Kanina ko pa ginagawa ang breathing exercise na ginagawa ko sa tuwing kinakabahan ako. God! What did I do last night? How am I going to face him without even feeling embarrassed?
If only I could act like I don't remember last night or act like I was drunk last night but no, drunk people are the most honest one. Can I not go to class at all?
Asan na ba si Alex? Siya ang solusyon sa problema ko since in the first place he was the one who suggested this. Ugh, just where is Alex when I need him the most.
Saktong nakita ko si Alex na papasok ng room habang kumakaway sa akin. Mabilis ako naglakad papunta sa kanya.
I stopped when the bell rang. Why now? Nakakadalawa na sakin 'tong school bell namin ah!
Okay, breathe and act normal.
I went straight to my seat and kept myself busy. I did everything like taking down notes, rewriting notes, reciting. I'd do anything just to avoid Travis.
Pinakiramdaman ko naman si Travis and everything seems pretty normal. As of now. He's like a normal student listening to the teacher in front.
But Travis isn't normal and he doesn't listen to lectures. And now that he is, maybe something was really not normal.
Pero hindi naman siya kumikibo so I assumed that everything is fine. Nakahinga na ako ng maluwag until recess came. Ginulat niya ako nang tumabi siya sa akin at akala ko aasarin niya ako pero pinaalala lang niya 'yung project na gagawin namin.
We just talk about the project until he opened the most sensitive topic that I've been avoiding all morning.
"So you came into my house last night," He said.
"Yeah I did. So?" I said nonchalantly.
Napahawak siya sa batok niya na parang may sasabihin pero pinagiisipan pa niya kung sasabihin niya.
"You said you like me."
"Yeah, I also did that. And so?" Tinaas ko ang kilay ko.
They hate when I do that kasi naiintimidate sila. That's good to hear.
Kanina ako 'yung kabang kaba na makausap siya pero ngayon baliktad niya. Ang cute pala mahiya ng isang Travis Guerrero.
"N-nothing." Oh and why the stutter?
"Relax. Does it make you uncomfortable? There's nothing wrong with me liking you right, Travis? Okay lang naman siguro 'yun and don't worry I'm not asking you to like me back kaya wag kang kabahan dyan." Tumawa ako kahit na sobrang lakas na ng tibok ng puso ko.
Wow how did I say that without stuttering in front of him. Just how awkward this conversation can be? Bell, I need you now!
"Yeah sure."
Gusto ko nang matawa sa itsura niya. Boy he can't even look at me! Damn it, should have seen his face last night siguro mas epic 'yun.
"Then we're good."
"Brielle," He started.
Nilingon ko siya. "Hm?"
"No. When are we doing the project?" He quickly changed the topic.
Akala nito hindi ko alam 'yung ginagawa niya. But fine since awkward din ako sa topic. "How about tonight, pwede ka? Baka may date ka nakakahiya naman."
Biglang nag iba 'yung ekspresyon niya. "I don't do dates. I'll pick you up at 6." He said sternly.
xx
We decided to hang around the cute coffee shop near my place. As usual we sat at the corner. I don't know pero pansin ko madalas kami sa corner umuupo pag kasama ko si Travis.
"What do you think? Podcast or video?"
Naguusap kami kung paano namin gagawin when a guy suddenly spoke. "Excuse me?"
Tiningala namin ni Travis 'yung lalaki. Holy--ang gwapo niya! Kinabog niya ang jawline ni Travis at ang ganda ng boses.
"Hi miss, tinitignan ka namin ng mga kasama ko," He said and pointed at the seat across ours. Mga apat silang lalaki. And if you think na gwapo silang lahat you got that right. Model ba 'tong mga 'to?
"You look familiar. Have we met somewhere?"
Inisip ko kung nagkita na ba kami pero hindi ko maalala. I wish we met and I just forgot pero sa gwapo niyang 'yan imposible naman ata na makalimutan ko.
Napatingin muna ako kay Travis dahil baka kilala niya or mutual friend pero nakakunot lang ang noo niya habang tinitigan 'yung lalaki so I take it as no.
"I don't think so." I said.
Then he smiled. "I'm Gabriel by the way." Tapos dumako ang tingin niya sa mga papel at laptop sa table then he smiled again. "Brielle, nice name."
"Thanks?"
"Are you done? We're busy." Malamig na sabi ni Travis.
"Yeah." He muttered then turned to face me again. "Can I ask you a question?"
"Sure."
He opened his mouth but before he could say anything Travis butt in. Mayabang talaga 'tong lalaking 'to! I heard kaya mahilig magpayabang ang mga lalaki kasi when they feel intimidated they tend to show off.
"Sorry, what's your name again?" Tumayo siya from his seat kaya magkapantay na sila ngayon.
Oh atleast he know how to say sorry. But he said that in pure sarcasm.
"Gabriel." He answered hesitantly as Travis is being weird. He always does though.
"Gabriel, can I ask you a question?" Nakapamulsa niyang tanong. I know now is not the time to check him out but he looked hot in that pose.
Tinignan ako ni Gabriel then nodded so Travis also nodded and continued.
"Distansya o ambulansya?" Ngumisi siya.
Whoa whoa. Gabriel back off immediately after hearing Travis.
Satisfied naman na umupo si Travis. Tuwang tuwa nanaman siya sa pinaggagawa niya.
"What was that?"
"Istorbo." Nakangisi pa rin ang loko.
"Do you need to be so rude?"
Nawala ang ngisi sa labi niya at napalitan ng inis. "He was flirting with you in case you don't know. Don't be too dense, Ming."
Tumaas ang kilay ko sa kanya. "So ano sayo kung nilalandi nga niya ako?"
"Nevermind. Let's continue, we use video mas okay 'yon." He said and proceed to type it in this laptop.
