Ang Multo sa Manhole - Under revision

Bogart says "25.2"

Eiji’s Point of view

Andito ngayon ako sa aking kwarto, nakaharap sa salamin hanggang sa maging sirang plaka kakaisip sa sinabi ng ubod sa sex appeal na si Buknoy. Should or shouldn’t I keep my hair that way? I mean, yeah it looks “cute” on me but I still prefer the usual – simple and free-flowing. And since CAT classes have just begun, he’ll probably get lots of this look. And speaking of looks, I swear to god, he got me hooked up by his bad boy look. Ang angas ng aura nya; ultimo malanding subconscious ko naangasahan sa kanya as if it was telling me to do unfathomable sin. Ahaha.

Good thing we crossed path out the gate. Niyaya ko muna si Buknoy sa aking tambayan – ang Starbucks. Ilang taon na akong suki ng branch na to hindi ko pa rin matutunang buksan ng mag-isa ang pinto. Inutil. I saw worry creeping up his face as he might have thought I’ll let him pay. His confession na wala syang dalang enough money for that day was funny but at the same time nakakakilig kasi I can really tell he will do so if he has the money. But that’s not the reason kung bakit kami nakaupo dun sa favorite place ko near the window, ni hindi rin ako mag-aatubiling kumuha ng bill sa aking wallet dahil I brought what Buknoy brought the first time we hang out – sounds safer than date, isn’t it? I really hate to assume it was a date because at that time we barely know each other. I stuck all of them – the stainless container, the styrocups complete with logos I made during the boring weekend, four sachets of 3 in 1 (in case he asked for another cup), inside my Tuscany bag. It’s so thoughtful of him to carry my bag for me on the way to the place probably sensed na mas mabigat pa sa akin ang pinapasan-pasan ko.

He can’t stop displaying that infectious smile he got when I asked him what kopiko would he like even after stirring. Naalala ko lang talaga ang bagay na to while having a breakfast with my as usual busy parents – so busy I can’t remember them dropping me in school by themselves. After that good chitchat we had I could say, successful ang method ko ng pagbawi. So I was on my way walking back to school while Buknoy’s striding opposite direction ( I thought) until I got the feeling someone’s eyeing me. Makailang lingon na rin ang ginawa ko, at last [I] got him at last.

“Lumabas ka na nga dyang unggoy ka!” sigaw ko sa kanya dun sa posteng kanyang pinagtataguan. “Akala ko ba uuwi ka na!?”

“Ano ganon lang yun!?” tanong nya mula dun sa poste. “Wala pa nga akong goodbye kiss eh!” may dinagdag sya kaso masyadong mahina para umabot sa aking pandinig. Nonetheless, nagsimula na uli akong maglakad hanggang sa maglaglag ang kalangitan ng malalaking patak ng ulan. Sa dinami-dami ng pinaglalagay kong mga kagamitan sa aking bag yun pang payong ko ang aking nakalimutan. Okay lang sana kung may masisilungan e kaso wala. Boyset. Hayan no choice kundi tumakbo ang nagmamalanding Eva Fonda. Hanggang sa maramdaman ko na lang ang kamay ni Buknoy na nasa aking balikat, pulling me close to him while placing his bag over me.

“Buknoy mababasa bag mo!” I exclaimed.

“Ang bag ko waterproof. Ikaw, hindi.” He reasoned.

“E ikaw kala mo waterproof ka!? Takbo na tayo para di ka na lalong mabasa!” sabi ko habang patuloy naman sa paglakas ang ulan.

“Mas gusto ko pang mabasa kaysa ikaw ang mabasa. Atsaka wag na tayong tumakbo, madulas ang kalsada. Maglakad na lang tayo ng parang nasa Luneta.”

Sige Buknoy  kaw na makata! Wag lang sanang apakan, buhok kong pagkahaba! Uh! Break it down yo! Ahaha! Nababaliw na ako. Eiji duhh!? Who wouldn’t!? E ikaw ba naman yakapin ni Mr. Papable/ Huggable ewan ko na lang kung manatili ka pa sa katinuan. Ultimo yung scent nya nagdi-diffuse pataas bagay na nagpasidhi ng aking damdamin. Taena! Kung bakit ba kasi may mga ganitong klase ng lalaki e. Deym! At sa awa naman ng Maykapal, matapos ang paglalakad sa Luneta, nakakita na kami ng sisilungan –  just near the school to see and hear my service.