Please Notice Me

Chapter 7

Ignoring what you see, feel, and heard does not mean ignoring pain.

Time flies so fast. Di ko namalayan na ilang buwan na lang, we're already completers. December na ngayon, tomorrow will be our annual Christmas Ball. As usual, gowns and tux. I'm not really a fan of this stuffs, actually, I only attended one of these during Grade 7, when my crush-turns-to-boyfriend Kuya James invited and asked me to be his partner. After it, wala na. Di na ako umattend when I was grade 8 and 9. Wala din sana akong plano para bukas pero may mahalaga akong parte sa program and I am a Student Body officer. I have no choice.

"Hey, you ready for tomorrow?" Tanong ni Carl habang nakasalampak lang kami sa kanya kanya naming mga upuan. Its raining hard outside, gusto na sana naming umuwi pero mahirap. Mababasa lang kami.

"Yeah. Though I don't really want to go, I still had to." I'm not an antisocial, di ko lang talaga feel ang Christmas Ball.

"Anny, pahiram phone." Biglang saad ni Arc na nasa kabilang banda ko.

"I don't have load." Sabi ko. Ano naman gagawin niya sa phone ko.

"I'll just play, I won't text or call." Giit niya. Ibinigay ko na lang dahil awkward pa rin makipag-usap sa kanya.

Its been months since nagkagulugulo ang mga bagay but we managed to sort it all out, I mean, I manage to accept it all and adjust.

Ara did not talk to Jane for quiet a long time, until now, nagpaparinig pa rin si Ara. Jane and I? We're friends, para ngang wala lang yun sa kanya, na siyang ikinagagalit ni Ara. Pa play safe daw siya, painosente. Ewan ko kung anong ikinagagalit ni Ara sa kanya. Carl and Arc? Their closeness is back but Carl seems to be more possessive of me, na minsan nagkakasagutan na naman sila. Minsan lang naman.

About Arc and Jane? Yes, they're still on. Ilang beses na silang nag-away, ilang beses na rin akong nadamay. Tulad na lang ng nakaraan.

"Ano na naman ba Arc? Umiinom ka na naman!" Angil ni Jane sa umiinom na si Arc. Birthday ng isa sa mga kaklase naming si Drake. Magkakasama kami nina Ara at Jane pagpunta dito.

"It's only a few shots Jane and besides, wala namang pasok bukas. What are you whining for?" Inis na saad naman ni Arc.

Siniko ako ni Ara at senenyasan na dapat ko ng paghiwalayin ang dalawa dahil magkakainitan na naman ang mga ito. Umiling lang ako at lumabas ng bahay. Umupo ako sa isang duyan na bakal sa garden nina Drake. Ayokong makisali sa kanila. I'm used to ignore things, especially those that inflects pain. I know I still didn't get over Arc but I can manage myself. No worries about it. Since nangyari yung pagkakagulo nung Intramurals, natuto akong itago ang lahat ng nararamdaman ko para kay Arc. Hindi ko ipinakita na nasaktan ako, na nagalit ako. Ayokong kaawaan ako.

I stiffened when I felt someone hugged me from behind. Nakatalikod ako sa banda kung saan magmumula ang mga taong pupunta dito galing sa bahay nina Drake. I know who is this someone.

"Arc, let go. Baka may makakita at ano na naman ang sabihin." Malumanay na saad ko. Ayaw kong makasakit gamit ang mga salita ko.

"Just a moment please, Anny." He hug me tighter. Umupo na siya sa duyan, sa tabi ko. He's still hugging me from his side. "I'm sorry, I argue again with Jane." Ganito siya palagi, alam niya na ayaw kong nakikipag-away o pumapatol ang isang lalaki sa isang babae, lalo na kung pinagsasalitaan na ang babae ng masasakit. As always, he apologizes to me.

"You better go to Jane and apologize to her. Wag sakin." Sabi ko.

"Can you please hug me Ann?" Bumitaw siya sa pagyakap sa akin at sinalubong ang mga tingin ko.

"Huh? You better get going Arc." I said. Trying to hide the nervousness I'm feeling.

"Where's Anny and Lady Arc? Where are they? I missed them so much." He said, hanging his head down. I want to answer him, but it seems that there is a lump in my throat stopping me to talk and I know that if I'll force myself, tears will come down from my eyes at this very instant.

?I wanna go back to the way we used to be.

I wanna feel your skin, your lips so close to me

I wanna go back when I called you mine all the time

Every smile and every moment

If only I have, a time machine.?

Kinantahan niya ko. We were silent for a minute until my senses come back rushing. I stood up and decided to go inside without even saying something or glancing back to Arc. Nakasalubong ko si Jane sa may pinto. We just look at each other for a moment, then I proceeded to enter the house and eventually, look for a timing, aayain ko na agad si Ara para umuwi. Tiyak ihahatid naman ni Arc si Jane.

"This is earth Ann! Hello!" Nagulat ako ng makita si Carl na winawagayway ang mga kamay niya sa harap ko.

"What were you saying again?" I asked sheepishly. I space out again.

"Nothing! Goodness. Ba't pa kita naging kaibigan." Pagmamaktol na saad nito. Natawa na lang ako sa kanya. Bumaling ako sa kaliwang banda ko ngunit wala na si Arc, pati ang bag niya.

"Uhmm where's Arc?" I asked Carl who is already on his phone, talking to his girl.

"Practice, sayaw. Intermission para bukas." Tipid na sagot ni Carl habang nasaphone pa rin ang atensyon.

"Goodness, my phone! Urgghh!" I sulk into my chair! Do I have to wait for him, urgh!

"Ann! Let's go. Humihina na ang ulan." Sabi ni Ara. Nasa labas na rin ang iba, pati si Jane.

"Mauna na lang kayo Ara, may gagawin pa ako." Nauna naman na sila. May gagawin pa nga ako sa Student Body but I will get my phone first.

Kinuha ko na ang bag ko at inilagay ang ilang notebook na nasa arm chair ko. Pagbukas ko ng bag ko ay nakita ko ang phone ni Arc. And may message ito galing sa akin.

*From: Anny ?*

Walang load? Huh. Dinala ko phone mo, maglalaro lang ako nito. Use my phone. I HAVE LOAD. I'll get you from the SB office. ~Lady Arc ?

"Urrggggh! Bullshit!" Padabog akong tumayo na ikinagulat pa ni Carl sa tabi ko. I just glared at him and headed to the office.

So much for ignoring things! So much for getting away from him! He's so annoying! I hate him! Urgh!