The Invisible Line

Chapter 3

Class has not started yet, fortunately. What a relief it is that the new principal has given us a week of relative independence. The students seem to be having a good time, and it's great to see them letting their mind at ease around the new students.

One of my favorite things is witnessing an interaction between people. It's amazing to think about how one seemingly insignificant action can influence the outcome of a major future event.

It only takes a moment to say "hello" to someone to make a huge impact. A simple "how are you?" can completely change someone's day and serve as a source of inspiration. It's remarkable to see how the human cycle works.

Bago pa ako malunod sa sariling mundo, narinig ko ang aking pangalan sa kalayuan. Napalingon ako sa direksyon kung nasaan sina Genesis at Maya. Mayroon nang hawak si Genesis na barbecue habang si Maya naman ay hawak niya ang paborito naming pagkain kapag nasa trip kaming lahat na kumain ng street food — ang kamotecue. Kumaway ako agad at lumapit sa kanila.

"You won't believe me when I say, ang galing ni Isaiah gumawa ng kamotecue! Grabe!" Salubong ni Maya sa akin.

She's pertaining to our class president, Isaiah Conchaves. No wonder all he prepared today was delicious, both his parents are chefs.

"Masarap naman siya, pero ang OA mo talaga mag-react kahit kailan!" Ani naman ni Genesis sa kaniya.

Nagkasagutan pa ang dalawa bago sila natulala sa aking likuran. Parehas na parte ang labi nila habang nakatitig sa kung... ano o sino.

Curiosity getting the better of me, I turned around to find Phillip Fertuna towering over me with a cheesy grin painted across his face.

"In case you were wondering, I returned home from the airport late yesterday, so that's where I was. I just got back from a trip to see my grandparents in China. I even brought some tikoy for you to try!" When I thanked him, he handed me a red paper bag with Chinese characters inscribed on it.

Since we were in the 10th grade, Philip has been attempting to pursue me. I, too, have been trying to reject him. He's good at everything, and I don't even hate Chinese people!

I don't feel the same way about him as he does about me. I could force myself to like him, but that would be a huge jerk move para lang may maramdaman kang pagmamahal?

Mas lalo ata akong maaawa sa sarili ko kung gagawin ko man 'yon at baka mabigyan ko pa ng trauma si Philip. I won't do that. Never.

"Really, Philip? Hindi mo naman na kailangan gawin 'to..." I said, recalling that it's been nearly two years since I first told him that very sentence.

"Tanggapin mo nalang at baka isubo ko sa'yo 'yan ng malamig." Pagbabanta niya at hinablot ang aking kamay para pilitin itong kunin ang bag na hawak niya.

"Thanks anyways." Sabi ko nalang.

Then, he beamed once more before he left to join his friends.

Before they even got lost to the sea of people, Salvatore once more darted his eyes on me. His expression toward me was neither blank nor a death glare. To put it simply, it was different.

Something else I just didn't understand. Basta ang alam ko ay hindi ito katulad nung unang nagtama ang paningin naming dalawa. I've never gotten that look before, and it set my heart racing.

Mabanayad kong hinawakan ang aking dibdib habang unti-unti silang nawawala sa persepsyon ko.

Anong klaseng titig 'yon? Hindi naman siguro titig na pang-akit 'yon 'di ba? I've read enough romance novels to recognize a seductive gaze.

Definitely, not a "falling-in-love" type of stare. Don't be ridiculous, Audelia!

"Sooo," inabot sa akin ni Genesis ang kamote cue na kanina'y hawak ni Maya. Ngayon naman ay kinuha ni Maya sa kabilang kamay ko ang tikoy na inabot ni Phillip, "He's friends with that Salvatore guy, huh?" I heard a hint of naughtiness with Genesis' voice.

"Audelia?" Tawag ni Maya sa akin.

Mabilis akong umiling at parehas silang tinitigan nang masama. May pagbabanta.

"I know that tone. No."

Alam ko na naman ang pakay ng dalawa. They claim Phillip has feelings for me, so they want me to set them up on a date with Salvatore. It's like I have mystical powers!

Pero hindi ko gagawin 'yon. I won't set them up with him.

His intense gaze almost made me worry that I shouldn't introduce him to my friends.

"Ang kill joy mo talaga!" Reklamo ni Maya.

I gave them a deadpan look. "I hope you guys are contented with one guy. Pasalamat nga kayo at nagtatagal kayo ng kausap niyo. Bihira nalang ang mga ganyang tao, lalo na kung wala pa kayong label." I said.

"You talk to explore, Audelia. Not to find a man you'll marry for what? Ilang years pa? You're no fun!" Pagsusungit naman ni Genesis.

Agad ko naman siyang sinuway. "Stop saying that I'm no fun, kung sinabi mo 'yan sa iba baka ma-offend sila. If you think I'm no fun then I wouldn't be standing here beside you."

Nagkaroon ng katahimikan sa aming tatlo bago nila ako sinugod na dalawa para yakapin.

"Okay, noted. I'm sorry I offended you. Won't say that ever again." Genesis replied and kissed my cheek.

"All hail to the mother of the group!" Maya then fool around.

I guess I can say that I'm happy when I'm with them. At some point, they helped me feel better, which is something I like about our friendship. Even though life can be hard, we help each other get through it.