Best for Us (GU #3)

forty

Forty: Tyler Osmond

NANG magpaalam na ang professor ay dali-dali na akong nag-ayos ng gamit. It must be starting now. Kailangan kong makahabol.

But I was already headed for the door when I heard my name being called. Lumingon ako't nakita si Ethan, ilang hakbang lang mula sa likuran niya'y nakatayo si Simon. I frowned remembering the last time I talked to the latter.

After that, I didn't hear from him. We just acted casually inside the classroom too. It all kind of went like a blur too since we became busy with all the schoolworks. Kaya wala rin akong ideya kung may alam si Ethan tungkol sa nangyari.

But looking at it now, Ethan seemed to be oblivious about it.

"What's up?" I politely asked back.

Ngumiti naman si Ethan. "I'm just wondering if you want to hang out, since tapos na 'yung mga deadlines natin."

"I'm sorry, may pupuntahan ako ngayon eh," agad kong sagot. "Actually, I had to be there right now. So, if you'll excuse me, I'm going first."

Tumango si Ethan at hindi na ako nag-abalang balingan pa ng tingin si Simon at tumalikod pa. But before I could go far, it didn't escape my ear when Simon bad mouthed me. I could go back, really, and confront him. Obviously he got a bad blood on me after the talk that we had.

Pero sadyang mas mahalaga lang ang pupuntahan ko ngayon.

Nang makarating ako sa theater ng College of Music, halos mapuno na iyong mga upuan ng mga tao. Mukhang marami pala talaga ang nag-aabang para dito.

Wala pa namang nagpeperform sa gitna ng stage at mga manonood ay abala pa sa kanya-kanya nilang mga ginagawa. Hindi pa nagsisimula. I just came in time.

I was looking for a vacant seat when someone stopped in front of me. And I didn't have to moved my gaze to know who it is. The perfume. That sickeningly sweet scent was too familiar.

"Here to support me?"

And that sickeningly sweet voice too.

Hinarap ko na siya at nagbalik ng isang tipid na ngiti. "Olivia, hey."

"Just hey?" balik niya sa akin. "It's been a long time since the last time we hang out. Won't I even get a kiss on a cheek or something? For good luck?"

I groaned internally at her words. And if the irritation reflected on my face, I don't know and I don't care. I just don't know where she got the idea that the reason why I came here was her.

And since I don't want her to keep on assuming things, I already decided to break the news for her. "I'm sorry but I didn't come here for you."

"What?" she piped in as her smile faltered. "What are you talking about?"

"You heard me," I started again and kept my eyes on her now confused and dismayed ones. "I—"

"Calling all students who are scheduled for today's audition, you have a minute to line up backstage according to your assigned numbers. We'll be starting the audition shortly."

The sound of the mic being turned off followed that. Bumalik naman ang ngiti sa labi ni Olivia. "That's my cue. Well, I guess I just have to see you later. Cheer for me, Tyler."

At wala na nga akong pagkakataong sumagot dahil naglakad na siya palayo. I just released a deep sigh before finding that vacant seat I was looking for earlier.

Nang makaupo na doon isa sa mga upuan sa may dulong row, inisip ko kung itetext si Vanessa. She clearly told me not to watch her audition. Too many times. Dahil kahit na ilang beses ko na siyang nakitang nag-practice ay iniisip niya pa ring magkakamali siya. At ayaw niyang makita ko iyon.