Chapter 19-II
"What do you want to do, Sheena?"
Napalingon ako dahil sa boses na yun. It's Percival's. I am at the front door of art club. But he's nowhere in sight.Paulit-ulit akong lumilingon-lingon sa hallway, kaya halos di ko na mamalayan ang pagbukas ng pinto sa likod ko. Si Ralph!" Hey, hi again. Uh. Hindi ka papasok? Kanina ka pa dyan. Sorry pala hindi na ako nakapag-paalam na nandito ako."
"Are you with someone?"
"No, it's just me---- I hope you won't mind I'm here, tahimik dito eh."
"Hindi naman ako may-ari neto."
"Yes,yes. The Lady of the abandoned art club. If you say so."
Binibiro niya lang ako, but my stomach slightly felt sick when said those last words,. It reminds me of how puppet-like Percival is. The consceding tone attached to it. Nawala lang ako sa pag-iisip ng sumenyas si Ralph na pumwesto kami sa dulo ang art club." Ralph, thanks for your help earlier. Nalate ka pa tuloy sa class mo dahil sinugurado mong natanggal yung flyers and newspaper tungkol sa akin."
"Ah, it's no big deal. I'm always happy to help you." Sagot ni Ralph saka pumwesto pabalik sa pagkakaupo niya sa sahig. Nagkalat ang mga papel, libro at pati na rin ang laptop niya." Makakabawi naman agad sa klase na yun. Maybe if I won the debate next month they'll give me extra credits."
I nodded."...Ah, magiging busy ka pala next month."
He smiled, he scoot closer to me." Sakto lang, pero gagraduate na rin naman tayong tatlo. Ikaw, kamusta sa theater arts? Maganda ba sila kasama? You're under Kiera, right? I'm glad she help you too earlier."
"...She's inquisitive and curious. Do you like girls like her?"
"...I don't know. Ba't napunta dyan? You're the one who like girls like her. Debater din yun, talong-talo nun si Acierto I'm glad she's stop competing, paano na lang ako pag siya nakalaban ko? Would you still like me if I lose to her?"
I smirked, binalik niya sa akin ang pang-aasar ko." Huling sali nila Acierto at Kiera sa debate sophomore pa nila. We're supposed to ahead them, remember? Mas matanda tayo. Kung di lang tayo huli sa klase."
Napahawak si Ralph sa sentido niya. Groaning."AHH!!! Progidies."
"Don't you hate people with more gifts, Hon?"
That's Percival's voice again. Agad akong napalingon sa harap ng clubroom at napalayo kay Ralph. Pero walang tao sa unahan. Tanging ang mga easels at upuan lang ang nandun. I must look so pale that Ralph nudge me to get my attention." Nakita mo lang mga reviewers ko namutla ka na, Shin?"
"May naalala lang ako bigla!" I close my eyes, and inhaled deeply. Damn. Amidst the blackness of my vision I could see that man's image. Wala. Wala dito si Percival. Malikot lang isip ko." N-Next month if free ka, pwede samahan mo ako sa business party nila Mom and Dad?"
Napataas ang kilay ni Ralph." Percival can't go with you?"
I gulp, I open my eyes."... Busy.
Nanlisik ang mata ni Ralph." Bakit hindi siya makaka----- No why didn't he fit you in his schedule? Kung pinapunta ka nila Tito ibig sabihin importanteng araw 'to para yo. Yung nags-stalk sayo nasabi mo na ba sa kanya? Bakit bigla-biglang nawawala na naman si Percival?"
I raised my hands." Hey, don't be too angry with hi------"
Ralph just scoff because of my please." Ikaw ang bakit hindi naiinis?"
"B-Because--- he already explained his side to me. At kampante siya sa inyong mga kaibigan ko na di ako mag-isa." Pagpapalusot ko kay Ralph. Nang dahil lang sa mga nakikita at naririnig ko ay bigla ko tuloy siya naimbita." But I'll try to ask him if you cant--- you didn't need to be so mean. Kung di talaga kaya ng sched niya, mag-isa na lang akong pupunta. Its not like I can ask Ellie, babantayan niya ang mga kapatid niya."
"...He's making you ask someone else?" Iritadong sabi ni Ralph.
"No! I'm doing this on my own! But I can't invite Ellie or Ronald,okay?" Sagot ko.
Raplh clench his jaws, binalibag niya ang reviewer niya." A fourteen year old is even on your options because Percival isn't around?"
Nanlaki ang mata ko." What's bullshit is going on your head?"
"I'm sorry, I was just worried on how Percival is. Nung tinawagan kasi kita nung isang araw dahil sa mga natanggap kong pictures mo siya ang unang sumagot pero binabaan niya ako." Ralph narrated with his palms on his face." I thought he got it handled so he won't listen to me. Tapos ngayon malalaman kong di ka niya naasikaso."
I clench my fist." It's not like that his job..."
Napangisi na lang si Ralph." Fuck. It's not?"
I dug my nails deeper to my skin this time, I want to the pain to wake me up. Ralph's anger and words is just making me sick. Kung magalit siya at manumbat ng gagawin ni Percival, ay para namang mas magaling siya. Naiinis ako. Ayaw kong itulak ako ng taong mahal ko papunta sa boyfriend kong peke lang naman." Babawi naman siya. Maybe not now, but he'll give me what I really wish for."
"Oh, so that's what you want, Sheena."