4: Savior
Jassane's Point Of View
Nakahanay parin kami ngayon dito sa covered court. Nasa harap ngayon si Sir, at nireremind kami sa nalalapit naming acquaintance party.
"May duty kayo sa nalalapit na acquaintance party."
Duty? Mas lalong bumagsak ang balikat ko ng dahil sa narinig.
"Ugh! Why sir? Why?"
"Sir naman eh, paano namin maeenjoy yung party?"
"Oo nga Sir! Siguro naman hindi magkakagulo, wag ng bantayan Sir."
"Kaunti lang naman siguro kakailanganin diba sir? Wag ako ah. Sasama ako ng boyband competition sa acquaintance eh."
Napalingon ang ilan dahil dun sa nagsalita. Mukhang sila din nacurious tungkol dun sa sinabi niyang competition. Hindi pa kami na-iinform about doon.
"May boyband competition? Kyaaaah. Gusto ko yan!"
"Bakit, gusto ka ba? Epal nito!"
"Boyband?" mahinang sambit ko.
"Quiet. All of you are required to have a duty for the upcoming acquaintance party. No buts! Cor. Commander?"
"Yes Sir?"
"Choose who will be your companion para magmartsa. Don't forget the flag! So everyone that's all, you may go. Officers, fall-out!"
"Sir. Yes Sir!"
Nagsalute nalang kami kay Sir at tuluyan na siyang umalis pagkatapos. Kanya-kanyang reaksyon nanaman ang ilan dahil sa announcement ni Sir.
"Ano ba naman si sir! Bakit kailangan lahat pa? Eh, ang dami-dami kaya natin."
"Ugh! Ayokong hanggang matapos yung party dun lang tayo nakatayo sa gate nagbabantay ng mga pasaway!"
"Magsungit ka lang dun eh."
"HAHAHA, sabagay! Tara na, baka maabutan pa natin si Chester."
Napakunot-noo ang noo ko dahil sa narinig. Chester? Lahat nalang ba ng madidinig ko na nagchichismisan pangalan ni Chester ang binabanggit? Lakas talaga ng charisma ng patpatin na yun. Napailing nalang ako bago isinukbit ang maliit na backpack na dala ko.
"Jas! Sama ka sa'kin? Punta kami nila Mama sa botolan." bungad sa'kin ni Kyllane.
"Botolan? Anong gagawin niyo dun?" I asked with a frown. Napansin kong hindi niya kasama si Deyn, "Nasaan si Deyn?"
"Nauna na siyang umuwi. May gagawin pa daw siya eh, alam mo naman na yun masyadong masipag." natatawang paliwanag niya. I just shook my head while looking at her.
"Anong bang gagawin niyo sa botolan?"
"Dumating kasi si Tita galing states, tapos nagpahanda siya. Pwede naman daw magyaya, kaya tinatanong kita kung sasama ka ba?"
Napaisip naman ako sa alok niya. "Naku, wag na ata nakakahiya! Buti sana kung sa bahay niyo lang yan." I refused.
Napasimangot naman siya. Pinatong niya 'yung braso niya sa balikat ko. "Ito naman parang iba. Sama ka na, magtatampo ako sige ka!"
"Oh please Ky! Hindi na, okay lang ako. Tsaka family bonding niyo 'yun eh, next time nalang!"
Sa huli, napapayag ko rin siyang hindi na ako sasama. Hindi talaga niya ako titigilang kulitin. Nagpaalam na siya at nauna ng umalis.
"Jassane?" I was about to leave the campus when someone called my name. I looked back and I saw Jeramael walking towards me.
"Uwi ka na? Sabay na tayo."
A smirk flashed on my face, may kapilosohang sumagi sa isip ko. Tinapik ko yung balikat niya. "Sabay lang, walang tayo." I teased, "Ambisyoso ka masyado Mael." I added.
I saw how his eyes widened in surprise. Hindi niya ata inaasahan yung biro ko.
"A-Ah I just want to--"
"Joke lang HAHAHA! Ito naman masyadong seryoso." natatawang saad ko at hinampas yung braso niya. Hindi siya umimik, nakatingin lang siya sa'kin at hindi pa rin makapaniwala.
"Nabasa ko lang yun sa facebook. Sa isang page, triny ko lang! Naniwala ka naman."
Humagalpak siya ng tawa. "Naniwala? Malamang maniniwala ako na wala pang tayo." seryosong sambit niya.
Ako naman ang tumingin sa kanya ng nagtataka, "Pang? What do you mean by that?"
"Bakit umasa ka naman?" he grinned. "Joke lang nabasa ko lang din sa page. HAHAHA"
Napasimangot ako dahil sa banat niya at hinampas siya ulit sa braso. Pero this time mas malakas. Lintek!
"Nakakatawa yung mukha mo Jassane HAHAHA."
"Tse! Ewan ko sayo. Wag ka na ngang sumabay sa akin, I've changed my mind." naiiritang sabi ko at nagsimula nang maglakad.
"Oy, oy! Ito naman hindi mabiro. Ikaw kaya nauna, sinakyan ko lang yung banat mo." he explained but I just ignored him. "Unless gusto mo talagang merong tayo--este sabay na tayong umuwi?" dagdag pa niya at sinasabayan na ako sa paglalakad.
I scowled. "Tigilan mo ko Jeramael! Nakakatawa yun? Nakakatawa yun?" I said monotonously.
"Okay po Madame, sasabayan nalang kita pauwi!"
"Hindi pa ako uuwi."
"Ha? Edi sasamahan kitang gumala."
"No, I don't want either."
"Aww. You're so heartless─"
Beep tone. Magsasalita pa sana siya nang biglang tumunog yung phone niya. Nagtuloy lang kami sa paglalakad, habang binabasa niya yung nagtext sa kanya.
"What?" he blurted out.
I turned my gaze at him. Nagtataka akong lumingon sa kanya, "Why? What's wrong?"
"Huh? Ahm nothing. Yung kapatid ko kasi dumating na from Manila." he said with a wide smile while looking at his phone.
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko dahil sa sinabi niya, "Waaah! Maine was here? That's good to hear, and I guess ikaw magsusundo sa kanya sa terminal?" I said excitedly.
He laughed, "Yeah! Sorry, hindi kita masasamahang gumala ngayon." he said with a grin flashing on his face.
I just rolled my eyes. "I really don't mind, you can go."
"Sorry Jassane. Take care of yourself, I'm not on your side to protect you." mahinang wika niya.
"Duh, para namang may masamang mangyayari sakin sira!" taboy ko sa kanya at tinulak na siya paalis.
"HAHAHA. Oo na! Take care." sabi pa niya bago ginulo yung buhok ko. Tinabig ko naman yung kamay niya na nakapagpatawa sa kanya. Nagsimula na siyang maglakad ng patalikod habang nagwawave sa akin.
"Send my regards to Maine," I shouted then smiled at him. He just smiled too, and thumb-ups.
Tumalikod na siya. Napailing na lamang ako at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad. Ayoko ko pang umuwi, pupunta nalang siguro ako sa 7-Eleven. Hmm, ano na kayang itsura ni Maine? Ang tagal ko na siyang hindi nakikita since doon na siya nag-aral sa Manila. She's like a sister to me. I hope we can have our bonding together again. Siya din kasi yung dahilan kung bakit naging malapit kami sa isa't-isa ni Jeramael.
At 7-Eleven.
"Good morning Ma'am! Ano po sa inyo?" bungad sa akin nang gwapong cashier na 'to.
"Ahm, isang vanilla-flavored ice cream lang po sakin." nakangiting sabi ko.
Inilapag ko na sa counter yung 15 pesos ko. Naghintay nalang ako na iabot niya yung binili ko. Ito yung kadalasang binibili namin nila Kyllane, bukod sa paborito namin, tipid pa.
"Here's your ice cream Ma'am."
I gave a small smile, "Thank you! Ayan na nga po pala yung bayad kuya." turo ko dun sa inilapag kong pera. I was about to leave the store when he suddenly stopped me.
"Ma'am saglit lang po!" I looked at him wondering. Oh crap! I was going to lick my ice cream! Takam na takam na ako.
"Ma'am kulang po kasi yung binayad niyo. 18 pesos na po yung ice cream." pilit ang ngiting sambit niya.
Marahang nanlaki ang mga mata ng marinig ang sinabi niya. E-Eighteen pesos na 'to? Dati naman 15 pesos lang ah, ba't ang mahal na? At saka wala namang nakadikit dito sa counter nila na 18 pesos na itong ice cream. I felt embarrassed.
"Ha? A-Ah saglit lang po."
Kinapa ko yung bulsa ng pantalon ko para kumuha ng pandagdag. Hindi kasi kami nakacombat at fatigue ngayon, sa acquaintance kami magsusuot nun. When I couldn't find any coins, I eventually opened my backpack. Leche! Nasaan na ba yung pera ko dito sa bag?
Shit! I flicked my forehead. Wala na pala akong extrang pera, pamasahe ko nalang yung natira dito. Kapag binawasan ko yun ng tres, 12 pesos nalang yung pamasahe ko. How could you be so stupid !? Okay lang sana kung babawasan ko e. Sa bahay ko nalang padagdagan yung pamasahe ko. Kaso masungit yung ibang driver at nakakaistorbo daw sa ibang pasahero. I bit my lower lip, then looked at Kuya Cashier waiting for me to pay up. Napapakamot sa ulong lumapit nalang ako kay Kuya para sana sabihin na kung pwede ay bayaran ko nalang bukas.
O kaya naman libre na niya yung kulang!
"Kuya pwede bang---"
"I'll pay for her, just add this one."
I froze when I felt someone behind me, and cut what I am going to say. Nilapag niya yung mogu-mogu at big bite sa harap ni kuyang cashier. I lifted my gaze as I was recognizing his familiar voice.
"Aren't you feel ashamed, G3? You just can't use the sabayang pikit technique to excuse yourself."
My jaw almost dropped when I finally saw his face. Why of all places? Hanggang dito ba naman?
Hindi ako makapaniwalang nakatingin lang sa kanya habang abala siya sa pagbabayad. This is not the right time to argue with him. I had to admit that I'm hopeless right now, but I just can't hold the fact that I'm tangled with Chester once again. I still couldn't believe what I had done with him earlier, masyado ata akong naging feeling close.
"Thank you, sir! Please come again. You too M-Ma'am."
I just gave him a small smile. Hindi ko ata kakayanin ang another kahihiyan kapag bumalik pa ako, but damn! Favorite ko pa naman yung ice cream nila dito.
Chester left the store without saying anything. I took a huge breathe before I went outside. I saw him sat from one of the benches. I felt the loud sounds inside my chest as I took a step near him.
Calm your heart, Jas!
"Join me, if you don't want your debt increased," he said flatly.
"Tsk."
I rolled my eyes. Tignan mo 'to, lalapit na nga ako e. Ang dami pang sinasabi! Nakakahiya naman daw kuno sa kanya kung aalis nalang ako bigla nang hindi nagpapasalamat diba!?
Too confident, Chester!
I sat on the chair in front of him. Napansin kong may nakalapag na french fries sa table. Hmmm?Ugh! Naggrave ako sa mcdo, kaya lang walang pera. But where the hell did he get that? Don't tell me he already bought mcdo when he went here? Too expensive, Chester! Napakagastos! Maybe it would be okay not to pay my debt, 3 pesos lang naman. Besides, he's Deocaris anyway. Filthy rich af!
"Hey cheeky!"
I raised my left eyebrow, and glared at him at the same time. I'm not that impudent!
"Your ice cream was melting" he stated. "You're too distracted looking at my face," he added with a grin flashing on his face.
I snorted, "3 pesos, Chester. You've only just added 3 pesos. No big deal!" I hissed as I showed him my 3 fingers.
Natatawa naman siyang tumingin sa akin. He leaned closer, and placed his elbow above the table. Tinapik niya yung kamay ko, at bumulong.
"I saved you from embarrassment, right?" He furrowed, "No big deal?"
I didn't say a word. I looked away when I couldn't resist his stares towards me. Para akong tutunawin! At dahil wala akong masabi, kinain ko nalang yung ice cream ko at hindi na siya pinansin. Natutunaw narin kasi, ayoko ko naman masayang lang yung 15 pesos ko.
"And also we're not at school. So don't be bossy G3!" he added.
Hindi na ako tatahimik dahil sa sinabi niya. Mariin ko siyang tinitigan bago magsalita, "I need to be respected, even we aren't at school Mr. Deocaris!" I spat with a smirk.
"No big deal."
Lalo pa akong napangisi dahil sa sinabi niya. Madali lang naman pala siyang kausap eh.
"Pocket your smirk."
My grin faded when I heard him said those words. Lokong 'to! Kakasabi lang na wala kami sa school, tapos nilalapag pa niya yung rules.
"Hey, cocky! What's rule number 3?" I asked.
He tilted his head, "Hmm?" He held his chin while thinking, I looked at him intently. "What you feel, what you see, what you heard. Leave it here?" He answered.
"I'm glad that you knew. May natutunan ka naman pala sa hanay." I said flatly.
I'm not expecting him to answer me, but he indeed knew about it. Too brainy, Chester! I would be glad if you use your head at school, not just to tease people around you! Jerk!
"As far as I know, it was pocket your smile right?" He asked, and I nodded. "But I said pocket your smirk. There's a difference between those two." He added while raising his brow.
"Kahit na. That's the rule, even if you changed it. The idea came from the citizenship advancement training rules, though." I exclaimed.
He glared at me and I did the same too.
"Really? My words had nothing to do with the rules you're saying."
"What?" I spat.
"It came from my head, and I said it. No CAT matter shits related!"
"Oh please! Shut-up Chester that's not your idea," I uttered then licked my ice cream.
It was melting because of him! I can't focus and I couldn't stop myself from talking back. Kapal talaga ng mukha nito murahin ang rules sa hanay! I would end up losing my head arguing with him. He's too annoying to handle! I should flick his forehead or worse if he keeps badmouthing the officer's rule.
"Fine. Whatever! But do you think I forgot what you did to me earlier? Look! It hurts like hell, and I can't go home yet because it's still freakin' red af! You're acting innocent out of nowhere despite making my ears like this?!"
I was just looking at him while he's pointing his ears. Freakin' red af? Not too much!
"You wouldn't say anything? Aren't you going to say so---" Dahil sa sobrang kaingayan niya hindi ko na napigilan yung sarili ko. Kumuha ako ng fries sa lamesa at isinubo nalang sa bibig niyang maingay.
"ARAY!" I suddenly yelled.
Shit! Agad kung tinanggal yung daliri ko nang bigla niyang kinagat yun. "Pfft! What the fuck HAHAHAHA!"
Napatigil ako sa paghamplos sa namumula kong daliri nang bigla siyang humagalpak ng tawa.
"Hey WAHAHAHAHAHA. That's the wrong move HAHAHA you're so funny. I can't help it AHAHAHA!" halos hindi na siya makapagsalita dahil sa kakatawa niya.
I just stared at him and stunned for a moment. Hindi ko tinanggal yung tingin sa kanya habang patuloy pa rin siya sa pagtawa. I couldn't blink properly, I think my heart stopped.
This was unexpected.
This is the first I witnessed how Chester Deocaris laughed like there's no tomorrow.
"AHAHAHAHA I can't believe you did that HAHAHA!"
I was busy staring at him while he couldn't even breathe properly from laughing too much. Hanggang sa magsimulang magbulung-bulungan yung nasa katabing table namin.
Oh crap!
"Wait! Diba si Chester Deocaris yun?"
"Laughing? Chester is laughing!"
"We need to take a video of him. My gosh!"
"Teka si Chester yan diba? Sa kabilang university."
"Yung masungit? Teka, bakit siya tumatawa? Palaging seryoso yun ah?"
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?"
"TANGINA ANG O.A NIYO!"
"I can't believe it. This is the first time I saw him laughing like that, and damn it the public place?"
"I'm sure this is gonna be the top trend at social media."
"Parang hindi kapani-paniwala, samantalang ang init nang ulo nan kanina sa hanay."
Oh shit! Hindi ko pala napansing may iba ding private na kumakain dito!? And what the heck? They're insane! Why every people around me keeps talking about this jerk? Ganito ba siya kasikat that even students from other universities are attractive to him?
Chester stopped laughing, he even wiped his eyes. Is he that happy? Do I need to look stupid first just to see him laugh? He's Chester Deocaris though. A cold-hearted asshole who rarely speak, and he wouldn't' speak without insults in it. But he has this unknown charm that made attracted to him.
Napakurap ako nang ilang beses nang biglang pabagsak na ilagay ni Chester yung kamay niya sa ibabaw ng mesa.
"I hate the noises." E, bakit umattend ka ng hanay?
"Then leave," I stated before I licked my ice cream. I saw how he raised his brow and looked at me with a wondering face.
"We better leave this place." He said emphasizing the word we. I wiggled my index finger.
"Why would I come with you? We aren't that close, and I'm enjoying eating my ice cream here, you can go. Thanks for what you did earlier!"
"Wala ka sanang makakain na ice cream ngayon if I wasn't paid for it." pagmamayabang na sabi niya.
"So? That's why I said thank you!" I answered back.
"I don't need a thank you. I want you to come with me," he said seriously while looking directly to my eyes.
"Why would I? You're not serious earlier right?" Hindi ko naman na siya kailangang bayaran.
"I didn't say it's a treat either."
I looked at him with disbelief. Tinakpan niya yung tenga at lumingon sakin. I flinched when he suddenly grabbed my arm. "Stand up." I tried to peel my hand from his grasp instead.
"And who are you to command me?" I hissed. Iniingatan kong huwag mahulog yung ice cream ko.
Bumaling siya sakin, "I am your savior."
"Are you serious?"
He took the ice cream from my left hand and threw it directly to a trash can near him. My eyes widened and glared at him after. "Do I look like joking?"
Hindi ko na sana siya papansin nang bigla niyang hilahin yung backpack na suot ko na kasalukuyang nakasuot sa likuran ko. At sa madaling salita, napasama lang naman ako dahil sa paghila niya.
"Hey, ano ba?! Bitawan mo nga ako!" Inis na sigaw ko sa kanya.
"Hindi kita hawak."
"So can you let go of my backpack?" I uttered flatly. Pilosopo!
Nakahinga ako ng maluwag ng bitawan niya yung bag ko. I adjusted myself and took a step away from him. Too close, and I can't hold my breath anymore!
"Let's go."
"And where are we going?"
"Somewhere that can stop you from talking too much." He muttered then looked at me coldly. I stared back without saying a word. He faked a cough and looked-away. Kinamot niya yung namumula niyang tenga kaya naman napatingin ako doon.
I froze when he suddenly looked at me with frustration all over his face. Hindi ko inaasahan ng bigla nalang siyang humakbang paalis at iniwan ako. I was about to leave the store when a couple of rain started to fall. Nang mapansin niyang walang sumusunod sa kanya, tumalikod siya para tignan kung nasaan na ako.
I just raised my left eyebrow when he looked at me wondering.
"Tsk, what are you waiting for?" walang ekspresyon na sabi niya nang
makabalik siya sa tabi ko.
I looked at him with disbelief. Is he even serious? I was expecting that he already left, but then he expecting me to come after him? What a weirdo!
"Are you blind o nagbubulag-bulagan ka lang? Can't you see it's raining? If you want to leave then go. I really don't mind." bulyaw ko sa kanya.
He scowled, "Seriously? Ambon lang naman yan. No big deal!"
"Stupid, yung totoo? Gusto mo ba talaga akong magkasakit ha!?" I exclaimed.
Instead of leaving me alone. He took a step forward and leaned closer, "And what if I want, are you going to let me take care of you?" He whispered near my ears. "I won't refuse, G3."
My heart stopped. I'm too weak for this! But there's no way I would let him tease me like this.
"Do you want a punch?" Gigil na sabi ko habang pinapakita sa kanya yung kamao ko.
Inilayo niya ang mukha niya at hindi makapaniwalang tumitig sa akin. I'd like to admit that he makes my heart flutter, but I won't let him took advantage of it. I'm too soft for him, but knowing his personality. I'm sure he's just playing with me.
"Hmm? That was the same thing you want to hear, wasn't it?"
"Not really." You heartless jerk! I knew that you up for something.
"You should be glad. I'm talking to you casually, aren't you flattered?"
I chuckled sarcastically, "Wow! Hindi lang pala ulan yung dumating malakas na hangin rin."
Bigla niyang hinipan yung mata ko, "Kaya nga tinangay ka sa akin e."
My jaw almost dropped and there goes my heart again. Namawis rin ata yung palad ko dahil sa sinabi niya. Seryoso ba siya sa mga sinasabi niya? Any minute now, I could lose my balance. I wasn't even prepared when he smiled so manly.
"Silent means you're affected by what I've said." Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa narinig mula sa kanya, dali-dali akong umiling.
"What? Hindi ako kinikilig no!" And right after I said that I regretted it.
"Wala akong sinabing kinikilig ka, I said you're affected." nakangising sabi niya sa akin.
By that, I want to vanish immediately. I want to slap myself for being too stupid whenever I'm talking with him! Jassane you fool!
"Are you blushing?" He asked while checking my whole face.
"I'm not b-blushing, talagang mainit lang dito." naiilang na sabi ko at tumingin sa ibang direksyon. Sana pala tumakbo nalang ako kahit umuulan. Edi sana hindi ako naghihirap mag-isip nang mga idadahilan ko sa lalaking 'to. Lintek!
I felt he breathe near my face, and I regretted it when I turned my gaze on him. "Now tell me, no big deal pa rin ba?" sambit niya.
"A-Ano kamo?"
He tilted his head, and gave me the most satisfying smile he could ever give today.
"Your hands were trembling." Napanganga ako ng makitang nakalagay sa tapat ng dibdib niya ang isang kamay ko. "Did you feel my heartbeat, G3?" I closed my eyes when he put his hand on my shoulder and pulled me closer.
I got lost in the moment.