Love in the Halls

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

As the days turned into weeks, I found myself drawn to Ethan's magnetic personality and infectious laughter. Maayos naman ang pagkakaibigan namin ni Ethan. Okay naman usapan namin, okay rin naman pala siya maging kaibigan. And i feel connection to Ethan para bang ilang taon na kaming magkakilala. Feel ko lang, feeler kasi ako. Nag share kami ng mga kwento tungkol sa amin, our dreams, and even our deepest fear.

I feel something between us pero i kept it being a platonic nga since we're just friends.

"Uy, andiyan na naman si Ethan sa labas Sophie!" utas ni Lily.

"Bakla, friends lang nga kami! As in platonic friendship!" Sabi ko. Totoo naman kasi, hindi pwedeng maging kami ni Ethan. Ay? sino ba kasi nagsabi na magiging kami? assumera ka talagang babae ka.

"Ah.. friends 'yung palagi magkasabay pumasok at umuwi? 'Yon pala 'yung friends.." Why?! Can't friends do that? I have seen many people na sabay umuuwi though, they're just friends! Mga tao talaga ngayon, ang hilig mag issue.

I like our set-up naman. Hindi na ako aasa pero ineenjoy ko na kasama si Ethan, alam kong walang nararamdaman sa 'kin ang lalaki. Kaya kinekeep ko na lang sa sarili ko 'to kasi alam kong lilipas din 'to.

And speaking of my dearest ex called Alex, siya na mismo ang umiiwas sa akin. Pero minsan nagkaka salubong kami, nag ngingitian na lang kami sa isa't isa.

"Musta araw mo, lods?" tanong ng lalaki sa akin. Wow, lods.

"Nakakapagod pero ayos lang, lods. Ikaw ba?" tanong ko pabalik sa lalaki. Act fool lang, Sophie.

"Okay lang din. Kaya mo 'yan! Magiging psychologist ka pa!" I couldn't help but laugh with his words. He's very cheerful. Ang akala ko nga dati ay masungit siya, dahil sa aura niya na intimidating.

"Oo, ikaw rin. Magiging engineer ka pa," Sabi ko sa kaniya. Pursue your dreams, Ethan. I don't know what our future holds, but I'm praying that you have a better future than me.

We sat together at our favorite spot around our village which is the playground, enjoying the warmth of the sun on our faces. I couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort and ease whenever I'm with Ethan.

"Ethan.. Alam mo ba? I am very lucky to have you as my friend." I said, breaking the silence between us.

My friend. Greate! Greate pretender ka talaga, Sophie. Ikaw na ang iniidolo ko!

Ngumiti naman ang lalaki, "The feeling is mutual, Sophie. You are the best thing that happened to me in this lifetime." Wow.. I feel something in my heart. Na-touch ako. This is my first time, I.. never felt this to Alex. Never in my life. Why i feel so happy?

"Humuhugot ka 'no?" I jokingly asked.

"Hindi ha... Isipin mo lang, kung magkakilala na tayo noon pa lang.. Ano kaya tayo ngayon?" He weirdly asked.

Siguro.. we're a lovers na. Huli na kasi tayo pinagtapo, huli na rin tuloy para ipagpatuloy pa 'to.

"Baliw! Malamang magkaibigan pa rin tayo, kaso to the max level na siguro 'yon!" I laughed with my words.

Don't give me false hope, Ethan. Please.

"Ethan.. I just noticed that... Napapadalas pagiging magkasama natin, sa tingin mo hindi naman maapektuhan iba nating circle sa ganitong set-up ng friendship natin?" I asked. Iwasan mo na ako, Ethan. Please, nahihirapan na ako.

Pilit kong iniiwas sarili ko sa 'yo, sabi ko hindi kita magugustuhan. Nakakainis naman 'tong nararamdaman ko. I need to push you away in order to not hurt you.