Love n' Dear

Chapter 40: Congrats

"Atleast talk in a language they don't understand, talagang tatamaan ka sa akin sa sobrang kadaldalan mo," nakangiwi kong sabi habang hila-hila siya papasok.

"Totoo naman talaga, kagabi, kinain na naman niya ang mani mo-- aray!" Ungol niya dahil kinurit ko ang tagiliran at mabilis na nagpaalam sa guard at dinala siya sa may medyo tagong parte kung saan walang makaririnig sa pinag-uusapan namin.

"Watch your mouth, Elle, talagang hindi ka aabutan ang bukas," nagtitimpi kong sabi.

"Chismosa man ako pero this time, I'm serious tingnan mo pa, nag-story na naman siya ng video niya habang kumakain ng mani mo at nag-re-recite ng kung ano." Inilahad niya sa akin ang phone na nagpapakitang may five seconds video nga si Luis na nag-re-review while munching a peanut that I don't know kung bigay ko. Baka naubos niya na iyong sa akin at bumili ng bago.

"Hindi ko iyan mani, mani niya okay?"

"Bigay mo pa rin so basically ikaw ang owner ng mani na ito. Siguro may tama talaga siya sayo. I'm being a detective at ilang araw na niyang kinakain ang mani m---"

"Ang sagwa pakinggan, come on Elle, let's stop talking about him. I'm already annoyed with the fact that I lost my game to a mere phone call and here you are being like this. There's nothing going on with him, go flirt with him whatever you want just stay me out." I don't have time to waste talking to her. Ikokondisyon ko na lang ang sarili sa exam na magaganap ngayon.

"Unblocked him so you can witness how he eats your peanut," I heard her talking but I just walked away. I don't want to hear bullsh**t with her.

After my class, I bumped to someone I just had exercise with. Yes! May dilig na naman ako last week. I did a hunting session and I found him.

"Tomorrow night?" he asked.

Na-excite naman ako bigla because tomorrow will surely be a rough night. It's not a bad idea to do an exercise after my midterms. I really need that break.

"Sure, text me the address," I said and enter my room.

--

Pagkagising ko, naabutan ko si Karan na nagkakape. "Don't forget this Sunday," pagpapaalala niya. Tumango na lang ako ng nakangisi dahil good mood ako. Sabay kaming nag-almusal bago nauna akong umalis ng bahay.

I greeted Zero a happy birthday while he is assisting me to hop in.

"Thank you," he replied feeling shy all over. Sinarado niya ang pinto bago tatakbong umikot para makasakay sa driver seat.

"You're twenty-seven, right?" I asked, looking at my nails. Why do my nails are growing that easily?

Nakita kong tumango lang siya sa rear mirror habang pinag-aaralan na naman ang mukha ko. Well, I can't blame him, masyado lang talaga akong nag-aanticipate ngayong araw, expecially mamayang gabi.

Hindi siya nagtanong at hinatid na lang ako ng matiwasay. This time, I bump to Renz. Hindi ko aakalaing ookrayin niya rin ang mani kong bigay sa pinsan niya. Pagbubuhulin ko talaga silang dalawa ni Elle. Hinayaan ko siyang sabihin ang kung anong pang-ookray. Let them do what they want but they can't ruin my good mood.

Saktong-sakto ang pagtapos ko sa pagsasagot nang mag-time na. I did my best and I have no regrets.

Napangiti naman ako nang makatanggap ng message at naroon ang address at oras na kailangan kong pumunta. Exercise is really the best!

"Do you know why I like you?"

Nagulat naman ako sa biglang pagsulpot ni Troy sa gilid ko. Nabasa niya ba itong text?

"I don't want to know," I replied, shoving him away. I remember that he said it before we part ways but I don't mind. It's not like, babalik ako sa kaniya para sa init na gusto ko.

"You're clouded with fun but you're still faithful," he said. Hindi ba sinabi ko sa kaniya na ayokong malaman?

I smiled because he's filling my ego. "That's why I have Faith in my name, have fun, enjoy life, do some exercise but always be faithful."

"Oh?"

"What? You didn't know? Well, it's not like you have to know my full name to do some exercise. Even I, myself don't know your surname that time not until Kyros said it. Anyway, why are you here? The last time I check, your girlfriend is not in our department."

Napalingon ako sa paligid kasi may ilang nagtitilian sa katabi ng room ko. I saw Luis with his fan girls. Is he looking at me? But what? He cut his hair? Akala ko, bet niya magpahaba? Bagay pa rin naman sa kaniya. Tho, I suddenly miss his look with a bun. Matagal na rin pala kaming di nagkikita. The last time I saw him, noong ibinalik ko ang pinaglagyan ng adobo and that's it. I think busy siya sa practice and I'm busy with my life. I just smiled, not sure kung makikita niya and turned my gaze to Troy.

"Just need someone who can help me check this freshman papers but rest assured it's not your section."

Since I have time, I agreed to help him and we went to library. Naabutan ko si Elle na nagbabasa, wow? Katatapos lang ng exam pero may gana pa siyang mag-advance reading agad? I settled na hindi na siya batiin. Mukhang busy siya at baka ipagsigawan na naman niya iyong peanut something.

Habang nag-che-check, napasimangot akong may ilan akong mali. Bakit ba naisipan ko pang tumulong?

Itinulak ko sa harapan niya ang ilang papel na natapos ko. "I don't want to check this subject, give me a higher section or what," sabi ko. Ayoko lang malaman pa na tama ang sagot ko o mali. I prefer checking some papers na walang koneksiyon sa nai-take ko na para iwas isipin.

Sakto namang dumating iyong isa pa naming kasamahang student assistant and give us piles of paper. Nahihiyang nagpaalam siya dahil may trabaho pa and we let her go. Marami naman akong free time, so I can do her part.

"Nice timing, this is second year," I said, smiling. I don't have to overthink about my score because it's different from what I took.

Nakakalima pa lang akong papel when I noticed a familiar name. Renz Savvidis. After I checked it, tumayo ako at lumapit kay Elle.

"Witty ba hanap mo?" pagtatanong ko. Lima iyong mali ni Renz and he's one of the candidate na may higher score. Assuming talaga ako kahit na anim pa lang ang natsetsekan ko.

"Kamusta naman ang mahilig kumain ng mani mo?"

Hinampas ko siya sa braso dahil hindi talaga siya titigil. Ako iyong nahihiya sa pinagsasabi niya kahit na sa aming dalawa, ako ang mas may experience.

"What? Check his paper; I'll stop teasing you and your peanut lover. Just get a score higher than Renz and I won't make an issue."

Anong akala niya? Bobo si Luis? He's actually better than Renz. Bumalik ako sa table namin ni Troy na kasama na niya ang girlfriend niya samantalang nakasimangot akong hinanap ang papel ni Luis tapos harap-harapang nag-check kay Elle para makita niyang mas matalino si Luis kumpara sa Renz niya. Sabay kaming nagbilang at doon ko napagtantong napahiya ako.

"Wait, let me count again," pagrereklamo. I don't want to feel defeated again. Tama na iyong kahapon sa laro namin. Namali lang siguro ako ng bilang because I believe he can do better than this. Nakasabay ko siya mag-review and if he sets his mind, he will surely do it.

Inis akong humarap kay Elle na natatawa. "Why are you mad? You said there's nothing between you two and please accept that Renz is better than him." Nag-flip hair pa siya bago itinuloy ang naudlot na pagbabasa dahil ko.

Well, may point siya. Why am I so worked up dahil lang pinagkumpara namin silang dalawa? Maybe, I'm losing my mind.

Tinapos ko ang ginagawa kahit mukha akong third wheel. I know that Troy is sweet but this is whole different. After checking three sections, I bid my goodbye. Hindi ko na kayang i-take ang paglalambingan nila. Hindi naman ako naiinggit dahil may meet up din naman ako mamaya.

Nakatanggap ako ng text kay Zero kung pwede siyang tumawag. Oo, ganito siya ngayon, sobrang disiplinado.

I called him first and we talk about the number that called me yesterday. He said it's Luis Saviddis which is weird kasi bakit naman tatawag siya? And it's not like may magbibigay ng number ko--- walang impossible kay Elle. She's the main culprit.

"What do you want to eat?" I asked him. Birthday niya and I know wala siyang kasama magcelebrate dahil sino bang ewan ang lilipad sa hindi pamilyar na lugar para lang maging stalker?

"Ice cream," I heard from the other line.

"Ice cream?" someone asked me. Natigilan ako sa paglalakad sa hallway dahil nasa harapan ko ngayon si Luis. Did he ask me about ice cream? Mukha ba akong nagtitinda ng ice cream?

"Yes?" I asked medyo inilayo ang phone para hindi marinig ni Zero ang pinag-uusapan namin. So this guy is the one who eavesdrop what we've been talking?

"Ice cream, my treat," he said. Lumingon ako sa phone ko at pinatay ang tawag. I should go with him and ask kung bakit siya tumawag at ite-text ko na lang si Zero sa lugar at may bigay na akong ice cream. Hitting two birds and one stone, this is it.

Sinugarado kong may dalawang dipa ang layo namin sa isa't isa habang naglalakad. Nakakapanibago talaga ang buhok niya. Likod pa lang niya na walang puyod, alam kong di mahirap ang desisyong ginawa niya. It takes years to naturally grow hair.

Nang makalabas ng gate, nagpanggap akong may binili sa gilid bago pasimplenge sumakay sa kotse niya. Pagkasakay na pagkasakay ko pa lang, nanuot na sa ilong ko ang pamango niya. He stills use it. Akala ko pa naman, magbabago na siya from hair and this.

Medyo malayo ang pinuntahan naming ice cream parlor dahil ayoko na talaga ng isyu. Kapag nabuking ako ni Elle, hindi talaga siya titigil. Speaking of--

"I can't believe Renz is better than you," I said opening a pint of ube ice cream he bought for me while he is a cheese flavor. Feeling ko talaga kanina, bumaba dignidad ko.

"Renz, he's witty," I commented and started scooping my ice cream. "Thanks," I said showing my thumbs up, admitting that this is the best ice cream.

I should buy cookies n' cream for Zero kasi favorite niya iyon.

Bigla namang nagsalubong iyong kilay niya. "What do you mean?"

I just shrugged, not in a mood to tell him about his score lower than Renz. Tho, the difference is one point. Basta iba talaga pakiramdam ko nang ma-realize na iyong manok ko talo.

"You compared me to a guy."

"If you don't mind, he has name and it is Renz, yes, your cousin,” I said, smiling. "Elle asked me about your score trying to make fun of--- anyway; you look different with your new hairstyle." Sumasarap talaga iyong pagkain lalo na kapag libre.

"What's my score?"

"Do you want to know?"

"Yeah," he nodded, intently looking into my eyes.

"You're just one point behind Renz, he's the second highest score. Someone from your section got three wrong answers and that makes you top three." Lumingon ako sa kaniya at sinabi, "You did well!"

"Subject?"

Nagkibit-balikat ako kasi hindi ko naman alam. Tamang checker lang ako without reading iyong mga pangalan or what na nakalagay. Nabigla lang talaga ako kanina sa pangalan ni Renz kaya napunta ako sa papel niya.

"You really have the knock to pressure someone," he said, forcing himself to laugh. What? Kelan ko naman iyon ginawa.

"When did I pressure you?"

Tumitig na naman siya sa mata ko and he surely have the knock to look people, like they are very precious.

"I know I'm pretty." I noticed he's not shy to stare at me. He excused himself and answer the phone kasi may tumatawag sa kaniya.

I look around the store and saw few couples taking pictures. The one who caught my eyes is a father watching his daughter happily eating ice cream. I suddenly miss him.

I stood up, bought an ice cream for Zero and carried the pint that I ate half of it and hop in his car. It's better to stay and wait him here than staying inside the store and let me feel guilt and I keep missing my dad more.

I almost finish my ice cream when he came back.

"Why are you here?" he asked, catching his breath while loosening his necktie. Why is sweating? Did he run?

I didn't bother asking question and handed him my handkerchief but he's hesitant to accept it.

"You can keep this." If he's worrying about me throwing it then its better if he won't give it back to me. He accepts it and wipes his face.

"Are you done? I'm tired, let's go." I don't have the energy to do something. Guess I'll rain check my meeting tonight.

I was about to close the door when he stopped it and enter. Ano raw?

I don't have a driver license and I doubt if I know how to drive.

"Come here," he said, for the second time around, tapping his lap. He wants me to sit there and taste the heaven again? Fine! A token of appreciation, I guess?

When I already on his lap, he grabbed my nape and bury me to his chest.

"What are you--"

"You did a great job today." I feel his hand caressing my short hair. He just made me miss my Papa more because dad keeps comforting me when I'm on my down moment. His one hug and everything feels fine.

I wiped my teary eyes with my palm and sit properly. I don't want to cry.

"Do you want me to be your girlfriend?" I asked, grabbing his necktie. I won't choke him, just organizing this mess. I'm not in love but he seems cool and it's bothering me how the things brought us here. Kung paano siya nandito kasama ko, sa pagtawaid sa kalsada, sa pagsabi ng words that I really needed. Maybe just maybe, Dad really sent him here but I still won't get married.

I keep running my fingers to his cheeks, waiting for him to answer my question but the silence just eats us. Okay! He rejected it.

"Forget it, let's go." I withdraw my fingers and ready to get off his lap. I'll just ask Zero to fetch me here but then, he said, "Silly, I never say no."

"It's okay to reject me." I'm cool with people rejecting me easily than acting that they like me but the truth is not. I added, "You know what; let's just forget everything that happened today. It's nice hanging out with you."

"I'm pressured," he said, not laughing. Do I really have the talent to pressure people around me? Seryoso ba siya sa sinasabi niya?

"I'm sorry, I really don't have any idea," sabi ko at tumungo. Nakakahiya, I should stop doing it. Pero seryoso pwede naman niyang kalimutan na lang, no hard feelings.

"Nah, its fine. Being pressured means going out of my comfort zone. I'll take the risk, how about I apply to be your boyfriend?" he asked, holding my chin so we can face each other. "I can and will handle you, Ms. Faith Louisse Violet," he said.

Umiling ako. "No pressure."

"Do you think I'll share a kiss with some stranger, feed her, waste my time calling her and wants to see her first thing on my birthday, making me the happiest man just to be pressured to be in a relationship with her? You're not taking me as fool, are you?

Is he serious? No kidding intended? Pinagmasdan ko ang mata niya, looking for a rejection or a glimpse of kidding me but I suddenly mesmerized on his face.

"You can stare at my face anytime if you'll accept me," he seriously said it. Pakiramdam ko talaga expert na expert na siya sa paglalandi.

I glared, contemplating what I'll say. "Fine, you're hired. Congratulations Mr. Savvidis, you're now my boyfriend." I offered him my right hand, to formally accept him by shaking our hands.

He laughed, thinking I'm crazy but he still accepts it and just when I about to shake it when he pulled me to him and envelop me to his arms.

"Can I hear baby from you?"

"Are you nuts?" I can't believe he's really into the word baby. Why would people keep on making endearment? Isn't cute to call by their names?

He laughed again and tightened his hug. I can foresee that this is really tiring but whatever, I guess I'll make this experience be good.

Screw relationship!

This would be my last fun ride.