Just One Date

Chapter 3 - mr. wrong

"I'll go ahead, Kuya. Sa kabilang building pa ang klase ko," I told my brother as I picked up my bag in a hurry.

The Drama Club semestral play just ended and to say na napilitan lamang akong manood is a total understatement.

"What's the haste? 2pm pa ang klase mo, hindi ba? Hindi mo man lang ba iko-congratulate si Ethan sa success ng production nila?"

Exactly the reason why I want to leave. Now. Pero hindi ko pwedeng sabihin iyon kay Kuya Brett lalo na at may hinihingi akong pabor sa kanya regarding my Feasibility Study.

"Eh kasi-"

"No buts, Fenella. Stay and at least join us for lunch. After that, you're free to go."

I made a face.

"Fen, don't be too harsh. I know him, he's a good guy. I know you'll be in good hands kung sa kanya ka mapupunta."

Lalong nalukot ang mukha ko.

"Naririnig mo ba ang sarili mo, Kuya? Ipinamimigay mo ang sarili mong kapatid? Nasaan na ang free will na meron ako dapat sa-"

Nagrereklamo pa ako pero dumating na ang bida.

"Bro! My Lois! Glad you could make it!" masayang bati ni Ethan paglabas ng crew room.

Like I voluntarily came here to watch, I thought sarcastically.

Kuya Brett practically dragged me here after threatening that he wouldn't even give me a topic for my Feasibility Study. He's the perfect person who could help me and he knows that kaya kayang-kaya niya akong i-blackmail. Small and medium enterprise kasi ang target ng subject ko sa Business Planning at siya lahat ang katulong nina Mama mag-ayos ng Frozen Dreams kaya pumayag ako lalo na at medyo tagilid talaga ang grade ko sa katatapos lamang na Prelims.

"That was great, Bro! Perfect finale! You haven't lost your touch, huh?" Kuya was all praises habang kinakamayan si Ethan.

"My Lois, how did you like the play?" he asked as he came near me.

I rolled my eyes and exhaled sharply in response bago ako siniko ni Kuya habang naglalakad.

"It was fine. Lalo na kung hindi ikaw ang leading man. Sabagay, last mo na nga pala iyon ano kaya siguro pinagbigyan ka na," I said as we stepped out of the auditorium.

Ethan graduated last Sem pero dahil enrolled pa rin siya sa Licensure Exam for Teachers Review, he's still basically a student here kaya hindi pa siya inaalis sa Drama Club. Ang alam ko ay August ang exam niya which is next month kaya ito na ang huling play niya dito sa University.

"Hindi ka man lang nagselos na may kayakap ako on stage?"

Napatigil ako sa paglalakad at hinarap siya na nakataas ang kilay.

"Wow lang ha, anong ine-expect mo? Mag-eskandalo ako habang nag-eemote ka at maglalaslas ng pulso sa gitna ng mga audience?"

Kuya Brett had to laugh at that. I can feel my brother's shoulder shaking from laughter beside me.

"Talagang suicide agad?" he commented in between laughs.

Pagdating namin ng cafeteria ay nag-order ako agad. I could finish my lunch in less than 15 minutes kung hindi ako magsasalita and I decided to do just that. That's the best thing I could do to get away from them quickly.

"May klase ako hanggang 6pm, hihintayin ba kita umuwi?" Kuya Brett asked while I was wolfing down my beef and brocolli rice topping.

I shook my head vigorously.

"Magko-commute na lang ako," I said with my mouth full.

Part time job ni Kuya Brett ang magturo. After he graduated, nag-offer kaagad ang Dean nila ng teaching units ng ilang minor subjects. Kuya took masterals that time to qualify at ngayon he's already teaching several units of major subjects sa College of HRM three times a week. Kung sana ay hindi lang hilig sa ice cream ang namana ko sa kanya, siguro mas may linaw rin ang career path ko.

"Ako na lang ang maghihintay sa iyo," alok naman ni Ethan while grinning at me.

I shook my head once again.

"Magkikita kami ni Bethany after ng duty niya sa Saint Michael Hospital. Girls night out," I supplied.

Kumunot ang noo ni Kuya sa sinabi ko.

"Teka, nagpaalam ka ba kina Mama? Friday ngayon ah, kakanta ka mamaya sa shop," aniya.

"Exactly, weekend naman ngayon kaya pagbigyan nyo na ako. Anyway sa atin naman matutulog si Bethany," I explained sabay baling kay Ethan.

"And Ethan here will cover for me sa acoustic session mamaya. Right, Ethan?"

He looked hesitant but instantly nodded. I knew he couldn't say no to me.

I tapped his shoulder as a way of saying thanks and got up to leave after drinking the glass of iced tea in just three gulps.

I dabbed my mouth with a table napkin and said a quick goodbye to the two of them na nagkukwentuhan pa habang kumakain. Luchbreak na at parami ng parami ang mga mga pumapasok na estudyante sa cafeteria.

When I got up to leave, Kuya grabbed my bag with one swift move.

"Teka, akina pala iyong organizer na nilagay ko rito," aniya bago mabilis na hinalikwat ang bag ko.

I was about to stop him para ako na lang ang kumuha pero ayaw niyang ibigay iyon sa akin. Magulo ang gamit ko at baka malaglag ang mga bagay na hindi na niya dapat makita.

"Ako na kasi ang-"

I stopped mid-sentence and my eyes grew wide when I saw a white square-shaped soft pad fell out of my bag.

Shit! Sabi ko na nga ba!

I had to stoop down fast to pick up my sanitary napkin on the ground but Ethan was faster.

"Meron ka? Ibig sabihin hindi tayo nakabuo?" he exclaimed.

Gulat na gulat ang reaction niya and being the theater actor that he is, I bet whoever heard him would believe.

Ang magaling ko namang kapatid, humagalpak pa ng tawa sa tabi niya.

Nanlaki ang mata ko, fully aware of the students walking past us who might have heard pero bago pa ako makapagsalita ay inakbayan na niya ako at hinagod ang likod ko.

"Don't worry, we'll try again," dagdag pa ng baliw sa tabi ko.

"Tarantado ka, anong pinagsasasabi mo?" angil ko.

Hinila ko ang bag at inihampas sa kanya bago pinandilatan ang kapatid kong halos mamatay na sa kakatawa sa tabi niya.

"Now you tell me how can I take that guy seriously! Magsama nga kayo mga sira-ulo!" I said in a very angry tone before walking out.

I have to get away from the two morons pero kahit malayu-layo na ako, I can still Kuya's laughter ringing in my ears and Ethan calling my name out loud.

Bwisit! Nakasama-sama pa kasi sa dalawang iyon!

It was bad enough that people think Ethan and I are in a relationship. But to have them thinking that something intimate is happening between us, that's extremely scandalous!

Nanggigilid na ang luha ko sa inis at hiya while walking briskly down the hallway. I was fuming and cursing under my breath with my head bowed down, trying to hide my tears when I suddenly bumped into someone.

I almost tripped over but the guy quickly steadied me by holding my shoulders in a firm but gently way.

"Sorry, I'm so sorry," I apologized absent-mindedly, blaming Ethan for another misfortune.

This time I have no choice but to look up - only to find myself face to face with Tyrone.

Oh my God. Of all people, why does he have to see me at my worst?

Tyrone is my crush since I was in Fifth Grade. Sakristan siya noon at palagi kong nakikitang kasama ng Lola niya kapag may mga lakad iyon kaya ang bait-bait niya sa paningin ko.

Schoolmate ko rin siya noong highschool. Iyon nga lang he never gave me a second glance maybe because I was too fat back then to begin with. Pero kahit ganoon ay siya pa rin ang ultimate crush ko.

When we ended up in the same College, I declared to Bethany that he's became my first love. He's actually in one of my class this Sem but he's sitting in front and I'm at the back so we never had any conversation before.

He's the type of student who actively participates in class discussions and aces his exams effortlessly while I was just contented watching him please our teacher with his intellect from afar.

"Fenella, you're crying. Are you okay?" he said in the most melodic voice I've ever heard.

He knows my name!!!

I nodded, feeling dumb that I can't make myself speak.

He let go of my shoulder and picked up the two books that escaped my grasp when we collided.

"Here," he gave me my books and handed me a hanky.

May panyo ako sa bulsa but I wouldn't waste this once in a lifetime opportunity. I took the hanky before taking the books dahil baka magbago pa ang isip niya.

"Thank you," I muttered quietly kahit gusto kong tumili sa tuwa dahil alam niya ang pangalan ko.

"May klase ka pa ba? Do you want me to walk you to class?"

Halos mamatay ako sa saya at gusto kong magtatalon sa kilig pero pinigilan ko ang sarili ko.

"Actually-"

I was cut off mid-sentence when I felt an arm around my shoulder.

"Actually I will walk her to class," Ethan told Tyrone, suddenly coming out of nowhere.

"Oh, sorry! She's crying kasi, I just got worried. I didn't know that the two of you-"

He didn't finish the sentence. He's thinking what everybody in this campus assumed - na kami ni Ethan dahil lagi akong binabakuran ng lokong ito. But Tyrone sounded so disappointed I had the urge to kick Ethan hard if only I could make myself move.

"Konting LQ lang ito, nothing that a kiss can't fix," he added before Tyrone turned and walked away.

Natulala ako sa nangyari. It was my big chance! Fate made a way para finally makausap ko si Tyrone! He even offered to walk me to my next class!

But as always, Ethan got in the way.

I slowly looked up to the jerk beside me and yanked his arms from my shoulder.

"I hate you!" I said furiously between gritted teeth and walked away.

I must have looked scary, because this time he didn't follow.

I attended my classes for the rest of the afternoon, including that one and only subject that I have with Tyrone.

But for the whole period, he never once glanced at me. It's as if nothing happened earlier.

Well what do I expect? It has always been like these for so many years - I'm invisible in his eyes. Only this time, after he finally spoke to me, I thought I could hope.

When I got out of the campus, Bethany was already waiting. She's still wearing her scrub suit, straight from her nursing duty.

I'm so relieved to see her. It's been a pretty bad day. I don't feel so good about myself right now and seeing someone close to me somehow makes it better.

I'm not that friendly. And the fact that I've been jumping from one course to another for the past three years doesn't help. Naging irregular student ako kaya sa iba't-ibang course at year level ako kumukuha ng subjects ko that's why I barely have friends in school.

Dalawang klase lang rin ng mga estudyante ang bumabati sa akin - iyong mga nagbabait-baitan dahil may crush sila kay Kuya Brett, at iyong mga halatang inis dahil may crush sila kay Ethan. When Tyrone talked to me this afternoon, that's the first time na may kumausap sa akin na wala sa mga category na iyon.

Kumain lang kami sa labas ni Bethany. She knows I love Mexican food at dahil bagong sweldo siya, siya ang nanlibre.

I told her about what happened earlier dahil sa freak na si Ethan and she was amused.

"Leave it to Ethan and he'll make your everyday extraordinary," she said while we were walking home.

"Di bale sana kung extraordinary in a good way, hindi naman," maktol ko.

"Come on Fen, he's just kidding around. I think he just wants to make you laugh," she suggested and I rolled my eyes. Gaya ng kasi lahat ng miyembro ng pamilya ko, Team Ethan siya. In fact, nang sabihin ko sa kanya noon na inlove ako kay Tyrone, she gagged.

"His stupid pranks are not funny. His immaturity is getting out of hand," I insisted.

"Getting out of hand and into your nerves, ganoon ba?"

I nodded.

"Kaya ba mas gusto mo si Tyrone? You think he's more mature? Sigurado ka bang iba siya sa kapatid niyang womanizer?" She challenged with raised brows.

Minsan iniisip ko na kaya lang talaga ayaw ni Bethany kay Tyrone is because kapatid niya si Tyler, ang suitor niyang babaero raw.

"Tyrone is different. Hindi niya ginagawang past time ang flirting. I don't see him around girls. And he's a perfect gentleman," I stated defensively.

"You barely know the guy, Fen. You only have one class together so how could you possibly know that? Just because Tyrone knows your name doesn't mean he's a good guy. As far as I know, wala kang sinabing qualities na hindi ko rin nakita kay Ethan. So saan nakalamang doon si Tyrone?"

I heaved a sigh of frustration.

"Tyrone is definitely more mature. He's smart. He's business-minded. He knows what he wants. He has goals in life," I insisted and Bethany frowned.

"Kung makapagsalita ka para namang walang pinag-aralan si Ethan. Napaka-noble kaya ng profession na tinapos nung tao, lalo na yung major niya-" pagtatanggol niya nang bigla akong sumingit.

"E wala ngang spark! Hindi ko magawang ma-inlove sa kanya! Wala akong maramdaman!"

I was expecting her to argue with me but instead she hushed me down and pulled my hand.

Halos nasa gate na pala kami ng bahay namin. We can hear the music playing inside Frozen Dreams from where we were standing.

"Shhh! Si Ethan iyong nagsasalita! Bilisan mo, I want to hear him sing," yaya niya.

"Groupie lang ang peg? Kelan ka pa naging fan ni Ethan?"

She ignored my comment at mas mabilis na lumakad hanggang makapasok kami.

"Wow! Just in time for my message!" Ethan exclaimed when he saw me at the door.

The crowd cheered and some of them whistled. I just nodded because I don't want to be rude.

"My Lois, I'm sorry about what happened this afternoon. I'm guilty as charged. I was wrong. I'm sorry. This song is for you."

Kuya Brett was on guitar and Kirk was on the drums and they both winked at me. I easily spotted Mama and Papa sa counter. Mama smiled meaningfully at me while Papa held up a thumbs up sign.

Nagsigawan ang mga tao sa loob ng Frozen Dreams but the noise died down when he strated playing the piano and sang.

♫ I never want to play the games that people play

I never want to hear the things they gotta say

I've found everything I need

I never wanted anymore than I can see

I only want you to believe ♫

"Maniwala ka na kasi sa kanya, insan," Bethany prodded me with her elbow.

♫ If it's wrong to tell the truth

Then what am I supposed to do

When all I want to do is speak my mind

If it's wrong to do what's right

I'm prepared to testify

If loving you with all my heart's a crime

Then I'm guilty ♫

"Guilty daw siya - guilty of loving you! Ang gwapong convict niyan, couz! Tingnan mo naman!"

Napatawa ako sa sinabing iyon ni Bethany.

"Gwapo ba? Sige, sa iyo na," pabirong wika ko.

♫ I want to give you all the things you never had

Don't try to tell me how he treats you isn't bad

I need you back in my life

I never wanted just to be the other guy

I never wanted to live a lie ♫

"Nope. Never kong ipipilit ang sarili ko sa lalaking hindi ako mahal," sagot niya, most probably referring to her first love na may mahal na iba.

♫ If it's wrong to tell the truth

What am I supposed to do

All I want to do is speak my mind

If it's wrong to do what's right

I'm prepared to testify

If loving you with all my heart's a crime

Then I'm guilty ♫

Noon lamang ako napatingin kay Ethan and he winked at me when he caught my eye.

♫ Girl I followed my heart

Followed the truth

Right from the start it led me to you

Please don't leave me this way

I'm guilty now all I have to say ♫

"Come on couz, who knows, he could be your Mr. Right," Bethany started again.

♫ If it's wrong to tell the truth

Then what am I supposed to do

When all I want to do is speak my mind

If it's wrong to do what's right

I'm prepared to testify

If loving you with all my hearts a crime

Then I'm guilty ♫

"Everything in my life right now is so wrong. And it's mainly because of him. How could you say that?" ganti ko.

♫ What am I supposed to do

Then I'm guilty

All I want to do is speak my mind

Guilty

Then I'm guilty

I'm prepared to testify

If it's wrong to do what's right then tell me about this feeling inside

If loving you with all my hearts a crime

I'm guilty♫

"Don't blame Ethan for everything that goes wrong. Wala siyang ibang naging kasalanan sa iyo kundi ang mahalin ka. If you haven't noticed, that's exactly what the song was about," Bethany told me as the song ended and everyone clapped.

I don't really pay attention to song lyrics, especially when I don't really care about the one singing.

I shrugged my shoulders at my cousin and started to walk out of the shop to go home.

He's not Mr. Right.

He's Mr. Wrong.

We're simply wrong for each other.