Loving Izi

Chapter IV

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I stood in front of the glass wherein I can freely oversee my Michelangelo. I wonder if he's sleeping or he simply don't want to see me? I even made an effort to put small rocks, sands and leaves around him, just so he could feel that he's still in the rainforest — where he was originally born. 

Roughness was all over in my hand when I softly touched his shell. He's so tiny and cute. 

"Hi baby." I sweetly whispered as if he's really my baby. He is though, I love him so much and I could be his mommy. 

"You like tortoise?" 

I flinched as I heard Izi's deep voice behind me. Montage of images overflowed my mind. Redness is surely apparent in my cheek while reminiscing the first night I had with him. Wait? That's not what I meant, really. 

Hindi ako nakatulog nung gabi dahil sa kanya. Aside from snoring all night long like he was exhausted for emitting his whole energy yesterday, hindi ako makatulog dahil kahit tulog na tulog na siya, hindi niya pa rin kinikalas ang mga kamay niyang nakapulupot sa akin. 

I know that move doesn't meant anything for him, but for me, it meant so much. It was like the heavens gave me another gift from above. His hand wrapped tightly around me is all I could ask for. 

I faced him and he's now waiting for me to speak up. Ano nga ulit yung sinabi niya?

"A-Ano?" I stupidly asked him. Kumunot naman ang kanyang noo at napamaywang sa harapan ko. 

"That tortoise of yours, how old is he?" Parang hindi naman ganyan yung tinanong niya sa akin kanina. 

"Almost three months na siya." I answered. 

Tumango siya at lumapit sa akin. Napatitig naman ako sa mga mata niyang kay lalalim kung tumingin. Na parang tumatagos pati sa kaluluwa mo. I could stare his eyes all day and just be with him. If only...

"Move Ianne. I want to see your tortoise." 

"Oh. Sorry." Nahihiya kong sambit. 

Pumunta ako sa likod ng glass kung saan nandoon si Michelangelo. Pinagmasdan naman ni Izi ang alaga ko. Nakita ko pang inayos niya ang mga dahon na nakapalibot sa kanya. Kinuha niya si Michelangelo at hinaplos ito ng marahan.

He lift him up and I furrowed my brows when I saw him smelling my tortoise. What? He's not that smelly. Actually he doesn't have a smell at all. "Does he have a name?" 

I nod enthusiastically. "Yeah. He's Michelangelo." Napaangat ang tingin niya sa akin at napasimangot. "You mean the painter?" I can sense mockery in his tone when he asked me that.

"What's wrong?" He shook his head and put Michelangelo back in his Viquarium. 

"Ang panget." He said that with no filtration. Grabe siya. Ang ganda kaya ng Michelangelo. Nakita ko lang sa google nung nag search ako ng pwedeng ipangalan sa pet kong tortoise. 

"Sleepy is nice." Natawa naman ako sa suggestion niya. Sleepy? How cute.

"What? Mas maganda na ang sleepy kaysa sa Michelangelo mo. Pang bakla naman yan eh." 

"Whatever Izi. Michelangelo pa rin ang pangalan niya." Then my voice adopted the authority I acquired from years of being a leader in every activity we had in school back then. "I'm the owner, so you have no say on it." 

"Edi wag. By the way, my friends are coming today, so maybe I will be busy on entertaining them. Ikaw, anong gagawin mo?" Tanong niya sa akin habang binubuksan niya ang alcohol at ibinuhos ito sa kanyang kamay. 

Sunday ngayon. Wala akong gagawin dahil lahat naman ng mga school works ko eh tinapos ko na kahapon bago kami pumunta ni Urm sa mall. Oh, speaking of Urm, I should invite her here. Para naman hindi ako ma out of place kung nandito na yung mga kaibigan ni Izi.

"I will invite Urm here. Ilan ba silang pupunta dito?" Nakita ko naman na kinuha niya ulit yung alcohol and this time, mas dinamihan na niya yung alcohol sa kanyang kamay. 

"What's with the alcohol Izi?" 

"Apat silang pupunta dito. Two from San Terencio at yung dalawang unggoy." He answered me while rubbing his hands. 

"Mauubos na yang alcohol ko." Sabi ko at inagaw na sa kanya yung bote ng alcohol. 

"Ang baho kasi ni Sleepy."

"Michelangelo." Pagtatama ko sa kanya pero binalewala niya lang ako.

"At hindi siya mabaho. Lagi ko kaya siyang pinapaliguan." 

"Huh? How?" He asked curiously but his attention is now on his phone. 

I went to my chair and slumped over it. Hinawi ko rin ang buhok ko na humaharang sa mukha ko. "I'm using my old toothbrush to brush his shell." Proud kong sabi.

"You gotta be kidding me?" Umiling ako habang may ngiti sa labi. Humaglpak naman siya ng tawa dahil doon. "Oh Ianne, you're so cute." Namula naman ako sa sinabi niya. Did he just compliment me? Did he just say that I'm cute? 

"Is that even okay? Kahit naman paliguan mo siya araw araw, mags-stay pa rin ang natural niyang amoy, Ianne." Lumapit pa siya sa akin at kinurot niya ako sa pisngi.

I unconsciously touched my cheeks kung saan niya ako kinurot. That's the second time he touched me on my face! OMG! Is this real?! 

Tumayo siya bigla sa kanyang inuupuan at sinagot ang tawag sa kanyang phone. Pinagmasdan ko naman siyang seryoso na kinakusap ang nasa kabilang linya habang hinahaplos ang kanyang batok. 

With just that simple gesture, he could allure all the women who's obsessed on the beauty upon him. Narinig ko ang halakhak niya. Napangalumbaba naman ako at napapikit dahil sa kanyang boses. Gosh, malala na talaga to. 

But my mood transitioned in a rapid pace when I thought about Hayden. The girl who he loves so much and she's my best friend. Napayuko na lang ako nang maalala ko yung araw na nalaman kong si Hayden ang gusto ni Izi.

He was walking towards me with his usual aura that every person can't resist, even with the guys. Both of his hands were comfortably hiding on his hoodie's pockets while his big black head phone was sitting over his head. 

Nung nakalapit na siya sa akin, inangat niya ang kanyang kamay at tinanggal ang head phone saka niya isinabit sa leeg. "Ianne. Where's Hayden?" Napabuntong hininga ako nang marinig na naman ang pangalan ng kaibigan ko galing sa kanya. 

Every time na lumalapit siya sa akin it's either about school or Hayden ang reason kung bakit niya ako nilalapitan. Noon, hindi ko pa ito pinapansin. That maybe, they're teammates on one of our activities in school but, makalipas na ng ilang buwan, ganun pa rin. Si Hayden pa rin ang lagi niyang tinatanong sa akin. 

"Si Hayden ulit?" I tried to ask that in more friendlier tone but my voice betrayed me. Bitterness was audible on it. 

"Huh?"

"Do you like her Izi?" Diretsahan kong tanong sa kanya. Nagulat naman siya pero agad ding naging seryoso ang mukha niya.

"Yes." I bowed in disappointment. So he likes my best friend. Bakit hindi ako? Ganun ba siya ka manhid para hindi niya maramdaman na may pagtingin ako sa kanya? 

Because I can remember clearly that almost half of the school population knew that I like Izi. That I'm into him. Hindi ba nakarating ito sa kanya? Kahit isang chismis lang, wala? 

I heaved a sigh and suppressed my tears from falling down. Umiling ako. "I don't know where she is Izi, and please huwag ka ng magtatanong sa akin tungkol sa kanya." Mariin kong sabi sa kanya habang nakayuko.

"Why? She's your best friend." 

"Please, Izi. Huwag sa akin. Kay Urm ka na lang magtanong. Best friend niya rin iyon." 

Pero hindi niya ako tinantanan. "You're closer to her than Urm. So mas maganda kung sayo ako magtatanong." I clenched my fist and stood up.

"Just don't Izi. Ang manhid mo! Hindi mo ba napapansin?! Na... Na... Ugh!" Sinabunutan ko ang buhok ko dahil sa frustration. Tinalikuran ko na siya at tumakbo palayo. 

Since then, hindi na niya ako masyadong kinakausap and I kinda regret it. Sana hinayaan ko na lang siya, nang saganun may reason pa para kausapin niya ako. But, he's cold treatment became frigid as iceberg when Hayden went to Canada. Nagalit siya sa aming dalawa ni Urm dahil hindi namin siya sinabihan na aalis si Hayden. What for? It's not our duty to tell him all Hayden's whereabouts. Besides, wala namang tayo sa kanilang dalawa.

Somehow, pareho kami ni Izi. Izi is being a martyr to Hayden who's manhid towrads Izi's feelings for her, while me being a martyr to Izi who's also a manhid towards my feelings for him. Ironic isn't? 

Ngayon lang siya naging ganito ulit sa akin and I quietly thanked my dad for asking Izi a favor. 

I let out a deep sigh once again. If only I can meet someone who genuinely likes me. Because if there's someone, I will definitely try my best to avert my feelings for Izi to him. Unfortunately, there's no one. May nagtatangkang manligaw naman sa akin but I know they're just after my wealth, not my heart. 

"Ianne!" Nagulat ako nung sumigaw si Izi sa harapan ko.

"W-What?" 

"They're here. Tulala ka diyan eh." He said then he walked away from me. Tumayo na rin ako at lumabas na sa kwarto. 

I can hear the noisy chattering downstairs. I went to our indoor balcony and I looked down. I saw Nike and Jun busy talking with the two guys from San Terencio while Urm is sitting pretty on our couch while crossing her arms over her chest. 

Bumababa na ako kaya napatingin sa akin ang mga lalake, and all I can say is, wow! Gwapo silang lahat; I could give them that. Kaya na nilang pantayan ang charisma ni Izi who's now welcoming his friends with fist bombs. 

"Uy! Izi! Long time no see bro." Bati sa kanya ng isa niyang kaibigan at nakipag fist bomb pa siya kay Izi. He's tall. Kasing tangkad niya si Izi pero kung si Izi ay maputi, ito naman ay moreno. 

The other one is chinito and tall too. They're all tall and bulky. I looked like I'm Bilbo Baggins while these guys around me are Gandalf. I felt my self-confidence slowly drifting away when Urm stood up and went beside me, making me painfully aware of my own stature. Bakit ang tatangkad nila? Mas matangkad pa sa akin si Urm. The perks of being five-two huh.

"Hi! You must be Ianne." The chinito one greeted me while extending his hand to me. I smiled at kinuha na ang kanyang kamay para sa isang shake hands.

"Hirick, but you can call me High for short." He said cutely. I nodded. Yung isa naman ang bumaling sa akin.

"Ianne, I'm Xandro." Ngumiti naman ako sa kanya.

I heard Urm faked a cough kaya napabaling ako sa kanya. Pinanlakihan niya ako ng mata na para bang may ipinapahiwatig siya doon. Agad ko naman itong nakuha at tumingin sa mga lalake sa harapan ko. "Ah, sorry. This is my best friend Urm." Pakilala ko sa dalawang lalake na agad naman nilang binati si Urm na may matamis na ngiti sa kanyang labi. 

"Ako rin." Narinig kong bulong ni Jun kay Nike na nakangisi na.

He cleared his throat and briefly brush his hair in an upward motion. "Miss. Jun nga pala." Sabay lahad niya ng kamay kay Urm na nakasimangot na. 

"Huwag mo nga akong pansinin. Bwisit!" Bulalas ni Urm at pumunta na sa aming kusina. Napakamot na lang ako ng ulo at nahihiyang ngumiti kay Jun dahil sa inasta ni Urm.

"Bad mood na naman siya tol. Ikaw kasi." Natatawang sambit ni Nike.

Naconscious naman ako nang makita kong nakatitig sa akin si Xandro. Inayos ko pa ang buhok ko at mukha ko. Baka kasi may dumi dahilan para titigan niya ako ng ganyan. 

He went closer to me so I bowed my head slowly. "Ianne. Ang ganda mo talaga sa personal." Naramdaman ko naman ang pisngi ko na namula dahil sa ginawa niyang pagpuri sa akin. 

I shook my head and faced him. "Hindi naman." 

Napangisi siya. "Ang hinhin mo pang magsalita. Mahal na yata kita." 

Jeez. I'm certain that my whole face is now a tomato. Humaglpak naman siya ng tawa at ginulo pa niya ang buhok ko. 

"Namumula ka. Joke lang naman yun. Yung sa mahal kita na part." He said while crossing his arms and looking at me intently with a grin plastered on his cupid bow lips.

"But seriously, you're beautiful." He uttered. 

Mas lumapit pa siya sa akin kaya napatingala ako. He unconsciously invaded my personal space. Nakita kong inangat niya ang kanyang kamay at inayos niya ang buhok kong ginulo niya kanina. "There" he softly said. 

 Nagukat naman ako nang may humila sa akin palayo kay Xandro. "What are you doing?" Izi said in an angry tone, or am I just imagining?

"Ah, inayos ko lang yung buhok niya. Nagulo ko kasi" natatawang saad ni Xandro sa naiinis na Izi. 

"You know I don't like that Xandro." Napanganga naman ako sa sinabi ni Izi. Bumaling ako sa kanya at seryosong seryoso ang mukha niya. What does he mean by that? 

"I know Izi. But I want to be her friend, hindi mo naman siguro ipagkakait sa akin yun diba?" Xandro asked with a scornful smile on his face. 

I felt Izi's gripped tightened. "I-Izi, nasasaktan ako." Mahina kong sambit sa kanya. He looked at me and down to my hand na hawak niya. Agad naman niya itong binitawan at padabog na lumayo sa akin, leaving me with Xandro alone. What was that?

"Sorry about that. His rules. Nasabi kasi niya sa amin na siya daw ang in charge dito dahil wala ang mga parents mo. They let you live here alone with Izi, right? Why is that? Ano ba ang relasyon niyong dalawa?" 

Pinagmamasdan ko pa rin ang palayong Izi at nung hindi ko na siya maaninag, doon ko lang binalingan si Xandro na naghihintay sa isasagot ko.

"He's just a friend." I simply replied. Tumango naman siya at ngumiti sa akin.

"Alright. Shall we?" I nodded and went to the kitchen with Xandro by my side, while my mind is filled with unanswered questions. Though, there's one thing that is more dominant than the rest. I heaved a sigh when I saw Izi talking with High.

Why did he act like that?

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