Thirty: Tyler Osmond
I made a move again on impulse. But I just don't really care.
When I saw Vanessa standing outside her door, looking at me, as if reflecting the same emotions I had in my eyes, I just knew I had to do something.
I tightened my hold on her a few seconds more before I reluctantly pulled away.
At ngayon na tinitingnan niya ako ng ganyan, mga mata'y tila mayroong gustong sabihin, sinusubukan kong pigilan ang sariling hapitin ang katawan niya palapit sa akin muli.
"I guess I have to see you after class then?" ako na ang nagsalita. "I mean, that's if you're don't have any plans later."
Umiling siya, kasabay ng isang ngiti. "Wala naman."
At hindi na nasundan pa iyong sinabi niya. Hindi niya ako tinanong kung bakit kami magkikita mamaya o kung saan kami pupunta. She just subtly agreed. And I was relieved at that.
Dahil kung sakali'y nagtanong siya ay hindi ko rin naman ang magiging direktang sagot. Would she take it if I say I just want to spend some time with her?
A buzzing sound cut through the air, interrupting our little staring game. And if I hadn't felt the vibration in my pocket, I wouldn't remember that's my phone's alarm.
Naiset ko ba talaga 'yun ng ganitong oras?
I smiled apologetically at Vanessa and fished my phone out of my jeans, setting the alarm off. "Sorry about that."
"Okay lang," sagot niya. "Ah, bababa na rin pala ako. Baka kanina pa naghihintay si Kuya Miles. See you mamaya."
"Yeah, see you. You take care."
She nodded at me, flashed that bright smile the last time before she walked off to the elevator.
And I was left there watching her, wishing I could drag time pretty quick.
*
"So that's it for today. See you next week. And get ready for a series of exams," anunsyo ni Mrs. Soledad, our Professor in one of our major subjects, pagkatapos ay kinuha na nito ang mga gamit at lumabas ng classroom.
Sumunod naman ang mga kaklase ko at nagsimula na rin akong ayusin ang mga gamit.
"Hey, Tyler," Simon called. Tumingin ako sa kanya. Hinintay niyang makalabas 'yung mga nasa harapan niya saka lumapit sa akin, may suot na nakakalokong ngiti.
At bago pa man niya masabi kung anong pakay niya, alam ko nang mang-aaya na naman ang isang 'to. It was just his smile.
Kaya naman diniretso ko na naman siya. "Sorry. I already have somewhere to be."
He groaned and that earned a chuckle from me. Yung mukha niya lang na para bang sobrang disappointed. "Pang-ilang beses na 'yan, dude. And know what, nagsisimula na akong hindi maniwala sa mga naririnig ko tungkol sayo."
My brows met at that, totally curious about what he's hearing about me. Though I couldn't treat Simon as someone I could trust, I truly enjoyed his company, same with Ethan. Both of them were really nice to me. But maybe one reason I really easily connected to them was our similar view on relationships. How we all just wanted it to be pure fun.
It was so obvious on them since they were like very open about it. Hindi ko lang sigurado kung alam nilang gan'un din ako since I was not sure if I even talked to them about it since we met. But with Simon's tone on what he just said, parang malinaw na sa akin.
But I still wanted to hear it from him directly. So, I asked. "About what?"
Simon shrugged. "Well, it's just that I know some guy from different course and he's related to someone's whose studying at MHU, your previous school, right? Well, he kind of told me your reputation there."
Tumigil siya, parang tinitingnan kung anong magiging reaction ko. But I didn't say anything to him, just nodded for him to continue.
"He told me about the string of girls you've been with. And most even were high profile I almost didn't believe it. Like how the hell you managed to get those girls," he chuckled lowly then shook his head. "Then I saw you with Olivia Guzman your first day here and whew," he whistled like he's impressed. "I thought what I heard about you must be really true. But then right now, dude, I don't even know. Haven't seen with Olivia again or any other girl, and you don't even go with us. So, I don't know what's true anymore."
I blew out a breath, contemplating his words now. He didn't lay it out there precisely, but hell, I could read between the lines.
I could feel my jaw slightly clenching as I asked him. "Why really did you befriend me?"
Halatang nagulat si Simon sa tanong ko. Not expecting that, huh.
But then he easily shrug it off like it's nothing and flashed me a lazy smile. "Oh. You got me there, huh."
Natawa siya pero seryoso ko lang siyang tiningnan. The smile wiped off from his face and he sighed. "Okay, there's no point in hiding it," he said. "I want to get close to you so that maybe...maybe you could help me meet those girls. I don't even care if you've been with them. I just want to get my fill. And before you think I'm just going to use you, think again. I'm letting you meet new girls, too. Si Gianna—"
A harsh laugh came out from me, cutting his next words. Hindi ko lang mapigilan. Gaya ng pagkati ng kamao ko na para bang gusto nitong dumapo sa pagmumukha ng nasa harap ko ngayon.
If we weren't only inside the school premises, my fist already made its move. Just a bad thing that we were and I couldn't risk another dismissal. Baka wala na talagang tatanggap sa aking school kapag nagkataon.
"What's funny?"
"You just humor me," I told Simon couldn't help the hint of anger in my voice as my eyes met his confused ones. And I wanted those to stay confused so I decided not to explain further. "By the way, what your friend told you? That's fake news. So stop setting me up with any other girl because there are no girls you'll be meeting through me."
At bago pa siya makasagot, kinuha ko na iyong gamit ko at lumabas doon.
It still infuriated me—what I just found out. But at least, I knew about it now.
And I'm taking back what I thought earlier. There's no way I was like him.
Dala-dala ko pa rin iyong natuklasan ko hanggang makarating sa parking lot kaya't parang lumilipad ang isipan ko. At hindi ko pa mapapansin ang nakasandal doon sa bandang likuran ng Explorer kung hindi pa siya nagsalita.
"Ganyan pala 'yung gusto akong makita after class. Iiwan lang din ako."
I cursed under my breath and looked at my side, stopping from opening the passenger door. "Vanessa—"
"Hi," tanging sinabi niya pero iyong suot niyang ngiti, sobrang liwanag lang. Like the sun when it's about to rise, its brightness overcoming the darkness.
And I felt it has the same effect on me. Like what's inside me right now were not even near bright, but it just came, the smile, as I answered, "Hi back at you." I scratched my nape. "I'm sorry if I didn't notice you. Something just...happened."
Tumango siya saka matiim akong tiningnan. "You don't have to tell me what happened. Pero okay ka lang naman? Or it's not something about your family, I hope."
Umiling agad ako. "No, not about them. And I'm okay. Don't worry."
"Good to hear, then," sagot niya. "Pero kung ayaw mo nang lumabas, okay lang. I could just—"
"Vanessa," I cut her off, reaching for her hand. She raised a brow and her eyes drifted to our now connected hands but she didn't pull her hand away. Which I felt freaking relieved for.
I tugged on her hand gently, stepping forward so I could look at her more closely. "Okay, I'm not really at my best right now, because...I'll just tell you later. But that will not be a reason para i-cancel natin 'yung plano. We're going to spend time together." I need to. I need to spend time with you.
Pagkatapos ng ilang segundong pagtingin lang sa mga mata ko, tumango na rin siya. "Okay." Then there was that smile again. "And I think I know how I can help you."
I groaned internally, not really liking where my mind just wandered off. Damn. Get it together, Tyler.
Pero kasi siya, bakit ganyan 'yung mga sinasabi niya?
It's not like she meant something beyond innocent with that. Blame your dirty mind.
I couldn't help but shake my head with that internal battle going on inside my head. I also bit my lip, refraining myself from laughing.
"Bakit?" Of course, napansin iyon ni Vanessa.
I smiled at her. "Nothing."
But then she pouted at me and I couldn't stop my eyes as they went in they own accord, gazing at her lips.
I felt myself swallowing air. Look away now.
But damn, stubborn eyes just stayed in their place. So, I talked instead. "Stop pouting, Vanessa."
"Bakit?" tanong niya pagkatapos ay ngumuso na naman. I don't think she intended to do it though. It's like her normal.
So before I could be tempted past what I can bear, I closed my eyes for a moment, inhaling a deep breath then I looked away, extracting the air.
Not looking at her now, I muttered. "You'll punch me if I'll tell you."
"Ano?"
I shook my head and looked back at her. "Lets go."
*
Sa ice cream parlor ako dinala ni Vanessa nang makarating kami sa mall. That was the help she was talking about. And I just smiled the whole time, quietly listening to her as she told me to sit and wait at the booth in the corner. Hanggang sa pinanood ko siyang mag-order doon sa counter.
Hindi agad niya ako sinamahan doon sa table. Doon siya tumambay malapit sa counter para hintayin yung mga ice cream. And my throat was itching to call her, tell her to just wait beside me. But I stopped myself. Hindi pa parang ang possessive ko naman, n'un? Saka possessive ba ang kaibigan?
Before I could get an answer to that, someone stood in front of me, obscuring my view of Vanessa. I glared at the bare skin of flat tummy I saw before me. I saw because she's wearing a yellow crop top. Kumislap pa iyong piercing nito sa pusod bago ko itinaas 'yung tingin sa mukha nito.
Tumaas ang kilay ko nang makilala ang nakatayo doon.
"Gianna."
Hearing her name from me, she smiled brightly. Not as bright as Vanessa though. But to think of it, I don't know anyone who can smile like Vanessa's. It's just only her. Her only.
"Surprised you know my name, Tyler," sagot niya saka hinawi iyong buhok sa likod ng tenga. Tumaas iyong damit niya at halos maabot na noon ang panloob na suot. But I kept my eyes on her face. "I never introduced myself to you."
"I could say the same," kibit-balikat ko.
Natawa naman siya. "Well, you're quite popular in our college. You know, being the new transferee and all."
Tumango-tango lang ako.
Nagsalita na naman si Gianna. "Ano palang ginagawa mo dito? I thought may gagawin ka daw na importante." I didn't have to ask to know who told her that. Dahil kilalang-kilala ko naman na. "I thought you have plans with your family or someone important. And what a surprise to see you here at the mall instead. Are you alone?"
"He's not."
My eyes widened at that voice but at the same time I could not hide the smile on my lips.
Dalawang cup ng ice cream ang bumaba roon sa mesa. Then my eyes followed the owner of the hands who just brought them. Vanessa's not smiling but she's not looking bad at Gianna either.
Wala lang ekspresyon 'yung mukha niya.
"Oh hi," sagot ni Gianna, nagtatakang tiningnan si Vanessa saka nilipat iyong tingin sa akin. I just flash her a smile before looking back at Vanessa again. Tiningnan nito ulit ang huli bago mahinang tumawa. But her laugh sounded so fake. Even anyone could tell that.
"I just thought Tyler's alone. And I'm here to just say hi," she started to say and I glanced at her way. "Hindi ko rin alam na..." she didn't continue but her eyes hardened, now failing to keep that faux smile. "Know what, I'll get going. Enjoy your ice cream."
Tumalikod na siya, hindi na ako tinapunan ng tingin pa saka lumabas na doon sa glass door. Umupo naman si Vanessa doon sa kaharap ko na cushion.
"Maganda siya," sabi ni Vanessa. Tumaas ang kilay ko sa kanya't nakitang nakasunod pa rin ang tingin niya kay Gianna. Her eyes lingered there before she faced me. Pero hindi siya tumingin sa akin, iyong ice cream ang kinuha niya, tinitigan iyon na para bang iyon ang kausap niya. "Saka sexy pa. At piercing ba 'yung nasa tyan niya?"
"Yeah," I answered and finally she looked up, meeting my gaze. "Piercing nga 'yun," kumpirma ko.
"Nakita mo," saad niya. And I smiled at her tone.
I shrugged. "She's wearing a crop top, hard not to notice."
"Hmm mmm," she just muttered.
I laughed then, reaching for her nose, pinching it. "You're cute."
May ibinulong siya pero hindi ko nakuha ng buo. I just smiled, getting my ice cream too. "She's from my course, won Ms. Architecture last year."
Tumigil sa pagkain si Vanessa, tumingin sa akin. "Bakit sinasabi mo sa akin 'yan?"
I laughed but didn't answer her. Nagpatuloy lang ako. "Heard from our batchmates she kind of has a crush on me. Okay, baka crush nga talaga kasi lagi akong kinakausap nung kaklase ko para i-set up kaming dalawa."
"Tyler," tawag ni Vanessa. Sa tono niya, parang naiinis na siya.
Kinagat ko lang ang ibabang labi saka nagsalita pa rin. "But I just want you to know that I never went in any of those. This was the first time we talked personally. Kung hindi mo pa ako dinala dito sa ice cream parlor. So, I guess, she owe you this huh that she got to meet me finally."
Vanessa remained silent, didn't get my line of joke.
"Just kidding with the last part. But seriously now, I don't really intend to do anything with her." Or with anyone.
"You don't have to tell me that," sagot ni Vanessa saka sandaling tumahimik.
"I know," I smiled at her. "But I want to."
Hindi siya sumagot.
Ngumiti ako, naalala 'yung pag-uusap naming dati. So I told her. "And I'm keeping my promise on you. Hindi ako mambababae."
Parehong tumaas ang kilay niya pero nang makuha na rin ang sinabi ko'y natawa siya.
"Ewan ko sa'yo," iling niya ng ulo.
I chuckled at her then grabbed a spoonsful of ice cream. "Thank you pala dito ha," sabi ko bago sinubo iyon.
Ngumiti sa akin si Vanessa. "Wala 'yun."
I smiled back at her. Then I remembered what I've meant telling her since last night. Kanina pa ako nag-iisip ng tamang tyempo para sabihin ito at dumating na nga 'yung ngayon. Right now seemed to be the right time.
So, I started, "I know nilibre mo na ako nito, but can I ask another favor?"
Her forehead formed a crease before she asked. "Ano iyon?"
I held her gaze for some seconds before I breathed out, freeing the words from my mouth, "Will you go out on a date with me?"