Gunita [EDITING]

nueve

"Uno." I knew for a fact that the awkwardness that I've been feeling few minutes ago was already evident on my tone. I don't even know what's up with him! Pakiramdam ko kapag may nakakita sa'ming paparazzi dito, pi-picture-an na kaagad kami tapos we're already paving way as headliners. Paulit-ulit ko siyang tinawag, but still, to no avail—he was still busy looking for books on the same place. Pakiramdam ko kabisado na niya lahat ng mga libro sa shelf.

Goodness.

"Do you plan to stand on the same spot the whole day, Uno?" I asked, hoping to knock some senses into him—and finally, binitiwan niya rin ang kamay ko. Napangiwi na lang ako sa kaniya.

"Bakit ka nandito?" Napakunot naman ang noo ko dahil sa sinabi niya.

"Bawal?"

"Bawal ding magtanong? You should even be thankful that I'm asking."

Ah—and just when I thought that the arrogant vocalist of one of the bands that I love is already gone... suddenly, he's back.

You really are unpredictable, Uno Sanchez.

But of course, I don't let my guards down.

Natawa na lang ako sa sinabi niya, "You're talking to the Vice President's granddaughter," I said. "Not just anybody."

Uno shrugged his shoulders and brought back the books he got from the shelf, "Spare time?"

"You're not going to buy?" I asked out of curiosity. Ang dami niya kasing kinuha, tapos ibinalik niya lang din sa shelf.

Uno smiled out of mockery, "Interested?"

Napailing na lang ako at pinitik ang noo niya, "Asa," I said before leaving him and went straight to the section were Medical books were stacked. Our family doctor visits us often kaya nagtanong na rin ako ng kung ano'ng pwedeng kunin na libro. There were few available books base on the list that she gave me kaya kinuha ko na rin 'yung iba.

Okay.

Mabigat.

"Thought you needed my help." Napakunot naman ang noo ko no'ng lumapit sa akin si Uno. I even wanted to touch his forehead! Feeling ko nilalagnat 'to nang matindi—bigla na lang bumabait, nakakaloka.

"Nasaniban ka ba?"

Uno didn't even budge, kinuha niya na lang 'yung mga hawak kong libro at dumiretso sa counter. Agad naman akong sumunod, "May utang ka sa'kin," sambit nito habang naglalabas ng pera sa wallet niya. Napairap na lang ako, pero natawa na lang nang palihim since ang daming nakatitig sa'min.

"Sino ba kasing nagsabing ikaw magbayad?"

Uno shrugged his shoulders and carried the books hanggang sa makalabas kami. Tinawag ko na lang si Gio para kunin 'yung mga libro at ilagay sa van bago ko hinila si Uno papasok sa isang café.

"Americano?" I asked. Tumango na lang si Uno bago umupo. I was about to fall in line since medyo maraming tao, pero nagulat na lang ako nang hawakan niya ang kamay ko.

Oh my god. . . why. . .

"Ako na bibili."

Napairap naman ako, "Ayoko ng utang."

Uno stood up, still not letting go of my hand, "I know," he said, finally letting go of my hand. I insisted on giving him my black card, but he keeps on rejecting it—ano ba talagang trip niya!?

Kaunti na lang, masasapak ko na siya.

Five minutes have passed when Uno came back holding a tray. Pinaningkitan ko siya ng mata nang ilapag niya 'yung tray. Feeling ko nga kailangan ko nang magpa-check-up. I keep on seeing him smile for a few seconds! Pakiramdam ko araw-araw na lang ako magha-hallucinate kapag kasama ko siya.