Wind and Sail

Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Dayn’s Pov

“Gago ka talaga,” I said to Sxan. Para siyang sira na nakangiti habang kumakain.

Si Clarene ay hindi pa rin makapaniwala sa nasaksihan. Nakatungo lang siya sa aming dalawa.

“Doon ka na nga!” taboy ko kay Sxan. Tinulak ko siya paalis sa upuan niya pero hindi man lang gumalaw.

“Ayoko nga, bakit sa iyo ba itong upuan na ‘to?” Inirapan pa niya pa ako.

Hindi ako nakasagot dahil lahat naman ata ng tao rito ay alam ang sagot.

“Kahit na! Dikit ka nang dikit sa akin, may gusto ka ba sa akin?” biro ko.

Napaubo si Clarene sa tinanong ko. Si Sxan naman ay gulat na napatingin sa akin.

“Assuming ‘to. Huwag ka ngang umasa riyan,” sagot niya. Nagpabalik-balik ang tingin ni Clarene sa aming dalawa. “…Huwag kang umasa na wala.”

Tuluyan na atang nasamid si Clarene. Natatawa akong inabutan siya ng tissue.

“Putangina,” she cursed while wiping her mouth.

“Alam mo, Clarene, huwag kang magpapaniwala sa sinasabi nitong siraulo na ito. May sapak na iyan.”

Sinamaan ko ng tingin si Sxan. Ang gago ay kinindatan lang ako.

“Totoo naman kasi, may sapak ako dahil sa iyo.”

Tumayo si Clarene at binitbit ang plato niya.

“What the… you know what? I don’t think I belong here,” iiling-iling niyang sabi.

Aalis na sana siya pero pinigilan ko. “Iiwan mo ako sa lalaking ito?” I looked at Sxan disgustingly.

“Hoy, Dayn kung makatingin ka naman sa akin!” puna niya. Inirapan ko siya.

“Iiwan mo ko sa lalaking nagnanakaw ng halik tapos babaliktarin iyong sitwasyon?” nakataas ang kilay kong tanong.

Sxan’s mouth opened a bit. “Nagnanakaw? Excuse me?”

“Bakit hindi ba? Kinikilig ka lang, e,” asar ko sa kaniya. Sumilay ang ngiti sa labi niya pero pinipigilan niya iyon. He looked away and scoffed.

Umupo na rin ulit si Clarene at pinagpatuloy ang pagkain. “Please, not in front of me food.”

Sxan cackled and nods. Bwisit ka, tinatango-tango mo riyan?!

“Balita ko magkakatour daw next next month?” Clarene said.

“Uhm, yeah, saan daw?” I asked.

“Sa Pangasinan daw ata. Three days and two nights. Malapit na rin Music Fest. Sino pambato niyo?”

Nagkatinginan kami ni Sxan at sabay na nagkibit-balikat.

“Tanginang ‘yan. Pati paghindi sabay kayo? Kayo na ba?”

Umiling agad ako. Sxan just laughed.

“Sunod-sunod na mga events sa iba’t ibang organizations, hindi ba’t drama club ka?” I asked Clarene.

She nodded yes. “Ikaw? Hindi ba’t fencing ka?”

Nakita ko na tumingin sa akin si Sxan. Hindi ko nalang siya pinansin at sumagot kay Clarene. “Yup. Training is near na so I have to prepare. I was thinking if I should join the music club.”

“Really? I was thinking about that too,” sabat ni Sxan.

We both turned to him, but we didn’t say anything and continued our conversation.

“Clarene, aalis ba tayo later?”

“Yeah, we’ll go. I need to chill me head after that chararat na girl na walang fashion sense.” She rolled her eyes.

Sxan is confused. “Is that the—”

“Yeah.” I nodded. He was going to ask if ito ba iyong sinasabi ko kanina noong nasa classroom pa kami.

“Okay, I have to go to the supermarket din,” I added.

“What?” I looked at Sxan who talked. “We just went there last Saturday. You are going to buy stuffs again?”

I smirked and nodded at him. He shook his head.

“I’ll get the bag na nakita ko last week. It was so pretty that I can’t sleep because of that. The manager of the store called me and told me that the bag that I was asking for was there na,” kuwento ni Clarene.

“Really? What bag?” I asked.

“The bubblegum pink Birkin.”

Napangiti ako. I have a bubblegum blue one.

“Oh, how much is it?” Sxan asked.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Clarene. Ang ekspresyon ng mukha niya ay nag-aalangan kung sasabihin ba ang presyo.

“Uhm… let’s just say like…” Napakamot ako sa batok ko.

“Like?” Sxan repeated.

“Like… a million?” Clarene answered.

Nasamid si Sxan kaya napatingin kami pareho sa kaniya. Natawa kami sa naging reaksyon niya. Tinapik ko siya nang malakas sa likod muntik na siyang masubsob. Lumakas ang tawa ko noong sinamaan niya ako ng tingin.

“A-a million?” His jaw dropped and his eyes widened. I nodded as a confirmation.

“Yeah, it’s the starting price, maybe nasa one point seven iyon since it is brand new. I am getting it,” she said.

“You two are really friends, you both have spending problems!” Umiling ulit siya.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Clarene at sabay na humalakhak.

“Dayn,” tawag sa akin ni Sxan. Nilingon ko siya at tinaasan ng kilay. Kumunot ang noo ko dahil ilang Segundo na akong naghihintay sa sasabihin niya. Nakatitig lang siya sa akin.

“Huy, ano ba?” sabi ko.

Umangat ang magkabilang gilid ng labi niya at saka umiling sa akin. “Wala wala, kain ka na alam kong kanina ka pa nagugutom,” sabi niya sabay iwas ng tingin. Mas lalo lang akong nalito sa kaniya. Ibinaling ko na lang ang atensyon ko kay Clarene at sa pagkain.

“Mauuna na ako, we have a mini rendezvous about this stupid schoolwork. I don’t even know why I am studying, I mean for what? I just want to be a trophy wife or just a rich rich daughter who doesn’t have to work. Ugh!” She groaned and rolled her eyes. Tumayo na siya sa upuan niya at kinuha ang bag.

I heard him chuckled. “Paano kapag nakapangasawa ka ng hindi naman mayaman, kumbaga iyong sakto lang?” tanong ni Sxan.

Inilingan ko siya.

“Bakit naman ako mag-aasawa ng hindi mayaman kung pwede naman na pakasalan ko ‘yong mayaman? Duh! Stupid. Hindi na kita crush.” Umirap pa siya. She waived at me before leaving us two alone.

Sxan is laughing. “She had a crush on me?” he asked in between his laughs.

“Yeah, ayaw na noon sa iyo ngayon. Gago ka kasi, e,” sagot ko.

Niligpit ko na ang pinagkainan ko at uminom ng tubig.

“Ayos lang, hindi naman siya iyong gusto ko, e,” sabi niya sabay tingin sa akin. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. “Ikaw kaya.”

“Alam mo, walang talab ‘yang mga pambobola mo. Diyan ka na nga!” Tumayo na ako at nagsimulang maglakad palabas.

Napangiti ako habang nakatalikod. Hindi ko alam kung maniniwala ba ako sa mga sinasabi niya o magiging immune nalang ako. I heard him shout my name, telling me to wait for him. I didn’t stop walking instead I did it faster.

He ran after me and walked beside me. “Napakabilis mo maglakad, naka-roller blades ka ba?”

“Roller blades ka riyan, hindi nga ako sanay no’n.”

He stopped in front of me. “Really? I’ll teach you how.”

I wrinkled my nose and the corner of my eyes. “Hmmm. No, tama na itong mga peklat ko,” sabi ko at tinulak siya sa gilid. Naglakad na ulit ako.

“Saan?” tanong niya at tumingin sa braso ko. May isa akong peklat doon, nahiwa iyon ng kutsilyo ni Dark noong nagt-training kami. Pinalaser ko na ang iba kaya nawala na. Samantalang nag-lighten lang ito, hindi makikita kung hindi mo hahanapin at tititigan. Medyo malalim din kasi ang naging sugat noon at sobrang sakit. Hanggang ngayon ay naaalala ko pa rin ang talim ng kutsilyo sa braso ko noong hiniwa noon ang laman ko.

“This?” turo niya sa sugat na iyon. “Can I touch it?” he looked at me. I nodded but when his fingers touched it, I suddenly flinched and stepped away. I was shocked by that reaction of mine. I didn’t know that it’s still here. I shrugged.

His face looks confused, and I can see that he’s kind of worried. He placed his hands on his pocket and nodded at me.

“It’s fine, I am not going to touch it. Come here, let’s go to our next class,” he said, smiling genuinely at me.

Lumapit ulit ako sa kaniya. “No, it’s not what you think it is. It’s fine, go ahead and take a look.” Inilapit ko sa kaniya ang braso ko. Tiningnan niya lang iyon at hindi hinawakan. I think it’s because I said only take a look. Kinuha ko ang kamay niya at inilagay iyon sa peklat ko. He started moving his fingers, tracing the scar slowly.

He glanced at me.

“Hindi ka naman magkakaroon ng ganito kalaking sugat kapag nag-roller skate tayo. Hindi naman kita hahayaang bumagsak sa sahig,” sabi niya habang ang mga daliri niya ay nasa peklat ko pa rin. Hinipan niya iyon nang marahan.

“Hindi na iyan fresh wound, you don’t have to blow on it,” I said. Inalis na niya ang daliri niya sa balat ko, isinuksok ang kamay niya sa bulsa at tiningnan ako nang mabilis.

“It’s not the wound or the scar,” he smirked at me.

I didn’t get it. My forehead creased and I slightly turned my head to the side to ask him what he meant. He did not answer. His wrinkled his nose and nudged my nose with his finger.

He sighed then we started to walk to our next class.

“The cleaning project is in two weeks then the next event would be the music fest. Sports fest comes in third then the tour after. This is going to be a long year for all of us, pero hindi niyo mamamalayan iyan. Tourism-1B will be handling this room and the rooftop but 2B will be there as well to help you, so don’t worry,” mahabang sabi ni Miss Daria.

2B ang section ni Clarene. Mabuti naman at magkakasama kami. Si Sxan ay nakikipag-usap sa isa naming kaklase, hindi ko naman maintindihan ang pinag-uusapan nila at saka wala nga pala akong pakielam. Inilabas ko ang cellphone ko para ipaalam ang balita kay Clarene.

Ako:

Hey, section pala nating dalawa ang maglilinis sa rooftop sa cleaning project!

Medyo nagtaka pa ako dahil ang bilis mag-reply ni Clarene.

Clarene:

REALLY?! Das good das good. So later ha! What car ba ang gagamitin na’tin? Should we go on our own nalang then meet there?

Ako:

I didn’t bring my car. Nagpahatid lang ako kanina. So, we’ll use yours.

Clarene:

Okie dokey. Then I’ll drop you home? Sounds like a good plan.

Ako:

Yeah, let’s do that. Should we eat dinner muna before going shopping?

Clarene:

Don’t you have class right now?

Ako:

Yes, I have pero patapos na ito. Sige, I’ll text you nalang when I’m ready na. Byeeee.

Clarene:

I have a 30 min meeting later, so yeah, just text me when u’re done, I’ll do the same. Byeee!

Binaba ko na sa desk ang cellphone ko. Nang tingnan ko si Sxan ay nakikipag-usap pa rin siya sa kaklase namin.Sumulyap siya sa akin at ngumiti.

“Clarene!” sigaw ko noong matanaw ko si Clarene. Mabuti na lamang ay agad niya akong narinig, pinindot niya ang car key niya para iunlockang pinto. Pumasok siya at kinawayan ulit ako, sumenyas siya na bilisan ko raw kaya lakad-takbo ang ginawa ko.

“Hay nako, akala ko hindi pa ako makakaalis sa meeting na iyon, it was super tagal and buti na lang ay handsome ‘yong leader, the only problem is he has a girlfriend already,” she said as soon as I stepped in the car.

I settled down and turned on the stereo. I connected my phone and played the mix of the day.

“Really? Sino raw ‘yong girlfriend?” I asked.

She started the engine and drove off. She’s stepping on it, kind of fast really. “Hey hey, chill dude, you wouldn’t want to die in a car accident with this song.”

She laughed then started going slower than earlier. This was one of Cardi B’s song so yeah, personally, I wouldn’t want to be upside down held by a seatbelt, with blood running down, and pieces of shattered glasses in my body. That must’ve hurt like a b***h.

“It wasn’t even that fast,” she said.

“Yeah, still though. Careful, baka hindi pa matuloy pagiging trophy wife mo, sige ka.”

She just laughed.

“I’ll sleep muna, wake me up when we get there,” I said. I leaned the backrest until I find it comfortable enough.

“Hmm yeah. I’ll do that. Anyway kanina pala…”

Hindi ko na narinig ang mga sunod na sinabi niya dahil nakatulog na ako. Naalimpungatan lang ako noong may yumugyog sa balikat ko.

“We’re here. Wake up.” She tapped me multiple times. I had to stop her, she might left me with a bruise.

“I’m awake, stop.”

“Really?” she asked, it’s like she doesn’t believe that I am awake.

I opened my eyes and I saw her confused face. “See? I can’t answer if I am asleep, my gosh!”

“Kain muna nga tayo!” she exclaimed.

“Okay, saan?”

“Doon, oh.”

Napalingon ako kung saan niya itinuro ang daliri niya. It’s a fried chicken house, an unlimited one actually.

I looked at her from head to toe.

“Are you sure you want to eat fried chicken in that state?” I asked.

She said, “In what state?”

I sighed and kept my cool. “You know what, let’s do it.”

We went inside, there are few people here. We sat and waited for a few minutes for the chicken. Unlimited chicken wings pala rito, Marami at iba’t ibang flavor ang pagpipilian. We ordered spicy chcken teriyaki, buttered chicken, their original, and their peri-peri one.

We both started to indulge in these chicken wings. Baka pagkatapos naming dito ay magkaroon na kami ng mg pakpak.

“Miss! Isa pang spicy teriyaki please.” Clarene raised a hand. Inabot ko sa babae ang lalagyan.

She kept on eating and eating, I had to slow her down. “Huy, dahan-dahan naman, hindi ka mauubusan.”

She laughed, sauces on the side of her mouth and a pile of chicken bones on the side of the table.

“I love the teriyaki,” she said.

“Halata nga, e. Tatlong balik na natin noong plate. Baka malugi na sila, two hundred fifty lang binayaran na’tin.”

Dumating na ang panibagong plate ng teriyaki. Clarene dug in agad. There were like ten to twelve pieces per plate.

“I like the original fried one, so much flavor,” I told her.

She’s holding the wings in both of her hands. Tinanggal ko ang gloves ko at kinuha ang cellphone ko sa bag.

“Hey, smile! One, two three…” I captured her picture. We took enough photos of us and the food. I put them on my story on Snapgram.

Clarene has a good appetite, kahit saan mo siya dalhin, kahit na maarte siya sa maraming bagay, sa pagkain ay hindi. She’s up to try new foods and go to places she’s never been before. Nakakatuwa siyang pagmasdan kumain.

“Why do you keep gazing at me? Eat your wings!” Tinuktok niya ng buto ng manok ang plato para kunin ang atensyon ko.

“Oo na.”

“Oh, my god! I’ve been wanting to try that pero wala kasi akong kasama noon, so thank you for eating with me,” she said.

Tinapik ko siya nang marahan sa balikat. “Gaga, ang sarap nga roon e. Balik tayo soon. Tara na’t kuhanin iyong bag mo.”

We went to Hermes to get her bag. I saw it and it was so f*****g beautiful. Naagaw na naman ng mga mata ko ang natitirang set ng Voyage na wala pa ako. Hindi pwede, kabibili ko lang last week. Papatayin na talaga ako ni Mama kapag nakita niya na bumili na naman ako.

She paid for it and then we left the store to go to the bookstore. Mas kakaunti ang tao ngayon kaysa noong huling punta ko rito. Halos wala na ring laman ang shelf para sa sale section.

Bumili ako ng tatlong libro na kasunod noong series na binabasa ko. Si Clarene naman ay bumili rin ng libro.

“Cookbook?” I asked when I saw her holding a cookbook.

“Yeah, I need to learn that goddamn teriyaki.”

Natawa ako sa sinagot niya.