Kabanata 24
Sath:
Can we talk?
I was reading a lesson on philosophy when Sath texted me. It was already 9pm, baka kakauwi lang niya? I don't know, sometimes PracRe requires overnight to finished the papers. Pero Chapter 1 pa lang naman kami.
Zafirah:
Yup. You okay?
Sath:
Yeah. Are you mad?
Zafirah:
Nope.
Tumawag si Sath. I panicked a little but immediately answered the phone call.
"Yes?"
"Can I go to your house?"
"Loko ka, gabi na."
"I just want to make sure you're not mad." His voice was almost pleading.
"I'm not."
"I'm sorry I fell asleep."
I sighed. "Please stop that. Tao ka lang din naman at kailangan ng tulog. We can always date next time. Please don't forget to rest."
Grade 12 makes you feel restless. Literal na papasok ka sa school na walang tulog kapag naghahabol ka ng deadline.
"I can't sleep knowing you might be mad about this. I swear I didn't know why I fell asleep all of the sudden."
"Nakalimutan mo lang 'yata matulog sa school. Gawain mo 'yon 'di ba?" I teased him, trying to lift up his mood.
Sath has always been understanding. I wanted to be like that too. Hindi naman kasi tayo nabubuhay para lumandi lang.
"I'm really sorry. Please let me make it up to you."
"Sure, what about ensuring you have 8 hours of sleep? Pwede na siguro 'yon?" I smiled a little.
"I love you 3000, Sath. I really do. I hope you can take care of yourself for me. That's the best thing you can do."
Binaba niya 'yung tawag. Bumalik na ako sa pagbabasa para sa philosophy. Matutulog na sana ako nang may kumatok sa pintuan ko. It was Clary who looked shock.
"Bakit, Clary?"
"Nasa ibaba si Sath."
Nanglaki ang mga mata ko. Loko 'yon! Sabing anong oras na e.
Bumaba ako para tingnan kung totoo nga na nasa baba at labas nga si Sarathiel. Nagulat ako dahil nandoon nga si Sath, he looks restless. Dama ang pagod niya sa bawat buntong hininga na kanyang ginagawa.
"Sath," tawag ko sa kanya.
"I'm really sorry," he looks so vulnerable right now.
"Okay nga lang,"
"I feel bad." He sighs and holds my hand.
"Don't be. Hindi naman ako galit o ano. I know you would never intend to hurt me." Ngumiti ako sa kanya.
Humilig siya braso ko.
"It's not even I love you 3000 anymore..." he whispered.
"What?"
"I don't think I can put any value on how I feel right now. This feels like more than 3000. I really am in love with you." His hands gently find it's way to my waist.
I hugged him back. I can feel his warmth in this cold night. He really was my light and I don't want him to lose his light because of a petty fight.
"I love you," I cupped his face and made him look at me. "More than 3000."
"More than 3000," he smiled and I can see how the tiredness in his eyes faded.
We were both startled when someone opened the door.
"Ang tatapang niyo sa harap pa talaga kayo ng bahay naglandian." Nakahawak si Clary sa bewang niya. She was wearing her facemask.
I laughed at her and I saw Sath's ears reddening.
How cute.
『••✎••』
"Anong joke ang hindi nakakatuwa?" Gio asked.
"What?" Ade's forehead creased and he looked at Gio.
"GASGAS." Halakhak ni Gio.
"Ano 'yan? Kakatuwa?" Ngumiwi ako sa kanila.
"Ano sinabi ng driver nang tumigil ang kotse niya bigla?" Gio once again, asked.
I furrowed my eyebrows.
"Ano?"
"Pa-GAS!" lalo lamang lumakas ang tawa ni Gio. Binatukan siya ni Ade.
"Isa pa," Ade threatened Gio with his finger.
Gio smiled slyly. "Anong ginagamit ng mga TVL sa pagluluto?"
"What?" I entertained Gio because I saw Ade clenching his jaw.
"GASul!" He laughed at Ade's face. Ade massaged his temples.
"Gagio ka talaga kapag nalaman ko strand ng babae mo, di rin kita tatantanan!"
"Baka may babae!" Gio snorted.
"Gio, ikaw na choreo sa cheerdance ha. Para naman may laban tayo." Pagi-iba ko ng usapan. Hindi ko kasi ma-gets 'yung pinaguusapan nila.
"Choreo niyo mukha niyo."
"Dali na, Gio! Magaling ka kaya sumayaw." I insisted. Malapit na kasi ang cheerdance competition para sa PE namin. As usual, strands na naman ang maglalaban.
"Hindi ako ganun kagaling, Zafi." isinabit niya pa kunyari ang buhok niya sa likod ng tenga niya.
"Gusto mo lang pinupuri ka e. Dali na, Gio."
"Fine. Basta ikaw ulit sa props?"
"Sure!" I beamed at him. I wanted to win this cheerdance competition.
Sath and I are not always together but we do make sure we make time for each other.
Ade decided to leave us when a girl called him. Lalong lumawak ang ngisi ni Gio habang kumakaway siya kay Ade na sumama roon sa babae. We also went back to our classroom but on our way, we encountered someone.
"Arrisea!" Gio called someone from afar, it was Ms. Intramurals. Lumapit naman siya sa direksyon namin ni Gio.
"Sup, Gio?" mapangasar niyang bati kay Gio. She smiled at me.
"Anong ginagawa niyo sa coliseum?" tanong ni Gio.
"Manonood kami ng basketball, susuportahan lang namin si Cristyl sa panglalandi niya sa mga college." Arrisea said, laughing.
"Ikaw susumbong kita! Bakit ba ganyan trip niyo sa isa't-isa?" isang ngiwi ang iginawad ni Gio.
"Bet ko 'yan! Sumbong mo, send ko sa'yo mga pictures ko kasama ng iba't-ibang bastketball player." Ngumisi si Arrisea.
I frowned at the both of them.
I couldn't understand them. May something ba si Arrisea at Gio? I thought it would be Adren.
Gio laughed. "Ayoko baka ako 'yung mapatalsik sa school kapag ginawa ko 'yon."
Arrisea turned her attention to me and pointed her finger at me. She looked like someone who would create a fight, kaya naman bahagya akong napaatras.
"Ito girlfriend ni Sarathiel 'di ba?" she squinted her eyes, pilit 'yatang inaalala ang mukha ko.
"Yup!" Ngiting-ngiti si Gio.
Agad siyang umiling na para bang dismayado siya. I felt offended because she helped me before and now she's disappointed?
"Shet ka girl, nilalandi ng iba 'yung boyfriend mo huwag ka papakabog."
"H-ha?" naguguluhan kong tanong.
She decided to put one of her hand on my shoulder.
"Sis, iba tumingin si Czanne sa jowa mo. Baka nga kung ako Prof nila sa PracRe, iisipin ko ang background of the study nila Czanne ay behind the scenes na panglalandi niya sa jowa mo."
That's not it...
"You're being malicious." Umiling-iling ako. I didn't want to see Czanne like that, she's nothing but a classmate of Sath.
I don't wanna add more doubts for myself. Sobra na ang nararamdaman ko. If another pile were to be added, I don't even know where I'll be right now. I don't even what to think about it.
"May tiwala ako kay Sath." I added. Ngumisi lang sa akin si Arrisea.
"Yeah right. May tiwala ka kay Sath, kay Czang baliw meron ba?"
Hindi ko nasagot ang tanong niya. After that, the thought of Czanne kept on bugging me. Mali na isipan ko ng mali 'yung tao. Wala pa naman siyang ginagawang mali. At saka, hinalikan man niya si Sath noon, hindi pa naman kami magka-relasyon ni Sath.
I decided to focus my attention to somewhere else. Kinakain na naman ako ng pagdududa. I know Arrisea meant no harm but the feeling isn't just right.
Since I was the head of props for our cheerdance, I was busy preparing with the drafts of costumes and the design for the other props that the dancers will use.
Sa cheerdance kasi ay magkakaroon muna ng elimination sa mismong strand bago isalang sa semi-finals kalaban ang iba pang strand.
"Zafi, ano gagawin mo para sa birthday ni Sarathiel?"
"Ha? Kailan ba birthday ni Sath?" napalingon ako kay Ade na tumutulong sa paggawa ng plano para sa cheerdance.
Napaawang ang bibig niya.
"Seryoso ka ba? Di mo alam? August 16!" Ade exclaimed. Lumapit naman si Gio para makitsismis. He's also here to create some steps.
"Sa Friday?!" I gasped. That is tomorrow!
"Di mo talaga alam? Jowa-jowa ka tapos di mo man lang alam birthday niya? May monthsary ba kayo?" Gio winced.
"Uso pa ba 'yon?" Kumunot ang noo ko.
I just thought that monthsary isn't even a thing anymore. Anniversary pa siguro pero monthsary? That's really not my thing.
"Goodluck na lang talaga kay Sarathiel p're. Buti na lang mahal na mahal ka no'n, di ka man lang nag-effort alamin birthday niya." Ade shook his head.
I was so busy to know. At saka, hindi ko naman talaga alam kung kailan naging kami. Basta isang araw, sinabihan ko lang siya na boyfriend ko na siya.
I was conscious because of that, so I decided that I will make an explosion box. Tamang nood lang sa youtube kung paano gumawa.
"Himala, nagyaya ka sa mall?" sumama si Clary sa akin sa pagbili ng materials.
We're currently at the nearest SM. Walang ginagawa si Clary sa bahay kaya sumama at ako naman ay ginawa ko na lahat ng tasks ko sa school para makagawa ng ganito para kay Sath.
"Yeah, bibili rin kasi ako ng jacket."
I opted for the safe option. Ito rin naman talaga ang hilig niya. I might as well give it to him.
"Monthsary niyo?" tanong ni Clary.
I shook my head and turned my attention to her.
"Uso ba talaga 'yon?"
Her lips parted and rolled her eyes heavenwards. She looked at me as if I'm kidding.
"Girl, ako nas-stress sa inyo. May monthsary ang mag-jowa. Bakit di mo 'yun alam? Di ba kaya ng schedule mo 'te?"
"Ewan ko sa inyo. Hindi naman big deal sa'min 'yon ni Sath."
Sath and I don't really talk about lovey dovey stuff. Alam ko naman na para sa iba ay normal ito, pero sa aming dalawa ni Sath ay mas pinaguusapan namin ang mga nangyayari sa buhay namin. I have nothing against those who celebrate it, I just find it troublesome to always celebrate at every little event in your relationship.
I bought two jackets from a known store for it's fabric. One for a male and one for a female, obviously to make it look like a couple's thing.
Si Clary naman ay natukso sa Watson's kaya naman kung anu-anong skincare products ang binili niya.
Pagkauwi namin ay sinimulan ko na. Ilang beses pa akong napaso sa glue gun kasi malaki 'yung explosion box na ginagawa ko. I decided the theme of the box will be our pictures together that I saved using my phone and of course MCU because we're both dorks for it.
Using the fonts of Avengers, I printed 'I love you more than 3000' in small papers, I printed at least more than 3000 and put it inside the box. After I finished the box, nilagay ko ang jackets sa loob at mga binili kong chocolates, and I also ordered a blueberry cheesecake from his favorite resto to be picked up tomorrow.
Ghad, nakakapagod maging jowa.
『••✎••』
Kinabukasan, I was ready to surprised Sath because I acted I didn't remember his birthday today. Kumunot ang noo ko dahil parang wala lang ito kay Sath. He acts nonchalant.
Sath:
Lunch later?
Zafirah:
Busy :(
Sath:
Okay :) text me when you have some time.
"Kailangan mo ng tulong? By the way, the cake is here." Gio said, siya kumuha sa cake dahil tropa naman daw niya 'yung mga guards sa gate.
"I'm so nervous, baka di niya magustuhan." I pouted while looking at the huge box.
"Wow ha, parang kahapon lang di mo nga alam na birthday niya ngayon." Halakhak ni Gio.
"Gio naman e!" I pouted.
After classes were done, we went to the STEM building. Todo tago pa ako sa box kasi nakakahiya rin kaya siyang dalhin.
It was really big. At halata naman na explosion box siya. Nakakahiya kasi noon ay diring-diri ako sa mga ganitong klaseng tao tapos sa huli ay gagawa rin pala ako nito.
I saw Sath and I immediately hide behind a wall. Hinila ko si Gio na kasama ko ngayon para di kami mahuli.
I was ready to surprised him but a blast of confetti and thunderous cheers made me halt.
"Happy Birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday happy birthday..." a song was being sung by a lot of people.
Sumilip kami ni Gio. There were confettis everywhere and STEM students were cheering for Sath who looks taken aback like he didn't expect any greetings at all.
There were nine people who were wearing jackets and when they turned around, the letters on their back formed the name 'Sarathiel'.
"Thanks..." I knew it was Sath who told them that. He doesn't look happy though even if I can only see his side view, I knew he wasn't even smiling.
"Ngiti naman diyan, birthday boy! Sobrang effort ng girlfriend mo sa'yo!" someone from their building shouted.
I didn't prepare that...
I was the girlfriend...
But I didn't do that.
"Nandiyan na si Czanne!"
I looked at Czanne's direction and saw she was holding a blueberry cheesecake with candles on it.
"Happy Birthday, Sath." Czanne was blushing while looking at Sarathiel.
My lips parted. Muntik ko na mabitawan 'yung box na hawak ko. Gio was the one who grab it for me.
"Zafi..." Gio looks torned. He bit his lip and decided to rub my back gently.
"Mamaya na lang natin ibigay kay Sarathiel. Gusto mo ng shake? Libre kita, dali!" Gio was trying to lift my mood.
"Gio..." my voice was shaking. I don't know why, because of anger? Jealousy? Pain?
Parang kinukurot ang puso ko habang nakikita silang dalawa. My emotions were slowly consuming me as I tightened my grip on my skirt.
"Zafi...I..." Gio was lost for words. "You don't deserve this."
"You're right..." my eyes were starting to form tears.
Parang minamartilyo ang puso ko sa sobrang sakit. My heart was pounding against my ribcage, making me feel how it was aching as Czanne gracefully went to Sath.
Ayoko sana itong isipin pero tama naman sila. Czanne who knew Sath even from before is indeed worthy of him and it makes me think...
I don't deserve Sarathiel like Czanne does.
❛ ━━━━━━･❪✎❫ ･━━━━━━ ❜