CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Happy reading
"RA! Ba't naman gan'yan mukha mo?" bungad sa 'kin ni Gonz pagkagising na pagkagising niya.
Paano ba naman hindi magiging ganito mukha ko? Hindi ako pinatulog ng reply ni Bellamy.
"Morning," bati ko sa kan'ya saka ko siya tinulak para umalis sa tabi ko.
Wala talaga ako sa mood ngayong araw dahil wala akong tulog.
"Suklay-suklay din, Ra."
Agad akong napahawak sa buhok ko at naramdaman kong buhol-buhol nga 'yon dahil buong magdamag akong kamot ng kamot sa ulo ko kakaisip.
Nababaliw na yata ako.
"Oo nga pala, may iniwan si Feem kagabi sa 'kin bago sila umalis."
Nagsalubong ang mga kilay ko. "Bakit sa 'yo niya iniwan? Bakit 'di sa 'kin?" reklamo ko.
Nagkibitbalikat lang siya at may kinuha doon sa bag niya.
"Here." Sabay sabot niya sa 'kin no'ng hawak niya.
It's an invitation . . . from Lumi.
"Oh my God. It's Lumi!" parang batang sigaw ko at akmang tatalon pero natigilan ako nang maalala ko 'yong bilin ng doctor na 'wag kong biglain ang sarili ko.
"And that's exactly why she left it to me. She knew you'd jump out of too much joy."
Hindi ko pinansin si Gonz at excited kong binasa 'yong invitation.
"What the? Three days lang siya dito?" nakasimangot na sabi ko pagkabasa ko no'ng invitation.
"Buti nga three days lang eh," nakangising sabi ni Gonz kaya natawa ako. May gusto kasi si Lumi kay Gonz dati. At may nangyari sa kanila ni Gonz. Yes. May nangyari sa kanila kahit hindi naman naging sila. Pero pareho naman silang single no'n kaya wala naman sigurong kaso.
And yes, sobrang updated ako sa sex life ni Gonz. Kahit ayaw kong malaman, kahit ayaw kong marinig, wala akong choice dahil kinukuwento niya talaga sa 'kin na para bang hindi ako babae.
"Joke lang, one month nakalagay dito sa invitation," pagsisinungaling ko kaya napatingin talaga siya sa 'kin. Kitang-kita sa mukha niya na para bang gumuho bigla ang mundo niya.
"Patingin nga," pangungulit niya at akmang kukunin sa 'kin 'yong invitation pero tinago ko ito sa likuran ko para 'di niya makuha.
"Ah. Sure ka na talaga d'yan?" taas kilay niyang tanong.
"Sure ka na talaga na 'di mo iaaabot sa 'kin ng kusa 'yan?" ulit niya pero tumawa lang ako at mas lalo siyang inasar.
Mas lalo siyang ngumisi at saka niya ako kinulong sa bisig niya para maabot niya 'yong hawak ko sa likuran ko pero hinigpitan ko 'yong pagkakahawak ko para hindi niya ito makuha.
"My God, Gonz! 'Yong kili-kili mo nasa ilong ko!"
"So? Malunod ka pa sa sobrang bango n'yan."
"Duh! Kili-kili pa rin 'yan!"
"Duh. Mabango pa rin 'yan," panggagaya niya sa tono ko kaya inis kong kinagat 'yong braso niya para umalis siya sa pagkakayakap niya sa 'kin dahil hindi talaga siya yakap actually. Talagang ang goal niya ay makuha 'yong hawak ko sa kamay ko na nakatago sa likuran ko.
Pero kahit anong kagat ko sa kanya, walang epekto! Napakamanhid naman nito?
"Gabriel Onroe Zavardo! Lumayo ka nga kasi!"
"Akin na muna nga kasi!" reklamo niya.
"Bakit kasi 'di mo pa binasa kanina bago mo binigay sa 'kin?! Bobo lang?" pang-aasar ko sa kanya kaya natawa siya at napailing.
"Bakit ko babasahin?"
Nangangalay na ako sa puwesto namin. Talagang pinapaamoy niya 'yong kili-kili niya sa 'kin. Badtrip talaga 'to.
Pareho kaming natigilan nang biglang may humila sa kanya.
Nag-angat ako ng tingin at nanlaki ang mata ko nang makita ko si Kiella.
Bago pa man ako makapagsalita ay nakaramdam ako nang malakas na sampal sa kaliwang pisngi ko.
Pakiramdam ko tumigil ang mundo ko.
Hindi mawala 'yong bigat ng sampal niya sa pisngi ko.
"What the hell, Kiella?" galit na saad ni Gonz at saka niya hinila si Kiella palayo sa 'kin.
"Are you out of your mind?!" he yelled, anger was written all over his face.
I've seen that face a lot of times. He was always like that when someone intentionally hurts me. But this time, it's different. I was hurt physically. And that, I couldn't take.
"You shouldn't have done that to me, Kie—"
"I'm tired of watching you flirt with my boyfriend!" she interrupted my words, tears falling from her eyes.
Natahimik ako bigla.
Now I know where that slap came from.
"You better hide that girl from me, Zavardo."
Natigilan ako nang marinig ko ang boses na 'yon.
Napatingin ako sa kanya at nagtama ang mata naming dalawa.
"Never been a fan of an insecure bitch who slaps a queen," he added, shifting her eyes to Kiella.
"That was too much drama, don't you think?" He raised a brow at her.
I don't know what to say. I want to stop him from talking but I'm too busy holding out my anger because I feel like I'm going to explode any minute.
"Not now, Bell. Leave us alone," madiin na sabi ni Gonz pero mahinang natawa si Bellamy.
"I think you're the one who should leave. Right, Keen?" Bumaling sa 'kin si Bell.
"H-Huh?" wala sa sarili kong sabi.
Ilang segundo bago ko naproseso 'yong sinabi ni Bell.
Tama si Bell. Kailangan nang umalis nila Gonz lalo na sa ganitong sitwasyon.
"Y-Yes," I stuttered, nodding in agreement.
Bellamy shrugged nonchalantly, his eyes now aimed at Gonz.
"You heard what she said, Zavardo. Leave. Or do you want me to spell it out for you?"
"Not until you leave first," pagmamatigas ni Gonz pero muli siyang tinawanan ni Bell.
"Why would I leave? I brought her foods."
My eyes darted on the paper bag he was holding. Is that my pesto and wings?
"You shouldn't be worrying about other girls when your girl's dying out of jealousy don't you think?"
Gonz didn't speak. Bell was definitely right about that.
Gonz's eyes met my gaze. "I'm sorry, Ra," Gonz apologized, his voice full of concern. And I know that that's for the slap I received from Kiella.
"Just . . . leave, Gonz. Please," I said firmly, trying to hide the disappointment that was crossing my face.
I feel so disrespected.
I'm so mad right now I can't bear to see them.
And I can't hold my anger much any longer.
"You really have to go. Or that girl—" I pointed my finger at Kiella. "Will receive a harder slap from me."
And there I've finally said it.
No one has the right to slap me. Not even that girl who knows nothing about me.
Bumaling ako kay Kiella. "Didn't Gonz warn you?" I stared at her intently.
I saw fear in her eyes the moment I stood up and took a step closer to her.
"I'm not nice, Kiella. I was just trying to be nice to you because Gonz's really serious about you. But—oh my God. How dare you slap me?" I scoffed in disbelief.
And there I flipped the switch from being nice to evil.
She hasn't met me in Belle Ville. She really has no idea what she's getting herself into.
"That's my girl," Bell said, grinning from ear to ear like that was really something to be proud of. He's really crazy!
"Ra, calm down . . ." Gonz tried to stop me from taking another step closer to Kiella.
I took a step back, distancing myself from him.
I know this will hurt him, but I don't care anymore.
"You can date her all you want Gonz, but don't expect anything from me anymore. I won't support you. I won't be happy for you either. I won't even hang out with you as long as that girl remains as your girl," I said in a stern voice.
He was stunned by what I just said. I know, he didn't see that one coming, and I haven't either.
I never interfered with his lovelife before. But I think I have the right to interfere now. Though I'm not totally interfering, I'm just expressing how opposed I am with him dating that girl.
Kiella stormed out of the room. Right move, girl. You should have done that few minutes ago.
Gonz glanced at me for the last time before he followed her outside.
Tumawa ako nang malakas pagkalabas nila. "I can't believe I let her slap me!"
"I actually thought you were going to cry. But I remembered Feem telling me stories how bitch you were on your 12th Grade."
"Wow. She said that? That's not a lie, though." I chuckled.
Umupo ako sa kama at nag-angat ng tingin sa kanya.
"Bakit ngayon ka lang?" taas kilay kong tanong sa kanya na para bang walang nangyari kanina.
"I didn't want to bother you yesterday. You were too busy exchanging I love yous with Zavardo."
He heard that?
Was that the reason he didn't come back? But why? Was he jealous? If he really was, why would he? Ugh. I'm overthinking again.
"We've been saying that to each other since we were four," I explained. Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit nagpapaliwanag ako sa kanya.
"Yeah. That's exactly why you were slapped today. Because you were sleeping next to each other, I guess since you were four?"
Nanlaki ang mata ko. "You saw that too?"
"No. Hula ko lang. So, magkatabi nga kayong natulog kanina," taas kilay niyang sabi. Oh. He got me there. Brainy Bell.
Binuksan niya na 'yong binili niyang pagkain tapos nilapag niya 'yon sa side table ko.
"You guys aren't kids anymore. There are things that you shouldn't be doing anymore."
"I know that. I really do." I paused and let out a small sigh. "I guess sleeping next to each other really made her girl mad." I frowned.
"You're still my Rara. You're my Gonz," he mimicked. What the hell? He also heard that? "Like wow. Are you really just friends?" he added, crossing his legs as he sat on the couch.
"Uhm, actually I had a crush on him since we were four. And I realized that I loved him more than a friend when I was thirteen. But I got over it. I accepted the fact that he will never like me in a romantic way. It was a long time ago," I blurted out comfortably.
What the hell? Why did I even say that to him? I never told anyone!
"I'm aware of that."
"Huh?" nagtataka kong sabi.
What did he just say? He's aware of what? Me having feelings for Gonz long time ago?
He didn't even know me. I just knew him when I was in first year high school because he was a famous opposite hitter from Realgorez High while I was from Belle Ville. And when I dated his cousin, Denver, when I was on 12th Grade, Denver introduced me to him. But Bellamy was never fond of me. He actually hated me. He was rude to me while he's out there being friendly to everyone.
Maybe I'm just overthinking. Maybe when we got closer this freshman year in college, he saw it in my eyes that I had feelings for Gonz? Or that I was confused with my feelings for Gonz?
Oh great.
I just remembered that he's been always telling me how good he was in reading a girl's mind. Now I get it.
***
"NAG-REVIEW ka na?" tanong ko kay Bell na kadarating lang sa klase at kauupo lang sa tabi ko.
Gulo-gulo pa ang buhok niya tapos halatang kagigising niya lang at nagmadali lang siyang pumasok. Midterm exam na kasi namin this week, at nag-aalala na ako sa madalas na hindi pag-attend ni Bell sa klase dahil sa training nila.
Minsan nga hindi siya nakakapasok dahil tulog pa siya.
Naalala ko tuloy bigla no'ng nag-open siya sa 'kin last time na nakakapagod talaga maging student-athlete.
"Hindi pa. Mamaya pa. Ikaw?" tanong niya rin sa 'kin saka siya humikab. See? Inaantok pa siya.
"Hindi pa rin. Natulog ka ba?" nag-aalalang tanong ko sa kanya. Kasi seryoso, simula last week lagi talaga siyang wala sa klase. Buti na nga lang sadyang matalino talaga siya kaya nakakahabol siya kahit papaano sa lahat ng subjects.
"Hmm? Yeah," wala sa sariling sagot niya sabay hikab pa ulit.
Hindi ka mukhang natulog, Bell. 'Wag ako.
"Sa'n ka pupunta?" tanong niya sa 'kin dahil bigla akong tumayo.
"Cafeteria."
"Takaw. First subject pa lang, gutom ka na agad?" pang-aasar niya sa 'kin. Tingnan mo 'to, inaantok na't lahat-lahat dami pang energy mang-asar.
Inirapan ko lang siya saka ako lumabas ng klase. Pagkadating ko sa cafeteria, bumili ako ng hot coffee saka ako bumalik sa klase.
Nilapag ko sa harap ni Bell 'yong kape at umupo ako ulit sa tabi niya.
"How thoughtful, love." He grinned, taking a sip of coffee.
"You like me, Keen. It's obvious."
Inirapan ko siya.
Sobrang hangin niya naman yata?
"Whatever, Bell."
"Woah. You're not denying it?"
"God. Shut up, Bell. Just finish your coffee."
"You like me," he declared, nodding his head in amusement.
I rolled my eyes. He's really annoying. "I don't like you, Bell. Wake the hell up," I enunciated.
"Ouch," he said, placing his hand above his chest as if he's really hurt.
I scoffed, shaking my head in disbelief. He really does have a lot of time annoying me.
"Ayaw mo?" alok niya sa 'kin habang iniinom niya 'yong kape. "No thanks, nainom mo na eh," pagbibiro ko. Para sa kanya talaga 'yong kape. Inaasar ko lang siya.
"I'm not asking about the coffee."
Nagtataka ko siyang tiningnan.
"Ayaw mo talaga sa 'kin?"
Natigilan ako.
My God. Nasa kalagitnaan kami ng klase pero nangungulit talaga siya. Kapag kami napagalitan ng prof, humanda talaga siya sa 'kin.
"Ayaw ko nga. Kulit."
"Are you blind or something? I'm Bellamy Creos. Why won't you like me?"
"Because you're Bellamy Creos," simpleng sagot ko.
He chuckled, nodding his head in astonishment.
"Whatever, Keen. You'll change your mind soon."
I grinned. "I don't think so, Bell."
***
"BAKA matunaw 'yang phone mo, Ra," Dith said when she noticed me staring at my phone for almost ten minutes already.
I was waiting for his reply, but he's not replying! Nakatulog na naman ba siya? Hindi siya puwedeng makatulog hangga't 'di siya nakaka-review. Exam na namin bukas, eh.
"Ra. Hello? Bingi lang?"
Wala sa sarili akong bumangon mula sa pagkakahiga ko. "I think I should go."
Napakunot ang noo niya. "Saan ka pupunta?"
"I need your help, Dith."
"Huh?"
"Kailangan ko pumuntang boys dormitory."
"What? Why? Are you serious? 8PM na. And hindi ka papapasukin do'n. Bawal babae."
"That's why I need your help. You have connections."
Dith raised a brow at me. "You're dating someone, Ra. I can smell it."
"I'm not," madiin kong sabi.
"Eh sinong pupuntahan mo do'n?"
"Si Bell."
"Ah. . ." Biglang lumapad ang ngiti niya at saka siya tumayo.
"Alright. I'm going to call Lucah."
Napangiti rin ako ng malapad. I love her already!
Pagkatapos niyang kausapin sa phone 'yong kaibigan niya, muli siyang lumingon sa 'kin.
"Lucah said he will wait for you at the back door of their dormitory."
Hindi ko na hinintay pa 'yong susunod na sasabihin ni Dith at nagmadali na akong lumabas. Narinig ko pa siyang tumawa bago ako lumabas.
Whatever, Dith. I just really want to see him and make sure that he won't fail the exams tomorrow.
Pagkadating ko sa backdoor ng boys dormitory, nakita ko na si Lucah. Siya 'yong kaibigan ni Dith dati na nagpapasok rin sa 'min no'ng may party dito sa dorm nila.
"Hi, Feem," bati niya sa 'kin. Natawa ako nang mahina nang maalala kong iyon nga pala ang sinabi ko sa kanyang pangalan ko dati.
"Hi, Lucah," nakangiting bati ko.
"So, you and Bell, huh."
"Uhh. No. Actually, I'm his stepsister," I lied.
I'm sorry, Feem. I'm going to use your identity for a while.
Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit, pero paniwalang paniwala kasi si Lucah lagi sa mga sinasabi ko kaya natutuwa akong asarin siya nang hindi niya alam.
"Oh. Okay. Come on in."
Nauna na siyang pumasok sa loob at sinigurado niya na walang makakakita sa 'kin. Sa haba nang inakyat namin, hindi ko alam kung third floor o kung anong floor na ba 'to. Madalim na kasi kaya 'di ko rin mabasa 'yong mga nakalagay sa bawat pinto.
"We're here. Katok ka na lang," nakangiting sabi ni Lucah.
"Thank you," sincere kong sabi sa kanya bago siya bumalik doon sa kuwarto niya.
Kumatok ako sa pinto ng kuwarto ni Bell pero walang sumasagot. Kumatok ulit ako at saka ito bumukas. Bumungad sa 'kin ang isang lalaking hindi ko kilala. Roommate siguro siya ni Bell?
Nagtataka niya akong tiningnan.
"Who are you? And how did you get in—"
"I'm Bell's girlfriend," I introduced myself. Yeah, I didn't use Feem this time dahil sa tingin ko, kilala niya si Feem. Syempre roommates sila ni Bell, I think they're close enough to know enough about Bell's sister.
"Oh. Really? I haven't seen you before." Napakamot siya sa ulo niya.
"Can you please let me in? Baka may ibang makakita sa 'kin 'pag nagtagal pa ko dito sa labas ng pinto niyo."
"Right. Sorry," he apologized, opening the door wide for me.
Palihim akong napairap. Madali pala silang mapapasok ng magnanakaw.
"Thanks.''
"I'm Chad by the way."
"Nice meeting you, Chad."
He just flashed me a smile before going back to bed. Seryoso? Ang aga niya naman matulog?
Napalingon ako sa kaliwa ko at natigilan ako nang makita ko si Bell na nakasubsob ang mukha sa study table habang mahimbing na natutulog.
Sinilip ko 'yong laptop niya at nakita ko na gumagawa pala siya ng reviewer pero nakatulugan niya na.
"You could've just told me that you needed my help, you idiot," I whispered, silently getting a chair to sit beside him.
Dahan-dahan kong kinuha ang laptop niya at nilapag iyon sa harap ko saka ko itinuloy 'yong ginagawa niya.
Lumipas ang kalahating oras, mahimbing pa rin na natutulog si Bell and nangangalahati na ako na ako sa reviewer.
"Nakakaantok pala gumawa ng reviewer," mahinang sabi ko. I've never done this before, making a reviewer. Lagi lang akong nanghihiram ng reviewer sa kambal ko dahil lagi naman kaming nasa iisang section dati.
Napatingin ako sa phone ni Bell na nakapatong sa tabi ng laptop niya dahil bigla 'yong nag-vibrate.
Sinilip ko 'yong notifications niya sa lockscreen niya, at nakita ko na nag-text si Feem sa kanya.
Hindi ko na sana papansinin pa, pero biglang nag-ring ito kaya mabilis ko 'yong sinagot. Baka kasi magising si Bell 'pag 'di ko sinagot 'yong tawag.
"Tulog na si Bell," mahina kong sabi pagkasagot ko ng tawag.
"Who are y—Ra?" See? She really is my best friend. Kabisado niya ang boses ko.
"Why do you have Bell's phone? And why are you with him at this hour?"
"I'll tell you next time, Feem. Good night." Mabilis kong binaba ang tawag. Sorry na agad, kinakabahan kasi ako baka magising si Bell.
Nakuha ng atensyon ko 'yong messages sa phone ni Bell. Bigla kasing napunta doon no'ng na-unlock 'yong screen niya. Wait, wala siyang passcode? Wow, 'di naglalagay ng passcode, huh.
Na-tempt tuloy ako bigla basahin kung may nakakausap ba siya.
Malamang, meron. Si Bell 'yan eh.
Ugh.
Pero . . . tingnan ko kaya para lang sure?
Eh bakit ko ba titingnan? Ano namang pakialam ko?
Ibabalik ko na sana 'yong phone niya sa tabi ng laptop niya pero hindi ko na talaga napigilan ang sarili ko at saka ko tingnan 'yong messages niya.
Puro mga lalaki 'yong kausap niya, mga ka-team niya siguro. Tapos nasa messages niya rin sila Feem at parents niya. Tapos puro babae na 'yong mga kausap niya, pero August pa 'yong huling convo niya do'n sa mga babaeng hindi ko kilala. Grabe, November na ngayon ah.
Natigilan naman ako bigla nang makita ko 'yong Maica sa messages niya. Ito 'yong nakita ko two weeks ago na nag-text kay Bell 'di ba? 'Yong nagpapagawa ng reviewer.
Oo, siya nga.
Nagdalawang isip ako kung babasahin ko ba 'yong convo nila, pero in the end, in-open ko pa rin 'yong convo nila and I started reading it.
Bellamy, nagawan mo na ko ng reviewer? :)
No. Bakit kita gagawan?
Sinabi ko kanina no'ng nakasalubong kita sa gym, 'di ba? Sabi ko kung puwede mo akong gawan.
Yeah. I remember that. But I don't remember saying yes.
You nodded!
I was talking to my girl on the phone when you were talking to me, Maica.
Agad akong natigilan. May girlfriend na pala siya?
"Happy reading, Keen."
Halos mahulog ako sa upuan dahil sa gulat dahil sa biglaang pagsasalita ni Bell sa tabi ko. Inis ko siyang nilingon at nakita ko siyang nakangiti habang nakatitig sa 'kin.
Agad kong binitawan 'yong phone niya at pinatong iyon sa tabi ng laptop niya.
"Gising ka na pala," napapahiyang sabi ko pero ngumiti lang ulit siya.
"I was talking to you on the phone when Maica asked me to do a reviewer for her. And I nodded because you asked me to pick you up at your dorm."
______
Tiana:
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