Chapter 32-III
"Did you get some nice photos?"
Napalingon si Ronald na magsalita ako, naghihintay kasi siya sa labas ng art club at nakadungaw sa celebration sa baba. He opened the DSLR I lent him and show me the photos he captured, they're stunning." Yung mga buildings at yung floats lang, Ate. Hallway din at yung langit. Baka natabunan na yung mga paintings kanina--- pictures ng kaklase ko mo wala. Ayoko."
"That's fine, yung artworks na lang nila." Tawa ko sa pagkainis ni Ronald at sa introverted expressions niya, but atleast now he doesn't look anxious being public. " Mamaya pagpunta ko sa theater, bistahin mo na muna yung exhibit ng ibang block."
"Anong oras ka pupunta, Ate?"
I look back on my club,then on my watch. "After lunch, halika na?"
"Yung mga kaibigan mo diba sila manonood ng play mo? Di mo sila dadaanan?" Ronald as we walk down the long hallway. Paminsan-minsan tumitigil siya para kumuha ng litrato. He takes picture and I watch him, that's our routine as we almost reach the auditorium." Yung dalawang kasama mo nung birthday mo dati?"
"Busy si El---Si Ralph may galit sakin."
Ronald glance at me, as if making sure I wasn't mad." Ah..."
I shrug, I patted his head when he fell quiet.
When we entered the auditorium Ronald was mesmerized. Inayos na ang entrance, nakabukas na ang lahat ng lightings at aranya, may mga floral decorations na ang baroque staircase, tinanggal na ang telang takip ng mga mamahaling painting sa loob at nagpapatugtog sila ng classical musis. It's indeed a feast on the senses, they prepared so much for the pride of Vitrivius University.I'm sure Ronald enjoy would enjoy himself here
Kaso nakasalubong pa namin siya---si Ricos.
"...Kuya?"
"Huh, ako ba? I don't think we've met." Ricos pointed to himself as if stumbling upon us and pulled him out from his own world. Suot niya ang ginawa kong half-mask para sa kanya. His arms is no longer have a cast and his burnt face in hidden from plain sight. " Bihira tumatawag sa akin niya, they said I look like a kid too!"
"Ronald? Kilala mo siya? Kilala mo si Ricos?"
Napatawa si Ricos saka niya dahan-dahang tinanggal ang half-mask niya. Which only shock the boy beside me more, as he take in the horrifying burn scars on on the transferee's face. Ricos was smiling innocently, as he walk closer." Do I remind of you of someone, po? I'm Ricos Dela Cerna. Classmate lang ni Ate Sheena."
"D-Dela Cerna? May kamukha ka lang." Ronald whispered.
"So I look like your brother?" Ricos pressed.
Ronald eyes widen in disbelief because of he guy in front of him. Conflicted siya. Parang may pinipigilan lang siya sabihin. Ronald never speaks his mind." Magkaiba kayo...."
I suddenly felt disgust because Ronald just fell quieter and paler as my classmate speoaks Halos hindi ko na rin maakay si Ronald papaalayo dahil ayaw niyang gumalaw at may hinihintay siyang mangyari o malaman." Nagkamali lang, Ricos. This is my friend. Ronald, this is my classmate he's Ricos. Now can you let us pass? We also need to start preparing for our performance."
Ricos puff, his shoulders dropped. "They said I didn't need to help, Ate, sa flyers na lang daw. I'm so clumsy and sickly for them so they don't bother anymore. Busy sila dun sa backstage. Pero nab-bored ako ako."
I grimace." Yeah it's okay ikaw na kasi yung gumawa ng backdrop."
The transferee is much shorter and smaller, than me and Ronald. He was looking downwards, but when lift his eyes to look at us, I could tell that's its madness on it."So how about you'd let me watch with him instead? Saan ka ppweste para panoorin siya? Ronald, gusto mo manood kasama ko?"
"M-may pinapagawa si Ate Sheena..." Ronald stuttered.
"Get your hands off him, ano ba Ricos?" I scolded him.
"Pretty please, Ron?" Ricos just hummed, then without warning his hand started ruffling Ronald's hair like a kid. Hanggang tumigil siya sa paggalaw at parang iinspeksyon na lang ang bawat sulot ng mukha ni Ronald." It hurts didn't it? Kaya bakit ka pa nandito? Hindi mo ba nakikita ang sarili mo? It's not worth to stay here because you're waiting for something to happen?"
I realized the familiar animosity in Ricos words, I tried to pull Ronald away as I snap at my classmate." Stop toying with other using your words, huwag mo siyang lapitan! What the hell are you on about?"
Ricos titled his head." "Siya na ang bahalang umitindi nun."
I was pissed, I need him to go away! I extended my hands towards Ricos. Pero hindi ko inaasahan ang biglang pagpigil ni Ronald sa akin. Hindi ko alam kung alam ba niya ang ginagawa niya. He slapped my hand away and pulled the transferee behind him. Ronald looks wary and guarded. Mautal-utal ko siyang kinuwestiyon. Akala niya sasaktan ko si Ricos! " W-Why are you reacting like that? Get away from him, Ron!"
Ronald's was holding Ricos by his wrist." W-Wala, nabigla lang."
"Wanna hit me, Ate?"
"What?! No! Don't say that!"
"Do you want to watch Ate Sheena's play with me?" Muling tanong ni Ricos habang nasa likuran pa rin siya ni Ronald. It's only after a while that Ronald turned around to have a better look at the boy, but he won't still let me get near them. He looks so distraught as he come in between us." Sila pa ang pinakahuling magp-perform samahan na lang kita?"
"Ronald, halika na. Leave him" I ordered as I saw Ricos triumphant smile.
"Papunta na, Ate." Ronald finally obliged, closing his eyes.
Napasimangot na lang si Ricos nang bitawan siya ni Ronald, pero nagawa niyang kumaway sa amin. All his tiny actions still earns a reaction from Ronald, I have no choice but to pull my friend to walk with me." Dito lang ako sa loob ng auditorium! I'll see you around! Bye-Bye! Hanapin mo ako pag kailangan mo ako."
"Ron, ano ba? Maglakad ka ng maayos."
"...Alam ko namang magkaiba sila."
"At alam mo naman na hindi ko siya sasaktan! Kaya bakit ganun ka makatingin ha?"I don't get him. Hindi siya makatingin sa akin, kaya hinila ko siya sa kamay para makinig siya. Bakit kasi kamukha ni Ricos ang half-burnt sketch ko at ang kapatid ni Ronald?" Don't talk with that kid anymore, nakita mo naman na iba ang behavior niya. :ilituhin ka lang niya at magmamakaawa sayo."
He nodded, of course he should." Magkamukha lang sila."
I cussed, ayon pa talaga ang nakuha niyang sabihin." Replika lang, replica. Maliwanag?"