“Congrats.”
“Salamat.” Sagot ko naman at tuloy sa paglakad papuntang room.
Lagi na lang kapag may nadadaanan akong estudyante hindi maiiwasan na batiin nila ako. Everything has changed after that night. Hinulog ako ng magagaling kong kaibigan dagdagan pa ng mahal na mahal kong kapatid. Insert sarcastic tone there.
“Please, Madds!” Samantha and Alex chorused.
“No. Hindi. Ayoko!” They’ve been begging since I arrived. Why me? I think we should just back out for this pageant. Nagkabulilyaso na ang lahat dahil kay Althea. Ang tigas pala ng bungo ng babaeng iyon, ayaw na lang sumunod sa mentor niya.
“What the hell! What’s this?” I looked to Samantha and she just shook her head, my eyes went to Alex. What’s all about this paper, my name is already written on this representative form.
“It’s not my fault, Madds…” she nervously retorted and she pulled Sam closer to her. “It’s our fault.” They chorused and gave me a piece sign.
“Mapapatay ko kayo!!” I was about to pull their hair but…
“Hey, why did you not answer your phone? Naligaw tuloy ako.” I was staring for this person who’s looking to Samantha. Why is my sister here?
“Thank you for the right direction.” Sabi nito sa lalaking kasama niya.
“What are you doing here, Jade?” I asked. My two friends went to her back and whispering something.
“Yeah, I got it. You don’t have to tell me everything, I’m not that idiot.” She told to Alex and rolled her eyes. “Yow, sister I’ll be your mentor for tonight. Cool, right?” as she said while walking towards me and giving me her most annoying smile.
“No. No! Back off, Jade! Duh, I’m not joining for this fvcking pageant. I’m not… “
“What?!”
“Prepared..” I said.
“Hahaha! You’re a chicken, sister. Tsk. Tsk!” I’m definitely not! I know this is the part of their fvcking plan.
“Shut up! I’m not a scaredy-cat!”
“Then prove to us. Win the Ms. Thomasian title!” Jade still know how to challenge me. Then, challenge accepted.
That’s the reason why I joined that pageant and won the first runner up title and the best costume. Not bad at all, especially to an on the spot candidate like me. But there’s a few students who told me that I should’ve win the crown even Jeric told me about it. Jeric supported me, I mean the growling tigers. I think he threatened his team mates just to support me. He said that he didn’t recognize me at first, he even took a picture with me and posted on his instagram account.
“May nagcomment na naman sa picture niyo ni Jeric .” pagkaupo ko agad naman ako sinalubong nito ni Sam. She’s always read the comment about that photo.
“Who is she? Yuck, she’s ugly! Jeric, belongs to me. Just kidding. Bagay kayo kuya Jeric ni ate. Hehe”
“Ang ganda ni Ate. Siya na ba idol?”
“Wow. May kamukha si ateng model. Ganda.” Samatha reads. Buti na lang wala akog instagram atleast hindi ko nababasa commnets nila but I have twitter, hindi ko na nga lang nagagamit.
“Bagay nga sila. Hay! Kinikilig ako.” Nagpipilantik na sabi ni Alex. Kami bagay? Duh! We’re human not a thing. Masyado lang akong nagiging close kay Jeric but they don’t need to make rumors about us, lalo na yung team mates niya. Mamaya guluhin ako ng fan girls ni Jeric, hindi ko kaya ‘yun.
“Jeron and Madds looks good together, are you blind? Hindi ka talaga pwedeng match maker, Alex. Kaya pala kayo ni Brandon.” Sam said while shaking her head.
“Aw. Nahiya naman ako sayo, mistress! Basta kay Jeric ako!” Alex rolled her eyes.
“Aba! Wala namang personalan, girl. Ansakit ah! Pero Jeron ako! Kuya na lang ni Madds un si brotherhood.” Hinampas naman ng mahina ni Sam ang braso ni Alex. Mistress? Woaah. Officially mistress by Thomas Torres?
“Age is just a number and it doesn’t matter, as long as the guy is humble, gentleman, handsome, and the most important.. he’s SINGLE plus you love him. Hay!! Pasok na yan sa bangga! Diba Madds?” Alex stated emphasizing the single.
“Whatever, Alex!” nagwalk out naman si Sam. Alam ko rin naman na nahihirapan siya sa posisyon niya but she have a choice and she pick the wrong choice.
“Bakit mo naman ginanun un?” tanong ko kay Alex.
“Tsss. Hayaan mo baka marealize niya sa dreamland lang sila magiging ni Thomas.” Tinalikuran naman na ako at nagdrawing na lang nung pinapagawa sa amin si Alex.
Tatapusin ko na nga lang itong seatwork na ‘to para makauwi ako ng maaga. Kailangan ko ng mahabang pahinga, kagabi napaovertime ako sa trabaho buti na lang half day ako ngaun and day off sa work. Medyo mahirap nan gang pagsabayin ang trabaho and pag-aaral ko plus the lovelife.Joke, baka meron. Kailangan ko na atang mag give-up ng isa. Madalas na akong walang tulog lalo na nung pinagawa kami ng resort. I mean we draw a huge resort, isa sa mga requirements eh.
“Manong sa tabi na lang po.” Inihinto naman ng taxi driver sa tapat ng gate namin ang sasakyan, inabot ko naman agad ang bayad.
I was shocked when Karren opened the gate for me. “Kelan ka pa nakabalik?” I asked her.
“Kanina lang umaga. Mabilis naman kasi makarecover si Nanay” She said and I just nodded. Papasok na sana ako ng bahay kaya lang may nakita akong nakaparadang sasakyan sa garage namin.
“May bisita ba si Jade?”
“Wala siya nasa school. Manliligaw mo daw eh. Pinapasok ko na rin pala kasi mukha namang mapagkakatiwalaan. Ang gwapo, Jane.” Sabi ni Karren na parang kilig na kilig sabay pasok sa loob. Sinong manliligaw? As far as I remember hindi ako nag papaligaw. Baka si Kyle, binuksan ko na agad ang pinto at bigla naman bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko. What the hell. Jusmiyo. Feel ko may sakit ako sa puso.
“Hi, Madds.” He said and kissed my cheeks. OMG! I took a back step because I did not expect that kiss from him. My eyes grew wider and looked straight at him. 5 seconds left to go before my heart explode. Shit! This is the same feeling I felt when I meet him personally and accidentally left a scrape in his arm.
“Hey, what are you do-ing he-re?” I uneasily asked. He just gave me his one sided smile while staring me. Don’t give me that smile Mr. Teng! Grabe. I’m controlling myself to giggle.
“Have a se-at.” Sabi ko na lang ng hindi ko nakayanan ang titig niya. Kung nakakabuntis lang yung titig baka may baby na ako haha. He followed what I said and seated comfortably on the couch. How come he gets here? Pano niya nalaman bahay namin. Heeller! You must ask Samantha about it, girl. My mind said. Oh right. Ang bruhang iyon!
“Anong meron? Bakit ka andito?” I awkwardly asked and sat in the other side of couch. I did not offer him anything because there’s a plate of cake and a juice in front of him.
“I just wanna say congrats for winning the pageant. Ahia I mean kuya tell me about it.” I gave him a smile and just nodded. Dapat nagtext na lang siya o kaya tumawag.
“May gagawin ka ba ngaun?” Wala, bakit aayain mo ko magdate? Aw. Ang harot, Madds. Matutulog kaya ako maghapon.
“Wala naman. Why?”
“Yun! Let’s go!” he immediately stood up and grab my hand. And again my heart is beating fast. I was just staring to his hand that’s holding tight unto mine. I can’t help but to smile.
“Where are we going?” I asked when I already sitting here in the passenger seat and look at him. Adonis talaga!
“Going on a date.” OMG! No. No. Ang tagal magprocess sa utak ko. I was just staring at him and I don’t want to ask again, mamaya ano pa isagot nito.
“Why? Ayaw mo ba?” He stated in husky voice and he’s getting closer to me. Now I can smell his breath and just eyeing him tougher.
“hey.” The only word came out from my mouth. Eye to eye contact? Check! There’s still a smile on his face. He’s going to kiss me ? I don’t know. Sobrang lapit na niya. Should I slap him? Dugs dugs. I just close my eyes, hahayaan ko na lang bang halikan niya ako?! I can feel his breath on my lips. This is Maddison.
“Safety first, always put your seatbelt.” WTF! He started the engine. Nilagyan lang ako ng seatbelt! Feelingera kasi ako ayun medyo pahiya. Paclose-close pa ng eyes.
“Ah. Hihi. Yeah, of course. Thanks.” I awkwardly told him. I sat properly and I glued my eyes to the side window of his car. From my peripheral vision I can see him smiling. Oo na. Assuming na ako! Sobrang nakakahiya, dapat natulog na lang ako sa bahay. He must be thinking that I am giving him a sign that he can do whatever he wants to me. Easy girl. I just shut my mouth for the whole trip until we arrived in MOA.
“Are you hungry?” he asked while taking our steps inside the mall. I think people are recognizing him, some of the girls are giggling. Kulang na lang hilahin nila si Jeron palayo sa akin eh. Yes. I’m with Jeron.
“Medyo lang.” I said. Medyo kuno lang. Sa totoo lang gutom na gutom na ako. Sobrang panis na yung laway ko and last kung kain yung breakfast ko pa.
“What do you prefer Chinese food or Filipino food?”
“Ikaw na bahala basta masarap.” Walang ka gana-ganang sagot ko. Duh! Magkakagana k aba naman kung ang kadate mo andaming nakatingin and they were taking pictures. Wait, did I say kadate ko siya? Ay ewan. Nauna na lang akong maglakad.
“Si Jeron yan diba? Papicture tayo…” Back off girl! Gusto ko sanang sabihin kaso I have no rights.
“ kaya lang kasama ata girlfriend niya, mukhang galit yung gf.” Napangiti naman ako sa sinabi nung isa. Laki tenga ko. Girlfriend daw ako.
“Bilisan natin ng kunti, we already get the whole attention of the shoppers here.”
“Ikaw lang naman, hindi ak-“ Before I can finish my word he immediately grab my hand while walking fast. Electricity flows. OMGee! Why my heart beats fast when his closer to me or rather I can say whenever he touches me. This is wrong! I know his my ultimate crush because he plays basketball well. That’s it. But this time I felt totally different.
“Is that all, sir?” the waiter asked.
“Yeah. How about you, Madds? Do you want to add something? Dessert?” he unease asked. I just shook my head as an answer. Ano bang meron? Bakit ba ako sumama dito kay Jeron?
Tiningnan ko muna siya, busy siya sa phone nya. Hindi kami ganun kaclose ni Jeron kumpara kay Jeric na madalas kong kasama sa school. Asan na yung aroganteng Jeron? Bigla syang bumait sa akin, siguro pinagalitan ng kuya niya.
“Don’t stare at me. There’s a punishment for that. “ he stated.
“Asa! Baka nakatingin ako sayo. ” I protested. Mapapahiya na naman ba ako.
“Don’t deny it. I already caught you, you‘re staring at me while smiling. Tsk. Tsk. Ganun ba ako kacharming para titigan mo ng ganun?” he said and gave his signature smile. I think I am blushing right now.
“Hahah. You’re blushing.” Napahawak naman ako sa magkabila kong pisngi habang tumatawa siya.
“Here’s your food, sir, ma’am.” The waiter interrupted. He serves the foods and Jeron was still smiling and shaking his head.
“Hep hep!” I was about to eat when Jeron stopped me. I angry put down the spoon and glared him. I’m super duper hungry.
“WHAT?” I irritably asked. He just wave his hand on the air while holding his phone and smiling.
“Picture, picture.” He asked some staff to take us a picture. I just smiled to the camera, eh ano pa yung smile ni Jeron. Talong-talo yung akin. The waiter handed back the phone to Jeron.
“Can I eat now?”
“Go ahead.” He responded. He’s still not eating, kinakalikot lang yung phone niya. Bahala siya, uubusin ko lahat ‘to.
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“Ito pa talaga ang napili mo ah!” reklamo ko habang umuupo.
“Why are you scared?” he teased. Scared? Not in my vocabulary. Yung pageant nga nasalihan ko ito pa kayang The conjuring na ito?
“Hindi no! Pustahan pa tayo, kung sino man unang sumigaw, siya manlilibre ng dinner.” hamon ko kay Jeron na kakaupo pa lamang sa tabi ko.
“Call! Here’s your popcorn.” He handed me the popcorn. Libreng dinner na naman. Sarap ng buhay libre, tataba na lang ako nito. I never have been scared in my life. This just a movie, a true to life horror story. Kyah!
As the lights off, the whole people started to scream. I’m not scared, I’m just nervous. Nervous is the right word. Wooh! The sound effect is kind of creepy. I looked to Jeron and I guess he’s enjoying the movie so far.
After a minutes..
We’re in a half of the movie. Right now, I can say that I’m scared. Why does the main character always have bruises? My hand is shaking now I didn’t even try to open my eyes to control my scream, I know this is cheating. Sorry Jeron. I was about to get popcorn but the box is already empty.
“Here, take mine.” Jeron offered his popcorn.
“No, im fine. Kukuha na lang ako dyan.” I said and his eyes back to the screen. I slowly move my hand to his popcorn..
“Sorry.” He said. He accidentally holds my hand. Nakuryente na naman tuloy ako.
“Sorry din.” I uncomfortably told him. He just gave me a smile. Kahit madilim nakita ko yung sparkling smile niya na nakapag pa ngaga sa akin ngaun.
Hindi na ako ganun nakafocus sa pinapanood namin dahil sa kakahawakan ng kamay kapag kumukuha kami ng popcorn. Aruy quota na kami. Habang ngumuguya naman ako parang may humihila na sa eyelids ko at hanggang sa naramdaman kong bumagsak ang ulo ko sa balikat niya. Naramdaman ko din na inayos niya ang ulo sa muscular chest niya and he put his hand to my shoulder. It’s like his embracing me. Gusto ko sanang tumutol kaya lang I feel so comfortable, I can hear his heartbeat and it’s like sounds to my hear. Even his scent, he smells so good.
“Sleep well, sleepy head I know you’re tired.” And I received a peck kissed to my temple and everything went black.
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A/N: Comment and Vote. :))