Wind and Sail

Chapter 27

Chapter 27

Dayn’s Point of View

“Dayn, saglit lang, ha?” Napatingin ako sa kaniya nang tumayo siya.

“What? Why? Where are you going?” sunod-sunod kong tanong. Narealize ko na ang tanong na iyon ay para sa girlfriend subscriber lang. Classmate lang ako, hindi ako naka-premium card. “Yeah, sure. Go,” sabi ko.

Hindi na siya nagsalita at umalis na.

Inilabas ko ang cellphone ko para sana manood pero nakita ko ang text ni Clarene.

Heyyyyy bestie, ikaw ha, may on-going date ka pala nung crush ko na sinabi ko sa’yo! Inaahas mo na ata sa akin ‘yang chupapi ko?

Natawa ako sa sinabi niya.

Hoy Clarene, sa iyong iyo na itong chupapi mo HAHAHAHA at saka sino ba nagsabi sa iyo na date ‘to?

I sent her that. After a few seconds her name popped up.

Lols, eh kasi naman this stupid Precious, ughh saying her name— I mean typing her name already makes me vomit. *vomit emoji* just all ew. So, she has been telling everybody that you two are going out, tapos she sees you two raw meet every weekend sa school, it’s like you two have a secret relationship going daw.

Ako:

What? Bakit naman hindi ko naririnig ‘yan? Baka naman gawa-gawa mo lang ‘yan, ha? Nako, tatamaan ka sa akin!

Clarene:

You are so sama to me! *pouting emoji* I am your sanglang dikit kaya! Well, just answer my question, are you two going out na ba like real date?

Ako:

Mali-mali ka pa. Baka naman ang ibig mong sabihin ay “Sanggang dikit”. And you heard it from me, there’s nothing going on, I think?

Clarene:

Hah! You think? You think? SO you are telling me that you are NOT SURE? OMG you have to chika this to me ha!

Ako:

When you heard that rumor abt me, what did you say?

Clarene:

Girl, I almost removed Precious’ teeth. If only I could just pull her tongue out, I will! I didn’t hear from Precious directly but from her pets. They were like “Precious told me that Dayn is going out with one of her hot classmates.” And THEY CALLED YOU A SLUT! Just what the hell. Of course, I know who that hot classmate was! I went to them and asked them to repeat what they had just said. Then I went to Precious and smacked the life out of her, dzuHh she deserved it.

Hindi ko alam kung nahihibang na ba ako, pero parang naririnig ko ang boses ni Clarene. Nabubuo tuloy sa utak ko kung ano ang itsura niya habang kinukwento niya ito.

Ako:

You are so cruel! It’s true that I am a w***e, but a slut is a little bit too much, so good job Clarene, I love you!!!!!!!!!!! 

Clarene:

Hmp hmp! I know I did such a good job. You don’t have to thank me tho. Anyway, I know you’ll tell me when he starts hitting on you na, so bye bye bye enjoy your date— charrrr I mean yeah, your date! Yie! HAHAHAHAHAH

Hindi ko na siya ni-replyan pa. Nakakalift talaga ng mood si Clarene. Life of the party at may bright personality, para bang kapag pumasok siya sa isang room ay nagniningning siya at kapansin-pansin talaga. Sa kabila ng lahat ng ‘yon, she’s still a humble person. She has a kind heart and a sassy vibe. I wonder if she ever gets tired of being the center of attention.

Maya-maya ay lumabas ulit ang pangalan ni Clarene sa screen ko. Tiningnan ko kung ano ang isinend niya. It’s a picture of her wearing high-heels, I think she just bought it because I can see the box behind her. It has spikes and glitters. She’s just wearing pajamas.

Hey! Look at this! You should buy one as well! This just came kanina, PARTY READYYYYYY JUST TELL ME WHEN AND I’LL SAY YES KAHIT ANONG TIME!

It’s really beautiful.

Ako:

Yeah, I have that already na. Set ka na kung saan, let’s talk about it ‘pag nag-meet tayo.

Clarene:

Yassss girl! Love this! Any way why do you keep texting s***h replying to me? Isn’t he with you? It’s rude to you know, like use your phone a lot when u r on a date.

Ako:

Nah, he’s not here in the meantime. I don’t know where he went but he said he’ll be back. So, u r actually doing me a favor here b***h. I’ll stop when he comes back, BY THE WAY before I forgot, you haven’t returned my dress yet! Give it back sa Monday! May pambili ka ng bagong mamahaling heels pero hindi mo maibalik ‘yong damit ko!

I don’t recall him saying he will be back, he asked me to wait.

Clarene:

Hey! You are so ano! I will give it back, do not f*****g worry. Don’t attack the heels that I just bought! My ghad!

Ako:

Hah! Siguraduhin mo lang chararat ka.

Clarene:

Excuse me? Sinong tinatawag mong chararat diyan? *shocked emoji* *angry emoji*

“Hey, sorry, did I take long?” I felt someone’s hand tapped me on my right shoulder.

I knew it was Sxan. He sat in front of me, he put the nachos he was holding on the table.

“I bought this,” he said.

Bakit ka naman magmamadali para lang sa nachos?

I want to ask him that, I grew suspicious of him, but I didn’t let him notice it. I hope he didn’t.

“You were hungry? Why didn’t you say anything? We could have gone to get food, and not ice cream,” I said to him.

“Ahh, no, I’m not hungry, just go and eat this. I know you like this,” said he. He pushed the plate to me.

“What? What makes you think I like this?” I asked.

“I always see you buy this sa cafeteria kapag lunch and snacks especially kapag walang lasagna.”

I don’t know how to react. My body stopped moving and just stared at him.

“How long have you been stalking me?” I asked with a straight face. I leaned back and crossed my arms.

“Stalking you? Mahiya ka nga sa sinasabi mo, magkaklase kaya tayo, sabay tayo ng lunch time, para kang sira,” he answered with disappointment in his voice. “Wala na, sira na ang moment. This was supposed to be sweet not creepy, Dayn. Oh, my god, you really are unbelievable.” He chuckled and shook his head.

“Really? That was supposed to be sweet? Uh-oh, no, did not even cross my mind.”

His lips pouted slightly. Inirapan niya ako at kinuha niya sa akin ang plate ng nachos. He leaned back and looked away. He is acting like a child, oh, my god.

I laughed at him. “Nagtatampo ka ba?”

“Hmp,” he groaned.

I can’t believe my eyes. This man is nagtatampo?! Why?

“Hoy, hindi ka puwede magtampo, naka-classmate subscription card ka lang!” I reminded him.

He looked at me and leaned forward. “Paano ba mag-avail ng premium card?” he asked, his eyes are sparkling.

Pinitik ko siya sa noo. “Hindi pwedeng mag-avail no’n. Non-existent ‘yon.”

He leaned back slowly. “Non-existent, hmm… we’ll see, we’ll see.” He raised an eyebrow and grins.

I nodded yes.

I pondered about what he just did earlier. Why would he even do that? Siguro naman aware siya sa actions niya. It was… yeah, I’ll admit it. It was kind of sweet in a way of he remembers the small details. I am starting to think that there is something na, but I don’t want to assume or pangunahan siya. I will just go with the flow and keep my walls high and sturdy. Mahirap na lalo na sa panahon ngayon, marami nang iba’t ibang uri ng mangloloko.

I didn’t know that I was just gazing at him not until his eyes met mine and I was electrified.

“Akala mo siguro hindi ko napapansin na kanina ka pa sa akin nakatitig? Tunaw na nga ‘yong ice cream mo, baka ako naman sunod,” nakangisi niyang sabi.

I snapped out of it and rolled my eyes at him.

“Lahat talaga napapansin mo, ‘no?” I asked him.

He is sitting across. His cap is backwards, and he is not wearing shades anymore. Malapit nang maubos ang ice cream na kinakain niya samantalang wala pang kalahati ang nauubos ko.

“Paanong napapansin lahat?”

I shrugged. “You know, like… basta ang observant mo.”

He looked at me and a grin flash on his face. “Is that a compliment?” nakangising tanong niya.

I laughed. “Take it however you want. Siguro naman aware ka?”

“It comes with the job.” He put his spoon down and crossed his arms. He leaned back.

“What’s your job ba kasi?” I said, curiously. He raised his brow and rolled his eyes back.

“Tss, alam mo naman na ‘yon tinatanong mo pa,” sagot niya. Kumunot ang noo ko at sumubo ng ice cream. Lumapit siya sa akin at tinampal ang noo ko. “Noo mo, malulukot na ‘yan.”

“Che! Paano ko nga malalaman kung hindi mo sasabihin?”

“Hindi ko naman na nga kailangang sabihin para malaman mo kasi nga alam mo na.”

“Hindi ko nga alam, kulit nito,” sabi ko sabay irap sa kaniya.

“Just finish your ice cream, hindi na iyan ice oh tingnan mo, tunaw na kakasalita mo riyan.” Turo niya sa cup ko. Tiningnan ko iyon at nakita na tunaw na nga at maliit na lang ang buong natitira. Itinaas ko ang cup at hinigop ang sabaw.

Hindi ko malaman kung iniiba ba niya ang usapan o ano. Hindi ko pa naman siya napapaimbestigahan pero may mga naririnig na ako tungkol sa kaniya. Hindi na ako nagtataka kung bakit siya naroon sa Ground Underneath. Obvious naman na kasali siya roon kasi marami ang nakakakilala sa kaniya. Hindi ko pa alam kung anong posisyon niya, hindi pa rin ako sigurado kung sino ang pumalit sa pwesto ko. Iniisip ko kung si Alexie ba ang pumalit o naghanap sila ng panibago. Imposible iyon dahil hindi naman siguro papayag si Dark nang ganun-ganun na lang.

“Sxan,” tawag ko sa kaniya kahit na sa akin lang naman siya nakatingin kanina pa.

“Hmm?” he answered.

“Anong oras paalam mo na uuwi ka?” I asked, finishing my ice cream.

“Wala, sabi ko nga hindi na ako uuwi,” seryoso niyang sagot. Ito na naman tayo, hindi ko na naman mabasa kung nagloloko ba siya o seryoso talaga. “You done?” he asked when he saw me getting ready to stand.

“Gaga, tara na nga, ay pwede bang dumaan muna tayo sa Book store?” Tumayo na ako sa upuan.

Tinanguan niya ako at itinulak na palabas ng store ang pushcart.

“Ano bang bibilhin mo?” tanong niya habang naglalakad papunta roon.

“Wala naman,” sagot ko.

He stopped for a second to look at me. “E, anong gagawin mo ro’n kung wala ka palang bibilhin?”

“Huh? Basta promise saglit lang tayo.”

Parang bang nagni-ningning ang mga libro na nasa sale section sa mata ko. Maraming tao ang nakapila sa cashier, sa labas pa lang ay kitang-kita mo na. Hinila ko na si Sxan papasok sa loob. Ibinilin niya muna ang cart sa guwardiya.

“Teka lang naman, Dayn. Balak mo ba akong kaladkarin?”

“Ang OA mo naman, para ganito lang oh.” Inulit ko ang kaninang pagkakahila ko sa braso niya.

“Aray ko,” alma niya. Inirapan ko na siya at binitawan ang braso niya. Umalis ako at nakisingit sa mga tao na namimili sa sale section.

Bakit ba kasi biglang nagdagsaan ang mga tao?

Holy frail, the most awaited science fiction series is here na and it is ten percent off! It’s a set of four books.

My eyes locked at the target. There’s only one left, I have to hurry!  

Pagkadapo na pagkadapo ng kamay ko sa libro ay parang huminto ata ang mundo ko nang may nakita akong kamay na nasa harap ko at nakahawak din sa libro ko. Ipinatong ko ang dalawa kong kamay at inusog iyon sa akin. Ganoon din ang ginawa nang babae. I think she just got her nails done because it’s neon yellow and it is very glossy. Inangat ko ang paningin ko para makita kung sino ba itong tao walang modo at makapal ang mukha para gawin akong kaagaw sa libro.

“I was the first, so I’m getting this,” she said to me. She is very flashy, Clarene-ish vibes but this one screams… ugh, I don’t even want to go there. And this one has not got manners on her blood. I know when I see one.

“No, my hands landed first. Alam mo iyan,” I answered.

May mga tumitingin-tingin na sa amin.

“Excuse me? Are you calling me a liar?” she put her hand on her chest dramatically.

“I am getting this, bye.” Hinablot ko ang libro. Hindi na ako makikipag-away pa, hindi rin ako magpaparaya dahil alam ko na ako ang nauna. Ang kapal ng mukha.

Umakyat ata lahat ng dugo ko sa katawan papunta sa ulo noong hinila niya ang buhok ko. Putangina. Imbes na kalabit ang gawin niya, haltak sa buhok ko ang ginawa niya.

I stopped and turned around. I faced her with a straight face and walk up to her slowly. I watched her swallowed and take a step back.

“Saan ka nakakuha ng lakas ng loob para hawakan ang buhok ko at haltakin ito?”

Umangat ang mga bulong sa paligid namin.

“Hey, I was looking for you.”

The tension broke when Sxan appeared in front of me. Sinubukan kong itulak siya paalis pero hindi man lang siya gumalaw sa pwesto niya. Kinuha niya ang libro na hawak ko at hinawakan niya ang kamay ko.

Ramdam ko talaga ang inis at galit, gusto kong sampalin nang malakas ang babae.

“Not here.” He shook his head a little. “Let’s go.”

He turned around to the girl. “Be glad I showed up, if I didn’t, you’re probably going to end up in a hospital. I just f*****g saved your ass,” he said, just enough for her to hear him.

Hinila ako ni Sxan sa isang tabi.

“Let it go,” he said to me. I immediately understood what he said. I let out the air s***h tension, anger, madness, what ever you want to call it, I breathe it all out. He squeezed my hand tighter.

“I was worried you will go off kanina,” he added.

“Yeah, no, I was thinking if I should taunt her or just knock the life out of her,” I answered. Binawi ko ang kamay ko sa kaniya. “Nakakainis talaga siya, akala mo naman kung sino para hablutin ‘yong buhok ko. Sxan, ‘yong buhok ko! Mas mahal pa ata ito kaysa sa suot niya!”

He chuckled. “Hmm, that I agree.”

My eyes narrowed. “Agree? Pinigilan mo nga ako, e!”

“Aba naman, ano makikipag-away ka rito? Grabe ka talaga!”

“Che! Siyempre hindi, duh!”

“Anong hindi, baka nga kung hindi ako dumating kanina, kung ano na nangyari roon sa babae,”

“Bakit ko naman iyon gagawin? Bobo ba ‘ko?”

“Hindi. Hindi ka bobo pero warfreak ka. Ang bili-bilis mo pa mawala sa paningin, kanina kasama kita tapos bigla ka na lang naging si Flash, e. Para kong nagbabantay ng three-year old na bata.”

I laughed. “Grabe ka naman sa akin!” Hinampas ko siya sa braso.

“Aray ko naman! Oh, tingnan mo, sabihin mo ngayong hindi,” he said with a tone as if he is proving something.

Inangat ko ulit ang kamay ko habang tumatawa.

“Oh, ayan na naman po ang kamay niya, jusko naman. Makaalis na nga rito at baka mahampas na naman.”

Umalis siya sa harap ko at pumila para bayaran ang libro. Tumabi ako sa kaniya sa pila at inilabas na ang pambayad.

“Ang pogi naman po ng boyfriend niyo, Miss.” Napalingon ako sa babaeng nagsalita na nasa likuran namin. Palagi nalang, palagi nalang.

“Ay, gusto niyo po sa inyo na lang,” nakangiting sagot ko. Napatingin sa akin si Sxan.

“Pinamimigay mo na ako? Ang sama mo talaga sa akin.” He pouted slightly and turned back.

“Arte mo,” I said to Sxan. Bumalik ako sa babae, nalilito ang mukha niya. “Miss, hindi ko po siya boyfriend.”

“Asawa niyo po?” tanong ng babae.

Nagulat pa ako noong humarap ulit si Sxan sa amin. Hinampas ko siya nang mahina sa braso.

“Hindi rin po, wala po. As in, like zero. Kaya nga po kung gusto ninyo, kunin niyo na po, available po ito, free pa sa free,” sagot ko.

Sxan looked at me. I can read that he is saying unbelievable at why would you say that?

The woman laughed awkwardly. I forced a smile to her.

I paid for the books and Sxan is holding the bag right now. Bumili lang ako ng drinks sa Sagu para habang pauwi ay may iniinom kami. Favorite ko rito ang s**o’t Gulaman na may pearls at nata de coco. Si Sxan ay Black Forest and inorder.

“Is this all? Wala na bang natira sa sasakyan?” tanong ko sa kaniya. Ibinaba na namin ang lahat ng napamili sa room namin. Bukas ay aayusin na lamang ito.

“Yeah, tingin ko wala na.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Tingin mo? You’re basically telling me that you are not sure?”

He laughed. “If mayroon, I’ll just bring it here tomorrow. Don’t worry, let’s get you home na.”

“May dala nga akong motor,” I reminded him.

“Oo nga pala, tara na.”

I nodded. Ini-lock ko na ang pinto at sabay kaming naglakad pabalik sa parking lot. Dumiretso na ako sa motor ko, gayundin din siya sa sasakyan niya.  

“Mauna ka na!” sigaw niya from his car.

I put on helmet at sumampa na sa motor.

“Why don’t you go first? You don’t have to wait na makaalis ako, I can handle myself!” I yelled back.

“I know! Don’t be stubborn and just go!”

“Yeah, I’ll go, Sxan!” I yelled while laughing. I raised my middle finger.

He raised a finger as well. “Yeah, you should go na, Dayn!”

“Stop tarnishing your name, you already had a reputation,” he yelled again. I was utterly shocked by that. He said that as if he knew me a long long ago.

“You sound like my sister. Don’t do that!” I laughed then waived goodbye.