Limits and Heartbeats

Kabanata XIII

TWO MONTHS LATER

Drei and Ralf were back in their solitary worlds in the engineering office. Less talk, less interaction. More eye contact means more awkward moments. Just like what the first Law of Motions states about the pendulum, if none of them acts as an unbalanced force that disrupts this constant war of hearts, they will forever remain in their current situation or just keep going and getting back in here. Of course, both of them wanted to end this torturing and childish interaction.

Ralf wanted to talk to Drei and ask for forgiveness, if that's what would put an end to everything. Perhaps give peace to the latter's heart. But what if he gets rejected if he tries again? On the other hand, Drei hoped for the same—if he could just be more true to himself. However, never in a million years would he dare to take the initiative. May mga panahong gusto ni Drei na makipag-ayos na nang masinsinan ngunit may mga pagkakataon ding napapakuyom na lang siya sa tuwing naaalala ang ginawa ni Ralf noon.

“For you!” Halos mabitiwan na ni Drei ang kaniyang calculator dahil bigla na lang may inabot itong si Shamille sa kaniya. He was so detached that he didn't notice when Shamille walked close to his table.

Napatingin siya sa supot saka nag-angat ng tingin kay Shamille. He smiled and took the plastic. He get used to her. He even considered her now as his best friend.

“Ano 'to?” Binuksan niya lang ang plastic, pero hindi ang food pack na nasa loob.

Shamille pressed her palms against Drei's table as she bent her body to lean closer to him. “Garlic butter shrimp. Your favorite.” Kinindatan nito si Drei saka umayos ng tindig.

Drei raised his brows. Hindi niya alam kung saan 'to kumuha ng fact sheet tungkol sa kaniya. Kahit naman sumasama siya kapag inimbitahan, kailanman ay hindi niya sinabing paborito niya iyon.

Napasulyap siya sa table ni Ralf only to find out na nakatingin iyon sa kanila. Umiwas lang ito ng tingin nang magtagpo ang mga mata nila. Paulit-ulit na lang silang ganito.

“Shamille, kahit ano’ng gawin mo, hindi ka sasagutin ni Andrei!” pang-aasar ni Sir Ngalot. “Ako dapat binibilhan mo.”

Kagaad namang tumalikod si Shamille kay Drei para humarap kay Sir Ngalot. She crossed her arms and sweetly smiled.

“Saka na kita bibilhan, Sir, kung masabi ko na sa asawa mo na nakita kita kagabi sa may park.” She bobbed her left eyebrow. When she saw how Sir Ngalot's mouth formed an o-shape, she added, “Eme lang. Pero I really saw you last night.”

Nagtago ang mga mata ni Sir Ngalot nang tumawa ito nang malakas. “Palabiro ka talaga. Dapat siguro binagsak kita noon.”

Pati ang mga katrabaho nilang nakikinig lang ay natawa lang. They didn't intend to, though. Makikinig lang sana dapat sila.

*****

Napatingin si Drei sa kaniyang relo saka sa printer. Mag-iisang oras na siya rito sa engineering office at hindi pa rin siya natatapos sa kaniyang pini-print. Bigla kasi itong nagloko at hindi niya alam kung ang pc ang may problema o ang printer. Tsinek niya naman ang inks at marami pa.

Bumukas ang pinto at narinig niya ang tumatawang si Ralf habang nagsasalita ang estudyante. This was the first time that he had seen Ralf laugh in a while. He could tell that he was really giggling his heart out just by staring at his smile and eyes. Pasimple siyang napangiti dahil kahit papaano ay nagagawa na nitong tumawa matapos ang pagkamatay ng nanay nito.

“Oh, shit!” he mumbled as he realized that he only have thirty minutes left before his class starts.

Bumalik siya sa may computer at umupo sa harap nito. He scrolled through the screen. Sinubukan niyang mag-print ulit at naghintay ng ilang minuto pero walang nangyayari. Narinig niya ang pagsara ng pinto at ang tunog ng pag-usog ng upuan. Mayamaya pa'y nakita niya sa singit ng kaniyang mata na tumayo itong si Ralf at may hawak itong itim na tumbler.