Kabanata 10
The opening of our Intramurals requires us to wear our strand shirts— isa lang itong t-shirt na may print ng strand at kulay na binigay para sa strand mo. In my case, I was wearing a blue one since I'm from ABM.
I decided to tucked it in the waistband of my jeans. Tinali ko ang buhok ko, medyo wavy kasi ito kaya ang kalat tignan kapag hindi nakatali. Since Intrams naman, I decided putting on some cheek and lip tint tapos nag-mascara na rin ako. Pwede naman mag-lagay ng make-up, as long as it's not too heavy.
Sabay kami ni Clary pumasok. She was wearing her GAS shirt proudly. She's also obsessed with seeing people in red shirts though. Napapansin ko ang pagkinang ng mga mata niya.
Sana lang hindi namin siya makasalubong.
"Goodluck ABM!" Ngumiti saakin si Clary while raising her fists.
"Galingan niyo GAS!" Ngumisi naman ako sa kanya.
Pumunta na ako sa room namin. Nakita ko na inaayusan si LJ, since she's the muse for the ABM strand. Maganda naman kasi talaga siya.
"Zafi, si Sarathiel daw escort ng STEM!"
I begrudgingly turned my attention to him. I saw his boyish grin and immediately grimaced.
"Ang aga-aga mo naman maging tangina, Gio."
Bakit updated ba 'to si Gio kay Sarathiel? Idol niya ba 'yon? Crush niya? Kulang na lang sambahin niya e.
"Medyo lamang kasi ng kaunting ganda sa'yo si LJ e. At saka, sa height." nag-explain pa si Gio at talagang nag-demostrate pa kung gaano katangkad si LJ.
"Di ko tinatanong," Umirap ako.
It is not like I'm interested in pageants either. Sa Miss Universe nga, tanging ang Q&A lang ang inaabangan ko.
Nakarating na kami sa classroom, all of them were already preparing for the intrams. Halos maging langit na ang buong klase dahil sa mga asul na damit at ribbon na nakakalat sa mga sulok ng kwarto.
Lumapit ako kay Melay at Bea. Both of them were wearing ribbons as headband. May nakalagay dito na 'GO ABM' tapos tinotoo talaga ni Melay 'yung banner niya.
Lumingon si Bea sa akin.
"Zafi, lagay natin 'to sa ulo mo." Bea said while raising the blue ribbon on her hands.
Tumango naman ako. Nilagay niya ito sa noo ko banda. I said thanks and proceeded to fix my things before the bell for the torch ring.
Pumila kami para hindi magulo mamaya pagbaba sa gymnasium. Ang iingay na agad nila dahil sabay-sabay lumabas ang mga ABM. Lalo lamang tumingkad ang kulay asul na mga damit dahil sa dami ng mga tao na nakasuot nito. I can feel the anticipation of everyone.
Lalo tuloy akong kinabahan. Wala kasi talaga akong ambag sa sports, pero gusto ko rin manalo ang strand namin. No'ng nasa junior highschool ako ay madalas kami talagang mga nasa higher section o pilot section ang nananalo.
"Adren, ang cheer natin — go ABM ah. Baka iba masigaw mo. Ikaw rin, Zafirah. Tandaan niyo, it's go ABM!"
"Zafi," lumapit saakin si Adren, nakapamulsa siya. He was wearing a sportswear since he's our escort.
Lukot ang kanyang mukha nang tawagin ako. He secretly pointed at Gio who also had his brows furrowd at him.
"Yes?"
"May gusto ka bang gawin kay Gio? Just want you to know that I'll support you in whatever you want to do with that idiot." he has a scowl on his face, obviously annoyed.
Napakagat naman ako ng ibabang labi ko. Sabi ko na nga ba anak 'to ng mafia e. Suportahan ba naman daw ako sa pagpatay kay Gio. Pero syempre hanggang sa utak ko lang 'yun pwede gawin, I have goals to fulfill.
I laughed at his remark and nodded. Umalis na si Adren dahil tinawag na siya sa harapan.
Tiningnan ko ang messenger ko. Sarathiel and I are now friends in Facebook but it seems as if he just accepted me out of boredom.
The bell rung, signalling that the torch for the opening of our Intramurals is about to get lit.
Maayos kaming bumaba papunta sa gymnasium. It's a really wide one. Bawing-bawi talaga ang binayad namin sa UJD pagdating sa facilities nila.
We saw different colors of shirt. My mouth was slight agape because of awe. Masyado na 'yata akong kulong sa room namin dahil ngayon ko lang napansin talaga ang iba't-ibang strand.
"Hi pwede mangligaw?"
I tilted my head to the direction of a STEM guy and a TVL girl. The STEM guy looked cocky.
"Pwede naman," the TVL girl smirked. "Hindi nga lang saakin."
Burned! Ngumisi naman ako, go girl! Nakita ko naman na ngumiwi 'yung lalaki. Akala niya siguro kina-gwapo niya 'yung pagsuot ng STEM shirt.
Ang lakas din kasi ng loob niya kausapin nang ganoon 'yung TVL girl. Mukhang 'yung TVL girl pa kasi 'yung muse ng TVL strand. She's gorgeous though so I can't blame the STEM guy.
"Zafirah!"
May tumawag sa pangalan ko kaya napalingon ako sa direksyon kung saan ito nagmula. It was Iscalade and he was waving his hand to me.
My eyebrows furrowed but I decided to wave a little. I think he's harmless. He looks nice.
Lumapit sa akin si Iscalade.
"You're Zafirah from ABM, right?" he was smiling from ear to ear.
Bakit marami bang mga gwapo sa mga tangkay?!
"Yeah, bakit?" tanong ko.
"Wala lang, I just wanted to say hi!" he chuckled. Ngumiti naman ako, he has a contagious laugh. Kahit di ka naman natatawa ay matatawa ka na lang din.
He looked shock for a moment and proceeded to say, "There's a stain on the back of your shirt."
"Hala," I uttered. Ghad! Baka no'ng naghaharutan kami ni Clary kanina ay nalagyan niya ng iced coffee niya!
"Wait, I'll try to fix it." seryosong sabi ni Iscalade.
Tumango naman ako. He really is nice! Tumalikod ako para kay Iscalade. Pinagpag niya 'yung t-shirt ko sa likod. Tumigil lang siya at tumawa nang mahina.
"What?"
"Hindi po ako nandito para makipag-away," he said in a serious tone but he immediately laugh.
Tumingin ako sa harap ko at nakitang nakatingin saamin si Sarathiel. He looks annoyed and he was furrowing his eyebrows at us. Nasa stage na kasi silang mga muse at escort.
He looks...good. He was also wearing a sportswear. Halos mga naka-jersey lang naman sila pero hindi ko alam bakit di ko matanggal 'yung tingin ko sa kanya. Siya ang unang nag-iwas ng tingin.
He chuckled. "Una na ako, Zafirah. Baka mamatay ako nang wala sa oras e. Kaya niyo 'yan, ABM!"
"Loko ka. Sige lang, go STEM!" I cheered. Ngumiti saakin si Iscalade bago siya tuluyang bumalik sa mga STEM.
"Sabi ko na nga ba, traydor ka e!" Nagulat ako nang sumulpot si Gio sa tabi ko.
Kumunot ang noo ko sa paratang niya. What? Traydor?
"Go STEM, ampucha. Sabing go ABM e! Sinasabi ko na nga ba marupok kayong mga ABM!" Gio accused me.
Di ko na lang siya pinansin at nanood na lang ng opening program. The torch was lit by our PE teachers.
They proceeded on announcing the Mr. Intramurals and Ms. Intramurals. They had to walk and introduce themselves. I was laughing on the inside. Lalo na nung si Sarathiel na ang rarampa. Gusto ko ito kuhanan ng video kaso bawal 'yata maglabas ng cellphone sa loob ng gym.
Mukhang hindi aware si Sarathiel na kailangan 'yon dahil nakakunot ang noo niya. When it was his turn, hindi man lang siya nag-effort mag-lakad talaga. Sobrang monotone pa ng pagpapakilala niya.
I was laughing on the inside. This type of event does not suit him but it makes him look cute. I suppressed my smile because I didn't want anyone to notice it.
Nanalo si Adren at saka 'yung TVL girl na nakita ko kanina bilang Mr. and Ms. Intramurals — Adren looks flushed in red and the TVL girl was smirking, may binubulong siya kay Adren dahil nakikita kong gumagalaw ang labi niya.
"Congrats, Adren!" bati ko sa kanya nang makabalik siya sa amin. This is the 1st win for the ABM! Mukhang maganda ang magiging resulta ng Intrams sa amin.
"Thanks." He smiled but his gaze was somewhere else. Agad din siyang umalis.
Babalik na dapat ako sa pila nang mapansin ko ang tingin ng mga naka-red sa akin. I became conscious because of it.
Nakarinig ako ng mga tumatawa sa likod ko. Nilingon ko naman ito at nakitang ang mga tangkay pala.
"Bakit sila tumatawa?"
Some were shameless enough to point at me. Ghad, is this still about the wrong room? The Dora The Explorer? First Sem pa 'yon, ah?
Ganyan ba mga STEM? Hindi maka-move on?
I saw Sarathiel talking with his blockmates. I felt guilty— hindi ko rin naman siguro magugustuhan kung bigla na lang ako lalayuan ng isang tao. Pero ayoko kasi talaga maging awkward kami dahil kay Clary.
I was surprise when he look at my direction. He tilted his head and his jaw clenched.
I was about to go when he walk towards me. Nagulat ako sa biglaang pagtanggal niya ng ribbon sa noo ko.
"What was that for?!" I shrieked at him.
Anong problema niya?!
He smirked. "Since you're supporting our strand. I might as well support yours, don't you think?"
Tinali niya 'yung ribbon na blue sa braso niya. Umawang naman ang bibig ko dahil sa ginawa niya.
Isn't he aware that some people are watching him? Baka itakwil pa siya ng strand niya dahil sa ginawa niya! And also, kailan ko pa sinuportahan ang STEM? I am ABM all the way!
"Hibang ka ba? Kailan pa ako sumuporta sa STEM? I just said go STEM, it doesn't mean I fully support you! Syempre sa ABM ako!"
He licked his lower lip and grinned. "I didn't hear you say go STEM though. The support on your shirt says it all. I'm very touch, really. Nag-effort ka pa, Zafirah."
Unti-unting kumunot ang noo ko sa sinabi niya, ilang beses pa akong kumurap dahil iniisip ko ang mga ginawa ko kanina. I don't remember doing anything for STEM.
He chuckled lightly as he pat me on the head. Agad akong umiwas at umismid sa kanya. May ngiting naglalaro sa kanyang labi.
"Nice shirt, Zafi. Hope you'll wear it until the end," he winked before slowly striding away from me.
Anong shirt? Tumingin ako sa t-shirt ko at nakita naman na ABM ang nakalagay pero may bumabagabag sa akin. I decided to run towards the nearest bathroom to check something.
Nang makita ko na sa salamin ang likod ko. My eyes widened as I read the content of a paper plastered on the back of my shirt.
GO STEM! GO MY BABY SARATHIEL! I HEART YOU!
My cheeks immediately heated because of embarrassment. Wala akong nilagay na ganito!
I was biting my lip in frustration. Nakita 'yon ng mga tangkay?! Nakakahiya!
Bwisit na Iscalade na 'yon! Wala talagang matino sa mga tangkay!
Kinuha ko ang papel at pinunit-punit. Sana lang talaga malamangan ng ABM ang STEM sa intrams.
Tinakpan ko ang mukha ko sa kahihiyan. That was so embarrassing! Kaya naman pala ang kapal ni Sarathiel na sabihin suportado ko sila!
Lumabas ako ng bathroom at nakita ko na nagr-refill ng tumbler sa water fountain si Philomena ng HUMSS. When she saw me staring at her, she immediately look down.
Geez, baka akalain niya galit ako sa kanya. I tried to calm myself down and walk towards her.
"Tapos ka na mag-refill? Gusto ko kasi uminom," sabi ko sa kanya.
Tumango naman siya. "Sige lang po."
She really looks soft. Agad naman akong na-guilty dahil tunog mataray ang tono ko kanina. It is not like it was on purpose, it's my natural tone.
"I'm also sorry for staring." I apologized. Bigla naman siyang namula.
"Wala 'yon! It's nothing, really. Nagandahan lang po ako sa'yo kaya ano po..." she was mumbling, eyes still casted on her feet.
I can't help but smile. When a woman compliments another woman, it's really empowering.
"Ikaw din, you're pretty." I told her and she looked up to me. Agad siyang tumango at binaba muli ang tingin nang mapuno na ang tumbler niya.
Umalis na si Philomena nang matapos siya mag-refill. She gave me a short nod before walking away. Mahiyain nga siya, just like how other people label her.
Hindi ako makapaniwala na siya rin 'yung Philomena na halimaw daw sa debates. Sobrang hinhin kasi niya.
She's well known because of her contrasting personality in the field that she excels in. Ang tsismis ay mahinhin siya pero talagang mamaw sa mga activities sa HUMSS.
I went back to the lane of ABM. Nakita ko si Bea na may kausap na naka-yellow shirt. Si Melay naman ay may kausap na naka-red at may pahampas-hampas pa siya sa braso nito.
I also saw Clary and she was talking to Sarathiel. Hindi siya pinapansin ni Sarathiel, she looks rejected. Tumingin silang dalawa sa akin.
I wanted to ignore them and feign ignorance. Pero lumapit sa akin si Clary at hinatak ako papunta kay Sarathiel. She yanked my arms even if I protested by trying to get it back from her.
Hanggang sa nasa harap na kami ni Sarathiel. Hindi ako makatingin sa kan'ya nang diretso, remembering the shirt incident. Namumula na nga ako dahil paulit-ulit na lumalabas sa utak ko ang nakasulat dito.
"Zafirah is rooting for us! Di ba, Zafi? Bagay kaming dalawa?" Clary sounded desperate. I look at Sarathiel and he was waiting for my answer.
What? Bakit nadamay na naman ako? Tumingin ako kay Clary, I saw how her eyes were almost pleading. Wala namang mawawala sa akin kung sasabihin ko na oo. . .
Pero parang mali.
Parang ayoko.
In the end, I decided to just go with her. She's my cousin. Siya dapat ang kakampihan ko.
"Oo," I said. Tuwang-tuwa naman si Clary.
Lumingon siya kay Sarathiel. Nilingkis niya ang kanyang braso sa braso ni Sarathiel na mukhang nanghihina. Sarathiel looked suddenly looked sullen.
"See? I told you she was the one who wanted us together! She even gave me your number!"
For a second, I saw how Sarathiel's expression was hurt but he immediately concealed it with a smirk.
Tinanggal niya ang kapit ni Clary sa kanya at lumingon sa akin. His eyes were unwavering.
Sarathiel laughs coldly. "Really? Who are you to say who should I like? Sino ka ba?"
Malamig ang bawat bato niya sa akin ng salita. Hindi ako sumagot dahil ramdam ko na kung may sasabihin pa ako ay lalo lamang magiging malala ang trato niya sa akin.
I felt a pang in my chest. That hurt— I didn't know Sarathiel was capable of hurting my feelings.
When I didn't answer, he decided to leave and I can feel the animosity that surrounds him. Clary chase him, not bothering to ask if I was okay.
Akala ko ay magiging okay ang lahat kung lalayo kami sa isa't isa. Pero bakit ganito ang nararamdaman ko ngayon?
I was left there with an empty feeling I can't get rid of.
❛ ━━━━━━･❪ ✎❫ ･━━━━━━ ❜