A Hope to Lose (Friend Series #2)

Chapter 6

Seeing the sticker he has sent made me draw my lips together at sides. It was a puppy again. The last sticker he sent was a brown puppy with a word 'hey'. And now, it was a black-and-white puppy with a caption 'talk?'.

I keyed in a message.

Hope Almendarez: You seemed to love puppy.

I pulled my fingers using my other hand while looking at my phone on the coffee table. I quickly grasped it when it dinged.

Harvey de Silva: Puppy? Ikaw 'yan.

I sinked my teeth into my lip after reading his reply. Mabilis akong nagtipa ng mensahe, kagat-kagat ang pang-ibabang labi.

Hope Almendarez: Do you need anything?

Harvey de Silva: May naiwan ka sa kotse ko.

Kumunot ang noo ko sa kanyang huling mensahe. I tried to remember if I have things that's missing. Wala naman akong maalala.

I received another message from him.

Harvey de Silva: Ano? Itapon ko na lang?

Itapon? Hindi pa nga niya nako-confirm kung akin ba talaga iyon. 'Tsaka hindi ko naman alam kung akin ba talaga 'yon. How sure is he?

Harvey de Silva: Sa'yo 'to. Ikaw lang ang babaeng nakasakay sa kotse buong linggo kaya sa'yo 'yon.

Harvey de Silva: Ano? Itapon ko na lang?

I heaved a sigh before I keyed in another message.

Hope Almendarez: Don't. Hand it back to me. Tomorrow. After my last period in the afternoon. 5:30.

I waited for his reply but it didn't come kaya ginawa ko na lang ang homeworks ko. My parents weren't at home so I'm only with Kuya and some of our helps. Ang ilan kasi ay day off ngayon kaya kalahati lamang silang nandito ngayon.

"Bili ka na lang ng bago. Marami ka namang pera." sabi ni Lav sa akin habang Flag Ceremony nang mag Lunes.

I really don't need a new phone. I still have my backup phone though it's not good as my broken phone but I think I will survive. I could research there and install important apps.

"Harvey de Silva reacted to your story."

I breathe laboriously when Lav said it again. Hindi ko na mabilang sa daliri kung ilang beses na niyang sinabi ang pangungusap na 'yon sa araw na 'to.

"Spill the beans, Missy."

"I have nothing to spill."

"Really?"

"Really." I huffed and turned my eyes away from her. Bakit ba ang tagal ng next prof namin?

"Bakit parang may something?" she insisted.

"Walang something Lav."

"Nahulog mo nga cellphone mo dahil nakita mo 'yong pangalan niya!"

"You startled me that's why I accidentally dropped my phone into the sink."

"Phone lang ba 'yong na-fell?" she teased.

"Don't make it a big deal as if you never receive reactions from boys every time you post a story."

"Eh sa'kin hindi nangyayari ang mga katangahang ganyan. Hindi pa nahuhulog cellphone ko sa palangganang may tubig kapag nakakatanggap ng notification galing sa boys. Eh ikaw?"

Lav is so stubborn as a kid. Kahit anong paliwanag ko ay ayaw niya akong paniwalaan. I was thankful when our prof came and we became busy with our lesson. Sunod-sunod iyon hanggang sa natapos ang huling period namin ngayong araw. Bumalik lang ang pang-aasar niya sa'kin nang makita niya akong naglabas ng powder at liptint.

"Ay, pauwi na tayo, nagpapaganda pa rin?" tukso niya sa'kin habang siya ay inaayos ang strap ng kanyang bag. Hindi pa tuluyang nakakalabas ang buong block dahil sa kanya-kanyang gawain kahit pa tapos na ang last period namin ngayong araw.

"I always do this, Lav." I said and put some powder on my face.

"Ay, Miko ang bunso natin nagdadalaga na!" she shouted.

Miko together with our guy blockmates was playing an online game on their phones. They're ten steps farther from us.

I stopped putting color on my right cheek. Well, it's not just me. The whole class stopped from doing their own things when Lav shouted. Even Miko stopped from tapping his phone rapidly and stared at our direction.

"Ayieeeee!" the class teased them. I smiled widely when Miko coughed hard. Si Dan na na nasa kanyang tabi ay tinatapik-tapik ang likod niya.

I joined my blockmates teasing my two best friends. I smiled at Lav. I know she meant different but whoever would hear her sentence would think different too! Kahit sa akin ay iba ang dating ng sinabi niya kahit alam ko naman na ang tinutukoy niya ay ako ang bunso sa aming tatlo.

"Ay tang ina niyo!"

We all laughed when she cursed out loud. But it died down promptly when we saw the Student Council standing at the doorway of our classroom! They're probably doing their daily round!

France was there looking at us with creased forehead. I almost forgot that he's the SC Vice President of today's administration.

He must've heard Lav cursed!

I kept my powder and tint inside my bag. Umupo ako ng maayos nang pumasok siya sa loob ng classroom kasama ang iba pang SC.

"What's with the commotion?" he asked. Hands in his pockets, eyes landing at each one of us. He looks like a strict professor.

"Who did the cursing?"

Walang nagsalita sa amin pero ang tingin ng blockmates ko kay Lav ay sapat na para ituro siya. Isang mabilis na sulyap ang iginawad ni France kay Lav saka siya nagsalita.

"Escort her to the Office of the Disciplinarian." utos niya sa isa sa mga kasama niya saka siya lumabas ng classroom.

Isang malalim na buntong-hininga ang aking pinakawalan nang makaalis si France.

"Sino 'yon?" maangas na tanong ni Lav.

Tiningnan ko siya na ngayon ay nagtatapang-tapangan na kung saan nakalabas na si France.

"That's France Cortes, si Vice, soon to be Pres." sagot ni Devi na ngayon ay nasa tabi ko na at pinaglalaruan ang buhok kong nakalugay.

"Chem Eng, Third Year. 'Di mo kilala?" tanong ni Peachy na kay Lav naman tumabi.

May lumapit kay Lav na isang Student Council, ang inutusan ni France na dalhin siya sa Disciplinarian. Sumama naman si Lav na halatang napipilitan.

"Sabihin mo roon, tangina niya ha." rinig kong bulong ni Lav sa Student Council na dumampot sa kanya. Napailing na lamang ako habang tinitingnan ang lumalayong kaibigan. Hindi talaga ito natatakot.

Bumagsak ang tingin ko sa cellphone. Napasinghap ako nang makitang six na!

Harvey de Silva: Sa tapat na ako ng building niyo.

Harvey de Silva: Ang tagal.

Harvey de Silva: Sa coffee shop na lang sa labas ng univ. Tapat ng central.

Mabilis akong nagpaalam sa mga kaibigan at tinakbo ang corridor at hagdan pababa ng gusali. Sumakay ako ng jeep palabas ng campus dahil may kalayuan ang College Building namin sa main entrance ng St. Joseph. Pagkababa ko sa gate ay tinakbo ko na lang ang coffee shop na tinutukoy niya sa kanyang mensahe. Kaagad ko siyang nakita sa loob ng shop nakaupo sa isa sa mga mesa.

I took a deep breath before I pushed the glass door. The chimes clinked. Must be the reason why he turned his head to take a look at my post.

"I'm sorry, I'm late." I said and slid in the chair across from him.

He slid a small plastic over the table. Bumagsak ang tingin ko roon. My forehead creased when I stared at it. I know it's mine but is he serious? Ito ang ibabalik niya?

"Uh," I looked at him, I really don't know what to say.

"Sa'yo 'yan 'di ba?"

Umangat ang tingin ko sa kanya. My brows furrowed while he has this grin on his face.

"Yes but do you really have to give it back to me? You could have thrown it away."

"Tinanong kita kung itatapon ko ba? Sabi mo ibalik ko sa'yo."

"Yes I said that but you should have told me earlier what I left in your car was just a strand of my hair." I said and get the small plastic where a strand of my curly hair was in it.

"Hindi ka naman nagtanong." he is now pinching his lower lip with his fingers.

I narrowed my eyes. "Pinagtitripan mo ba ako?"

"Hindi." mabilis niyang agap.

Huminga ako ng malalim at tiningnan siya ng direkta sa mata. This needs to be talked.

"I know you hate me. Remember?" I said trying to bring that incident I've buried a long time ago. Na ngayon ay kailangan kong hukayin dahil sa madalas naming pagkikita nitong mga nakaraan. Also, includes the stickers he sent nitong mga nakaraan na araw at kanina. What does that mean?

I find him very strange. Yes, he's friendly and approachable but not to me. He hates me to the brim. Right?

"Wala akong natatandaan na sinabi ko 'yon."

"You don't have to say it out loud. Your actions speak for it. You're mad at me because I was always picking on you... Pati sa mga kaibigan mong babae... Remember? Muntik ko nang mabuhusan ng kape si Step. I sabotaged Rain's schoolwork and then, I almost had you in an accident." I whispered and looked down when I remember that day. His rage at me that day was tremendous.

When I darted my eyes at him, I saw how his Adam's apple moved up and down.

"Aaminin ko, pikon ako sa'yo at bata˗"

"Hindi ako bata. I'm turning eighteen this year. I'm not a kid anymore." I blurted it out loud, a bit irritated.

He pressed his lips together. He stuck the tip of his tongue out, sliding it back and forth on his lower lip. Nang pilit na kumakawala ang ngiti ay kinagat na niya ang pang-ibabang labi para ikubli ito. He's doing all that while nodding her head.

"Noon. Bata ka pa noon, hindi na ngayon because you're turning eighteen this year." he said copying my words and my enunciation as well.

"I'm nearly eighteen so I'm not a girl anymore." ulit ko para hindi niya makalimutan. "And you even had the audacity to ask and assume of my age before. You ranged it from twelve to thirteen when I was already fifteen that time." Hindi ko mapigilang makaramdam ng inis habang inaalala ko ang araw na iyon.

Ngayon ay tuluyan na siyang natawa. "Pasensya na. Parang twelve years old ka lang kasi sa'kin noon."

"I know you know."

"Know what?" He raised his brow at me.

"That... that I'm just two years younger than you." Saad ko at umiwas ng tingin sa kanya.

"Talaga? Hindi ko alam 'yon."

I pulled a tissue paper and crumpled it. I tried to divert my attention to the tissue paper. I feel embarrassed saying that!

Oo nga naman Hope. Ano ang alam niya sa'yo? I supposed that he knows because of our some encounters before. He was there on the day of my moving up where I rendered my speech. I know he was there. He heard my speech. He even questioned my speech when I happened to usher him on his graduation day. Alam niya rin na dito ako nag senior high.

But oh well, there are people who really don't give a thing about you. Not even a single thing.

"Alam mo bang naiinis ako sa'yo noon dahil masyado kang papansin kay France?"

My face redenned when he brought that up all of a sudden. I tried to mask my embarassment with a snobbish look.

"So?"

"Hindi man lang nag-deny." He uttered indistinctly.

"What?"

"Wala."

There's a long silence between us after his 'wala'. Should I go home? Or what? Wala naman na. We're done with our business. He already handed me back what I left. I looked at the small plastic where my strand of hair was. I puckered my lips and tried to remove what I am thinking.

"I'm going home." paalam ko sa kanya at handa nang tumayo hanggang may lumapit sa'min na isang babae..

"Hello po!"

Parehong nabaling ang atensyon namin sa bagong dating. She seemed older than us.

"Puwede pong favor?"

I stared at her, waiting for the favor she's asking.

"Magpo-propose po kasi ang boyfriend ng friend ko sa kanya rito. May papasok pong babae mamaya na naka-red dress, lalapit lang po kayo sa kanya isa-isa at ibibigay po ito." the girl said and gave me a red rose with a card.

"I'm˗" I was about to protest to the lady but she already walked away and went to the center of the shop. It's already 6:30! Paniguradong naghihintay na sa'kin si Kuya!

"Thank you po sa cooperation!" she shouted.

I scanned the insides of the coffee shop. Every girl is holding a fresh red rose with a card pinned on its stem while boys are holding a balloon with a card as well on its stick. I looked up to see the red balloon he's holding now.

I chuckled staring at the balloon. Dahil doon ay napatingin siya sa akin.

"Bakit?" kunot-noong tanong niya.

Umiling lamang ako at ngumiti habang tinitingnan ang balloon. Tumingin din siya roon at nagpakawala ng mura nang may maalala. Hindi ko mapigilang pakawalan ang mahinang tawa habang tinitingnan siya.

"You must have known by now how to use pumps." tukoy ko sa bomba para sa mga balloon.

"Matagal ko nang alam." Mariin niyang sabi na ikinangiti ko lang.

The lady instructed us what we'll do. Tuluyan ko nang nakalimutan ang naghihintay na kapatid dahil sa gagawin.

I'm a bit excited and nervous of what will happen later. Will the girl say yes? I hope so.

This isn't my first time to be used in this kind of proposal or surprises. Ilang beses na akong naging audience o kasabwat sa mga ganitong pakulo. Kay Ate Sanya, sa mga classmate ko o 'di kaya minsan ay nahihila na lang ako bigla kapag kulang sila sa tao na hahawak ng kung anu-ano. And I'm fine with that. I love seeing smitten people and being a part of one of their best days is an honor to me.

"Oh?" Harvey, talking to someone over the phone caught my attention. "Hindi pa... 'di ko alam kung anong oras ako makakauwi... 'wag mo 'ko madaliin, hindi ako magmamadali para sa'yo... hintayin mo 'ko kung kailan ako makakauwi."

The lady signaled us that the girl's coming. I focused my eyes at the doorway. Kinalabit ako ng katabi ko kaya lumingon ako sa kanya.

"Pahawak muna." He gave me the balloon, he's still on his phone. "'Di ikaw, gago." sabi niya sa kausap sa phone.

"Pero papunta na raw ang babae." Hindi ko mapigilang sabihin.

With that, I heard static sound on his phone. Maging siya ay inilayo sa tenga ang cellphone dahil sa malakas na tunog na iyon.

"Rinig mo 'yon? Busy ako, mamaya ka na." He then ended the call.

He frustratedly brushed his black hair through his fingers.

"Nasaan na ba?" He complained. I silenced him when I already saw the lady in red dress pushing the glass door. The chimes clinked and a sweet mellow music started to play.

The girl gasped. She covered her mouth with her hand as she scanned the entire place, bewildered.

"Psh, parang 'di nakita sa labas." I heard Harvey said. I looked at him, squint-eyed.

"You're ruining the moment." I hissed.

"'Yong arte niya na nagulat, nasobrahan."

The lady signaled him that he's next to give a balloon to the girl.

"It's your turn." sabi ko at mahina siyang itinulak dahil parang ayaw pa niyang pumunta sa babae kahit na turn na niya para magbigay ng balloon. I followed after him. I smiled at the girl while giving her the rose.

"Thank you."

She's crying. Something in my chest flickered as I glanced at her for a second.

After we all give the balloons and roses, a man in suit holding a bouquet of flowers appeared. The shop was filled with giddy squeals and laughter from the audience when the guy bent his knee in front of the girl.

I pushed Harvey out of giddy because of the romantic sight before my eyes. I only laughed and said my sorry to him. Nakakahiya!

"Kinilig ka na riyan?" he asked.

"Of course!"

"That's not how you propose."

I stared at him with creased forehead.

"Kung ako sa babae hindi ko 'yan sasagutin." pagpapatuloy niya sa sinasabi habang tinitingnan ang magkasintahan na soon-to-be-married na. The girl said yes!

"Glad you're not her." I said.

"Hindi mo kailangan ng audience para mag-propose."

Tiningnan ko ang katabi na ngayon ay seryosong nakatingin sa couple.

"Sa mga ganitong pakulo ng mga lalaki, pini-pressure lang nila ang babae. Pa'no kung hindi pa siya handa at napilitan lang na sumagot ng oo dahil ayaw lang niyang mapahiya ang lalaki?"

Well, honestly, I never think of that. Hindi ko naisip na maaari rin palang mapilitan lang ang babae na um-oo dahil ayaw niyang ma-disappoint ang mga manonood at ipahiya ang guy kung tatanggihan niya. I always think of the good end in this kind of proposal.

"Diyan pa lang, makikita mo na agad kung kino-consider ba ng partner mo ang nararamdaman mo, ang tunay mong opinyon. Iyong walang bahid ng pamimilit galing sa mga taong nakatingin.

"Karamihan kasi sa mga babae ngayon ay takot nang mag-sabi ng tunay nilang nararamdaman dahil sa mga taong nakatingin at nakapaligid sa kanila." he licked his lips and looked at me.

He's right. Hindi ko naisip na maaaring ma-pressure ang babae na magsabi ng yes sa isang marriage proposal dahil sa mga matang nakatingin sa kanya. I didn't know that through public marriage proposal, a girl can make rush decision out of pressure. There's a possibility that she's saying a not so genuine 'yes' to the guy for she's scared to deny him in front of a lot of people. That thought saddened me.

After the proposal, we were invited to come and join them to their after-proposal-party but we both declined. I received three missed calls from Kai. Malamang ay umuusok na ang tenga noon sa kahihintay sa'kin.

"Kaya ikaw, wag kang papadala sa mga ganyang gimik ng boyfriend mo." Wika niya nang makalabas kami sa coffee shop. We were met by the cold wind blows.

I stared at him for a long while. I looked at the ground then to him.

"I don't have one." I said, a bit shy that I don't have a boyfriend. Harvey, expecting that I have a boyfriend made me uncomfortable. Kailangan ba ay mayroon?

He put his hands in his pockets and cocked his brow at me. "Wala ba?"

I shook my head.

He didn't say anything but I saw how his lips crooked and form a smile.

"Mabuti naman dahil bata ka pa." sabi nito at sumulyap sa akin.

Sumimangot ako na ikinahalakhak niya.

"Hindi na ako bata." ulit kong muli.