Naalimpungatan ako dahil sa amoy ng green tea at strawberry syrup.
Hay sarap gumising pag ganito ang maamoy mo. Ang sarap naman ng breakfast ng kabilang dorm, makadaan nga mamaya ng cafe. Nakangiti kong sinalubong ang umaga at idinilat ko nang tuluyan ang aking mga mata.
Patayo na sana ako ng kama ng mapansin ang lamesang nakaharang sa tabi nito. Laking gulat ko din ng may nakahanda nang pagkain dito.
Napakagat ako ng labi ko at di na nagisip pa kung pano ito napunta sa harapan ko. At dahil paborito ko yung mga pagkaing nasa harap ko, kinuha ko agad yung tinidor at titikman na sana yung pancake na may strawberry syrup when I heard someone talked.
"Tsk. Tsk. What if that food has poison? Di ka man lang nagalinlangang kainin. Such a pig wimp. Tsk tsk." Sabi ni Alex na kakalabas lang mula sa banyo ng dorm
I froze nang makita ko siya. Nananaginip padin ba ako?
Pinikit ko uli yung mga mata ko at saka ko muling binuksan. Nandun padin siya.
Oh no this is not good I need to wake up. He's hunting me even in my dreams.
I closed my eyes again and pinched myself.
"What are you doing?!"
Binuksan kong muli yung mata ko.
"Uhhh--" nagaalangan na sabi ko sabay lapit sakanya
I poked his cheeks. "Youre real?"
Di makapniwalang tanong ko
Kumunot naman yung noo niya.
"Offcourse I am silly." Sabi niya while smiling saka niya ginulo yung wig ko
My eye widened in realization. Totoong nasa harap ko si Alex. Totoong dinalan niya ako ng paborito kong pagkain. Totoong pinapansin niya na ako uli.
Nang marealize ko lahat, I kicked his legs.
Napahawak naman siya agad sa legs niya. "What the-- what was that for?!"
Agad ko din naman narealize yung ginawa ko. Oh no Im so dead.
"Uh-- kasi-- kala ko ayaw mo na akong maging kaibigan." Sabi ko sabay yuko
Nagkaron ng ilang segundong katahimikan bago siya nagsalita.
"Um--look Im sorry. I-I-- did that because I--I--" He sighed heavily before talking again
"Thankyou for talking to Chloe, thankyou. Everything's cleared now and it's all because of you. It's because of your courage Blue. I can't thank you enough."
Napabuntong hininga ako and then I smiled.
"It's good to hear that. Im so happy for you."
Parang gustong tumalon ng puso ko sa saya dahil finally nakamit na din ni Alex yung pinakahihintay niya na explaination. At alam kong masaya siya, kaya ibang saya din ang nararamdaman ko.
Nagulat ako ng mabilis siyang lumapit sakin at saka niya ako hinila papalapit sakanya at niyakap ng mahigpit.
TUG TUG TUG TUG
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko habang mahigpit akong niyakap ni Alex. This has got to be a dream, anong nakain nitong mokong na to at bigla biglang nangyayakap? Tss. Mahuhulog lang ako lalo neto eh.
"Maraming salamat talaga Blue. You don't know how happy I am. Damn, I missed you." Muling pagpapasalamat niya habang nakayakap padin sakin
Tinapik ko naman yung likod niya.
"Wala yun. Ano ka ba--" "--Wait, what? You missed me?"
Tama ba yung narinig ko?
Dali dali din naman siyang kumawala sa yakap niya. I saw him gulped. Is he nervous?
"Uhh--psh. Okay ka lang ba? I didnt say anything like that." Sabi niya with uneasyness
Nag nod nalang ako at bumalik sa may kama ko para umupo. Humigop na din ako ng greentea na dala ni Alex.
"Im sorry for acting so cold for the past weeks. I-I was just confused." Sabi ni Alex with a little nervousness in his voice.
Napakunot naman noo ko. "Confused about what?"
"Uh? It's nothing. Anyway, you should finish your food. I'll head to the gym. I'll seeyou around. Bye wimp."
Sabi ni Alex habang nagmamadaling kinuha yung bag niya at lumabas ng silid.
Napakamot naman ako ng ulo. Tsk. Itatanong ko pa sana kung anong nangyari sa paguusap nila ni Chloe eh. Hay.
Pagkatapos ko kumain, naligo na ako at nagbihis upang pumunta sa aking klase.
On the way, nakasalubong ko si Thomas, Tyler at Lyroi.
"Blue. Hey!" Nakangiting bati ni Thomas
Nginitian ko din naman siya.
Tinapik niya yung balikat ko. "I've heard what you've done. It's so brave of you. Were proud to call you our brother." Nakangiti pading sabi ni Tommy
"Yes! Youre like my new favorite hero now Blue. I think you're even better than the Avengers and Justice League combined!" Sabi ni Tyler
Natawa naman ako sa sinabi niya.
"Oh shut up Ty you don't even know the difference between the Avengers and Justice League." Sabat naman ni Lyroi
"Anyway Blue, diretso ka sa frat house after ng class mo. Tulungan mo kami magsetup ng party." Sabi ni Lyroi
Nanlaki naman mata ko. "Party? On a weekday?"
Thomas chuckled. "Well, yea. The never ending feud of A.D.C. and T.H.O. has now ended. Thanks to you. So I think, it's really something we should all celebrate!"
Napakunot naman ang noo ko sa sinabi ni Thomas. As much as I want to be happy sa mga nangyayari ngayon, I cant. Because they're planning to let everyone know na okay na sila Chloe at Nate kay Alex. And I don't think na whoever's behind the threat packages will find it appealing.
"Um, No. I think that's not a good idea." Halos pabulong na sabi ko
Tila ba nagulat silang tatlo sa sinabi ko.
"Im sorry, what did you just say?" Tanong ni Thomas
I sighed heavily. "Look, there's something really big going on here. And it would be safer if everyone won't know about Chloe and Nate being okay with Alex again.--" I stopped and looked around, nang masiguro nang walang nakamasid sa paligid nagpatuloy ako
"--I'll explain everything later. But first, can you please help me find Alex?"
-
"Geez. I didnt ditched my class just to see you making out with some random girl." Irritableng sabi ko kay Alex
Nadatnan kasi namin siya nila Lyroi na may kahalikan na babae sa basketball court.
Mukha namang sobrang nagulat siya sa pagsulpot namin. At agad niyang tinulak papalayo yung babae. Nakita ko naman na tumakbo papalabas yung babae.
"Uh--It's not like that Blue. She kissed me, I didnt kissed back. There's a difference." Pagpapaliwanag ni Alex while I can sense nervousness and sincerity in his voice
I sighed deeply while trying my best not to roll my eyes.
Why is he even explaining to me?
As if I care?
Yes you do. You're jealous.
Why am I even acting this way?
Agh. I hate him.
You love him.
"I'm not your girlfriend Alex, you don't need to explain anything to me. And besides, it's perfectly normal for us teenage boys to do those." I said trying my best to sound calm habang sinway yung kamay ko na parang nagtaboy ng lamok
"Hell to the yes cap, why are you even explaining to Blue? While you can share to all of us how to get hot girls like that." Sabi ni Tyler kaya nakatikim naman siya ng batok kay Lyroi
"Manyak ka talaga no." Pailing na sabi ni Lyroi
Sumimangot naman si Tyler. Napailing nalang ako sakanila, ang kulit kasi nilang tingnan.
Lumapit ako kay Alex.
I sighed nang makalapit ako sa harap niya. "Didnt Chloe tell you to keep things low key?" I asked nonchalantly
Tingnan niya ako with a questioned look.
Muli akong nagbuntong hininga. "Well, I assume wala nga siyang sinabi. Sino sino pa nasabihan mo tungkol sa pag aayos niyo nila Chloe?"
This time napakunot na yung noo ni Alex, lumapit na din samin sila Thomas.
"Why are you asking me these questions?"
"Because we need to keep things low key. You--" Di ko na natapos yung sasabihin ko dahil nagsalita bigla si Alex
"Blue. I know okay? Sinabi sakin ni Chloe lahat. The party's part of my plan. Whoever did this would surely make a desperate move once nalaman niya na okay na kami. Tatalunin natin siya sa sarili niyang laro." Pabulong na sabi ni Alex
Tingnan naman niya sila Thomas, na ngayo'y tila naguguluhan sa mga narinig.
"Ipapaliwanag ko mamaya sainyo. Basta act normal, act as if we didnt had this conversation. Act like ang tanging alam nyo lang ay nagkabati na kami ni Chloe at Nate." Paliwang ni Alex sa ngayo'y naguguluhan na sila Thomas
"But your taking a risk. Its not safe." Nagaalalang pagpapaalala ko dito.
He smiled faintly, at saka ginulo yung wig ko.
"You worry too much. Just trust me on this one Blue."
Before I can say anything he tapped my shoulders at saka naglakad papalayo.
"I'll seeyou at the party later."
-
Sumalubong samin ni Reggie ang sobrang kapal na dami ng tao sa harap ng A.D.C. frat house. Alam kong malaki yung frat house namin, pero I dont think it can accomodate 80% of the University's population. Ganun kadami ang mga taong gustong pumanta sa party ngayon dahil ngayon lang mangyayari na magcocolab ang 2frat at 2sorority ng isang party.
Nakipagsiksikan kami sa mga tao hanggang makarating sa may pintuan kung saan nandun yung mga bouncer. Agad din naman kaming pinapasok ni Reggie since member ako ng A.D.C. at siya ang president ng Gamma Virginis.
"That was exhausting. Sa mga amoy palang ng pawis ng mga tao kanina feeling ko high na ko." Reklamo ni Reg ng makapsok kami sa loob.
Good thing, iilan palang ang tao sa loob.
"Sup man." Bati ni Tyler sabay fist bomb sakin
Nginitian ko siya. "Papunta na sila Nate pati yung ibang members ng T.H.O." I informed Tyler
Nag nod naman siya at saka lumapit sakin.
"I hope this plan works." Bulong niya sabay tapik sa balikat ko
I tried my best to give him an assuring smile pero walang lumabas kundi tipid at faint smile.
I just cant help but to worry for our safety.
Napabaling ang tingin ko sa pinto ng marinig itong bumukas.
"Agh!" I heard Reggie growl
"Bakit ikaw lang?" Tanong ko kay Arch na kakapasok palang
"Magkasama sila ni Vince. They should be here any minute now."
"Ah. Si Chloe?"
Bumuntong hininga siya at umupo sa tabi namin ni Reggie. "She's with Alex."
"Dont worry. It's part of the plan. Dont get jealous." Pangaasar ni Arch
Sinamaan ko naman siya ng tingin.
"Fyi. Im not jealous. Saka I dont care kung sino pa kasama niya no."
Tumawa naman si Arch. "Yea right. Kaya pala napatulala ka kanina sa sinabi ko."
I rolled my eyes saka tumayo. "Whatever. I'll go get something to drink."
When I made my way to the kitchen I spotted Chloe and Alex talking. There's a part of me that wanted to turn around and walk away, because seeing them talking this closely makes me feel uncomfortable. I mean pwede naman silang magusap without them being like 2 inches away from eachother. But I reminded my self na, they knew eachother halos buong buhay nila kaya this may have mean nothing to them. And why do I even care anyway?
Hindi ko sila pinansin at nagpatuloy maglakad papunta sa ref na malapit sa kinatatayuan nila. Nang makarating ako dito agad din nila akong napansin.
"Oh, hi Blue." Chloe was the first one to speak.
"Hi." Tipid na sagot ko. Sabay kuha ng soda sa ref. I dont even know what's happening to me, I mean Chloe's nice and Im happy na okay na uli sila ni Alex but why do I feel so uncomfortable when theyre together?
Maybe Arch was right, I am jealous. But that doesnt mean I need to be. Wala naman akong karapatang magselos, afterall. I was only his friend. His guy friend.
"You know, drinking soda will only make your tummy ache since you havent eaten dinner yet." Alex said with a concerned voice
Kumuha pa ako ng dalawang soda, for Arch and Reggie. And I grabbed the box of Pizza na nasa ref at saka ito isinara.
"Well for your information, I will be eating." Sabi ko while I stared at him sarcastically
"Well, I dont really think na mabubusog ka with a slice of pizza." He sighed. "Come on, I'll buy you food."
Napakunot naman yung noo ko. Ano nanaman kayang pumasok sa isip nitong mokong na to?
Chloe giggled. "You know, you guys would make a really cute couple if one of you were a girl. Now go on, go get your little brother a happy meal tig-gerr." She said while shooing us off and giggling
I bit my lip sa sinabi niya. Would we really make a good couple? Napailing nalang ako sa naisip ko.
"We'll be back soon pooh bear, just find Arch to keep you company."
Pooh bear? Tig-gerr? Wow, way to go. They even have a nickname for eachother. Psh. Why am I even making this a big deal? I just hate how Alex has this effect on me.
"You look funny when youre jealous wimp." Sabi ni Alex habang binuksan nya ang pintuan ng kotse nyang si Clark.
Agad nanlaki ang mata ko. "I am not jealous!"
"Yeah well, jealousy's written all over your face wimp." Sabi niya while chuckling
I bit my lip. I really need to control my emotions. I need to be careful. Nagisip ako agad ng sagot upang hindi siya maghinala sa gender ko. I sighed saka sumakay sa kotse niya.
"I think Chloe's pretty but I dont like her that way dude. So Im definitely not jealous." I said nonchalantly
He started the car's engine and looked at me.
"Well, I dont think she's the reason at all."
Napakunot ang noo ko. "Then who?"
He smirked. "Me"
It felt like time froze. Nang marinig ko yun, I didnt know what to do. Does he know about my whole disguise thing? Does he know that I like him like him? One thing's for sure Im doomed. Before I can even say anything, Alex burst out laughing.
Napatulala ako saglit, at onti onting nag sink in sakin ang lahat. It was a joke. A fucking joke. This idiot almost made me think he knew everything. Sinabayan ko nalang si Alex sa pagtawa.
"You shouldve seen your face wimp. Your face's priceless."
Sinuntok ko ng bahagya yung balikat ni Alex.
"HA. HA. Very funny Alex."
-
Habang kumakain kami ni Alex sa food bazarre. Nakita ko si Nate sa di kalayuan.
"Alex, Is that Nate?"
Napatingin naman si Alex sa way na tinuro ko.
Napakunot ang nuo nya.
"Well thats him." Tumingin si Alex sa wrist watch niya
"Its already 10. Whats he doing here? He should be at the party by now."
Uminom si Alex ng tubig at saka tumayo at naglakad patungo sa kinauupuan ni Nate.
I got up and followed him tutal tapos na din naman akong kumain.
"Hey man. What are you doing here? Shouldnt you be at the party now?" Alex asked
Tila ba nagulat si Nate sa pagdating namin.
"Im waiting for Vince."
Kumunot naman ang noo ko. Werent they supposed to be together? Yun kasi ang sabi ni Arch.
"Where is he now? Sabay sabay na tayong pumunta sa party." Aya ni Alex
"Well, apparently he's not replying to my texts and he's not answering my calls. Ive been waiting for an hour. Im worried sick. What the hell happened to that guy."
Nagkatinginan kami ni Alex parehas bakas ang pagtataka sa mukha namin.
"We thought kanina pa kayo magkasama." Sabi ko
"What? Why would you think that?"
"Uh sabi kasi ni Arch magkasama daw kayo."
This time it was Nate's turn to look confused.
"Come on. Lets hurry, bumalik na tayo sa frat house." Pagaaya ni Alex
"Okay. I'll just text Vince na--" di natapos ni Nate ang sasabihin dahil mabilis na tumugon si Alex.
"Dont." Tugon ni Alex
Napatigil si Nate sa paglalakad.
"But why?"
Alex sighed. "We cant trust anyone."
"Well, yes we cant. But theres an exception to everything. How can you be so sure na its not one of your friends who's been sending us those threats?"
Nakita kong pumikit si Alex na tila ba nagpipigil ng inis.
Agad naman akong nagsalita upang di na magpatuloy ang namumuong tensyon sa pagitan nila because the last thing we need right now is to fall apart.
"Guys. Stop it okay. Hindi makakatulong satin kung magaaway kayong dalawa ngayon. Cant you see it? Kung sino man ang nagpapadala ng threats gugustuhin niyang magaway kayo."
They both sighed. At nagpatuloy na kami sa paglalakad patungo sa kotse ni Alex.
"Nate where's your car?" Tanong ni Alex
Nate sighed. "Lucas just droped me off here. Well Vince told me na sabay na kaming pupunta so I didnt think its necessary to bring my car."
I heard Alex cursed. 2 seaters lang kasi yung kotseng gamit namin.
"Um, its okay. You guys should go. I'll just wait for the shuttle." Sabi ko
"No. Its too dangerous. I dont want you going anywhere without me." Alex said with a concerned voice. Initsa niya kay nate yung susi ng kotse nya.
"Drive fast." Sabi nito kay Nate
Dali dali namang pumasok si Nate sa kotse at ganun din si Alex habang ako natirang nakatayo sa labas looking like a complete idiot. Wala nang upuan san naman kaya ako balak isiksik nitong si Alex? Sa bubong? Sa gulong?
"What are you waiting for wimp?" Sabi ni Alex sabay tapik sa lap niya.
Nanlaki naman ang mga mata ko. "K-kakandong ako?"
"Yes. We dont have a choice! Come on hurry up."
Naaligaga naman ako dahil sa boses ni Alex kaya dali dali na akong pumasok sa kotse at kumandong sa kanya.
I cant explain the feeling of being this close to Alex. Its like anytime may sasabog na fireworks sa katawan ko. I just feel so attracted to him and his perfectly toned chest. Uhhh, did I just said that? Stupid teenage hormones.
The whole ride was silent. And even though I feel so tensed with Alex's presence, somehow that same presence made me feel safe. I dont know exactly what Im feeling towards Alex but one thing is for sure I like that feeling.