c i n c o

5 2 0
                                    

Remi

My first week of school is getting better than I ever thought, Chelsey introduced me to some of her friends that happened to be Zhen and the tall girl from my history class named Vianca. Nung kinwento ko kay Chelsey ang nangyari ay tinawanan lamang ako nito dahil gano’n daw talaga si Zhen kahit nung una niya pa lamang itong nakilala.

And the news from Haley is still no progress at all, she sometimes skipped Calculus because of her practice since she’s an athlete, miss Jessie informed me when I’m not actually asking at her, regarding to the Haley's sudden disappearance.

I think she found out that I like Haley, well not that I’m threaten or confuse by my own feelings because I’m fine dating anyone opposite or same sex it doesn’t matter to me as long that I picked the apple of my eye and that happened to be Haley.

She caught my attention and interest the moment I saw her inside the bus. Like, there's something about her that pulled me in.

Haley is more than my curiousity.

Just thinking at her beautiful face is making me smile and the first time I heard her voice when she’s reciting a formula in front of the class, no doubt that she’s the favorite student of Miss Jessie, the girl is smart not only in court but in class too.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Walang bahala na umakbay sa’kin si Vianca matapos umupo sa aking tabi, andito kami ngayon sa cafeteria since break time ngayon habang nag aasaran naman sina Chelsey at Zhen. After two subjects ay may break time para sumakto ng twelve noon ang labasan ng ibang estyudante.

“My mind is making me broke.” She just laughed at my sarcasm, ibinalik ko ang aking tingin sa librong binabasa ko kanina. Baka mahuli na naman ako ni Sir Romuz na naka tulala sa self-study session namin kagaya nung nangyari last week.

“Haley is having a friendly game later at two pm sa main court.” Tila pumalakpak ang aking tenga sa sinabi ni Chelsey. See? I’m hopelessly in-love to that numb girl.

“Sama ka, Ame?” Zhen asked me as he used his own personal nickname to me. He’s always sleepy dahil may part time siya tuwing gabi kahit na mayaman naman na sila pero gusto niya muna daw mag hirap bago maranasan ang literal na hirap ng mundo.

Ang gulo niya di’ba?

“Sure.” I flatly smiled at him, bago muling nag basa.

“One-thirty guys ha, wag kayong bokter.” Paalala ni Vianca na nawala na ang pagkaka akbay sa’kin kanina. Patuloy lang sila sa kwentuhan habang patapos na ako sa aking binabasa.

Isa-isa na silang nag paalam sa’kin at dahil sa wala akong klase ngayon sa arts, nilabas ko ang aking sketchpad at nag simulang gumuhit ng random scenery na pumapasok sa aking isipan.

“What are you doing?” I nearly had a heart attack when I heard that voice. I felt my body stiffened when she decided to sit beside me and her perfume starts to invade my nose.

Lemon.

“S-sketching.” I mentally cursed myself for stuttering, I heard her giggled. What a strange melody sound that sends comfort in me.

“Chill, Evasco I don’t bite.” I gulped when she whispered those words. Where is Chelsey and the squad when I need them the most?! I’m dying here!

I felt my cheeks both heated but still manage to sketch something in my pad that turned into park with ducks on the lake with some trees and tourist on it.

“That looks peaceful.” She commented when I finished my drawing, satisfied ko naman itong pinag masdan. Kulang nalang ay kulayan ko ito para mas lalong mabuhayan pag tinignan.

“Yeah, I like peaceful things especially place.” I bite my lip when she smiled at me, I swear to heaven there’s no person here na hindi ngumingiti.

“Obviously. I like your drawing the most lalo na kapag ako ang nasa papel.” Did she just flirt with me or I just assume things? Those fluff balls inside my stomach starts rumbling. I sure look like a tomato right now.

“So you knew?" Really, Remi?

I wanna smack my head against the wall now because of my awkwardness.

“Alangan kasi ikaw lang naman ang kasama ko no’n.” Inihilig naman nito ang kaniyang ulo sa aking balikat.

“Let’s stay like this for a while, Evasco.” My hand automatically make their way to pat her head gently. I’m so gay for her.

Naka pikit ang mga nito nang tignan ko, she’s taking a nap before her game later. If this is her way to nap I won’t complain. I will happily oblige. Buti kakaunti lang ang tao sa loob ngayon at hindi kami masyadong pansin sa secluded area ng cafeteria.

“Dude!” Napa igtad naman ako ng upo kahit si Haley na kinukusot ang mata ay nagising rin dahil sa sigaw. Kota na ang mga gumugulat sa’kin ngayong araw ah.

“Gago ka, Zhen! Ang blurred tuloy ng picture!” Muling binatukan naman ni Vianca si Zhen na kakamot kamot sa kaniyang ulo. Isang oras na pala ang nakaka lipas, hindi ko namalayan.

Napa tapik na lamang ako sa aking noo bago tumungo sa lamesa. I feel embarrassed.

“Evasco, come to my game later. I’ll wait for you.” Anya ni Haley. As I tilted my head to the side she pats my head na ikinangiti ko, and I heard her as she said her regards to my friends na sinira ang momentum namin kanina bago tumayo at mag lakad papalayo samin.

Ugh! Minsan na nga lang maka usap nasira pa!

“Uy si Ame at Haley sa ilalim ng puno K-I-S-S-I-N-G!.” Natawa na lamang ako kay Zhen na papalapit sa table kung asan ako, nag luluksa pa rin si Vianca sa hindi ko malaman kung anong picture ang tinutukoy niya.

“Asan si Chelsey?” Tanong ko ng nag angat ako ng ulo. Nag luluksa pa rin si Vianca.

“Nasa klase niya pa, overtime ata.” Sagot ni Zhen na merong mapang asar na ngisi sa kaniyang labi.

“What, Zhen?” Irita kong tanong, nakaka inis kasi yung tinginan niya ngayon parang bata na first maka kita ng gano’n kanina.

“What’s the score between you and Haley?” Ang issue naman agad ne’to, kahit na gusto ko na magkaroon kami ng score ni Haley ay ‘di pwede dahil hindi ko pa siya lubos na kilala bukod sa isa siyang atleta at paboritong estyudante ng Calculus teacher namin.

“Wala ah. Ang issue mo.” Inirapan ko siya bago ayusin ang libro ko sa bag. Hindi pa rin naniniwalang naka tingin sa akin ito.

“Alam mo bang first time ‘yon ni Haley na unang makipag interact sa iba?” Sabi ni Vianca na tapos ng mag luksa sa cellphone niya kanina. Ang exaggerates naman kung totoo.

“Pa’nong first time?” Takang tanong ko dito, she seems a nice girl and easy to get along with kagaya kanina pero ika nga ni Vianca first time ‘yon ni Haley. That’s weird.

“Usually she’ll only interact with you if she likes you but if not, isa siyang dakilang snob kahit nga sa court ay hindi ito nangiti sa mga taong tinitili ang pangalan niya.” Paliwanag ni Vianca at may ngisi pa rin sa labi ni Zhen.

Kaya gano’n nalang sila maka react kanina? Pero imposible naman dahil minsan lang kami mag tagpo ng oras at panahon. Heck, we just talk for once so what’s the big deal about it?

“It’s impossible.” I said.

“It is possible, Ame. Haley is gay as fuck like you plus dzai hindi ‘yon basta basta humihilig sa balikat ng iba not even to her friends and team mates.” Dagdag pa ni Zhen.

“Wait, is she a lesbian or bisexual?” My curiosity kicks in, hindi halata na kasapi si Haley sa community.

“She’s a lesbian. Out and proud.” Sagot naman ni Zhen, then may chance ako sakaniya if ever na ligawan ko siya?

Nag init naman ang pakiramdam ko sa naisip kong plano.

“Oh my look, Zhen she looks like a tiny tomato.” Tumawa naman ang dalawa sa pang aasar nila sa’kin.

“Shut up.” Napa takip ako ng mukha at muling tumungo sa lamesa, buti kakaunti lang ang tao sa cafeteria kundi baka usapan na kami agad ngayong apat.

Maybe she likes me too but maybe is not enough to prove things that are still hidden.

You really need to stop making a meaning to simple gestures, Remi.

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