Simon

Chapter One: Episode 5

Kliara

I was shocked to know that Simon once courted Gwen. Well, not really the thought na nanliligaw siya surprises me, because natural naman ‘yon.

But imagine the feeling of seeing someone you like, being with someone else. Ang sakit siguro no’n sa mata niya, no’ng nakita namin sila doon sa classroom. Pagkatapos naming mag-usap doon sa classroom, we walked together papunta sa sarili naming classroom at habang naglalakad kami kinuwento niya sa akin kung anong nangyari at kung bakit siya na basted. Medyo naawa pa ako sa kanya, but well, he can be really mysterious sometimes kaya siguro naguluhan din si Gwen sa kung ano ba talaga ang feelings niya.

It’s already 6pm and nakauwi na ako sa bahay, I am starting to research for ways para matulungan ko si Simon. I don’t know if he’s ready, pero pumayag naman siya to start things over with Gwen.

While I was busy thinking for ways ay tinext naman ako ni CJ.

Open link here to view conversation: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LVJa9oqUasWuQvMcnSRsIlR29hdDHRQmnJ1QQaxx8eo/edit?tab=t.0

The next day, CJ approached me again and kept bugging me kung sino ang crush ni Simon. Ayaw ko namang sabihin. Simon needs to make his move first before things get trending.

It was announcement day and CJ won the position for Student Council Pres. It was a good thing to keep his mind off of Simon’s business. Hahaha! That thing made CJ busy, pero ang problema ko naman ngayon ay kung paano ko kakausapin si Simon. He seems off again. Parang hindi yung Simon na kausap ko kahapon. And ayoko ko din siyang lapitan dahil aasarin na naman ako ng mga kaklase namin na mga walang magawa.

About changing his looks, It’s a good thing my lola kept my cousin’s uniform, and that cousin thankfully had the same body built as Simon. It’s still in the laundry shop, at ibibigay ko yun sa kanya bukas. I think isa lang kasi ang uniform na suot niya at panay white t-shirt lang siya. That shouldn’t be the default look people would remember when someone utters the name, Simon. But of course, if he allows. That’s why I will make him watch She’s All That, so that he would know what exactly I am doing.

I thought about what I can do more and thought of convincing him to join the football team. But of course he still has to try-out. I often see him playing Basketball but I'm sure mas mapapansin siya ni Gwen kapag sa football siya sumali. That way also, kapag nakasali siya sa varsity, he’d refrain from smoking. I heard they train tirelessly on the team.

During lunch break, naisip kong pumunta sa labas school at hanapin si Simon. Agad ko naman siya nakita sa isa sa mga stores doon sa labas at nung nakita niya ako ay nagtaka siya dahil nakatitig lang ako sa kanya.

“Pinapatawag ka ni Ms. Mae.” I told him as an excuse para hindi kami asarin ng mga classmate naming iba na nandoon.

Agad naman siyang sumunod, at nung nakalayo na kami, pinasunod ko siya sa likod ng library. “Bakit?” tanong niya agad pagkatigil naming maglakad.

“May sasabihin lang ako sa’yo.”

“Ano, bakit, Kliara.”

“I have a plan already kung paano mo makukuha ang attention ulit ni Gwen.” Excited kong sinabi sa kanya. “This.” I handed him a memory card where I downloaded the movie. “Give it back when you’re done watching it. And also, “

“You need to be part of the football team, Simon.”

“Huh? Bakit naman? Hindi ako marunong Klarra.” Reklamo niya. Hanggang ngayon Klara pa rin tawag niya sakin. Na-aartehan daw kasi siya sa pangalan ko, kaya nung unang beses pa lang niya akong nakausap ay Klarra na talaga ang tinawag niya sakin. Parehas lang naman daw yon. Kaya ganon nalang din ang inis ko sa kanya dati.

“Sa basketball nalang.” reklamo niya naman.

I crossed my arms. “NO.”

“Alam mo namang coach si Sir Mike dun sa football diba? So syempre nando’n din lage si Gwen tsaka yung mga friends niya. Kailangan mong pag igihan para maging pinaka-magaling ka at mapansin ka ni Gwen. Kaya mo yan! Sus ikaw pa ba.” Pambobola ko naman sa kanya.

“Ayoko, mapapahiya lang ako dun. Tsaka pa’no kung wala namang pakialam si Gwen sa’kin?” reklamo na naman niya.

“Hay nako naman Simon, ang weak mo naman eh. Mapapansin ka no’n, sure ako, kokonti lang naman ang nasa football team eh. And then, and then, here’s the catch, kapag nakita ni Sir Mike na nagkaka-developan na kayo ni Gwen, edi, maghihiwalay na sila, diba? ANNNNNNNNNND… magiging kayo na ni Gwendolynne.” I proposed.

“Tsk, parang anlabo naman ng plano mo eh.” Sabi niya. Nagkakamot pa ng ulo.

“Hey you, Beast. Mas okay na yun kesa sa’yo na give up agad. Tinutulungan ka na nga eh.” Hays nakaka-istress naman talaga ng taong to.

“Ikaw ang tinutulungan ko, hindi ko kailangan ng tulong mo.” diin pa niya.

“Ah talaga, di mo gusto si Gwen, duwag ka lang eh.” I pushed him pero mahina lang.

Bigla-bigla ay parang nagalit siya at nagulat ako dahil kinulong niya ako sa dalawang magkabilang kamay niya. Ang lapit-lapit namin.

“Sino’ng duwag Marie?” he told me while looking at me in the eye. Hindi ako makapagsalita at parang kinakabahan ako dahil nararamdaman ko na ang lakas ng kabog ng dibdib ko. And, wait, did he just call me … I don’t know, nabibingi lang siguro ako.

Di naman nagtagal at kinalas din niya yung mga kamay niya mula sa pader. I saw in his eyes that he was surprised by what he did as well.

“Oo na, pumapayag na ako sa gusto mo. Magta-try out ako bukas. Pero wala akong pambayad sa uniform kaya wag kang umasang makakasali ako nang ganon-ganon na lang.” Sabi niya. Ako naman ay hindi pa makapagsalita dahil pinapakalma ko pa ang sarili ko. Did I just get nervous over a boy?

“Sige na, bumalik ka na sa room, babalitaan na lang kita pagkatapos ng try-out.” Sabi ni Simon. I got out there catching my breath.

The next day, I was bringing Simon’s set of school uniform at mabuti nalang ay naabutan ko siya sa parking kaya hindi ako nahirapang i-abot sa kanya na hindi nakikita ng mga classmates namin. Tinanong niya na naman ako kung para saan, at ayaw pa niyang tanggapin pero sinabi ko sa kanya na itatapon ko iyon kung hindi niya kukunin. I also handed him some stuff like shower gel, hair wax, and pabango.

So, there, he went inside the classroom in complete uniform for the first time. I was even amazed how he styled his hair.

If I have to make him a heartthrob, gagawin ko. Thank God naging effective naman ang efforts ko dahil napansin iyon agad ng mga classmates namin, even ng teacher namin. I told Simon right away to keep his style that way, or else I will kill him. I don’t know why, pero aside from our plans, parang natutuwa din ako na tinutulungan ko siya to be better.

Way to go, Kliara. I patted myself.

Days later, it was Simon’s try-out. None of my friends know na tinutulungan ko siya except CJ, but I had an excuse to be there dahil marching band member ako and we also have to practice our cheer. We don’t have cheerleading in our school, marching band lang. Masyado raw kasing risky ang cheerleading at walang gustong maging adviser.

While practicing, silip naman ako ng silip kung may Gwen na pumunta sa tryouts, and luckily she showed up.

I kept observing Gwen, who was with her friends, and I noticed na napansin niya nang nandoon si Simon. Nagkatinginan silang dalawa but inirapan lang ni Gwen si Simon. Parang b*tch naman ‘tong babaeng ‘to. Naawa tuloy ako kay Simon na napatingin din sa akin pagkatapos nilang magtinginan ni Gwen.

Wait, does he think I’m observing him?

Pinagdilatan ko siya ng mata para mag focus siya sa kailangan niyang gawin, at baka din kasi mapansin ni Gwen at kung ano pa’ng maisip.

Soon, the tryouts have started and to my surprise, ang duwag na si Simon na sinabing hindi niya daw kaya, eh nakapasok pagkatapos ng try-out niya. Nakakainis talaga, pero happy ako para sa kanya. Another goal unlocked.

Pagkatapos ng practice namin, naglakad na din kami pabalik ng classroom. Hindi pa kami nakakalayo sa school grounds ay nilapitan naman ako ni Gwen, which is unexpected of her.

“Hi Bee.” Binati niya ako. As I said, we had a little bit of history no’ng freshmen kami. So I am kinda’ irritated of the way she is calling me, cos I only let my friends call me Bee.

“Hey, Gwen.” I replied.

“Buti nakita na kita finally. Alam mo bang nakita ko yung boyfriend mo kahapon sa may amin? Nag basketball sila doon.” She told me.

“Boyfriend?” I asked. “Jake?” I asked. Medyo nagtaka naman siya dahil tinanong ko pa siya.

“Oh no, so totoo nga. Break na talaga kayo.” She told me. Oh, I see where we’re going here. She wants to confirm something from me.

“You two talked, I assume.” I told her.

“Well, saglit lang naman. Medyo na worry lang ako kasi baka kinakausap niya ako nang di mo alam kaya sinabi ko sa’yo ngayon. Nilibre pa nga niya ako ng softdrinks eh. Pero totoo, ba talagang wala na kayo?”

Softdrinks lang pala eh, how cheap. Ayaw ko na lang sanang pansinin pero, naalala ko, I’m not a b-tch like her, I’m a b-tch like me.

“I see. Buti at okay lang sa boyfriend mo na nagkikita kayo ni Jake?” pambabara ko sa kanya. Medyo nilakasan ko pa ang boses ko para marinig kami nang football team. And by football team I only meant, yung coach nila.

Natameme siya bigla pero nag deny din. “Boyfriend? I don’t have one.” Sabi niya sa’kin.

“Is that so? ‘cos I thought you were going out with –” nagsasalita pa ako pero pinutol na niya ako.

“Wala akong idea sa sinasabi mo but anyway, nice talking with you Bee, aalis na kami, mainit pala dito” she told me at umalis na. Halatang kinabahan siya dahil pagkalampas nila kung nasa’n ang football team ay nakatingin si Sir Mike sa kanya.

“That was intense, Kley. Akala namin magsasabunutan kayo.” My bestfriend Axel told me.

“Bee, wag mo ng pansinin ‘yon. For sure, gawa-gawa na naman niya ‘yon. I know Jake, kuripot yun, hindi nga ako nililibre nii chips non eh.” Abigail told me. I just smiled at them.

“Don’t worry about that, I’m not really concerned about her and Jake na magkasama. I just needed to blow some steam off, napagod ako sa practice e, hahahahaha.” I laughed.

She really needs to be roasted. Para hindi siya nagmumukhang sobrang makati. So irritating.

Naglakad na kami ulit at pagdaan naming kina Simon, he was staring at me. I don’t know if he has been looking at me from the start of that conversation, but whatever. I rolled my eyes on him too.

How I pity you, Jim Simon. Kahit mapasayo pa siya, I don’t think you’ll still be happy.

A week later

Although Gwen and I’s last conversation was pretty heated, I still had to help Simon. Hindi naman talaga b-tch si Gwen eh, she just likes making me jealous. I don’t know why, I guess some people just want to bring out your weaknesses.

I want Simon to be able to start courting her already. Tamang-tama at may activity kami sa school. I asked CJ and Abi to make Simon our representative para sa darating na culmination for buwan ng wika. It’ll be in 30 days. I also asked William, Simon’s brother, na mag suggest na gawing representative nila si Gwen. He asked me why but I just told him, dahil maganda si Gwen.

Gladly, nag work naman ang pina-plano ko. They were both chosen, through voting ofcourse.

What should happen is that they'll simply just represent our year for the National Costume made out of upcycled clothes. They will also have to practice their talent, so that means, maraming silang time na magkasama.

Sobrang nasiyahan ako na pinili din ng mga classmates ko si Simon. Pero si Simon, sobrang simangot niya habang nakatingin sa’kin. Sorry not sorry, Simon.

Pero napasimangot din ako sa bandang huli, dahil kasali din pala ako sa mag-t-train para sa presentation performance nila.

---

Simon

Sabado ngayon pero heto ako’t naghahanda para sa rehearsal.

Hindi ko na talaga maintindihan lahat ng mga pangyayari. Sino naman kasing mag-aakala na makakasali ako sa mga ganitong contest? Kahit mga kaibigan ko ay napailing ng malaman nila. Tinawanan pa ako. Tangina talaga! Pero hindi ko naman matanggihan si Klara sa mga plano niya. Ewan ko ba!

Pagdating ko sa school nandoon na silang lahat.

Pagkaupo ko sa upuan ay kinausap naman ako ni Gwen. “You’re late.”

“Sorry.” tipid kong sagot.

“Binibiro lang kita.” sagot naman niya.

“Aahh.” tipid ko uling sagot.

“Buti napapayag ka nila na gawin ‘to?” tanong naman niya.

“Ikaw din, buti pumayag ka?” tanong ko pabalik, at ngumiti naman siya.

“Does that mean masaya ka na pumayag ako?”

Sasagot na sana ako, pero nauna na siyang magsalita. “Joke lang.”

“Hindi ko rin inexpect ma nominate. But here I am.” - Gwen.

“Same.” sagot ko nalang. Naninibago kasi ako na kinakausap niya ako ngayon, pagkatapos ng huling usapan namin.

Nakinig na lang ako sa pinagdidiskuyunan ng mga nasa harap. Kasama sa mga nasa harapan, ng pisara, si Klara. Nang maligaw ang tingin niya sakin ay ngumiti naman siya, pero yung ngiting may ibig sabihin. Napailing nalang ako. Malamang ay tinutukso niya ako sa isipan niya dahil katabi at nakausap ko si Gwen.

Pagkatapos ng meeting ay magkakaroon daw ng ‘stage rehearsal’ pero bago yun ay pinalabas muna kami para makakain ng merienda. Magkikita nalang daw kaming lahat mamaya sa may stage ng school. Nag ikot-ikot nalang muna ako dahil hindi naman ako nagugutom.

“Sturgess!” may tumawag sa apelyido ko, at ewan ko kung bakit pero alam kong boses ni Klara yun.

Paglingon ko ay siya nga. Lumapit naman siya.

“Sooo.. what’s the progress?” Tanong niya.

“Progress?”

“What did you and Gwen talk about kanina?” tanong niya. “Have you told her you still like her?”

“Walang ganon, Klara.” hindi ko napigilan at napitik ko siya sa noo.

“Aw!” “What's that for?” nahiya naman ako dahil hindi ko sinasadyang gawin yon.

“Ang kulit mo kasi.”

“Feeling close ka na sakin ha.” pagbibiro niya sakin.

“Ikaw din naman ah..” sagot ko din.

“Fine, then I guess we’re really friends now.” sagot niya. “I’m happy for you Simon.”

“Para saan? Na friends na tayo?” biro ko.

“Tanga hindi.” Natawa naman siya.

“Malapit ka na magka-girlfriend.” dagdag niya.

Nang sabihin niya ‘yon ay bigla akong nakaramdam ng lungkot.

Ang alam ni Klara ay liligawan at pa-iibigin ko sa akin si Gwen, pero hindi pa din ako kumbinsido doon.

“Paano kung hindi mangyari, yun?” tanong ko sa kanya.

“Ang alin?”

“Paano kung hindi maging kami ni Gwen? Anong gagawin mo?” tanong ko sa kanya.

“Oh, Are you worried about that? Tanong niya.

“Hindi.”

“wow , confident..” - Klara.

“Ang ibig kong sabihin, okay lang sakin. Maging okay lang kaya sayo?” sagot ko sa kanya.

Hindi naman siya nakasagot.

“Kapag hindi ko ba napasagot si Gwen, titigil ka na sa pakikipagkaibigan mo sa’kin?” tanong ko.

“No, Simon. I really like being friends with you.” sagot niya.. Nakaramdam naman ako ng biglang saya sa sinabi niya.

Pagkatapos ng rehearsal namin ay pinatawag kami ulit sa classroom ng kaming dalawa lang ni Gwen. Pinag-usapan lang nila yung schedule ng individual practice, at kinunan na din kami ng sukat ng katawan namin para sa susuutin namin.

“Thank you guys, see you monday.” natapos na rin lahat sa wakas.

“Uuwi ka na ba sa inyo?” tinanong naman ako ni Gwen.

“Oo.” sagot ko.

Ang hindi ko alam ay narinig pala yun ni Klara dahil nasa likod pala siya ni Gwen habang papalabas kami ng classroom.

“Simon, ihatid mo na si Gwen.” biglaan niyang hinirit.

Wala na akong nagawa.

Nagsabay nang umuwi si CJ at Klara, si Abi naman ay mag susundo daw.

Kaya sabay-sabay kaming apat na nagpunta sa parking lot.

“Bye Bee. Ingat kayo.” Sinabi ni Gwen kay Klara. Ngumiti lang si Klara, pero batid kong naiilang siya sa kanya. Naalala ko na naman tuloy yung naging pag-uusap nila noong nag try-out ako.

Pauwi na kami ni Gwen ng matanong ko siya.

“May alitan ba kayo ni Klara?” tanong ko.

“Wala naman.“ sagot niya.

“Ganon ba,”

“Ba’t mo naitanong.”

“Wala lang.” tipid kong sagot.

“Close ba kayo ni Kliara?” tanong niya naman sakin pabalik. Hindi ako nakasagot. Ano ba dapat kong isagot?

“Napansin ko kasing naiilang siya sa’yo.” sinabi ko lang.

“Nooo. I like Kliara.” sabi niya pero halata naman na plastic yun.

“Ah. K.”

Maya-maya ay nakarating na din kami sa kanila.

“Thank you, Simon.”

“Sige.. Alis na ako.” sagot ko lang.

“See you sa practice.” masaya niyang tugon. Tipid ko lang siyang ngitian, at umalis na rin doon.

---

Kliara

The weekdays passed by a little too quickly, in just a blink it’s Friday already. I am going to meet Simon and Gwen this afternoon for their talent practice, which CJ, our classmate Chesca and I will be supervising. I am not much for dancing but CJ insisted that I should be there too.

When classes were over, the four of us stayed in the classroom.

Gwen came in around thirty minutes later. She didn’t even apologize for it. She seemed a little bit overjoyed as she came in. It annoyed me a little, because well, we have to go home too. But anyway..

Simon, as cold as he ever is, decided to ignore me today when I asked him if there’s anything worth telling after I pushed them to go home together last week. But he just gave me a plain No for an answer and immediately left. I guess he hates being pushed in that manner. Today I plan to do nothing but just observe them.

After Chesca showed them the video of the dance they’re going to execute, they were asked to get up and give it a try. I realized, I don’t know what exactly is my role here. Chesca and CJ said they know the dance by heart now, since they danced this in elementary school.

Chesca and CJ executed the steps first, and when they finished, they’d asked Simon and Gwen to do it. Sometimes, I felt sorry for SImon, because I could see it in his face that he isn’t amused with the things that’s been happening. He probably questions himself why he’s doing what he’s doing now.. Dancing and everything.

I was just there, looking at them, and it seems that Gwen and Simon might really have a chance. I see it. I know it. Gwen is getting comfortable with Simon, and Simon is just being Simon.

“Kley, you should get up too.” Chesca asked me a few minutes later.

“Why?” I asked.

“You’re gonna dance too.” she told me.

“What? No. I thought I’m only a spectator here. “Or a videographer or something…”

“No.. Silly.” CJ, who was near me, said. “You have to be partners with Simon first.. I’ll do Gwen.”

“But they’re fine though.. I saw it, they were getting there.” I said, referring to the dance.

“Right Simon?” I asked Simon, who I noticed was looking at Gwen. But he just shrugged.

“Gwen?” I asked Gwen.

“Just two dances, Kliara Marie.” CJ interrupted and then he dragged me to the center.

I have no choice.

“Okay, let’s start.” Chesca, who was observing in front, said and played the music. We’re doing a Carinosa. And I have respect for traditional dances, but I just find it awkward especially that I am not that much of a dancer.

‘I really don’t know how to do this.” I told Simon while shaking my hand. But he offered his hand and he smiled towards me. So I couldn’t help but smile too. Good for him though, because he can dance rather nicely.

All throughout, he just guided me, and surprisingly, I enjoyed it.

“Thanks for that. You can dance, really well.” I told him.

“He can dance really well..’ I diverted my attention to CJ and Gwen who was beside me as well.

“Chels, I think Simon’s good to go.. Can I sit now?” I asked Chelsea, but she said one more sequence.

“Natatakot ka ba sakin?” Simon suddenly asked. But the others heard it. I laughed nervously.

“No’. I said as they were looking at us. “Ano ba..” I warned him, for teasing me.

“Sorry, sorry.. Hahaha relax.” he giggled. So annoying.

"Ang cute niyo." Gwen suddenly commented and I suddenly felt I was brought back to reality. When I looked at her, she was looking at Simon and then she diverted her gaze towards me. Nagkatinginan kami, and I am not sure but she kind of looked bothered.

But bothered or not, I am quite relieved the plan seems to be working.

It was past 6pm when the practice ended. Since Chelsea lives just near the school, she just walked home. CJ and I are headed home together too since we live in the same area. Meanwhile, Gwen and Simon are headed in the same direction also. So again, Simon has to take Gwen home for her safety na din. They'll have time to converse privately kahit saglit lang.