Chapter 1
"Sumama ka na please?" Lei pouted as she putting her palms together. I rolled my eyes.
"Ayoko. Gawin mo pa akong third wheel," I said as I put my bag on my back, ready to go home.
"Hindi naman sa ganoon. I know that you still have doubts to Thirdy. Gusto ko lang patunayan sa iyo na seryoso siya sa akin..." gusto ko masuka sa sinabi niya. Oh come on, that's love. Love? My ass.
She's right though. Wala pa rin akong tiwala sa babaerong Thirdy na iyon. Mahirap din masabi na seryoso na talaga siya. Eh isang buwan pa lang silang magboyfriend girlfriend. At hindi ko pa rin masinsinang nakakausap si Thirdy.
"Kayo na lang mag-date," simple kong sabi.
"Okay..." she frowned but eventually she smile again. Napalingon ako at nakita si Thirdy na naghihintay sa kanya sa labas ng classroom. Tss.
I simply rolled my eyes and then started to walk towards outside the room. Nakita ako ni Thirdy at nginitian niya ako. I fake a smile on him too, mabilis lang iyon.
Pagkauwi ko, nagpahinga muna ako saglit bago naligo and then I did my homeworks immediately. Minsan naiinis ako sa sarili ko dahil kahit na next week pa ang passing ng mga assignment ko, ginagawa ko na agad. Parang sarili ko rin nagsasabi na... 'magpahinga ka rin!'
Hindi ko alam pero pinanganak na yata akong grade conscious. Umiiyak ako kapag mababa ang nakukuha ko sa quizzes at exams. Nalulungkot ako kapag hindi ako nakakapasa. Mama always told me to stay calm and I am doing good... but I want to be on top always. Pangit ba iyon na mentality? I think not. I am just doing my best.
Kaming dalawa na lang ni Mama ang magkasama... my Father left us. Iyon na rin siguro ang dahilan kung bakit gusto ko mag-aral nang mag-aral... para may maganda kaming kinabukasan ni Mama dahil wala naman na kaming ibang katuwang pa.
I looked at the clock on my study table and it's already 1 am... Damn nagpupuyat na naman ako. It's okay, tomorrow is Saturday.
My phone beeped.
Lei:
Sumama ka na bukas please.
Ugh. Gising pa ang babaeng ito? I quickly type my reply.
Me:
Ayoko.
Lei:
Libre ko pamasahe mo pati lunch mo.
Me:
Still a no.
Lei:
May kasama ka naman eh.
Me:
Edi mas lalong ayoko!
Lei:
Ano bang gagawin ko para mapapayag kita?
Me:
Ano bang gagawin ko para tigilan mo na ako?
I rebut.
Lei:
Gusto ko lang naman na suportahan mo ako dito, Casper. I know you're not in favour me having a relationship with Thirdy but I just want your support please. I love him.
Me:
No.
After a few minutes... she didn't reply anymore. Suddenly I feel guilty. Napakamot ako sa ulo. Parang ang sama kong kaibigan naman? Hindi ko siya magawang suportahan dito. A friend like me should support her. Ang kaibigan dapat handang suportahan ang kaibigan sa kahit ano. Pero kasi...
Ah, bahala na! Basta kapag dumating ang araw na masaktan siya muli, pinagdadasal ko na sana hindi na, pero kung sakali man, I will still stay on her side... to comfort her and to assure her that I am here for her.
Me:
Oo na. Sasama na ako bukas.
There, I sent it. Ugh, this is so frustrating! Humanda sa akin iyang Thirdy na iyan kapag sinaktan niya si Atasha!
Lei:
Ayos lang, baka napipilitan ka lang naman eh.
I rolled my eyes. Bitch, I already said yes! Ginagaslight ata ako neto ah?!
Me:
Um-oo na ako kaya pupunta ako. You know me, Lei. Saan tayo magkikita?
Lei:
Uhm, doon na lang sa mall tayo magkita. Babayaran ko na lang iyong pamasahe mo pabalik at papunta. Thank you!
Shit.
Today was supposed to be my free day but here I am... third wheeling.
I texted Lei.
Me:
Nandito na ako sa harap ng Starbucks.
Agad naman akong nakatanggap ng reply sa kanya.
Lei:
Papunta na.
Really? Ako tong napasubo pero ako pa maghihintay. Great!
After 15 minutes of waiting I saw her walking together with Thirdy. She's wearing a floral knee-length dress with a puff balloon sleeves. I must say that she is looking so gorgeous today. Maganda at magaling mag-ayos si Lei. She knows how to take care of herself and her face... while me? I know how to take care of my grades in school.
Bukod sa suot kong high-waist short at square top at puting stan smith na sapatos, hindi na ako naglagay ng make up pa. Para saan pa? It's not my date anyway.
"Ang ganda mo naman..." she giggled. I rolled my eyes and looked away. She clung onto my arm and hugged me.
"Thank you," she said. "...palagi mo ako pinagbibigyan. You're the best!"
I looked at her and now she's pursing her lips again, trying to hide her happiness. Behind her is Thirdy who is busy calling someone. After a few, he's done talking to that person. Lumapit siya kay Lei at hinawakan ang beywang. I divert my attention inside the mall. I heard Lei's chuckles.
"Let's go?" she said.
Seriously, bukod sa pagsama kay Lei, hindi ko naalam kung ano pa ang gagawin ko. Alangan namang buong maghapon akong nakabuntot sa kanila? No way.
Wait, bakit nga ba ako sumama? Uh... mabait ka kasing kaibigan kaya pinagbigyan mo!
"Do you want us to eat first or watch movie already?" I heard Thirdy asked.
"Siguro kumain muna tayo mamayang 1 pm pa naman ang second showing," ani Lei.
"Alright."
Pumunta kami sa Gerry's grill. I chose different seat but just near them. Ugh, ayoko makisama ng upuan sa kanilang dalawa.
I was busy choosing for my food when I heard Thirdy talking to someone.
"Bakit ang tagal mo?"
"Traffic eh," I heard a familiar voice but I didn't mind him.
"Dito ka oh para may kasama si Casper," si Lei. Napaangat ako ng tingin at nakita si King na nakatingin sa banda ko.
He smirked when he saw me. He immediately took a seat across me. Nagtaas ako ng kilay.
"Ayoko kasabay kang kumain," masungit kong sabi. Lei heard that and she spit her drink. Thirdy attended her.
King laughed.
"Tanungin mo naman ako kung gusto ko?" sarkastiko niya ring sabi. What the!
Nagtaas ako ng kilay.
"Edi umalis ka dito!" I hissed.
"Saan ako kakain kung ganoon? Puno na ang lahat ng seat at tables eh," nagkibit-balikat siya. Tiningnan ko at tama nga siya, puno na. I had no choice but to eat together with him. Ugh!
Nang makapili kami ng kakainin, naghintay muna kami ng ilang minuto bago mai-serve ang inorder.
I prayed first before I started to eat.
Tahimik lang akong kumakain at nakatutok lang ang tingin ko sa pagkain. Wala akong gana tingnan sina Lei at mas lalong nawawalan ako ng gana sa kaharap ko.
I am not a man-hater, okay? It's just that... I am not comfortable eating with a stranger. I know King but for me he is a stranger!
"Kasama ba ako sa panalangin mo?" King asked then he chuckled. My brows furrowed.
I glared at him.
"Nagpasalamat lang ako sa pagkain," paliwanag ko.
"Oh, I see."
Psh. I continue eating.
"I'm kinda amazed..." he started again. Ang ingay. "Nananalangin ka pala... akala ko puro kasungitan lang alam mo," aniya.
"What are you talking about?" iritado ko siyang tiniingnan,
Nagkibit-balikat siya.
"Banal ka pala," aniya.
"I'm not. It's just that I know how to pray first before eating."
He look stunned. He put his palm on his chest. "Sorry, hindi ako nananalangin eh,"
"God bless you," I said before turning my eyes back to my food. Marahan ulit siyang tumawa, Hindi na siya nagsalita pa.
After we have eaten our lunch, they decided to watch a movie. Nakakapagod pa ito kaysa sa mag-aral.
"Kayo na lang," sambit ko.
"Huh? Hindi ka sasama manonood sa amin?"
"Hindi na. Doon na lang ako sa NBS maghahanap ako ng libro. I-text mo na lang ako kapag tapos na kayo," sabi ko.
I am not a fan of watching movies. I prefer reading books.
"Okay..." she said then she walk towards to Thirdy. Kumaway siya muna bago tuluyan nang nakaalis. I sighed and was about to go when I saw King beside me. Hinarap ko siya at nagtaas ng kilay.
"Anong ginagawa mo rito?"
"Nagma-mall," sarkastiko niyang sabi.
"Go with your friend." I frowned then I continue walking towards to the NBS.
"I don't like watching movies," aniya.
"Then go away," I said.
"Sungit," he mumbled.
Hindi ko siya pinansin.
Nang makapasok ako, agad akong nasiyahan sa nakita. Ang daming libro! This is heaven! Smile automatically drew in my face. I have lots of books at house! I love reading books, any genre. Mystery, Sci-Fi, and even Romance!
Sometimes I read books to divert my stress... and loneliness. Sometimes I found myself in those stories I read. I can relate. It's like... it's my story too.
"Do you like books?" my smile automatically disappeared when I heard King's voice. At sinundan pa talaga ako!
"What are you doing here?" I glared at him.
"Bawal?" he snapped back.
"Ugh!" I groaned then I went my eyes back to the books.
"So, do you like books?" pag-uulit niya.
I nodded.
"Required ba na kapag matalino mahilig din sa libro?" he chuckled. That's a ridiculous question. "My twin brother always carries a thick book and he always read it."
"What kind of book?"
"Chemistry."
"Tss."
"Are you a nerd?"
"What?!"
"Ops, are you mad again?" nalilito niyang tanong. "You like books so you're a nerd," dagdag pa niya.
"Hindi porket mahilig sa libro nerd na!" I closed the book and face him.
"Okay! Don't get mad then," he said in a defensive stance.
"I am not a nerd, I know how to socialize!"
"You know how to socialize but you don't want to socialize with me."
"Because you're so annoying..." I hissed.
"Huh? What did I do? Kinakausap lang naman kita ah," inosente niyang sabi.
"Ayoko makipag-usap sa iyo!"
"You're a nerd then," he seriously said.
Ugh! He's so annoying! God, please I want a peaceful life. I let a deep breath first. Stay calm, Casper.
"Saan ka pupunta?" tanong niya nang magsimula akong maglakad muli.
"Dito lang sa kabilang shelf," sabi ko saka siya binigyan ng libro.
"Oh ayan magbasa ka." Binigay ko sa kanya ang isang libro. Every day by David Levithan.
"Romance? Baduy," aniya.
"Bahala ka."
"Maganda ba ito?" taong niya muli.
"Hmm..." I nodded.
"Tell me about it then. Baka magustuhan ko," aniya.
"There's a person uh, more likely a spirit? I don't know what do we call that but he wakes up in a different body every day, boy or a girl, even a baby. Then one day he wakes in a body of a guy who has a girlfriend and then eventually he fell in love with that girl."
I looked at him. He is looking at me too. I blinked twice and then I look away.
"What happened then?"
"Edi spoiler na kapag sinabi ko." There, I heard his small laughed again.
"That's too complicated. Ang hirap naman sa parte ng lalaki iyon."
Hmmm. I nodded.
"That guy fell in love, right?"
Tumango ulit ako.
"Sinundan ba ng lalaki iyong babae?"
"Oo."
"Wow," he mumbled. "Nakakapagod kaya maghabol," makahulugan niyang sabi. I ridiculously looked at him.
"Ikaw? Maghahabol? Baka sila ang maghahabol sa iyo?" natatawa kong sabi.
"P'wede," mayabang niyang sabi. Umirap ako sakanya. Yabang!
"Pero p'wedeng ako rin maghabol..." malumanay niyang sabi.
"That won't happen." I shook my head.
"Hmm? Why?"
"Bakit ka pa maghahabol eh ang dami na nagkakagusto sa iyo. Pipili ka na lang eh," sabi ko. Totoo naman. Hindi naman maipagkakaila na marami talagang nagkakagusto sa kanya... sa kanila. Iyon nga lang...
"Ganyan ba ang tingin mo sa akin?" he said like he was hurt. He even held his chest. "Alam kong gago kami, pero may puso naman ako. In the end, I will still choose the girl I truly love. Kahit maghabol pa ako sa kanya, Casper."
Hindi ako makasalita. I didn't know that he has this side huh... but if I know, he's just saying it... but he doesn't mean it. Pero sa totoo, hindi talaga. Hindi pa rin kaya na maghabol kasi it'll hurt their pride.
I was about to open my mouth when I heard my phone ring. It was Lei.
Sinagot ko agad.
"Bakit?"
"Tapos na," aniya. Oh! I looked at my wrist watch. Damn! Dalawang oras na pala ang nakakalipas, hindi ko man lang namamalayan.
"Okay papunta na diyan," sabi ko.
"Tapos na sila manood," sabi ko kay King. Umalis na nga ako roon sa NBS.
They're waiting for me when I saw them. Malaki ang ngiti ni Lei nang makita ako. Hindi ko na naman maiwasan ang irapan siya. Natawa lang siya sa reaksiyon ko.
"Dude, where did you go?" Thirdy asked King though I think Thirdy has already an idea that King is with me.
"Naghanap ng chics."
Thirdy laughed, "Gago..."
Lumapit sa akin si Lei.
"Uuwi ka na ba?"
"Oo sana."
"Ikaw bahala. Pasensiya na sa abala."
"Iyong totoo. Bakit mo ako sinama rito?" nagtaas ako ng kilay. Nakita ko ang biglang paglaki ng mata niya.
"H-huh? Of course I want you to be here with me," she chuckled.
"Talaga lang ha?" duda kong tanong.
"Oo naman!"
"Kung ganoon, uuwi na ako," sabi ko.
"Sige."
"Hindi ka pa uuwi?"
"Hindi pa," aniya. Tiningnan ko siya nang masama.
"Maaga pa!" giit niya. Sabagay. I sighed and then nodded.
Lei hugged me and then I bid my good bye to her already.
Nang makalabas ako ng mall ay may narinig akong tumawag sa akin. Nang tingnan ko kung sino ito, si King na naman. Ano na naman ang kailangan ng isang ito?
"Uuwi ka na?"
"Obvious ba?" I snapped him.
"Attitude?" nagtaas siya ng kilay.
I impatiently looked at him. "Bakit ba?"
"Hatid na kita," sabi niya.
I got chills when he offered me.
"Hindi na," sabi ko at saka siya tinalikuran. Mabilis akong nakarating sa terminal.
I was about to go inside the bus when King called me again. He's already inside his car. Dumungaw siya sa bintana ng kanyang sasakyan. Pinakita niya sa akin ang isang libro na mukhang kabibili niya lang... ito iyong ipinakita kong libro sa kanya kanina.
His grin grew wider. After that, he closed his car's window and then he go.
~~