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Chapter 19
Movie
"Hindi lahat ng aalis, gustong umalis."
Napapikit ako sa sinabi ni Jax at unti-unting bumitaw sa yakap.
"Pero aalis pa rin," sabi ko at ngumiti sa kanya.
My head feels heavy. My heart feels heavy. Everything feels heavy.
"Aalis pa rin," ulit ko pa bago tuluyang naglakad palayo.
Kung ayaw niyang umalis, bakit siya aalis? Hindi ko maintindihan. Wala akong maintindihan. Maybe the three shots of soju made my brain to stop functioning.
When I woke up, my head hurts so much. Is this what they call a hangover? Gosh! I can't remember anything from last night... Buti at nakabalik pa ako sa kwarto ko!
I remember that I went out of the party and then... And then what? What the hell happened last night?!
Uminom muna ako ng tubig. I relaxed myself first bago maiging nag-isip.
I went out of the party. I sat on the stairs just outside the building and then I heard a stupid joke... Oh, crap. Jax!
Tila ba biglang nag-flashback sa harapan ko iyong lahat ng nangyari kagabi. Agad akong napasabunot sa sarili. Oh my God... I did that? I really asked him about transferring?!
Calixta Naiam, what the hell?
I didn't even thank him for what he did for me. I just ranted and ranted... Unbelievable! Wala na akong mukhang maihaharap pa kay Jax! Pero maigi na rin siguro iyon para maiwasan ko na rin siya!
The more I attach myself to him, the harder it'll be to let go.
My head hurts like a bitch but I've managed to got up and shower. Kukuha lang naman kami ng mga reviewers ngayon for Midterms. Half day lang kami ngayon, pagkatapos ng lunch ay pwede na kaming umuwi.
I wore my white coat uniform and put my Class A badge. Ni hindi ko na nasuklay iyong buhok ko. I feel like there's a truck field with stones inside my head! Ang bigat at ang sakit!
I opened my door and I was surprised when I saw a small paper bag hanging on the door knob. What's this?
I immediately opened it and saw a hangover drink inside. My post it pang nakadikit doon.
Drink it. -G
Aw, how thoughtful of Gelo!
Tahimik lang ako sa Greenhouse habang nakasapo sa aking ulo. Uminom na ako no'ng binigay na drink ni Gelo pero parang wala pa ring nangyayari.
Nagulat ako nang makita si Jax sa harapan ko at inaabutan ako ng inumin. Napatingin ako roon. It's the exact same drink that Gelo got me.
"Drink this, the headache will suffice by later," Jax said and he really looked concerned. "Effective 'to, Cal... Promise."
I just shook my head.
"Thanks, but I already have one," I said and looked away.
I am decided, haven't I? Hindi ko na siya papansinin. Hindi na dapat. And I won't be marupok!
"Akin na lang! Ang sakit ng ulo ko!" Theo said.
"Mas masakit pag walang ulo!" hirit naman ni Jax.
Bahala na sila riyan.
Umalis muna si Prof. Somero at pinakopya lang muna sa amin iyong reviewer para sa minor subjects.
"Nawala ka na kagabi, Cali! Ang gagang Xuriella, muntik nang maging gogo dancer!" kuwento ni Gelo.
Natawa naman ako roon.
"Excuse me! Wala akong maalalang ganyan ha!" giit ni Xuri. "Ikaw nga nag-twerk sa lamesa!"
"Tayong dalawa 'yun, gaga!" sabi pa ni Gelo.
"You guys were so drunk!" si Cat naman iyon.
"Hoy, Cathaline! Ikaw nga knock-out agad two shots pa lang! Si Calixta naman, nawala kagabi!" reklamo pa sa amin ni Xuriella.
"I felt throwing up, kaya bumalik na ako sa room ko..." I reasoned out. "Thanks pala sa drink, Gelo!"
Kumunot ang noo ni Angelo sa akin. "Huh? What drink?"
I was about to show him the drink inside my bag when Prof. Somero went back and handed us some modules.
After copying all of the reviewers, we can have our lunch and then go home.
"Bro, pwedeng magsabi ng problema?"
Rinig ko iyong tanong ni Jax kay Theo kaya agad akong napatingin doon. I immediately got worried.
Just like what my Dad always say... Letting go doesn't mean you don't care about someone anymore.
"Sige, ano 'yun?" Theo sincerely asked.
"Problema!" ani Jax at malakas na tumawa.
What the hell?
"Alam mo, tangina mo!" si Theodore iyon.
"Language, T!" Cat said.
Halos lahat kami ay gulat na napatingin kay Cathaline. Kahit siya mismo ay nagulat sa sinabi.
"U-Umm... Minus 2 points if the Prof heard him," Cat said and turned her head away.
There's something between them! I can sense it! Hay, sana all may something!
Dahil lunch time na ng Star Sapphire Class ay nagpunta na kami sa cafeteria. Tahimik lang akong kumakain. Ni ayaw kong mag-angat nang tingin dahil nasa harapan ko lang si Jax! Argh! Sa pinakagilid na nga ako umupo para malayo sa kanya pero ganito pa rin pala.
"Jax, akala ko sa ilong mo lang nasuntok 'yong tiga Class D. I heard may black-eye din!" si Xuri iyon.
Kumunot ang noo ko. Black-eye? Jax did not punch him in the eye!
"Hindi na ako 'yon," Jax said while eating pringles.
Sino naman kaya?
When the Class B came, all of them waived at us. Even Claire waived shyly.
I was surprised when Chance stopped beside me. Napatingin naman ako sa kanya.
"Cali, can we talk later?" he asked me.
Agad akong nagtaka kung tungkol saan iyon pero tumango na rin ako sa kanya.
"Sure, after lunch..." I told Chance.
"Sa gym," he said and smiled. "See you there!"
Pagkaalis niya ay agad akong inasar ng mga kaibigan.
"Ayie, ano 'yon ha?!" malisyosong sabi ni Gelo.
"Anong talk talk ha? Nanliligaw na ba?" kantiyaw pa ni Xuri.
Magsasalita na sana ako para ipagtanggol ang sarili nang biglang tumayo si Grant at tila mukhang iritado.
Napatingin naman ako sa harapan nang tumayo na rin si Jax. He looks mad!
Halos sabay nag-walk out iyong dalawa.
"Anong problema ng mga lalaking 'yon?" kunot ang noo ni Xuri.
"Kailangan ko na rin bang mag-walk out?" Theo asked cluelessly. Napakamot pa siya sa kanyang ulo.
"Sabay pa silang umalis ha!" Naningkit iyong mga mata ni Gelo. "Hindi kaya may something 'yong dalawang 'yon? Baka umalis para mag make-out!"
Agad namang nabatukan ni Xuri si Gelo. "Gaga! Straight pa sa ruler ang dalawang 'yon! Ikaw lang ang protractor dito!"
"Alam mo, sis, shuta ka!" si Gelo.
Tawang-tawa naman kami sa dalawa.
After lunch, pumunta muna ako ng kuwarto para mag-ayos ng gamit. Pagkatapos ay saka ako dumiretso sa gymnasium.
I saw Chance sitting in one of the bleachers. The blue uniform looks good on him, but the white one, back when he was still in our class, looks better. I wonder if there would be a time that I'd have to change my uniform too... Chance take it so lightly, you know?
Tumayo siya nang makalapit na ako.
"Hey," he called.
"Kanina ka pa?" I asked.
Medyo natagalan kasi ako sa pag-aayos nang mga damit na iuuwi.
"Hindi naman," aniya. "Tara, upo tayo."
Chance and I sat on the bleachers. Kuya said that I should stay away from him, but he seems nice naman.
If people would say that Chance is a jerk, then it's the wrong Saavedra. They haven't met Grant for sure!
"I won two movie tickets at the raffle yesterday," Chance said. "Iyong bagong superhero movie?"
Oh, I remember that there's a raffle draw for those who attended the NSTP Day! And why am I so malas sa mga bunutan? Kahit sa payong hindi manlang ako nabunot!
"I-I would like to ask you to watch a movie with me," he said and I was slightly surprised. "If it's okay with you... Okay lang naman din kung hindi–"
"Yeah sure..." sagot ko naman.
Umuwang ang bibig ni Chance. "S-Sure?"
"Oo naman," I told him. "Kita na lang tayo sa mall tomorrow!"
Why not? We're friends. If Jax and I can watch movies as friends... Chance and I can too, right?
Plus I need to be busy with other friends right now so I won't think about Jax too much. Sa susunod, aayain ko naman sina Cat, Xuri, at Gelo para mag-shopping.
Habang nasa kotse pauwi ay nag-browse lang ako sa phone ko. Pagbukas ko ng facebook, puro posts ni Jax ang bumungad sa akin.
Jax Pereira shared a post: AY WOW SUMASAPAW!
Jax Pereira updated his status: ONE DOT SAPAKIN KO YON
Agad ko namang tinignan iyong comment section dahil may isang nag-comment!
Grant Saavedra: .
Nanlaki iyong mga mata ko. Why the hell did Grant comment one dot? And wait, he uses facebook now?!
It's Saturday and I'll be seeing Chance later.
I just wore a basic denim jacket, white t-shirt inside, and then black skirt. Nagsuot na ako ng jacket at baka lamigin ako sa sinehan.
Chance Saavedra: Nandito na ako, Cali. Chat ka lang pag malapit ka na. Ingat!
Agad naman din akong nag-reply sa chat niya.
Cali Gonzalez: On my way. Ingat din!
When a chat message from Jax notified, my forehead immediately creased.
Jax Pereira: See you
Jax Pereira: Char!
What is his problem? Na-wrong send ba siya or something?
Hindi ko na pinansin pa iyon.
Pagdating sa mall ay agad ko ring nakita si Chance dahil nag-iintay siya malapit sa entrance. May mga kasama rin siyang bodyguards.
My eyes widened when I saw him wearing a denim jacket too! Oh, we are matching!
If it's Jax, we'll both joke about it. But now with Chance, why does it feels so awkward?
"Popcorn?" he asked.
Tumango naman ako. He also bought some drinks. Gusto ko ng milktea kaya naman bumili kaming dalawa.
"Are you sure you don't want sandwich or something?"
I shook my head. "I ate heavy lunch at home. Okay na ako sa popcorn. How about you?"
"I ate lunch too... My Mom won't make me leave the house without eating!" Chance said.
Natawa naman ako roon. "Same!"
The free movie tickets are only valid to the latest superhero movie. Buti na lang at doon dahil gusto ko rin naman iyon mapanuod!
The movie started and something is bugging my mind.
Jax and I were friends, same with Chance and I... Then why does everything feels so different? Is it because I like Jax?
Napatingin ako kay Chance. It's so wrong na siya ang kasama ko pero si Jax naman ang nasa isip ko. Damn it!
Tahimik lang kaming nanunuod nang bumaling siya sa akin. "Popcorn, kain ka."
I smiled at him and nodded.
Napatitig ako roon sa bucket ng popcorn. If by chance both of us took a popcorn at the same time, our hands will touch!
Napalunok ako sa naisip. I can't let that happen because it'll be more awkward!
I checked my bag to see anything that I could use. Napangiti ako nang makita iyong metal chopsticks ko sa bag. This will do!
I used my chopsticks to get a popcorn and it worked! Masaya akong kumakain habang nanunuod ng movie.
Nang tumingin ako kay Chance ay nakauwang ang bibig niya sa akin.
"You use chopsticks to eat popcorn?" lubos ang pagtataka niya.
"A-Ah yeah... I just got a manicure, eh. I don't want the cheese to stain my nails," pagdadahilan ko.
Oh my God! It sounds so stupid!
"O-Okay," Chance said.
Relax lang akong nanunuod at ine-enjoy iyong milktea ko. Bumaling ako sa kabilang gilid ko at halos maibuga ko iyong milktea nang makita si Jax!
"W-What are you doing here?!" gulat kong tanong.
"Oh, Master Sergeant... You're here," si Chance naman iyon at tila nagulat din na nandito si Jax at katabi ko lang!
"Uy, Cali at Chance! Nandito rin pala kayo... Grabe ha! What a coincidence?" si Jax at kala mo kung sinong gulat na gulat din. Nakahawak pa siya sa dibdib niya!
Did he win tickets too?
"Mag-isa ka lang?" Chance asked him.
"Kanina... Pero ngayon hindi na. Tatlo na tayo!" aniya at malaki ang ngiti.
Nasapo ko ang ulo ko. He's unbelievable! Oh my gosh!
Malalim akong huminga at napailing na lang. I tried to focus on watching the movie. Why is he even here and sitting just right next to us?
Paano ako makaka-focus kung minu-minuto ay umuubo si Jax! Ang ingay-ingay pa niya. Kahit hindi nakakatawa iyong scene ay tumatawa siya, kahit hindi nakakagulat ay nagugulat siya. What is wrong with this person?!
I turned my head to Jax. "Can you watch quietly?"
"Sinehan mo 'to, gorl?" aniya sabay kain din ng popcorn na hiningi niya pa kay Chance!
Malalim akong huminga dahil maikli lang ang pasensya ko. God did not make me a patient woman!
Aabutin ko iyong milktea ko nang may kamay akong nahawakan. My eyes widened when I saw my hand holding Jax's hand. Agad akong bumitaw doon.
"W-Why does your hand is on my tea?" mahina kong tanong.
"Ay, sorry! Akala ko akin!" Jax said and took his mango shake on the other side of the seat.
Wow ha! Ang layo ng milktea sa mango shake?
It was already half way of the movie when suddenly, my legs felt cold. I'm only wearing a skirt, dapat pala nag-pants na lang ako.
"Are you cold?" Chance asked me.
Lumingon ako sa kanya at tumango. Mukhang napansin niya ang pagiging uneasy ko habang nanunuod.
"My legs are cold," I honestly said.
Agad na hinubad ni Chance iyong denim jacket niya at inilahad iyon sa akin. Kukunin ko na iyon pero napatigil ako nang biglang inilahad din ni Jax iyong hoodie niya sa harapan ko.
"You can use mine," Jax said.
His tone was so soft, like it was begging me to get it.
Umiling ako sa kanya at inabot na iyong denim jacket ni Chance.
"This may do," I said and covered my legs using Chance's jacket.
Chance offered his jacket first. It'll be awkward kung kay Jax iyong kukunin ko, hindi ba? At saka kami naman ni Chance ang magkasama!
Naging tahimik si Jax simula no'n.
The denim jacket was thick so it really felt so warm over my legs. Sa susunod, I'll wear a pants na lang talaga!
Bumaling ako kay Chance. "Thanks dito sa jacket, I feel warm now."
"And I feel cold now," aniya.
Pareho kaming natawa roon.
"Ingay!" reklamo pa ni Jax sa gilid ko.
"Y-You're cold?" hininaan ko na ang boses ngayon. "Use it na lang–" I was about to give him back his jacket when Chance stopped me.
"Joke lang... Gamitin mo lang," aniya.
Natapos na rin iyong movie. It was good! I really love marvel movies!
"Uuwi na kayo?" Jax asked.
Palabas na kami ngayon at nakabuntot pa rin pala siya sa amin ni Chance!
Tumingin naman sa akin si Chance. "Do you want to go home?"
I nodded. I need to review pa for the upcoming Midterm Exam. I really have to focus!
"Tara, Cali. Let's go home," Jax said.
Agad na kumunot ang noo ko sa kanya. "What?!"
"Maglalaro kami ni Dad ng chess," aniya.
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko roon sa sinabi niya at awkward na napatingin kay Chance.
"I'll go now, Cali... Thanks for today. See you at school," Chance said.
Napakamot ako sa batok ko dahil nahihiya ako kay Chance!
"O-Okay... Thank you. See you at school!"
Pagkaalis na pagkaalis ni Chance ay masama akong tumitig kay Jax.
"What are you doing?" I asked seriously.
"Wala!" giit niya. "Sasama lang, e."
"No!" I said and walked away.
I gave a sign to my bodyguards that we're going home.
"I already texted your Mom that I'll come over!" Jax said.
Napahinto ako roon. "You have my Mom's number?!"
"She gave it to me before... Sabi niya, i-contact ko raw siya kung may mangyari man sa 'yo."
I didn't even know about that!
"Fine!" sabi ko at ang demonyo, nauna pang sumakay sa kotse namin kaysa sa akin!
Tahimik lang ako buong byahe at hindi siya pinapansin. Buti na lang din at hindi siya madaldal dahil magmumukha lang siyang baliw na walang kausap.
When we came home, nakaabang na si Mommy at tila excited na excited pa!
"Cali, Jax!" she called.
"Hi, Mom!" I said and hugged her.
Nagmano naman si Jax. "Hi, Tita!"
Napailing na lang ako. Why did he even want to go here?
"Hubby, Cali and Jax are here!" sigaw pa ng Mommy pagkapasok namin sa loob.
Daddy went down stairs with a chess board. "Are you ready to get beaten, Jax?"
Jaxith laughed. "You should be the one to get ready, Tito."
Tawang-tawa naman ang Daddy. Anak mo 'yan, Dad? Anak mo?
Lumapit si Daddy sa akin at humalik sa noo ko.
"You're not so good at chess, Dad," I whispered to him. "You should stick to snake and ladders."
"Aba! I'm good, anak! I've beaten your brother!" proud niyang sabi.
Kumunot ang noo ko dahil hindi ako lubos na makapaniwala. Natalo ni Dad si Kuya Kai? That's impossible!
"Really, Dad? You've beaten Kuya Kai?"
Napangiti ang Daddy.
"No... Zavi!" he said and I almost choke. Zavi, one of twins, is not even a year old! My God, Daddy!
It's dinner time and Mom prepared a lot of food.
Kumakain na kami nang biglang tumunog iyong phone ko na nakapatong lang din sa table. Sinilip ko iyon at nakita iyong pangalan ni Chance.
Bubuksan ko na sana iyong message niya pero nang makitang nakasilip din si Jax ay pinatay ko na lang iyon agad.
Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. "What?" I asked.
Mabilis siyang umiling. "Tinitignan ko lang iyong oras!" pagdadahilan naman niya.
"You are wearing a watch," I said and pointed at the expensive watch around his wrist.
Cornflower Blue who?
"Walang battery, eh..." aniya sabay subo ng onion rings.
I just rolled my eyes.
After dinner, Dad and Jax went to the gaming room. Naiwan naman kami ng Mommy sa dining table.
I can't believe how Jax is so comfortable in our house and with my parents. He's like my parents' long lost son!
"Mauna na po ako," paalam ni Jax.
Halos hindi ko napagtanto na gabi na pala. Nasa sala lang ako at nagbabasa ng mga notes. Kakalabas kang ni Daddy at Jax galing sa gaming room.
"Cali, una na ako," aniya.
I just nodded at him.
Kung gusto kong ipagpatuloy ang pag distansya ko sa kanya, okay na 'yong ganito lang. I'm not marupok! Not ever!
"Cali, hatid mo na sa gate si Jax..." Mom said.
Ayaw ko na ngang kausapin tapos si Mommy pinapahatid pa sa akin! Naman, eh!
I sighed and followed Jax right away.
Tahimik lang akong naglalakad sa likuran niya. Palabas na siya sa gate nang bigla siyang humarap sa akin kaya naman napahinto rin ako roon.
"Pwede ba akong maging honest sa 'yo, Cal?" he asked and he sounded so serious.
My forehead creased. "What is it?"
Mariin ko siyang tinignan. Ganoon pa rin ang mga mata niya... Madilim, malalim, at makahulugan.
"I can't stand seeing you with Chance... Or any other boy, to be exact." Jax said huskily.