Single Lady Series

Chapter 3

Lorry is a popular girl in the campus. At tama nga ang hinala ko na leader siya ng mga walking make-up na humarang sa akin noong nakaraan.

Jai obviously doesn’t like the girl. I don’t know the reason but I can see that it’s because of popularity. Parehas naman silang popular sa buong campus kaya lang medyo bitchy ang attitude ni Lorry.

We are now at the canteen. Everyone’s attention is in Lorry who’s talking to his friends. She is pretty actually. She has a slender body, white and flawless skin. Maganda siya na kinulang sa height

Akala ko hindi na mag aaral iyang impaktita na yan dito? Kung makapag paalam last year parang dun na sya maninirahan sa ibang bansa. Inis na sabi ni Jai.

Jess and I laugh at her. Halata ang pagkadisgusto niya sa babae.

Nako jai mukang malabong lumipat yan ng school. E diba hinahabol habol niyan si Ivan noon pa? good luck to her. Kanina nga lang nung naglelesson kami, inis na inis si Ivan sa paghawak ni Lorry sa braso niya. He even shouted at the poor girl kahit na nagkaklase ang teacher sa unahan.

Eh bakit naman hinahabol habol niya si Ivan? Ivan is a playboy, bakit di niya pinapansin ang nagpapapansin sakanya? Tanong ko sakanila.

I don’t know to Ivan. Since junior high, Ivan didn’t make an effort to give back Lorry’s admiration to him. Well, kung ako din naman si Ivan di ko pipiliin ang isang tulad niya.

So matagal niya ng pinupursue si Ivan? She is a one hell tough women. She really is a die hard fan of Ivan.

stop talking about Lorry, Jai. If she hears you… I swear, hindi kita pipigilan kapag nagsalita yan. Pagpigil ni Khris kay Jai.

Edi don’t pyok! As if naman na magpapapigil ako sayo!

Lorry looked at us when she saw us laughing. Mukang malakas ang pakiramdam niya na siya ang pinagtatawanan namin.

She walked straight to our table with her friends… the group of walking make-up.

Well Hello my dear… Are you not happy to see me? Ani Lorry kay jai

Well hello b***h…nakangiting sabi ni Jai kay Lorry. I’m glad you’re back. You told us you won’t comeback here… what change your mind?

Lorry looked at Jai and giggled. Oh my! Nagsisimula na sila!

Well, as you all know. Ivan and I are into something now… kaya umuwi ako. She said to us confidently.

Into something? Asa naman siya, kita ko nga kung paano siya itaboy ni Ivan kanina. I whispered to Jess

Biglang tumingin sa akin si Lorry. I guess she heard what I said to Jess.

So you must be Krisha? The one na makapal ang muka? Ako, makapal ang muka?

I heard that Ivan wants you to be his girlfriend and you turn him down….Ha! may pakpak talaga ang balita. Isipin niyo yon nalaman niya agad yung nangyari noong nakaraang araw.

I didn’t answer her. She should be happy actually. Hindi ko pinatulan ang Ivan niya…at wala akong balak!

Pleased to meet you Lorry, mauuna na kami… tara na guys… Inaya na kaming umalis ni Pyok para matigil na ang pag uusap ng biglang magsalita ulit si Lorry.

Oh Hi Khris!!…Last Thing that I’ve heard about you hindi ka daw makamove on? Hahaha bakit? Masakit pa rin ba? Anong meron?

Lumingon si pyok kay Lorry.Tumigil ka na Lorry… Sa ginagawa mo mukang ikaw ang di makamove on dahil pinipeste mo pa rin ako hanggang ngayon…

Wait…are they related to each other? Based on Lorry’s reaction right now, something happened to them.

Lumapit si Jess kay pyok para hilahin na ito palayo kay Lorry. I looked back to Lorry and her friends that is laughing right now.

Tumingin sa akin si Lorry at ngumiti ito. Kung di ko nakita yung eksena kanina baka isipin ko na ngiting nakikipag kaibigan yung pinapakita niya sa akin.

That b***h! Agghh I hate her!. She said the looked at Pyok. I thought you are not going to stop me?

You think if I didn’t stop you wala tayo ngayon dito sa room? Malamang nagsabunutan na naman kayo kung walang pumigil sainyo! Khris shouted at Jai.

It is my first time seeing her like this. Their conversation in the canteen has a big impact to her, especially to Lorry.

I looked at Pyok who’s now silently sitting in her chair. Something is bothering her right now. I don’t know what it is but I am curious about it.

Okay ka lang ba pyok?Nag-aalalang tanong ni jess sakanya.

Tumingin naman si Jai kay pyok at nilapitan niya ito.

Don’t think about it Pyok… matagal ng nangyari yon…and if you’re thinking na pag-uusapan pa yun ng mga tao dito? Well, wag lang nila ipaparinig sakin dahil ako mismo ang susugod sakanila. Matalim na sabi ni Jai kay Pyok.

Tumayo si Pyok at lumabas sa pinto ng room. She just silently walked straight to the door and leave the room.

Susundan ko sana siya kaya lang ay pinigilan ako ni Jess.

Don’t. she said to me.Just giver her time and then later on she will be back.

I don’t wanna asked them about it pero kinakain ako ng curiosity ko at di ko napigilan ang bibig ko.

Why is she like that? We just talked to Lorry and then she became like that… I asked to them

Jai looked at me with a serious face. Don’t bother yourself about it. Things in the past should stay in the past. She said then continue scrolling on her phone.

For days that I’ve been with them… I noticed that they really like me as their friend. They like me but they still keep secrets in me. I understand why they don’t tell me everything but I don’t care… I am just curious…. Just curious.

Khris went back in her chair. She still doesn’t want to talked to us. I heard Jai asked her if she’s okay but she didn’t answer her cousin.

Ms. Lozano if you don’t want to take my class you may go, the door is open. The teacher shouted at me.

Shoot. I am preoccupied and I didn’t notice the teachers presence.

Sorry miss…

I heard everyone laughing at me. Nakakahiya… ganon ba ako kalutang ngayon at di ko napansin ang pagdating ng teacher?

I did my best to divert my attention in listening to the teacher. I should stop thinking about what happened in the canteen.

Krisha you need to focus. Concentrate…. Relaxed and release all the thoughts and focus to the discussion.

So class before I end this discussion, I want you to find a partner for the activity that I am going to give you.

I looked at Pyok to ask if she can be my partner, but it’s too late because she paired with Jess. I looked at Jai and I saw her talking to Dianne.

Great, I don’t have a partner!

Wala pa naman akong ibang kakilala at mukang wala akong magiging partner. Aghhh!!! Why did I dumped Ivan in that way. If that didn’t happened, siguradong hindi ko kaaway ang lahat ng tao ngayon sa campus… edi sana may nag-aaya sa akin ngayon.

Sino pa ang walang partners?

I raised my hand and my friends looked at me.

Jai akala ko si Krisha ang partner mo!

Eh nauna si ate Dianne, tsaka akala ko may partner na siya kasi di siya nagsasalita.

Lima na lang kaming walang partner, yung babae na nakasalamin, ako, Ivan, Antony at si Lorry.

May mag tatatlong member so… sino sainyo yung isa pang pair? Kung sino yung matitira sila na ang magkakagrupo.

Napansin ko na magsasalita na si Lorry ng biglang may nagsalita.

Partner po kami ni Krisha! Sabay na sigaw ni Ivan at Antony.

Nagkatinginan naman sila ng mapansin nila na nagkasabay sila sa pagsabi ng pangalan ko.

Ako ang partner ni Krisha… Antony said with a serious tone.

says who? Ivan looked at the teacher then smirk. I am krisha’s partner ma’am.

Ako ang partner niya! Pursigidong sabi ni Antony.

Sorry bro but Krisha is mine… matalim na tingin ni Ivan kay Antony.

Krisha is not yours to beggin with.

Walang gustong magpatalo sakanilang dalawa para maging partner ako. What’s with them? For goodness sake! Para namang pinag-aagawan nila ako bilang girlfriend. It is just for the activities handsome gentlemen!

Ang shala mo teh pinag aagawan ka nung dalawa! Sigaw ng isang bakla

Haba ng hair ko no? sorry but I don’t like them both to be my pair.

Nakita ko naman kung paano manliit ang mata ni Lorry dahil sa panunukso ng mga kaklase namin.

Lorry stand up and faced the teacher. Ako po ang partner ni Ivan. She said while smiling. Looks like she’s confident na magiging partner niya si Ivan.

Then we’re settled. Krisha kayo nila Darlene at Antony ang mag partner.

Lorry became happy when she heard the teacher. Happy ka teh?

Bubunot na sana yung first pair ng gagawin nila ng biglang magsalita si Ivan.

Kaming tatlo nila krisha at Antony ang mag ka-group ma’am. Ayokong kapair si Lorry.

I shockingly looked at Ivan who’s still standing. Is he serious? Ayaw niya talagang hindi ako maging partner?

Is it ok with you ms. Encarnacion? Lorry tried to say something but Ivan looked at her with a bloodshot eyes.

Wow! di man lang siya pumalag? She just glared at me like I made a biggest and serious crime ever.

She shouldn’t be jealous. I didn’t wanted to be paired with anyone of them…especially Ivan that I despise the most. He is a player!

All the groups picked a piece of paper to know their assigned topic.

Kami ang last group na tumayo dahil kami lang din ang group na may tatlong members. We picked the bigbang theory.

Nung elementary naituro na ito tapos pag dating ng Senior meron pa din ganito? Umay na umay na ako sa topic na ito!

Habang naglalakad na ako pabalik sa upuan ay napansin ko na masama ang tingin sa akin ni Lorry. Hindi ko naman ginusto na maging partner ko yung dalawa kaya bakit siya magagalit sa akin?

I will give you 3 days to finish the presentation and then wait for my instruction kung kailan ninyo ipepresent yan. The teacher said before leaving.

I looked at everyone who is busy with their partners. I guess they are talking about the activity. I should be talking to them for the sake of the activity. But its seems like they doesn’t care about our activity.

Busy ako sa pag-aayos ng gamit ko ng makita ko ang dalawang pares ng paa sa tapat ko. I looked up and saw Ivan and Antony waiting for me to finish what am I doing.

Ahhhm anong plano natin? Tanong ko sakanila.

They are both looking at me with a serious face. I also looked at them with the same face pero mas seryoso pa sa seryoso ang muka nilang dalawa. Umiwas ako ng tingin dahil hindi ko na kinaya ang pagtitig nilang dalawa sa akin. Okay awkward.

I suggest to do the activity in our house. you will be accommodated in there as well as marami rin kayong resources na makukuha a library namin. Ivan suggest to us.

I saw Antony looking at me with concern.

Is that okay with you Krisha? He asked me.

Of course, Krisha will be okay with that. She will be comfortable in our house. Pagmamayabang ni Ivan kay Antony.

I am sure that I will be comfortable in their house but it is not right though. Syempre dalawa silang lalaki na partner ko at nag iisa lang ako na babae. Ngayon nga medyo awkward na, ano pa kaya kung magsama kaming tatlo sa iisang lugar ng kami lang.

Ahhmm pwedeng sa library na lang tayo gumawa? Di kasi ako papayagan pag pumunta ako sa ibang bahay.

They both agree with my decision. Muka namang okay lang sakanila ang desisyon ko at naiintindihan nila na hindi ako pwede sa kung saan-saan.

Lets do it tomorrow then. The teachers will be busy tomorrow so we have free time. I guess it will be after lunch. Ani Antony.

After the meeting with them. They both stand up and went back to their chairs.

While me and my friends decided to go to the canteen to buy some snacks.

What’s with Ivan and Antony? they both like you to be their pair. Nagtatakang tanong saakin ni Jai.

I don’t know also. I can’t even think enough reason why they wanted me to be their pair. They are both new to me… that is why I don’t like the idea of being paired with anyone of them.

Dunno… I don’t care about their reasons. Ang mahalaga ay magawa namin yung activity.

Nang makarating sa canteen ay hinarap ako ni jai.

Alam mo krisha may kakaiba talaga sa kinikilos nung dalawang lalaki eh. Si ivan di naman ganon yon diba jess? Ani jai

Oo nga. Hindi si Ivan yung tipo ng lalaki na siya yung gagawa ng first move unless ipagduldulan mo yung sarili mo sakanya… at sa kaso mo, di mo naman pinakita na interested ka sakanya.Mahabang paliwanag ni Jess

At si Antony… di namimili ng partner sa groupings yon. Mas madalas pa nga na magsolo yun kasi kaya niya gumawa mag isa.

Ayaw pa akong tigilan ng dalawa tungkol kay Ivan at Antony. Gusto ko na ngang sabihin sakanila na wala naman akong pake sa dalawa kaya lang inunahan akong magsalita ni Pyok.

Alam niyo bumuli na kayong dalawa ng pagkain, dami niyong chika! Natatawang sabi ni Pyok sakanilang dalawa.

Tumayo na yung dalawa para bumili ng makakain habang kami naman dalawa ni pyok ay naiwan sa lamesa.

Krisha… maybe you’re confuse about Ivan’s action towards you. Pyok pause for a while then continue speaking with her eyes attentively looking at me. I Knew him for years and with that years, I already saw what he can do to every women he pursued.

Khris looked at my hands for a while and she hold it.

I just want to warn you… Hindi basta basta nagpapakita ng motibo si Ivan sa isang babae kung wala siyang kailangan. And Krisha, nakikita ko yung interes niya ngayon sayo. Gusto kitang balaan na dapat mo siyang layuan… ayokong magaya ka sa mga babaeng niloko niya kaya mag-iingat ka.

Warning? For what? Is she thinking that I will fall for Ivan? The heck? Di kaya ako pwedeng mag boyfriend! Pero… kung magkakaroon man ako… ayoko ng babaero.

I smiled to her. I need to show her that she shouldn’t be worried about me.

Seryoso mo naman masyado Pyok! Para namang ikamamatay ko kung magustuhan ko si Ivan. I said to her while laughing. She didn’t laugh at me and remained serious. Don’t worry… I won’t fall for him or any other man in this campus. Takot ko lang sa erpats ko kapag malaman niya na may jowa ako dito no!

I saw a big relief in Pyok’s face. She just smiled at me. Maybe she understand now that I don’t want any relationship with men.

KINABUKASAN ay maagang inanunsyo sa amin na wala kaming klase mula tanghali hanggang hapon, pero dahil may gagawin kaming presentation ngayon, mananatili kami ng kagrupo ko sa library.

Papunta na ako sa library ng mapansin ko na tumatakbo papalapit sa akin si Antony.

Pupunta ka na ng library?Tanong niya sa akin

Tumango naman ako sakanya at sumabay na sa paglalakad. Umupo kami sa upuan na may mahabang mesa at nag antay kay Ivan.

Ano nga palang gagawin natin sa presentation?

Tumingin siya sa akin .Let’s wait for Ivan.

Why so serious Antony? Why can’t you show any other emotions maliban sa busangot na muka? Gwapo sana siya kaya lang seryoso at masungit lagi ang muka niya.

Why are you looking at me?

Ha?

Do you want to say anything? I just saw you drooling at me. He said while smirking.

Ha! Kaya niya pala yung ganong emotion… bakit ngayon ko lang nakita yon?

Ako? Tinitignan ka? Feeling naman neto… yung mag jowa sa likod mo ang tinitignan ko, hindi ikaw.

Paunti-unting tumawa si Antony dahil sa sinabi ko. Seriously, he’s handsome while laughing!

Bakit? Naiingit ka ba sakanila kaya ka titig na titig sa ginagawa nila? He said to me na parang nang-aasar.

Bakit ako maiinggit? I remembered na bawal ang PDA dito… library should be a solemn place for every readers, not for a couple who do cringe things.

Ilang minuto na ang nakalipas pero wala pa ring Ivan na dumadating. Saan kaya yun nagpunta at late siya sa usapan namin? Nakipaglandian na naman siguro yon.

We better start. Kung aantayin natin si Ivan baka hindi natin matapos ng maaga ang presentation.

Sumangayon naman ako kay Antony. Mas magandang matapos ng maaga ang ginagawa namin para maaga rin akong makauwi.

Maghahanap lang ako ng iba pang libro na related sa topic.Tumango naman siya sa akin habang sinisimulang buksan ang laptop niyang dala.

Malapit na ako sa section ng libro tungkol sa science ng may marinig akong kaluskos sa pinakadulong bahagi ng library.

Lumingon ako sa bandang likuran kung saan ko narinig ang ingay pero wala naman akong napansin na tao. Weird.

Pinagpatuloy ko ang paghahanap ng marinig ko ulit ang kaluskos at iba pang kakaibang ingay kaya naisipan ko na puntahan na ito.

Ng marating ko kung saan nagmumula ang kaluslos ay agad kong nabitawan ang hawak ko dahil sa nakita ko. Diyos ko mahabagin, Bakit nila dito ginagawa yan?

Dahil sa ingay ng pag bagsak ng libro ay agad huminto sa paghalik si Ivan sa isang babae.

Ahmmm wala dito yung libro…haha tuloy niyo lang ginagawa niyo. Ngumiti ako sakanila at kumaripas na ng takbo.