gets mo ba? Syempre gets mo, matalino ka eh." Star articulated fast. Ang dami niyang sinabi, halos puro pa pang babarag, pero I did not feel even a small amount of uneasiness. Hindi din ako na-offend. It was as if sobrang sanay ko na sa ugali niya. I just gave her a thumbs up and smiled, she strode back to her table and continued whatever she was doing.
"Yan naman yung Council, ito yung President natin." Kuya Ped said while showing a graduation pic of mine holding a whiteboard with 'Bunso ng Council' written across and a tablet with a group photo flashed through the screen. Beside me was a guy wearing glasses and a blue polo. Education siguro course niya. "Siya naman yung Vice-president natin." He flashed a photo of me and a lady wearing dresses. Cute, we look like we were going for a western look. Matchy matchy pa yung corset namin and we both were wearing boots. Ate Vice-President and I were looking at the camera with our forefingers pointed at it, like a gun. Gangsters yarn?
"Siya naman ang madam secretary." Jomar said with a little chuckle. It was me and a girl both wearing white and doing a peace sign. "Sila naman yung Treasurer at CCJE Councilor." It was a group photo. A guy wearing red uniform in the middle, I was on the left wearing a blue graduation gown, and another guy on the right wearing a black graduation gown. We were all doing a thumbs up, I bet this was our graduation. I mean with the cap and gown and all. "Yung nasa kanan ang Treasurer, tapos nasa gitna ang CCJE Councilor."
"Siya naman ang IICT Councilor." A photo of me and a lady in one frame was shown. And then they showed me a group photo, before eating I guess? Kuya Ped, Jomar, Me, the Secretary, the President, and two unfamiliar ladies beside Kuya Pres. were on the photo. "Yan nasa right na tabi mismo ni pres., siya yung Accountant. Yung nasa gitna naman ko naman at ng accountant, siya yung auditor." I was just nodding while learning the features of the people in the photo while Kuya Ped was explaining who they are, what position they have in the Council.
"Hayaan mo nalang silang magpakilala sayo isa-isa, sa pangalan. Pero syempre dadagdagan namin yung sasabihin nila kasi gwapo kami." I chuckled with what Kuya Ped had said. I can't wait to meet the Council, talking about the Council feels like I am talking about my family. Talking about all of them, it brings me comfort, I feel loved.
-Third Person POV-
Jelo fell asleep again, Jomar was the one who volunteered to take care of her while she was sleeping. She fell asleep whimpering after they introduced her friends to her. While Jomar was looking out for her while sleeping, he fell asleep too while caressing her hair.
"Kuya pansin niyo? Pag gising si Ate, parang ang cold na ewan ni Kuya Jomar. Pero pag ganyan namang tulog siya, nilalabas niya yung care niya."
"Kaya nga ading, ewan ko ba kay bespren. Ganyan din ginawa niya 2 years ago nung na realize niya na gusto siya ni ading bespren eh. Nilayuan niya pero may guilt din naman sa kanya."
"Baka naman ayaw niya lang ma-attach ulit si Jelo sa kanya, lalo na wala naman siyang memories."
"Pag nilayuan niyo yang si Lojen pag attached na siya sa inyo, mas na-a-attach siya. Sinasaktan niyo lang siya lalo. Masyado kasing naniniwala yan dun sa 'Absence makes the heart grow fonder.' Mabilis ma attach yan, pero mahirap sa kanya na maalis yung attachment. Malakas attachment issue niya dahil sa past issues. Pero may trust issues din."
"Pero Kuya Fred, hindi naman maiiwasan kay ate na ma-attach. Kagaya nga ng sabi ni Ate Star, mabilis siya ma-attach."
"True ka jan deng, sana din kung iba na din nararamdaman ni bespren. Sana di na siya maging in denial." With that, the four of them looked at the two sleeping. Gerfred let out a sigh and Marjorie just kept on staring at them with a look of hope.
-Jeleina's POV-
When I woke up, they continued to show me group photos and narrate what happened the day that the photos were shot. They were using my supposed phone to show me some photos. Pangalawang phone na 'to na ginamit nila to view some memories. "Alam mo ate, buti nalang sentimental ka. Araw-araw ka'ng may photo na kinukuha. O kaya naman nag-ku-kwento ka sa chat kung anong nangyari sa araw mo." She was right, what if I was not a fan of taking pictures everyday? What if I don't message myself or anyone with what happened during the day?
"Ading, what if? What if na foresee mo na na mangyayari to?" and that stuck to me. Paano nga kung alam ko nang mangyayari to? Paano kung part lang to ng p-.
"Wait." A stolen photo caught my eye. It was a stolen photo of Kuya Jayson, Kuya Ped, Jomar, and a Council member which my guess is the president. I'm guessing that the photo was taken from my point of view, since I was not in the frame. "Anong date yan kuya? Saan yan? Pwede po'ng pa kwento?" yung iba lang kasi ang ine-explain nila, mostly yung mga saved na Instagram story. The other photos? Tinatawanan lang nila.
"May 17, 2023. Pagabi na ata yan. Pagka tapos ng photoshoot ng S.A.N.D.I.G.A.N. Party list para sa Pub Mat. As usual, may pa pizza ka tapos sop drinks kasi ginagawa mo ng tubig yon. Editing ng Pub Mat nung gabi, inabot ata ng 10 pm uwi natin jan. Sa photo na yan, pinapa-uwi mo na si Pres. kasi sinabi niya din na maaga siyang uuwi pero pasado 6 na nasa ofis pa rin siya at tinitira yung pizza. Madaming nangyari ng gabi na yan."
"85% nag tatampo ka, 5% gawa ng Goals, 5% edit ng Pub Mat, at 5% kain. Yung tampo mo dahil ata sa hindi namin masyado pinapansin sinasabi mo. Tapos mas nagalit ka nung naka tapon ako ng kape sa lamesa tapos sa files, dun ka nagalit. Tapos ang kalat ng office, tapos gabi na konti pa lang natatapos natin." Jomar continued what Kuya Peddy was telling. Grabe naman, kung mas malaki yung porsyento na nag tatampo ako, does it mean na pabebe ako that time? Owemji, mabilis sumama ang loob ko pero tumatahimik lang ako, no one would realize that I'm no longer in the mood for funny shits.
"Tsaka ilang araw na kamo na sunod-sunod kasalanan mo sa kanya." Kuya Ped added.
I felt my face flustered. Nahihiya talaga ako, bakit naman kasi ganun ang ugali? Huhu.
"Oo ading, di pa tayo masyadong close non na witness ko na kung paano ka mag tampo kay Jomar."
"Paano, sa lahat naman ng bagay affected si ate."
Shit. Does this mean I fell for Jomar? If my mood depends on how he treats me or whatnot, it's a big possibility. Because it is either I like him, or he is my best friend/favorite person. But based on how they act with me now, it's either it's Star or Mara that is my best friend. Pero yung mga photos namin, ang close naming dalawa. Shit, what if ex ko pala siya?
With that thought, I turned my gaze on him, just to be met with his eyes staring through my soul. Tangina, mind reader siguro 'to. Gago, wag mo akong tignan, para akong na-hi-hypnotize. Grabe, what if asawa ko talaga 'to? Maybe that is why the Jayson guy introduced Jomar as my asawa earlier, like a flag waving in my face na time's up na sa pagtatago. Or maybe ex ko na siya? Tapos mahal pa namin isa't isa? Paano kung ganyan siya makatingin sa akin kasi may anak kami tapos tinatago ko sa kanya, at ngayon nakita niya na kami-
*snap. My train of thoughts suddenly halted to a stop. "Hui, ate. Grabe naman ang overthinking ng person. Over naman ang pagka delulu."
"Hoi Lojen, naririnig ka namin. Anong taguan ng anak? Sige, mag-Wattpad ka pa." Tangina, nasabi ko ba ng malakas yung thoughts ko?
I looked at Kuya Jayson who snorted, loudly. Snort talaga? Ganon ba ka full of derision and incredulity yung thoughts ko? I slowly pulled the white hospital blanket up to cover my face, just up to below my eyes. Peeking with only one eye.
"Loko, baka nakalimutan mong nakikita ka pa rin namin." Jomar said as a matter of fact. With that, I swiftly covered my whole body with the blanket and turned my body to the side. Gusto ko sumigaw sa frustration, pero nasa harap ko lang sila.
Their laughs got louder with my action. "Hindi natakpan paa mo Ading Bespren." Kuya Jayson chuckled while tucking my feet under the blanket. I felt my face flustered more. Kung nakikita ko mukha ko, probably mukha na akong kamatis.
-*-
"Halikana Jelo, alam naming gising ka pa din hanggang ngayon. Kanina pa yon. Kain na tayo, pork sisig at nilagang baka na may sibot yung ulam." I heard kuya Gerfred say. The ulam does sound tempting. Pero nahihiya pa rin ako sa nangyari kanina.
"Kain na Lojen, tatlong oras na nakalipas. Di na namin ipapaalala sayo." Star seconded. Konti pa please, suyuin niyo pa ako konti, tatayo na talaga ako.
"Oo nga 'Nay, di na namin ipapaalala na nag delulu ka ng taguan ng anak kay Kuya Jomar." Owemji, this rat. I swear- kakalbuhin ko 'tong bubwit nato. Di ipapaalala, pero binanggit naman yung nangyari kanina huhu.
"True ka jan deng, kain na bespren, di namin ipapaalala na inisip mong ex mo si bespren at may anak kayo." Pogi sana 'to kung di siya malakas mang-asar. Akala mo di siya ang pasimuno ng thoughts ko na yon, magpakilala ba naman as a mutual friend tapos sasabihing asawa ko si Jomar. Paano ako gaganahan kumain pag ganito?
I then heard the door open, noticing that there is a lot of footsteps that entered the room. Sino kaya sila?
I felt someone tugged the blanket. "Jelo kain na, wag mo na pansinin yung dalawa." I let Jomar remove the blanket from my face, he assisted me to sit down. "Kaya mo?" he asked carefully while caressing my cheeks and tucking a hair behind my ear. He was so soft spoken, as if when he spoke louder, I might shatter. I just nodded in response and put my feet down beside the bed. Shuta, kinikilig ako. Why naman ganito? Feeling ko nasa Korean drama ako huhu.
"La la la, tama na yan. May bisita tayo, nakakahiya naman sa mga single." With kuya Gerfred's words, my gaze snapped to the dining part of the room. Hallah, ang daming tao. I recognized them from the photos, some of them are part of the Council.
I noticed the foods that they are holding. 3 boxes of donuts. A box of cake. 5 boxes of pizza. Some drinks. May mga pakete pa ng 3 in 1 at mga de lata.
Parang may pista instead of dalaw sa ospital.
I just waved at them and smiled awkwardly. Gusto ko sana itago mukha ko, pero naka upo na ako, ang awkward naman kung hihiga pa ako bago mag takip ng mukha. Kay Jomar sana, I mean sa dibdib niya, pero nakakahiya naman, ambango bango niya tapos ako amoy hospital.
Oo teh, inaamoy ko siya. Di naman siguro halata kaya ok lang. Di din naman masamang amuyin siya. Ang bango niya kasi talaga, parang wood na musk na basta ang gwapo ng amoy niya.
To avoid being humiliated furthermore, I jumped from the bed, attempting to stand. Pero dahil ngayon lang din naman ako babangon after a week of being confined, tumba. I felt hands on my waist as I accepted my faith to fall flat on the floor; opening one eye at a time, Jomar's face meeting my gaze. Well, it's a good thing that he is just right beside me. Awkward nga lang, mejo. Ang lapit ng mukha niya gagi.
I heard someone clear their throat. Letting me remember the people on the same room, I quickly averted my eyes from him and attempted to stand up straight. Resulting for only one of his hand left on my waist, just enough to support me. I walked towards the guests, holding his biceps for extra support. Feeling ko, ambigat bigat ko kahit parang di naman. Pero baka siguro pabebe lang ako. Parang yung latter.
Jomar sat me down, getting settled, I looked at the people who just came in.
"Kain na tayo nak, mamaya na kami magpapa kilala sayo." I recognize her from the photos as the Secretary. She looks cool yet cute with her hairstyle. Mukhang strict pero cute cute-an pa din.
"Ikaw na magkararag Joleng." The Council President, said. The man beside him, which I recognize as the Treasurer of the Council, bowed his head and uttered some prayers. So Joleng ang name niya? My thought was cut short when the rest said 'Amen' and presumed to eat.
"Kuya yung tablet nga po." Kuya Jayson handed me my tablet and the others put some foods on my plate, treating me like a toddler. I didn't even need to ask for anything, they knew what I wanted in my plate. Siguro lagi ko silang naka kasama na kumain, lagi din siguro nila akong nilalabayan. They were treating me like a princess. I was their bunso.