11/23

Hashtag 05

#Awwwwkkk-waaarddd

"That awkward moment when you're the only one who feel awkward."

-x-

Sa dami ng pwedeng i-describe kay Jhing, mas tatanggapin niya ang 'prude' kaysa 'asumera.' Sa katunayan, madalas sa buhay niya, go with the flow siya. Kahit marami siyang gustong gawin, abutin, go with the flow lang siya – not assuming things. Not trying to expect a lot.

Assuming hurts, and hurting was what she wanted to avoid.

Not that she'll be hurt by him, right? Riiight?

But it doesn't make sense! Si Miko? Magtatrabaho sa publishing company na pinagtatrabahuhan niya para sa kanya? Sus. Baka nagkataon lang.

Oo tama, nagkataon lang.

However, when her right foot stepped on the 7th floor lobby, halos mapatakbo siya pabalik ng elevator nang marinig ang pamilyar na boses.

"Hi Jhing."

Hindi na niya kailangan lumingon para malamang si Miko 'yun, nakatambay sa pulang sofa, right ankle on top of his left knee, kumukuyakoy pa. Still, lumingon si Jhing. . .and wrong move.

She saw his lopsided smile.

Hindi. . .hindi siya ang hinihintay ng lalaking 'yon. Mahilig lang talaga 'yon tumambay.

Bago pa may kung anong maganap na ayaw mangyari ni Jhing, hinigpitan niya ang hawak sa ID lace at dumiretso sa loob ng office. She tapped her ID para makapag-time in. Not minding Miko, or any other eyes that watched her with a weird look.

Monday morning na Monday morning, dahil binati siya ni Miko sa pantry nung Friday na para bang magkasangga sila since birth, kahit nagpaliwanag na siyang, naalala ko ata siya, nagkabunggo last time, ganun, mukhang hindi naniniwala ang ilan.

Nakakaparanoid, but she didn't show it that much.

And the smile she saw from Miss Mary Zue when their path crossed? Iniisip niyang normal na ngiti lang 'yon at hindi 'I know your secret' look. Not that she has a secret, okay?

. . .okay.

For a few minutes, tulalang nakatitig si Jhing sa screen ng computer. She's contemplating whether what's happening to her was real or just her imagination. Baka naman kasi talaga hang over lang ito dahil sinulat niya ang novella na 'yon.

Hangover? Buong weekend na ang lumipas, ah!

But again, her thoughts of bubbles burst when she heard Miko's voice getting near from the lobby. As if it's her cue, bigla na lang siyang yumuko, akala ay matatago ang sarili sa cubicle, at nagbukas ng emails. Kahit naririnig ang boses ni Miss Zue, ni Miko, nila Facio at ang mga illustration related works explanation, Jhing stared at her emails.

She just. . .stared.

Na para bang nakikipagtitigan siya rito, at ang unang pipikit ay talo.

Ah shit, natatanga na naman siya.

She's not sure kung masyado ba siyang sensitive sa boses ni Miko, o sa mga taong natatawa sa jokes nito, o talagang malakas lang talaga ang boses nila kaya napadesisyunan ni Jhing na mag-earphones. Pinatugtog ang playlist niyang halos mabingi na siya.

Music was better than to hear his voice.

Yup. Better.

Kaya naman kahit magdugo pa ang tainga niya, mas naramdaman niya ang relaxation sa music habang sinisimulan ang pag-eedit sa panibagong manuscript.