Kabanata 5
Awkward
After that brunch, I asked for Lionel's number. I figured that it will be better if I'd have a friend other than my blockmates, right? Aside from the fact that he is years older, he is a great conversionalist, too! I was never bored while talking to him.
Me:
Hoy, kalbo! This is Lucy. Save my number!
I was about to turn it off but I quickly received a reply.
Lionel:
Wow! Coming from a girl who thought that I like her? See you around, Miss. :D
My lips pouted from the text. Ang kapal ng mukha! Kung hindi niya ako sinamahan para roon sa kuting, hindi ko naman siya lalapitan! It was him who initiated a talk kaya!
Weeks passed and I did almost the same routine everyday. After classes, I'd watch Jarrell and the team practicing. Hindi ko na sinusubukan na lumapit dahil pansin ko na pagod siya after practice dahil mas humirap iyon. Malapit na kasi ang season.
In between those time, nag-aral lang ako. I remember how badly I wanted to cry because I really don't like studying. I feel like the words printed on my reviewers are mere words with no meanings. Para sa akin kaya talaga ang pag-aaral? I really don't like it.
I stretched my arms as the class ended. Liana immediately went out because she has an org stuff to do. Aniya ay may tree planting event sila na gaganapin bukas kaya't pinagtutuunan niya ng pansin iyon. Hindi ko na pinigilan dahil may pupuntahan din ako.
''Lucy! Tara? May training sila Jarrell ngayon!'' Cyrill shouted.
Nasa kabilang row siya at nagliligpit ng gamit. I excitedly nodded as I waited for her near the door.
''Tayong dalawa lang?'' I asked.
''Yup! Mag-iinom kasi sina Bea at Stephen. Pupuntahan ko rin si Mommy after ng training kaya tara?''
Mabilis kaming nakarating sa gym. Rinig sa labas ang tunog ng mga sapatos at tili ng ilang babae. What? Gabi na ah! Bakit may mga nanonood pa?
We immediately went inside. Limited lang kasi ang seating capacity kaya't dumiretso na kami sa mga bleachers. Agad hinanap ng mga mata ko si Jarrell.
I almost drooled with the sight of him all sweaty with his damp curled hair and bisceps. Umiinom siya ng gatorade at kitang-kita ko ang paggalaw ng adams apple niya. Sa kanilang lahat na naglalaro, siya talaga ang pinaka gwapo. Kahit na may ibang mas matangkad sa kanya ay litaw talaga ang charisma niya. Lalo na ngayon na pawisan siya!
So damn hot and what a fucking view for dinner!
''Hey.. hey, Cy..'' lumingon ako sa kanya. ''Do you know what time his classes starts?''
Kumaway muna siya sa isang player bago humarap sa akin.
''Si Javier, 6am start ng classes niya kaya baka gano'n din si Jarrell. Why?''
''Oh..'' my shoulder slumped. ''Sayang. Hindi tugma sa schedule ko. Dalasan natin sa pag watch ha?''
She smirked. Nagpatuloy na kami sa panonood. The team did several drills including shooting and three by three. Halos lumuwa ang mata ko dahil sa bilis ng galaw ni Jarrell. He is bulky and tall but the way he fastly move is impressing! Umaalog ang kanyang kulot na buhok habang tumatakbo at ang braso ay ilang beses nag flex.
Para tuloy sinasabayan ng takbo niya ang tibok ng dibdib ko. He is just.. shining to me! Too attractive and good looking! I'd probably faint once we get closer!
''You like him alot, Lucy?'' Cyrille muttered.
''Yeah.. Hindi ba obvious?'' I chuckled.
''Go, Jarrell! Let's meet later!'' I heard someone from the other bench.
Nilipat ko ang tingin doon at nakitang ang bruha na si Nicka pala 'yon! She's wearing a costume like those cheerleaders wear.
Bitch! Don't tell me she likes Jarrell?!
Agad kumulo ang ulo ko dahil sa pag-iisip na gusto niya si Jarrell. Tinapunan niya na nga ako ng kape, aagawin mo pa ang crush ko? Like what the hell?
''Oh! You didn't know, Lucy?'' si Cyrill na naman.
I turned to her as my forehead creased. ''I didn't know what?''
''They are dating..'' ngumiwi siya. ''Alam mo na.. parehas involved sa sports, e.''
''What?! Are you kidding me?'' I saw some players glanced at me as I almost shouted. ''Isn't that prohibited? They are representing the school!''
Cy chuckled. ''It's not! And besides, dating lang naman. You know, just casually hanging out. Nakita nga namin sila nina Bea sa club noong isang araw.''
Napatulala ang tingin ko sa court dahil doon. ''I'm disappointed. I can't believe Jarrell has.. pitiful standards,'' I winced.
Halos masuka ako sa pag-iisip na nagd-date nga ang dalawa. Nicka is pretty, okay. With her long legs and toned body. But the mere fact that her attitude sucks is an enough reason to be turned off.
I looked at Jarrell and saw how he smirked at Nicka. Ew. What the hell is this sight? And since when did they start dating?
Pagkatapos nilang mag ngitian ay bumaling sa akin si Nicka, nakangisi na para bang nang-aasar. Because of irritation, I rolled my eyes at her. Wala akong pake kung mainis siya sa 'kin!
''Sumama ka na lang kaya sa amin bukas? We will go to a club! Doon madalas ang basketball team so you might want to go.''
''But we have classes,'' I rolled my eyes at her. Buti ay pinapapasok siya sa club. She's too small.
''May event bukas, 'di ba? I'm pretty sure some professors will call the classes off or at least they would dismiss early. Kaya sumama ka na!''
My lips twisted, a little tempted with her invitation. Nang nakita kong nakatingin si Nicka kay Jarrell ay napatango na lang ako kay Cy. If going to that club means I'd be closer to Jarrell then I'm willing to go!
I went out of the gym with a huge disappointment with me. Nauna nang umalis si Cy dahil naghihintay na ang Mama niya. Hindi ko na hinintay sina Jarrell dahil gabi na rin at alam kong pagod siya.
Jarrell and Nicka is dating each other. Ngayon ko lamang nalaman iyon. I always see Nicka in our class and I had no clue. Kung hindi pa sinabi ni Cyrille ay baka hindi ko pa nalaman.
Their relationship means nothing, right? They are just dating. Hindi naman sinabi na exclusive. Maybe.. just to accompany each other? Since both of them knew how it feels to be an athlete.
Malungkot akong naglalakad papunta sa walkway. I'm not really hurt with the fact that Jarrell is dating someone. Hindi naman kami nag-uusap. Nangungulit lang ako sa instagram. But ofcourse I feel unhappy because he could have dated someone nicer! Hindi iyong bruhang iyon!
Idagdag pa ang imbitasyon ni Cyrille. Papayag kaya si Daddy? Mababa pa naman ang prelim grades ko..
''Bakit mag-isa ka?''
Napatigil ako sa paglalakad dahil sa narinig. Oh, no. Gabi na at madilim sa walkway. Ang tanging nagpapaliwanag sa daanan ay ang nakasabit na ilaw.
Shit.. Am I being robbed? Baka magnanakaw 'to?! Nagpapapasok pa naman ang school dahil baka may mga magsisimba!
Unti-unti akong nakaramdam ng kaba. Ang pintig ng puso ko ay hindi ko na maipinta. Lilingon ba ako? I have no cash with me! Kung titili naman ako ay nakakahiya sa mga makakarinig!
I looked ahead of me. Walang katao-tao. If I'm going to turn to look at the man who spoke, there are chances that I'm going to die because I won't give the thief my things. Baka saksakin niya ako! Am I going to be glorified? Isang studyante, sinaksak sa loob ng school! Omyghod! That's fine, right? I mean..
Oh my ghad! What am I thinking?!
I heard a chuckle. Agad na kumunot ang noo ko dahil pamilyar ang tawang iyon.
I turned around and I saw Lionel laughing at me! What the heck?! Akala ko mananakawan na ako!
Halos manggalaiti ako sa inis at kinuha ko ang tote bag at hinampas sa kanya. Bwisit na 'to!
Umaatras siya, tila iniiwasan ang galit ko. ''Bakit mo ako hinahampas?!'' he laughed. ''I didn't do anything!''
''You scared me, gago! Nakakainis ka!'' ihahampas ko sanang muli ang bag ko nang hinawakan niya ang dalawa kong braso.
''You were scared, huh? I should have took a photo of your scared face!''
''Ang sama ng ugali mo! Bakit ka ba nandito? 'Di ba may meeting kayo nina Lia?''
BInitawan niya na ang dalawa kong braso. He nodded at me as I continued to squirm because of the discomfort I felt.
''Oh, e bakit ka nandito? Umalis ka na nga!'' muli kong ani.
He licked his lips and smirked. Tinitigan ko ang mukha niya at ganoon pa rin naman. Although mas mahaba na ng kaunti ang semi-bald niyang buhok compared dati. His cross earring shined with the reflection of the light, too.
Ang gwapo sana kaso nakakainis ang ugali!
''Bibili lang ng pagkain. Pauwi ka na?''
I rolled my eyes. ''Yes. Kita mo naman, 'di ba? I was peacefully walking until you scared me!''
''Hindi naman kita tinakot! You assumed that I'm a robber. Hindi ko kasalanan 'yun,'' he laughed. ''Tara, hatid na kita.''
''Susunduin ako ni Kuya. Thank you but I don't need it.''
He bit his lips, trying to suppress a smile. ''Ihahatid kita palabas. Hindi papunta sa inyo. Sometimes it's nice to not assume, Lucia.''
Halos pumutok ang ugat sa utak ko dahil sa sinabi niya. Ilang beses ba akong mapapahiya sa araw na 'to?
Sabay nga kaming naglakad. Hindi ko na inalintana ang pagpapahiya ko at ang panggugulat niya.
The September wind is cold as it embraces our step. Kaming dalawa lang ang naglalakad at halos mabingi na ako sa katahimikan.
''I accidentally saw your exam papers. Lalo na iyong sa major mo. You want help?''
My lips parted at unti-unting nilingon siya. Hala.. nakita niya? Eh ang baba ng exam scores ko! Halos maging itlog na ang mga iyon lalo na sa essays. Nakakahiya!
''Jina-judge mo na ba ako?'' nanliit ang mata ko habang nakatingin sa kanya.
''Nope. Your score is low but pretty normal in general,'' he shrugged.
Nakapamulsa siya habang naglalakad. Lionel looks cool while saying that. Imbes na mainsulto ako ay gumaan pa ang pakiramdam ko.
When I saw my grades, it was fine to me. I'm not really affected. Numero lang naman iyon at pwede pa akong bumawi. But then, making my family see it is a shame to me. Ang galing-galing ni Kuya Ismael at Kuya Roman sa school kaya sigurado akong ipagkukumpare iyon. Daddy won't say it but I'm sure he is expecting better from me.
''Were you affected with your grades?'' nilingon niya ako.
''Hindi naman.. Nag-alala lang slight noong una kasi alam kong nag expect si Daddy,'' my lips twisted.
''You want me to tutor you? Labor lang babayaran mo,'' he chuckled.
''Mag-isa ka! Baka matuloy sa zero yung scores ko 'no!'' I hissed.
He giggled. ''Yung essays mo.. puro maling theories. Probably because you are too assuming na pati yung mga mali, nilagay mo.''
Nanlaki ang mata ko. Ang kapal! Hindi ko naman id-deny na puro naman talaga mali ang sagot ko but he shouldn't say that! It kinda hurt my pride!
Masama ko siyang tinignan habang patuloy siyang naglalakad. Ako naman ay natigil dahil sa insulto niya. Bwisit ka, Lionel Tanner!
He noticed that I stopped kaya't nilingon niya ako. He's showing me a mocking smile while walking back to me.
Aba! Can't he be apologetic? Ang sakit kaya sa pride! I'll study well to get high scores then after that, I'm going to slam it on his face! Nakakainis.
''Were you offended?'' he asked as he lowered his knee so he could see me properly. ''Sorry. I just really like seeing you act angrily,'' he chuckled softly.
''Kainin mo 'yang sorry mo. Papa-impeach kita para matanggal ka sa pulitika!''
I heard a growl of laughter from his. Umalingawngaw iyon sa buong walkway. Kaming dalawa lang kasi ang naglalakad at walang ibang gumagawa ng ingay.
Ang saya-saya niya ah? Habang ako ay halos umapoy na dahil sa inis.
Nagpatuloy na lang ako sa paglalakad. Nasaan na ba si Kuya Ismael at bakit hindi pa siya tumatawag? He usually comes here early but today seems to be different. Baka may inutos si Daddy.
Ilang segundo lang ay nakalapit na si Lionel. Hindi ko siya nilingon. I looked ahead with an offended expression visible on my face.
I can't imagine how worse this day is. Nalaman ko na ngang nagd-date si Jarrell at Nicka, dadagdag pa itong si Lionel na nampepeste. What a day!
''Galit ka talaga?''
I didn't respond. Pagod na akong magsalita.
''Hey, Lucy..'' he poked my bag. I can hear his pleading voice.
I didn't respond again. Bahala ka riyan, kalbo.
''You want an ice cream? May masarap na ice cream parlor malapit dito.''
Huh. Anong akala mo sa akin? Walang pang bili? But I didn't say that. Pagod na talaga ako sa araw na ito. Bukod sa klase ay tinuon ko ang oras ko kay Jarrell. I need to rest for atleast a few minutes!
Nagpatuloy lang ako sa paglalakad. I can see Lionel in my peripheral vision, pouting with his brows furrowed. I stopped myself to smile but I guess I failed miserably. Ang cute niya!
''Aha. Why are you smiling? Nagbibiro ka lang ba?'' siya iyon.
''Why would I joke?''
''Just a smart guess,'' he shrugged. ''Bati na tayo?''
I laughed. ''Hindi naman tayo nag-away. You just assumed.''
I heard his mocking reply. Nakalabas na kami sa walkway at bumungad sa akin ang nagkukumpulang sasakyan. May mga pasaherong tinatakbo pa ang jeep at bus para makasakay. Madilim na ang langit at ang streetlights ay nagbibigay ng liwanag sa kalsada.
Mukhang aabutin pa kami ni Kuya Ismael ng rush hour ah?
''Dito na 'ko. Thanks for pestering me,'' I said as I turned to look at Lionel.
Pagkatapos ay lumapit ako sa entrance ng dunkin donuts. Katabi kasi iyon ng dulo ng walkway kaya't dito na lang ako maghihintay kay Kuya.
''You'll wait here? Alone?''
I nodded.
''Samahan na kita,'' aniya at tumayo sa gilid ko.
Napakunot ako ng noo. ''Huh? 'Wag na! Bibili ka pa ng pagkain kaya baka mahuli ka na sa meeting ninyo!''
''Meeting lang naman 'yun. Hindi naman kawalan kung mahuli ako,'' nagkibitbalikat siya. ''Saka gabi na. Maraming adik at magnanakaw ng ganitong oras. I can't let you go easily. Baka mapahamak ka,'' seryosong ani niya habang seryoso ring nakatingin sa akin.
Iniwas ko ang tingin sa kanya. I felt something in my chest after what he said. Ang.. seryoso kasi. Walang bahid ng biro o kalokohan ang sinabi niya.