Something That Will Last

8 // What a Circle of Friends

8 // What a Circle of Friends

After the birthday, I thought people won't be as crazy anymore. Akala ko lang pala, dahil ang event naman ni Lesly ang agad na kasunod.

Apparently, charity Fun Run pala iyon for the children diagnosed with depression. Even at first, the event was automatically a go for me just because it was Lesly's. But after I knew what it was actually for, I'd be honored to participate even if it's owned and arranged by someone else.

"Les, what's the white shirt for anyway? Diba may provided na kayo na shirt for the people who will run?" tanong ni Cara.

Kakatapos lang ng mga klase namin ngayong araw. During Wednesdays, magkakasabay ang tapos ng last courses namin. So if we have anything to plan out, rant about, or chismis to personally share, then you know it, it's all going to happen today, a Wednesday.

"Iyong white shirts ay gagawing canvas ng mga bata. They will paint on it while you run. Then after, they will give it to you guys as a commemorative shirt," Lesly explained.

"What, that's so cute!" kumento ni Cara sa matinis na boses na dala ng excitement.

"Yup! By the way, there are still a couple of slots left. Kung may kakilala kayo, please please encourage them to join."

Napatigil sa paglalakad si Cara. Like, she just abruptly stopped. Kaya kami ni Lesly, nagtatakang tumigil din para hintayin siya. We're looking back at her, on the lookout till she gets back to reality.

"Cars?" tawag ni Lesly.

"Hmm," Cara hummed out loud while she gathered her thoughts. Her eyes were even rolled upwards as her forehead creased. "I'm just curious. Friends na ba natin officially si Jerrick?"

Nagkatinginan kami ni Lesly for a good five seconds. Siya, naka-recover na. Ako... I didn't think I ever could.

Really? That's what she was just thinking about?

I looked back at Cara. She's really waiting for an answer. Me, not knowing what to say, I just blinked, and blinked, and blinked.

Tumawa si Cara dahil siguro sa hitsura ko. Naglakad na ulit siya. Kinawit niya iyong braso niya sa akin para maisama ako sa paglalakad. Maybe because she knew that I wouldn't recover from that out of the blue question easily.

"I mean, si Kurt gets ko pa na acquaintance lang since his role is only to pick up and drop his best friend at Mostaccio."

"Hindi pa rin naman natin kilala nang ganon si Jerrick. Well, that's besides the rumors, if we aren't going to consider them," sabi ni Les kasabay ng pagkibit niya ng balikat.

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Just how much rumor you two know about him?"

Sila naman ang nagkatinginan bago sabay na tumawa. Umiling-iling pa si Cara na tila hindi makapaniwala sa akin.

I'm already hearing Jerrick's name even before Jules told me her story of him. Pero noon ay wala naman akong pakialam sa kanya. Kapag may mga tea naman na pinaguusapan iyang dalawa, pasok at labas lang sa magkabila kong tainga. Maybe I heard it, but I didn't bother to comprehend.

"Interested ka na ba? Baka mawindang ka, sunshine?" panunukso ni Lesly. Sa tabi ko naman ay hindi mapigilan ni Cara ang hagikhik niya.