Wide Awake (Tagalog)

Chapter 4

S h a n t e l l e

Nagising ako nang maramdaman ko na may kamay na humahaplos sa pisngi ko.

Agad akong nagmulat at tinapik ang kamay niyang nakadampi sa pisngi ko.

"Sino ka?!" pasigaw kong tanong sa lalaking nasa gilid ng kama. At tsaka nasaan ba ako? This place looks like a clinic.

Bumangon ako at sumandal sa headboard ng kama bago nag crossed arms. Kunot noo kong tinitigan ang lalaking nasa karapan ko ngayon. Nakangit siya sa'kin. Nakasuot siya ng kulay red na jersey at may number 11 na nakalagay sa suot niya. Mukha siyang pagod dahil sa dami ng pawis niya. Messy din ang itim niyang buhok.

"Hey. Relax. Natamaan ka ng bola kanina at nawalan ng malay kaya dinala kita rito." nakangiti niyang sambit. Naningkit ang mga mata ko. Who the hell is this guy? At tsaka nasaan naba kasi si Yarah? Siya may kasalanan nito e'. Sheesh. Kung lang sana siya malandi, hays.

"Tinatanong ko kung sino ka." taas kilay kong tanong sa lalaki. Bigla naman siyang tumawa. Natigilan ako nang makita ko kung paano siya tumawa. Ang cute, nawawala 'yung mata.

To be honest, gwapo siya. Pero wala akong panahon para do'n. Hindi ko naman kilala ang lalaking 'to. Bakit ba panay ang pagngiti niya? Nakakasar ha.

He chuckled while combing his hair using his fingers. "Okay, sorry. Ako nga pala si Nero Acosta. Nice meeting you miss.."sambit niya habang nakalahad ang isang kamay sa akin.

I just stared at it. "Where's Yarah?" binawi naman niya ang nakalahad niyang kamay bago siya nagsalita.

"Ahh. 'Yung pinsan mo? 'Umalis para sa klase niya. So, ako nalang ang nagbantay sayo." he scratched his nape a little.

Nagulat naman ako nang marealize ang sinabi niya. "Ano?! Wait, anong oras naba?!" natataranta kong sambit. Wala pa ako kahit isang klaseng naa-attendan. I don't even know my room. Geez. Nakakainis kasi talaga si Yarah, e.

Nagulat naman ako nang hawakan ng lalaki ang mga balikat ko upang pakalmahin ako. "Wait, chill. 'Wag kang sumigaw." he chuckled. "AD-307 ang classroom mo, Miss. In-excuse narin kita sa lahat ng subjects mo for this day."nakangiting paliwanag niya. He even winked at me. What the hell?!

Napangiwi ako at inalis ang mga kamay niya sa balikat ko. "Bitawan mo nga ako. At tsaka sagutin mo 'yung tanong ko, anong oras naba?"inis na tanong ko. Wala man lang kasing clock dito sa clinic. Nanlalambot naman akong kuhanin ang cellphone ko sa bag ko.

Tumingin siya sa relo niya bago nagsalita. "11:00 o'clock. 'Wag kana umattend ng klase. Alam ko kasing masakit pa 'yang ulo mo. Just take a rest. Ako bahala sa'yo." sambit niya. Nag thumbs up pa siya sa'kin. Sino ba kasi siya?

Napakunoot noo naman ako sa sinabi niya. "Sandali nga muna. Sino kaba? Bakit ka nandito at bakit mo'ko kinakausap?" I asked. Napaka feeling close niya kasi. Maybe he's  up to something. He wants something from me!

He chuckled. "Nasabi ko na 'di ba? I'm Nero. Nero Acosta. 21, Engineering student, Single." he smirked

.

Napataas naman ang isang kilay ko. Pinagsasabi nito? Baliw ata. "What I mean is. Sino ka ba para bantayan pa ako dito at i-excuse sa lahat ng klase ko?" I raised a brow

Napakamot ito sa ulo niya."Ofcourse. You're here because of me. Gusto kong makasiguro na okay ka. And also.. I want to say sorry.." seryosong sambit niya.

Napatango tango ako dahil sa sinabi niya."Hmm, okay. Pwede ka nang umalis."wala sa mood na utos ko sa kaniya.

His brows furrowed. "Huh? Sandali, ano munang pangalan mo?"

"Why are you asking?" kunot noo kong sambit. Naguguluhan talaga ako sa lalaking 'to.

He shrugged and smiled. "Ahh. I just want to know.. Sige na, please. Pag sinabi mo aalis na ako, promise." pagmamakaawa niya. Pinagdikit pa niya ang mga palad niya na parang humihiling. Tss.

I just sighed and blinked before looking at him.  "Shantelle."

"Shantelle?" he asked, smiling.

"Shantelle Arceo." I replied. After that, he immediately stoop up.

"Okay. See you around, Shantelle!" he waved his hand a little before leaving the room.

I shook my head while staring at the open door. He's so friendly and annoying. At anong sabi niya? See you around? Lol.

Few minutes later, I thought of texting Yarah so did. Siguro naman tapos na klase niya 'di ba?

I typed a message for her. But before I could send the message, I was surprised when the door of the clinic suddenly opened and Yarah entered. She seems worried.

I was surprised when she ran to me and hugged me, tightly.

"Hey, fokfok." I joked.

"Omaygad, Shantelle! I'm so sorry, girl!  Hindi ko naman alam na matatamaan ka ng bola e'. Huhu. Sorry talaga ah? Ikaw naman kasi e', bakit ba hindi ka tumitingin sa paligid mo? Ayan, natamaan ka tuloy--"

"Wait, are you sorry or blaming me?" I raised a brow.

"Hehe. Nag so-sorry!" sabi niya at nag peace sign pa. "Let's go, Shantelle. Tapos na ang class hours. Lunch tayo." sambit niya bago binibit ang bag ko.

I glared at her when we both got out of the clinic. "Tsk, give me that." I tried to snatch my bag from her but she quickly took it away from me.

"Ako na magdadala nito. Pambawi man lang sa ginawa ko. Hehe." she said and made a cute face.

I just sighed before grabbing my bag from her. "My head hurts, not my hand. And besides, bola lang ang tumama sa'kin. It's not a bigdeal." I rolled my eyes while placing the strap of my bag on my shoulder.

She just crossed her arms. "Geez. Pero in fairness haba ng hair mo 'teh." sambit niya habang sinusundot ako sa tagiliran. My brows automatically furrowed. The hell is she saying?

"Stop it, if you still treasure your life." I warned her. "Ano bang sinasabi mo diyan?"

"Heh. Tigilan mo nga 'yan. Ano bang pinagsasabi mo diyan?" I said and moved slightly away from her as we walked. She is very naughty and noisy when walking. Hindi ko nga alam pero baka pinaglihi sa kiti-kiti ang isang 'to. Ang gaslaw, e.

"She flipped her wavy hazel hair before talking. "Hehe. Nero mylabs brought you to the clinic earlier. Many women are jealous of you. Well, sorry for them dahil hindi sila bet ni Nero!" kinikilig na kwento niya kaya napangiwi ako at bahagya pang napakunot noo.

"Tss. Why are they jealous of me? And what my labs are you saying? Do you like that kind of guy?" I raised an eyebrow. Mukhang may bago na namang nilalandi ang babaeng 'to tapos hindi sinasabi sa'kin.

Her forehead furrowed quickly before she let out a laugh. "What? No! It's just a joke of course! I won't take Nero from you. May bebe na'ko, e. At ang gwapo niya! He's Theo Cael Fernandez." kinikilig na kwento niya. May pagsangat ba siya ng buhok sa tainga niya. Tsk. A name of a guy again? And who the hell is that? Boyfriend niya?

Well, I haven't seen Yarah in years. So I don't know what the status of her lovelife is. And how many boyfriends she has. Pero sa tingin ko marami na. Siya pa ba? Everytime we make a video call, hindi siya nawawalan ng kwento about sa lalaki. Nakakaumay na nga, e.

My brows furrowed ."And who's that Theo chuchu Fernando na 'yan?"

Hinampas niya ako sa braso bago nagsalita. Tumawa siya. "It's Theo Cael Fernandez, Shantelle. Duh? 'Wag mo nga palitan 'yung pangalan niya. Ang gwapo gwapo kaya ng bebe ko na 'yon."

I shook my head while looking at her, irritatedly. Oh well, ayan na naman siya sa  kilig kilig feeling niya."Whatever. Anyway, I'm going to the cafeteria. My stomach hurts. Come with if you want." I said then I started to walk away. But I suddenly stopped when I remembered something. I didn't even know the way to the cafeteria. Haist. Disadvantage of being a transferee. I turned to Yarah and waited for her.

Hininhingal ito nang maabutan ako. "Grabe, lahat nalang talaga nang iiwan. Hindi naman ako kaiwan iwan ah?" maarteng sambit nito bago inayos ang bangs niya.

Napailing nalang ako. "Maiiwan ka talaga kapag puro ka kaartehan sa paglalakad." I chuckled and held her hand. "Let's go. I do not know where the cafeteria is."

She just laughed at me while shaking her head.

They have a huge cafeteria here but there are also a lot of students eating. A lots of them are busy talking and eating with their friends. Halatang lahat ng estudyante dito pumapalakpak ang mga bulsa. Rich mannequins. It seems that almost all of them came from a rich family. The jewelries that they are wearing shines in beauty because of its quality. Also, their uniforms are obviously made of expensive fabric. 

I sighed when I realized how many students lined over the counter. Napairap nalang ako. Kailan pa matatapos umorder ang mga 'yan? Eh napaka aarteng kung mag si-order. Mag iisip lang inaabot ng 15 minutes sa counter. Myghad, cassy.

Yes, I'm also rich. Pero hindi naman ako ganiyan na maarte. Siguro noong bata ako, oo. Maarte talaga ako lalo na sa pagkain. I'm a spoiled, ass. Tsk. 

I couldn't stand it anymore and so I glanced at Yarah. Naka tingin ito sa menu board.

"Yarah, let's eat outside nalang kaya?" I suggested.

Napansin ko rin kasi na wala ng bakanteng upuan pa dito. So, saan kami kakain? Sa sahig? Sa klase ng chismisan ng mga etudyanteng nandito mukhang sa isang taon pa ang tapos no'n. 

"Hihi. Bes, tapos alam mo ba. Umamin na sa'kin si Laurence. Gosh! He's courting me!" napangiwi na lamang ako nang marinig ang maarteng pagtawa ng isa sa mga etudyanteng malapit sa'min.

I just rolled my eyes to the girl. Kung makapagkwento parang gusto na niyang ipaalam sa buong mundo na may nanliligaw sa kaniya. Like, does she think we care? Sino ba ang Laurence na iyon? Tsk.

"Hey, Shan!" nagbalik ako ng atensiyon kay Yarah nang tapikin niya ako sa braso.

"Are you saying someting?" I asked.

She rolled her eyes."Oo no. Ano ba kasing problema mo at ganiyan ka makatingin diyan sa babae? Anyway, bakit naman ngayon mo nalang naisipan na kumain sa labas. Myghad, Shantelle. Konting kembot nalang nasa counter na tayo."

Nag look forward naman ako. May pitong students pa bago kami. "So, what the hell are you waiting for? Kembot now." utos ko. "If I only knew na pipila tayo rito ng ganito katagal, then we should really just eat outside. You didn't infrom me." reklamo ko. Duh? I'm a transferee.

"Sheesh. 'wag kanang magulo diyan. Malapit na tayo. Mag isip kana ng o-orderin mo ngayon para mabilis tayo sa counter." sambit nito bago ako tinalikuran. Tumingin ulit siya sa menu board kaya gano'n nalang din ang ginawa ko. Ano pa nga bang magagawa ko?

Ilang minuto pa ang lumipas bago kami tuluyang maka order. 

"Ahm, pa-order ako ng.. Isang mango shake, carbonara, one slice of strawberry cake and large fries." Yarah said to the cashier.

The crew quickly returned with her order. She paid it and then she stood next to me.  

"Order kana, Shantelle. Hanap lang ako ng mauupuan natin." tumango ako bago ibinaling ang atensiyon ko sa kay ateng crew. My eyes brightened when I saw siopao in the steamer behind her. Phew! Buti naman at may siopao dito.

"Uhh, can I have--" I stopped speaking when a man suddenly stepped in front of me.

"I want 3 siopao, 2 slices of black forest cake, 1 large fries and dark chocolate flavored milktea. Make it tall and pakibilisan." sambit ng isang matangkad na lalaking sumingit sa pila at sa unahan ko pa! My nose suddenly smoked in anger when I realized what this guy had done. Doesn't he know that I was ahead of him?! Is he blind or just stupid?!

I glared at the guy in front of me before glancing at the counter crew with my brows furrowed. Don't tell me, uunahin niya ang lalaking ito?! Magkakaroon ng away dito!

"Okay, sir."the crew said shyly so I trembled even more in anger. My whole face is getting hot with so much annoyance. I could no longer control myself so I shouted loudly.

"What the hell?!" I yelled, which caused me to get everyone's attention, except for this guy. He was still not looking at me! Wow! He's so annoying! Sino ba siya? Hindi naman ako maliit para hindi niya ako makita. Kainis!

I just closed my eyes and clenched my fist. I took a deep breath before shouting again.  

"Hoy ikaw matangkad na lalaking hindi marunong pumila ng ayos! Para sabihin ko sayo ha! 25 minutes and 50 seconds lang naman akong pumili rito para lang um-order tapos, tapos?! Darating ka dito out of nowhere para lang manguna?! Ano ka sinu-swerte? Sa tingin mo hahayaan kitang maunang um-order ha? Ha?! My foot! Ano ka, si mayor?! Well, You're not! Stepped aside, stupid ass! Before I pull you away. from there! Walang manners!" I catch my breath after saying those words.

Tsk, I can't deal with that kind of behavior. Hindi siguro siya napalaki ng ayos ng mga magulang niya.

I raised an eyebrow when I realized that I had the attention of all the stupid people and other people here in the cafeteria. I also saw Yarah worriedly looking at me.  

Why? What's with her look? And what the hell is their problem para tingnan nila akong lahat ng ganiyan. I just did what is right! 

I was surprised when the guy spoke. But I was more surprised when I realized who he was.

What the hell?! Siya 'yung lalaki sa airport at sa cafe! Damn! Why is he here? And what the.. he's also wearing the uniform of this University for f**k's sake! Kainis, sa dinami dami ng University na pwede kong pasukan, bakit dito pa?!

"Are you done?" he plastered a smirked on his lips.

"You?! You're also a student here?!" I said, annoyed. Every time I see the face of this guy I get really irritated. Nahahagard tuloy ako.

"Ako nga. Nice to see you, again. Arceo." nakangising sambit niya. "Lagi nalang tayong nagkikita. Don't tell me.. you're stalking me?" he arched a brow. Naging dahilan naman iyon para makarinig ako ng mga bulungan sa paligid. Tsk, these mannequins are getting into my nerves. Hell! Naririnig ko sila! Wala naba silang ibang alam gawin kundi magchismisan?

I just ignored them and gave my attention to the guy infront of me. Nagsalubong ang mga kilay ko nang mapantanto ang sinabi niya. How does he know my last name? Siya yata ang stalker dito, e.

"What the hell?!" I said while glaring at him. "What would I stalked you, huh? Anong mapapala ko sa'yo?" I asked. Nginisian ko siya. Naging dahilan naman iyon para magbago ang ekspresiyon sa mukha niya. He looks irritated now. 

"Shut the f**k up. Hindi mo siguro ako kilala?" kunot noong sambit nito. Ano 'yan? Naasar naba siya? Mabilis pala siyang maasar, e.

"Ofcourse I don't. You're not an important person for me to know." matapang na sambit ko. Ramdam ko ang dami ng pares ng mga matang nakatitig sa'min ngayon. But who cares? Siya nagsimula nito! Tapusin niya.

Ny eyes narrowed as he began to step closer to me. He looked at me seriously as he walked. Wait, what is he planning?  

I stepped back. "What the f**k are you doing?" I whispered to him. He was only one step away from me kaya hindi ko maiwasang hindi mailang. Seriously? Andaming estudyante tapos ganito ang ginagawa niya? Don't test me.

I pulled myself away from him the moment he brought his face close to mine. "Prepare yourself. You're going to regret this shit." seryosong bulong niya sa'kin. I was suddenly terrified when I felt his breath in my ear. Extreme annoyance has risen again throughout my system so ..

"I think you're the one who's going to regret."sambit ko bago malakas siyang tinadyakan 'down there'. A grin formed on my lips when I saw him move away from me and writhe in pain.

"f**k!" he yelled. Masama siyang tumingin sa'kin habang iniinda ang sakit. Is he not ashamed? There's a ots of women here.

I just rolled my eyes when I heard the students around us whispering. Hindi ko na lamang sila pinansin at pinagtuunan nalang ng pansin ang lalaking nasa harapan ko.

If he wants a fight, fine! I will give it to him. I am not difficult to talk to.  

----