Kabanata 4
Kabanata 4
OH, my God? Oh, my God? Oh, my God!
"Ayos ka lang, Daru?" Napatalon ako, sumusulyap kay Adira sa aking tabi.
"Huh? Well, yeah." Tumikhim ako at ngumiti sa kanya.
"Tagal mo ro'n, ah? Madami bang tao sa banyo?" Halos atakihin ako sa puso nang dumungaw din sa akin si Sibyl at nagtanong.
"A-ah, kanina..." I chuckled awkwardly. "Kainis nga, eh. Ihing-ihi na ako."
"Sayang, magre-retouch sana ako," ani Sibyl at ngumiti. "Thanks, Darsh."
I nodded. Ang mga pinsan kong nasa kolehiyo na ay nag-order ng drinks na iinumin nila samantalang kami ay simpleng juice lang. Well, it's okay with me since I'm just seventeen, next year naman na kapag debut ko, Papa allowed me to go to bars na basta I'm with my cousins.
Wine lang ang p'wede kong inumin at mostly occasionally lang.
I sipped on my juice, my eyes moving back to the door and shaking my head, my cheek still warm with my stupidity.
Damn it! I can still remember how embarrassed I was na tinakbuhan ko sila na parang tanga! Oh, gosh! The moment his call ended with his mother at nahuli kong nakanganga lang sa akin ang kapatid niya ay dali-dali ko silang sinalisihan.
I did my best and ran as fast as I could away from them like an idiot. I was positive they were looking my way as I ran pero wala na akong pakialam at nagmamadaling tumakbo na lang dito palabas!
"Bakla, oh." Scira offered me foods kaya tumango ako at inilahad din ang plato ko.
"Kuya Zy! Where are my gummy bears?" ani Zire.
"Chiel, saan ka galing?" napasulyap ako kay Kuya Deion at nakita kong nasa may likuran ko si Kuya, galing ata sa loob.
"Sa loob lang." He chuckled a bit and glanced at her sister. "Crest, nasa loob sina Eirene."
"Who's Eirene?" ani Ate Clyte na katabi si Ate Crest.
"Cousin," Kuya asked with a playful smile. "Mother side," ani Kuya at nag-usap na silang dalawa ni Ate Crest bago nagpaalam na kukumustahin daw ang mga pinsang iba nila.
"Hoy, bakla..." Kalabit ko kay Scira na nasa tabi ko at kumukuha ng pictures para daw sa kanyang Instagram.
"Hmm?" She hummed and glanced at me, binaba niya ang kamay na may hawak na phone at hinawi ang kanyang maiksing buhok, parehas sila ng hairstyle ni Zire na abala sa pag-nguya ng gummy bears niya.
"You see, what if...you like someone?" I asked, making sure no one could hear it but us.
"And?" She asked, mas mukhang naging interesante na sa tanong ko.
"And...that someone you like would uhm..." Paano ko ba 'to sasabihin? "Would like to ask you to be his girlfriend?"
I saw how my cousin's eyes widen, napaayos siya ng upo roon at ngumanga.
"Y-you mean, Brandon asked you out?!" Suminghap pa siya kaya kinurot ko siya para tumahimik.
Zire glanced our way, nakita ko ang panliliit ng mata niya habang ngumunguya ng gummies niya.
"May secret ba kayo sa 'kin?" She asked kaya mabilis kaming napaayos ng upo ni Scira at umiling sa kanya.
"Wala, ah!" I exclaimed and she nodded, still looking suspicious.
"'Di ako naniniwala, chika n'yo sa akin mamaya!" Tinuro niya kaming dalawa ni Scira. My cousin glanced at me, kaya tumango na ako, nangingiti.
"Alright, alright," I said. "Mamaya sa group chat. Sabihin ko sa 'yo."
She grinned, showing me a thumbs-up bago muling binalingan ang kinakain niya.
"So, ano nga?" Scira called kaya bumaling ako sa kanya at tumikhim.
"It's not Brandon, uhm, pero paano if you like someone and he said he wants you to be his girlfriend or...offered you to be one?"
Napaisip si Scira bago tumango, humahalukipkip.
"I see...do you like him?" baling niya at walang pagdadalawang-isip akong tumango.
"Well, yes?" I answered. "So much, I like him so much."
"Then, if you think you can do it, maybe you give it a chance," she said, making my heart jump.
"You...think it'll be worth it?"
She shrugged at me and smiled.
"Well, we cannot say unless we try, right? It's okay, I think if you want it then, give it a try. Everything starts when you try, you just can't conclude things and expect it'll be good or not kung hindi mo pa man nasusubukan talaga."
I nodded and sighed, smiling at her. "Thanks, Scira. That helped me a lot."
"No worries," she chirped, ang medyo matalim niyang itim na mata ay ngumiti rin. "Sino ba 'yan, huh? Hindi si Brandon?"
I shook my head at her.
"Oh, you mean, 'yong individual crush mo?" anlaki pa ang mata niya kaya nahihiya man ay tumango ako.
"Oo, 'yong main crush." I hid my smile.
"Bongga talaga at may hierarchy ang mga crush," bigla siyang tumawa sa akin. "Kayo na talaga si Zire, Darsh. Kayo na!"
"Edi mag-crush ka na rin kasi ng marami," I even encourage her. "Masaya kaya, daming pogi. Nagbibilangan nga kami ng crush ni Zire tuwing umaga. Paramihan ng unang makikita."
She chuckled and shook her head at me.
"Nah, maybe next time. Okay na ako kay Brandon na group crush natin. If I were to like someone that intense, gusto ko 'yong kayang makipagsabayan sa trip ko sa buhay."
"Like?" I asked.
"Like...someone who'll understand if I have whims at times. You see, they say I am a perfectionist even if I am really not. They just assumed I am kaya siguro ayan at nadadala ko na rin. Medyo...alam ko na alam mo na 'to pero madalas reklamo ng mga nanligaw sa akin na maldita raw ako. So, I want someone who'll become my buddy in terms of anything, a man who understands my attitude, mga kayang makisabay sa facial, kikay things. Someone who can even buy me a new shade of lipstick." She winked.
Natawa na ako sa tipo niya, kakaiba talaga itong pinsan kong ito at sobrang pili.
"Wala naman atang gano'n, Scira." Natawa na ako. "Anong gusto mo? Kasama sa facial at lipstick pa?"
"Oo, s'yempre." She grinned at me. "Si Kuya Deion kasi napakaarte, nagpabili ako ng shade ng lipstick no'ng nakaraan iba ang kulay na binigay sa akin, sabi niya same naman daw pero hindi!"
"Then, okay lang sa'yo na mag-boyfriend ng...let's say, gay?" I asked and she thought of it for a while and shrugged at me.
"Who knows? Maybe? Kung kayang ipaglaban at love ako, why not? What matters to me is a man's substance, bonus na lang kapag pogi, Darsh. I don't care if they're straight, or bi or anything. Siguro maarte nga talaga pero wala, eh. That's my preference. If my future would be gay, okay with me. Pero s'yempre dapat loyal sa akin if ever? Ayaw ko namang pag-awayan pa namin kasi nagseselos ako sa lalaki sa halip na sa babae, 'di ba?" Nagkatawanan kami at doon na sumingit si Zire na energized na dahil tapos nang lumamon ng pagkain niya.
"Ikaw, Zire, anong tipo mo sa lalaki?" I asked. She grinned and winked.
"Kahit ano basta kaya akong bigyan ng gummy bears!" Tawa niya kaya natawa na rin kaming dalawa ni Scira.
"Pero ano, s'yempre 'yong gentleman? Kasi dalagang Filipina ako, eh." Pahabol pa niya at inilagay ang tikwas ng buhok sa likod ng tainga kaya nag-apir kami.
"Hoy, narinig ko, anong tipo-tipo 'yan?" Biglang agaw ni Kuya Zion ng pansin naming tatlo kaya natahimik kami.
Kuya Deion glanced at us curiously with his hawk eyes, si Kuya Macky na kakaupo lang din para humabol ay napabaling sa amin kaya natigilan kaming tatlo.
"May boyfriend na kayo? Aba, bawal 'yan—" Kuya Zion lectured, tumayo pa at namaywang sa amin pero nahila siya ni Sibyl kaya naupo ito bigla.
"Pagpasensyahan n'yo na..." Sibyl smirked a bit.
Our brothers are eyeing us kaya para kaming mababait na batang umiling-iling. I can notice Kuya Macky's eyes kaya nginitian ko siya para makitang good girl talaga ako.
"Hindi, bawal pa nga mag-boyfriend, sumbong kita Zirena kay Daddy Pogi—"
"Ganyan ba epekto nang nabasted, Zy?" biglang humagalpak si Kuya Chiel kaya bumusangot si Kuya Zion.
Mas nagtawanan sila, miski ang mga babae.
Nabasted ang Kuya?
"Sinong na-basted? Walang nabasted dito!" Laban ni Kuya Zion, medyo nakainom na. "Sa gwapo kong 'to—"
"Come on, Kuya, why don't you just beg her to take you?" ani Sibyl doon. "Madami pa namang girls but if you want her, then ask for her."
"Why would I beg?" ani Kuya Zion kaya nagkatinginan kami nina Zire. Si Zire ay ngumuso lang at ngumuya na naman ng gummies niya.
"S'yempre, tungaw, gusto mo siya," ani Kuya Macky.
"I won't beg," ani Kuya Zion na tumayo pa. "Because to beg is water..." bigla siyang ngumisi at ginalaw ang balakang niya roon habang nakataas ang isang baso ng alak kaya napailing na ako, kasabay ng tawa mula sa mga pinsan ko.
"Sino 'yan? Hindi ko 'yan kapatid," tinakpan ni Sibyl ang kanyang mukha.
"Nice one, Gwapo!" hirit ni Zire at nagthumbs-up sa kapatid, humahagalpak.
I followed Scira and Zire's advice for me, aniya'y kailangan ko raw sumubok kung gusto ko. I could decide along the way if it's good or bad for me. I asked the both of them to keep it a secret, ayos na rin na hindi nila alam ang pangalan no'ng crush na sinasabi ko at kahit papaano'y mas panatag ako.
That night, I tried searching for Chance's social media account but to my disappointment, I found nothing, as usual. Maybe wala talaga or iba ang pangalan? I don't know.
I sighed, anong oras na at hindi pa rin ako makatulog dahil sa nangyari kanina.
I don't have any idea why he did that but he said...he said he'd introduce me to his parents! Did he really like me? Pero he said he doesn't like young girls, not that I am saying I am young. I'm mature and I'm almost eighteen!
Kaya kinabukasan ay hindi ko alam kung excited ako at kinakabahan. The driver's in the front seat at magkatabi kami ng Kuya. My brother's been eyeing me for a while now we're kaya pa-simple akong sumisilip sa bag para pagtuunan ng pansin ang mga art materials na bigay niya.
"Darshana," he called at halos mahagis ko ang bag ko sa gulat.
"P-po?" Medyo nanginig pa ang boses ko pero tumikhim at ngumiti sa kanya.
His pristine blue eyes were on me, intense and serious. He tilted his head to observe me, reason why a few strands of his messy hair fell on his forehead.
Nakakatakot ang tingin na ganyan dahil pakiramdam ko ay si Papa mismo ang nakatingin sa akin!
"Are you hiding something from me?" he asked and my heart raced. I shook my head.
"Wala, ah!" I shook my head. "Why would I hide something from you?"
"May nanliligaw na ba sa 'yo?" he asked. I was so nervous I was so afraid my heart's jumping out of my throat but I composed myself.
Umiling ako't ngumuso.
"Wala, Kuya!" I answered kasi none naman talaga. "Well, they are a few asking me out pero hindi ako pumayag. I'm a good girl, you know? At saka ang sabi ni Papa bawal pa akong mag-boyfriend kaya I won't."
He stared at me for a while kaya 'di ako nag-iwas to prove my point. We exchanged knowing stares for a while and he nodded, I saw a bit of doubt in his eyes pero medyo nawala at napanatag din siya pagkaraan.
"Siguraduhin mo, Daru," he warned kaya ngumiti ako at naginhawaan.
Lumapit ako at kumapit sa braso niya. I lifted my head to kiss his cheek.
"Opo, Kuya. Bait talaga ng Kuya Macky ko, salamat sa art materials!" I cheered happily. He relaxed, kissing my head and messing with my hair.
"You really know how to melt me, huh?" he hummed. "Be a good girl, okay?"
Naghiwalay lang kami ni Kuya pagkarating sa university, he went to the College department while I went to the High School building. Pagkapasok ko pa lang ay hinanap kaagad ng mata ko si Chance but he wasn't there so I went to my room.
Doon ako pumwesto sa may bintana para abangan sana kung nasa may tapat siya sa kabilang section but he wasn't there.
"Lis," I called. Kinalabit ko ang classmate.
"Bakit, Darsh?" she asked.
"Uh, nakita mo ba si gwapo d'yan sa may tapat kanina?" I asked. Her forehead creased.
"Gwapo? Sino? Si Kuya Chance?" aniya.
"Oo, si Chance—" I saw her eyes widen, "I mean si Kuya Chance."
"Hindi, eh," aniya. "Pero ang kapatid niya nand'yan, nakita ko kanina."
Bigla akong naging interesante. I remembered that girl, Rene. 'Yong kasama niya sa resto. I know he has a sibling same as my year level pero 'di ko naman expected na 'yon ang kasama niya kagabi!
"Uh, about this sister..." I started. "Rene, right?"
"Oo," she answered. "Bakit?"
"Uhm, how old is she?" I asked. Napaisip siya.
"I am not sure pero kasi, she's delayed, I think. Nagkasakit ata noon, hindi ko alam kung ano talagang nangyari but I think she's twenty now or something."
I slowly nodded. Miski ako ay hindi sigurado kung nakita ko na ba or nakasalubong man lang si Rene noon, maybe dahil hindi naman talaga ako mahilig mag-observe sa paligid ko?
Pero nasaan na si Chance?
The whole day, I didn't even see him. Bagsak ang balikat ko papalabas ng classroom, hinahawi pa ang buhok ko at disappointed.
"Oh, hi!" Nagulat ako nang may nagsalita, I shifted my gaze and my eyes widened when I saw Rene beside me.
Sister-in-law!
"H-hi!" Medyo napatakip pa ako nang bibig nang halos pumiyok na ako sa gulat. "I mean, hi, Rene."
When she smiled, her eyes glistened. Malambing ang mga mata niya at mukha naman siyang friendly at mabait kaya napangiti na rin ako.
"Darshana, right?" She asked. I slowly nodded, nagsabay kaming maglakad kaya niyakap ko ang libro ko ng mahigpit.
"Yes," I answered, medyo kinakabahan pa dahil kasabay ko ang kapatid ni Chance.
"Nawala ka kagabi, ah? Hindi man lang nakapag-usap kasi nagulat kami tumakbo ka," aniya at nag-init ang pisngi ko sa hiya pero sumagot.
"Uh, ano kasi...uhm, naihi ako kaya gano'n. Puno ang CR kaya..." I know how lame my explanation is pero nakita ko ang pagtango niya at ngiti.
"Hmm, Kuya's not here, may ipapasang requirements sa Masters," she told me kaya nanlaki ang mata ko ng bahagya pero tumango.
"Gano'n ba?" I chuckled a bit. "Hindi ko alam kasi."
"I see..." She nodded. I noticed how matured is by the way she talks pero no'ng sa restaurant ay bibong-bibo at mukhang sobrang saya.
I wonder anong pinag-usapan nila?
"Ilang taon ka na?" She suddenly asked kaya lumingon ako.
"I'm turning eighteen," I told her and I saw her eyes widen. Pinasadahan niya ako ng tingin, medyo nailang pa ako noong una, lalo na no'ng napatakip siya ng bibig.
"Really?!" She exclaimed like she was hearing something unbelievable.
"B-bakit?" I asked, nervous of what she's thinking of me pero bigla siyang ngumisi sa akin.
"Nothing! I just...wow! You're just seventeen, right? You don't look like it to me! Parang magka-edad tayo, and look! Halos magka-height tayo, ah!"
"You mean...uhm, I don't look young, right?"
"Not really, akala ko nga we're the same age. You're tall too! Sa bagay, you're a beauty queen," namamangha niyang sagot at miski ako'y gulantang din na alam niya.
"Ay, hindi naman." I shook my head. "Ano, bago pa lang naman ako sa mga pageant."
"But it runs in the blood, right?" he smiled. "I found out your grandma is a beauty queen? Miss Universe? Don't think I'm so creepy, ah! I mean, I was just stalking your social media last night because you know? Madalang lang talaga na may gusto si Kuya kaya..."
Gusto? Oh my God! So, he really likes me?!
"Well, yes..." I said, nag-iinit ang pisngi sa narinig. "But I'm still trying my best for pageants. Bago pa lang kasi kaya..."
"It amazed me, Darshana." Binalingan ko siya roon. "Since Kuya Chance is a bit conservative and a kind of oldies at times."
"What do you mean?" kuryoso kong tanong.
"He's you know? Lolo at times? Parang huli sa uso." She chuckled a bit. "And it shocked me because you're still young...no offense meant since you're really beautiful and I like you for my brother but, nagulat ako kasi girlfriend ka niya? I actually thought he likes women his age or at least, he's considering one that comes near his age."
It got me more curious.
"Bakit? Ilang taon na ba talaga siya?" I asked.
Nangunot ang noo niya, gulat. "You didn't know?"
"I did!" I exclaimed, tumingin pa sa paligid at nakitang dinaanan lang ako ng ibang kaklase. "I just...I forgot about it." I smiled at her.
Nakita ko ang pagtataka sa mata niya pero tumango sa akin. "Sa pagkakaalala mo ba, ilan? What do you think is his age?"
"U-uh, by his looks and kung tama ang pagkakaalala ko, he's maybe twenty-four or something?"
"What?" She blurted, sounding skeptical. "I know Kuya looks so young, gwapo kasi at kahawig talaga ng Papa namin pero he's older than that."
I opened my mouth to speak but someone called Rene. Natigilan kaming dalawa roon at nakita kong bumaling sa akin si Rene at ngumiti.
"Anyway, I have to go." She smiled at me and moved a bit, nakipagbeso siya at biglang kumaway na sa akin. "You're joining our prom, right?"
"Senior?" I asked and she nodded. "Oo, I'll attend."
"Alright, see you there!" she said and waved again before running towards her classmate who called her.
Nakauwi ako ng bahay na iniisip ng malalim ang nangyari.
Ano 'yon? After he declared I am his girlfriend, biglang hindi siya papakita sa akin?
I was still so bothered and confused kaya kinubukasan ay umasa talaga akong nand'yan siya. I entered the university and my face brightened saw him wearing his colored shirt and his usual maong. Sa balikat niya ay may nakasabit na bag.
I saw how the girls greeted him and he will smile and nod at them pero kapag sa akin...
I opened my mouth to call him when I heard a voice, "Darshana." Halos mapasigaw ako at nanlalaki ang matang bumaling sa likod.
"K-kuya?" I stuttered when I saw my brother. He tilted his head while staring at me.
"Yes? Why do you look like you've seen a ghost?"
"Wala naman..." I laughed nervously. "Bakit?"
"You forgot this," he handed me the sketch pad I've been carrying around to practice.
"Thank you, Kuya!" I smiled and kissed his cheek, ginulo naman niya ang buhok ko at tumango. I even saw his eyes lingered behind me kaya ngumisi na ako at tinulak siya.
"Labas ka na, Kuya, late ka na!" I said and pushed him.
"Daru—"
"Hala, time na ako!" I exclaimed and before he could even say something, nagkukumahog na akong tumakbo papaakyat ng hagdan.
Maingay talaga ang mga juniors kapag napapadaan sa amin ang mga pinsan kong lalaki mula sa College department. I wasn't that shock when my classmates asked me about my brother and why did he come here and I told them one by one about the sketch pad I left.
"Sana all, kapatid, ano? O kaya pinsan?" They said dreamily kaya napangiti na ako roon.
"Tanga, anong pinsan, mas magandang jowa!" Sinapok siya ng isang kaklase ko at nagtawanan. Napangiti na rin ako dahil hindi na bagong makarinig ako ng ganoon mula sa mga kaklase at juniors.
"Gaga, okay na kahit pinsan lang! Tignan mo si Clyte, 'yong sabi nilang ampon? Ampon lang 'yon pero swerte!" Nawala na ang ngiti ko roon.
"Sana all ampon—"
"Sory but...can you please stop being insensitive?" I said nicely, stopping them. He glanced at me in shock.
"Pero totoo naman, 'di ba? Ampon si Clyte? Narinig kong pinag-uusapan siya—"
"It's okay to ask about my family, guys," I said. "It's okay to talk to them and ask me about it pero hindi naman siguro tamang pag-uusapan n'yo ang bagay na ganyan kapersonal sa harapan ko mismo, right?"
"Sorry, Darsh." Lis smiled. "Pero, kuryoso lang kami, s'yempre, I mean, paanong nagka-ampon kayo—"
"Ate Clyte's my family, she's our family," I said, a bit pissed but trying my best to be nice. "Kaya sana, I hope you stop talking about things like that in front of me. She's my cousin, Ate ko iyon. And please tell whoever you heard those words from to stop spreading personal information like that. Sa pamilya namin iyon at nasa sa amin na ang usapang iyon."
Natahimik sila sa sinabi ko kaya ngumiti ako.
"I'm not mad," I said. "I'm just trying to explain that we must separate personal things sa mga ganyang usapan."
"So, you're confirming Clyte really is adopted?" Lis raised her brow at me.
"Is there something wrong about that, Lis?" Tumiim na ang bagang ko. Napatikhim sila at umiling sa akin.
I was pissed the whole day but I'm doing my best to be nice. I'm glad when they're complimenting us or things like that pero I just don't like it when they talk bad about my family kasi pamilya ko iyon. The last time, we heard some juniors referring to Ate Crest as a slut at talagang nagalit ako roon at kinompronta na ang mga narinig.
Hindi naman kami napa-office dahil wala namang masama roon sa ginawa ko, siya ang may maling nagawa. Isa pa, I talked to them in a nice way, may ngiti pa nga sa labi ko no'n na sinasabi nina Zire minsan na creepy daw.
They said that smile looks like a smile from an angel but my eyes tells them otherwise, matalim daw at parang may lilitaw na sungay sa akin kaya natatakot sila.
Oh, maybe, must be a killer smile, huh? Literally.
Hindi ko na nakita si Chance pang muli bukod sa kanina. Hindi rin siya tumambay sa tapat ng room sa kabila kaya naisip kong umalis kaagad.
Bagsak ang balikat ko habang papasok na ako sa library para maghatid ng librong katatapos ko lang hiramin nitong nakaraaan nang may mahagip ang mga mata ko.
Adrenaline rushed in my veins that I jumped when I saw Chance on the far side of the library, doon sa may tago. I saw him sketching something and my smile widened.
Mabilis kong ibinalik ang libro at kumakalabog pa ang puso habang naglalakad palapit sa kanya.
"Hi, Chance!" I chirped. His shoulders stiffened.
He lifted his head and our eyes met. Napansin ko ang mabilis niyang pagtakip sa sketch pad na gamit nang makita 'kong papalapit.
"What are you doing here?" he asked me nonchalantly, mabilis na isinara ang sketch bago pa man ako makadungaw sa kanya.
"Lamig dito, ano?" I asked and sat beside him, I saw him reluctantly move away from me, parang tila napapasong.
"Yes, it's cold so you should go..." Taboy niya.
"Grabe, lamig talaga..." I even fake a shiver as I stare at him. "Kasing lamig mo."
He was stunned. He moistened his lip while staring in utter disbelief. His mouth was slightly parted, was about to say something pero 'di niya matuloy kaya sumaradong muli ang labi.
"Good afternoon, sinong mas maganda? Ako o ang hapon?" I winked.
"Seriously?" he asked. His dimple deepened and he looked so handsomely cold that I even flashed a cute smile.
"Chance," hinarap ko siya ng tuluyan at halos mapadikit siya sa pader dahil sa ginawang pag-atras. His eyes widened a bit when I tried lifting my hand to touch him.
"Darshana!" his voice roared quietly and I chuckled, kinagat ang labi ko at marahang ibinaba ang kamay ko.
"My name sounds hot when you say it," I smiled at him flirtatiously.
Kumunot lang ang noo niya sa akin at napailing, napapantastikuhan.
"You're such a flirt, huh? Ang bata-bata mo pa." He even flashed a sarcastic smile.
"Why? Naaakit ka ba?" Laban ko at tumaas lang ang sulok ng labi niya at umiling sa akin.
"You're too young, I see." He glanced my way mockingly. "It takes more than that to seduce me, kid."
I frowned.
"I'm not a kid!" Iritado na naman ako roon, sumulyap siya sa akin na may nang-aasar na tingin kaya halos umusok na ang ilong ko.
"Why not? You still are. Hindi lang sa ugali, halata rin sa..." Sinundan niya ng tingin ang ulo pababa sa paa ko kaya mabilis ko ng sinipa ang paa niya.
"I said I'm not a kid, Chance!" Halos sabunutan ko na siya sa irita. Mabuti na lang at nasa gilid kami, walang tao at halos nagsiuwian na ang mga estudyante kaya malaya ko siyang naaaway.
"Uh-huh..." He shook his head at me, smirking and brushing his hair. "What are you? Fourteen? Sixteen?"
Halos lumuwa ang mata ko roon sa gulat. "Excuse me but I'm seventeen! Ilang beses ko na sinabi sa'yo, ah! Do I look like fourteen to you?"
"Basta hindi ko kaedad, bata ang tingin ko, Miss," he said, his dimples showing. I wanted so bad na sundutin ang gilid ng pisngi niya dahil ang gwapo niya talaga pero umirap ako.
"Edi wow, Chance. H'wag mo akong ngitian ng ganyan, akala mo gwapo ka?" I mocked but instead, the side of his twitched.
"Bakit? Hindi ba gwapo, Darshana?" he asked seriously yet there is a teasing smile on his lips, halatang hindi naniniwalang sinabi kong hindi siya gwapo.
"On the other hand...bata pa pala ako," I said and his lips rose.
"I see—"
"I'm young so...you can call me baby." I smiled sweetly at him.
"Damn..." Napahilot siya sa sentido.
Halos magdiwang ang kaluluwa ko nang ipinikit niya ang mata sa sinabi ko, mukhang napiperwisyo. Sinapo niya ang mukha niya kaya napahagikhik ako at binangga ang balikat niya. Napamulat siya roon at tumiim ang bagang.
"Stop me with those pick-up lines, young miss." Umiling siya pero nahuli ko ang pamumula at pagbasa ng pang-ibabang labi kaya alam kong naapektuhan siya.
"Why not, Kuya? I can see you're enjoying it, anyway." I smiled. "Bata pala, eh. Kaya tawagin mo na lang akong baby."
"Huh!" He scoffed. "You're silly. Huh, what would I call a kid like you? Baby?" he said sarcastically kaya mas ngumisi ako.
"Yes, baby?" I smiled at him and he looks stunned again. Halos mapapalakpak na ako nang umawang ang labi niya.
"Damn, confidence!" he said, almost out of breath kaya kinagat-kagat ko ang labi ko.
"Well, Darshana kaya ito?" I flipped my hair and I saw how amusement filled his eyes he was doing his best to mask it away but in the end, I could still see it.
"You're like a doll, Darshana." He muttered. "Bata ka pa, girls like you should still be playing dolls than boys—"
Sinapok ko na ang balikat. "Excuse me?!" Tinaasan ko na siya ng kilay.
"Yes, baby doll?" he shot his brow at me, his intense eyes are teasing. Iritadong pinalo kong muli ang braso niya at mas natawa siya.
Mas lumakas pa kaya, nangingiti na rin ako't nawala ang inis. Napansin ko ang pagliit ng kanyang mata sa pagtawa at mas lumubog ang kanyang dimples. I've told myself he's handsome but the aura he's giving now is killing me.
His dimples are showing again, making my heart flatter upon realizing how genuine his laugh was.
His smile is genuine too my poor heart couldn't take it. Nawala lang iyon nang nahuli niya akong pinagmamasdan siya at narinig namin ang takong na papalapit.
"What is that noise?" Istriktang boses na ang narinig ko kaya napaayos ako ng upo.
I panicked, naghanap ako ng mabilis na makukuha at ang mata'y tumama sa sketch pad ni Chance. I pulled it closer to me, opened it before glancing at the librarian who I think is almost the same as Chance's age or something.
"Miss Sandejas? Mr. Salcedo? What is that noise?" Halos lumabas na ang puso ko nang makita ang istrikta nitong mukha.
"Ma'am—"
"Bakit kayo nagtatawanan? Do you know that this is the Quiet Zone?" Tumaas pa ang kilay niya.
"I'm so sorry, Ma'am!" Inunahan ko na si Chance sa pagsasalita. "We're just...uhm, Mr. Salcedo's teaching me how to draw!" I explained.
I saw her forehead creasing, mukhang 'di naniniwala kaya ginalaw kong bahagya ang sketch pad ni Chance sa kamay ko at hindi tumitinging bumuklat.
She raised her brow at me. "S-sorry, Ma'am, medyo nagkatuwaan lang po."
"Is it true, Mr. Salcedo?" The strict woman asked Chance beside me at natatakot ako noong una baka 'di niya sagutin pero guminhawa rin nang tumikhim siya.
"Yes, Miss. I've been teaching her ways to...draw." I heard him say. "I apologize for the noise, Miss. It's my fault."
The strict woman's face softened a bit when she heard him explain. Tumango ito kahit tikwas pa rin ang kilay, mukhang sa akin lang iritado.
"Alright." I was startled when she smiled sweetly at Chance and cleared her throat. "I am...interested in art too, perhaps, you could teach me ways?"
What the heck?
Nagpanting ang tainga ko't nawala ang ngiti.
"Sure, Ma'am. If I have free time," he answered her formally kaya nilingon ko na itong iritado pero naabutan ko lang na seryoso siya at may maliit pero 'di malambing na ngiti.
"Alright," the lady said kaya muli akong napabaling dito.
"The library will close in about thirty minutes, wala ng tao dapat dito kaya dalian n'yo, okay?" Medyo lumambing na ito at humaba na ang nguso ko.
"Yes, Miss. Thank you," Chance said and the lady tucked her hair behind her ear before nodding, nakita ko pang kumendeng ang balakang sa maarteng paglakad paalis kaya tumalim ang mga mata ko.
Lilingunin ko sana siya nang biglang mahagip ng mata ko ang nasa sketch.
"Give it to me—"
"Wait!" Mabilis kong inilayo sa kanya ang sketch pad at inilapit sa mukha ko at halos lumuwa na ang mata ko nang makita ang naka-drawing doon.
My heart ran amok.
It was me! It was my face that night in the pageant! Hanggang bust lang ang kita roon pero kitang-kita ko at kilalang ako iyon! Mula sa buhok at ayos!
"Darshana—"
"Shh!" I hissed, nilipat ko ang page at ako pa rin iyon! It was that day while we were in the bleachers watching basketball! I was standing, screaming my lungs out. Nakatagilid ako sa sketch at may mga line art sa gilid na paniguradong ang mga pinsan ko pero walang mukha at medyo magulong sketch lang.
"Fuck..." He cursed.
I was the one who's vivid, whose expression are visible with black long hair. Nakataas ang kamay ko roon at miski ang uniporme ko ay kuhang-kuha niya!
I gawked at him, nakita ko ang pamumungay ng mata niya roon nang magkatinginan kaming dalawa.
"I was..." He sighed and shook his head. "I was randomly looking for subjects and saw you."
"Ako lang?" I asked. His eyes darkened, he licked his lip and spoke.
"I was looking for subjects randomly and—"
"Stop lying and just give us a chance," I said and his reddish thin lips parted a bit while staring at me, mukhang hirap.
"No, Darshana. I can't—"
"Shut up and give this a chance," I insisted, mabilis na binitawan ang sketch pad at umangat ng bahagya sa upuan. I saw his forehead crease at my sudden move but he was frozen in place when I pulled his nape down on me, pressing my lips against his.
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