Swayed on the Waves

Chapter Three:

It was Wednesday today. Maraming gagawin kaya naging abala kami lalo. With only two days left before prom, it seemed like everyone was talking about it.

Pinag uusapan na nila kung ano ang isusuot nila sa Friday. Meanwhile, we were still deciding whether to go to Vera’s party. She kept reminding us about it, though.

Hindi na rin namin nakaka usap sila Russel mula last week pagkatapos naming mag hangout kasama ang mga pinsan ni Vera dahil marami rin daw silang ginagawa.

I didn’t stop training with Ford. I was trying to divide my time so I could finish everything on my plate. Nag aya ulit sila Dahlia na manood ng game nila Jeff pero hindi ako sumama dahil babalik na naman ako mamaya sa school para maghapong mag ensayo.

"Oh, Silene, babalik ka ng school?" Mama asked me when she saw me.

"Opo, Ma. Isa saamin ni Ford ang isasabak sa contest e”

She nodded and looked me over. She was still in office clothes, so it looked like she was getting ready to leave.

"Si Daddy po?" I asked.

"Nasa Bulacan pa”

"Nakila Tita?" I asked with brows slightly furrowed.

She shook her head. "May convention doon pero baka isama ang kapatid mo pag uwi dito,”

Agad akong ngumiwi nang banggitin nya ang kapatid ko.It had been years since we last saw her because she lived with Auntie in Bulacan.

She shot me a look. "Maawa ka sa kapatid mo, ilang taon ng hindi dumadalaw dito sa Manila"

I frowned. "Wala pa naman po akong sinasabi e,”

"Baka ma late kana. Wait, nakausap ko pala si Ynna nung nakaraan. Nagkaka mabutihan na pala kayo ng panganay nya?" Mama said, her smile looking a little too knowing.

"Mama naman, alam kong ayaw mo kay Jackson pero huwag naman po kayong gumawa ng kung ano ano,” I said, trying to keep my irritation in check.

Naiirita na kasi ako kapag tinutukso nila ako kay Russel kahit alam nilang may boyfriend ako. I felt like they didn’t respect that.

She laughed and swatted at the air like it was no big deal. "Wala pa akong sinasabi, Silene. Pero bagay naman kayo ng inaanak ko,”

I shook my head. "Ay naku po, Ma. Hindi ko po alam kung ano bang natipuhan mo sa lalaking ‘yon,” I said.

Sumimangot sya. "Bakit? Mabait at matalinong bata ang lalaking ‘yon,”

Hmm, not sure about that.

"Ma, it’s been years. He’s changed," I said simply.

Pagkalabas ko ay nagpahatid ako kay Manong papuntang school. I was chatting with Dahlia while in the car. Nasa school na pala sila at kanina pa nag sisimula ang laro nang nakarating sila.

From: Dahlia Mendes

Sayang ka nga kasi hindi ka pumunta! Hinahanap ka tuloy nila Jeff.

To: Dahlia Mendes

Kaya n'yo na 'yan.

From: Dahlia Mendes

Dami palang babae ni Russel HAHAHA

To: Dahlia Mendes

Halata naman na babaero, hindi na ako magtataka :D

From: Dahlia Mendes

Mga sikat pa! Student model pa 'yung iba.

I glanced out the window, and we were almost at the school. I quickly shifted my focus back to my phone to reply.

To: Dahlia Mendes

Mamaya nalang tayo mag usap. Nasa school na ako.

Pagkahinto ng sasakyan sa labas ng school ay nagpasalamat agad ako kay Manong at sinabing huwag na akong sunduin mamaya dahil pupuntahan ko sila Dahlia.

–

It was four in the afternoon when I finished practice. Basang basa pa ang buhok ko habang naglalakad palabas ng school para puntahan na sila Dahlia sa kabilang school.

Napahinto ako saglit nang makita si Jackson sa kabilang kalsada at may kasamang babae. They were talking, but when they reached the corner, they went their separate ways.

Hindi ko na pinansin dahil sabi nya ay pupunta siya sa bahay ng kaibigan nya para mag hangout. Inaya pa ako pero hindi ako sumama dahil kila Vera.

I had been staring at my phone for a while, hoping Jackson would message me or call to let me know what he was doing, but there was nothing.

Bumuntong hininga ako bago naglakad ulit hanggang sa nakarating na ako sa school nila Russel. I greeted the guard and handed him my ID. I still wasn’t used to this school; it was way bigger than ours.

Habang naglalakad ay mas lalo kong pinuri ang bawat building at disenyo ng paligid. Hindi lang kasi basta bastang school ang isang 'to. Some people looked at me as I headed toward the field. A few gave me confused and even hostile glares, but I kept walking.

"Amanda, kayo na ba ni Russel?"

"Not yet, why?"

"Oh, pero kung mag usap kayo last week ay parang kayo na. Kinikilig pa nga ako sainyo” a girl said, laughing.

The other girl laughed so sweetly.

"Hindi namin minamadali ang relasyon namin, Chesca"

"Sabagay,”

Tumabi agad ako kay Dahlia nang makarating. Nasa ibaba sila at todo ang hiyaw kila Jeff.

Helene looked up, surprised when she saw me. "Nandyan na pala si Silene!"

Pati si Vera at ang walang kamalay malay na si Dahlia ay gulat rin na napatingin saakin.

"Wow, fresh!" Si Vera.

Dahlia held her chest, still shocked. "Ampotchi, bigla bigla ka nalang sumusulpot!"

"Nag chat ako a while ago,” I said.

Pinanood ko nalang sila Jeff na maglaro. They were all panting hard as they ran, but still managed to look handsome doing it.

Russel looked so intoxicatingly handsome. He was a bit fair-skinned, which he probably got from his mom. Tall, with a well-built body—not too lean, not overly muscular either.

Sa tuwing nakasimangot sya, daig nya pa ang laging may kaaway. Pero kapag ngumingiti naman ay parang may masamang iniisip o binabalak.

He looked good in the jersey he was wearing, with the number 04 on the back. It reminded me of someone I used to cheer for, but now I couldn't find him anymore. Probably from another department.

During breaks, Jeff would come over to hand us water while Russel stayed on the other side of the bleachers.

"Oh, nasaan si Russel?" Helene asked them.

Natawa si Justin na umiinom ng tubig. Pawisan silang dalawa ni Jeff pero wala man lang nagbago sa hitsura.

"Nasa babae nya malamang,”

Umayos ako ng upo at tinignan ang pinupuntahan ni Russel. Natatawa sya habang kinakausap ang kaninang babae na Amanda ata ang pangalan. She was wiping the sweat off his neck while he drank water.

She looked so sweet and innocent.

My brows furrowed as I looked away.

Tumunog muli ang pito at nagpaalam sila Jeff na maglalaro ulit sila. Isang oras nalang naman daw at matatapos na sila.

I just kept watching quietly, staying serious while everyone around me cheered loudly. Pinuna at inasar pa nila ako pero hindi ako kumibo at nanatiling nakatingin sa mga naglalaro.

–

Nakahalukipkip lang ako habang sinisipa ang isang medyo may kalakihang bato. We were already outside the gate, just waiting for Jeff and the others to come out. They suggested grabbing a quick bite before heading home.

"Yabang ng kupal,” Dahlia said irritatedly.

"E si Russel lang naman ang nakaka score sa kanilang tatlo,” Vera chuckled.

"Hoy, Silene" I heard Helene call me.

I glanced at her, confused. "Bakit?"

Her brows furrowed. "Kanina ka pa tahimik magmula nang pumunta ka dito. Anong nangyari?"

"Break na kayo ni Jackson?" Vera faked a gasp.

I rolled my eyes at her. "Gaga, may iniisip lang ako"

The truth is, I don't even know what was happening to me. Kanina pa walang chat at tawag si Jackson saakin. Napa isip tuloy ako kung may problema ba kami para hindi ako kausapin.

He looked happy earlier, chatting with a girl. It threw me off. The longest we’d gone without talking was half a day, and I understood that—both of us had stuff to do, and we didn’t need to talk about pointless things all the time.

Abala ako sa school, ganoon rin sya.

"Ayan na pala sila!" Dahlia said, catching sight of them.

Helene tapped my shoulder. "Huwag mong kalimutan na nandito kami palagi," she said with a smile.

Nakipag apir silang tatlo kila Justin. Binabara pa rin nila Vera si Justin na nagyayabang. Napaangat lang ako ng ulo nang nakita si Justin na nakaabang ang palad saakin upang makipag apir.

Medyo nataranta ako. I smiled a bit. "Hi!"

He looked at me with furrowed brows and parted lips before looking at Helene. "Anong nangyari kay Silene?"

Helene shrugged. "Hindi pa namin alam. Hayaan n’yo na muna, gusto nyang mapag isa para makapag isip isip"

–

Nauuna na naman sila. O sadyang mabagal lang talaga ako maglakad?

Then I felt Russel's presence beside me.

"What happened?" he asked curiously.

I glared at him immediately. "Ginugulo mo ang isip ko. Hindi ako makapag isip ng maayos”

His eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly recovered. "Maybe I can help you," he said calmly.

That only made me more irritated. "Huwag mo muna akong kausapin, okay?"

Seriously, mas lalo lang akong naiinis dahil katabi ko na naman sya.

He let out a sigh. "Paanong hindi kita kakausapin? Eh parang pasan pasan mo ang mundo ngayon,”

"Hindi ka nakakatulong. Lumayo ka muna saakin," I said, trying to calm myself down.

"Ayoko nga. Hindi mo ako mauutusan,” he said, furrowing his brows while avoiding my gaze.

Para siyang bata kung umasta na naman. Sa sobrang gigil ko ay halos sabunutan ko na sya. He let out a wince when I pinched his left ear, bending slightly as he endured the pain. "Ikaw, nung nakaraan ka pa nang iirita. Nakaka inis ang mukha mo!"

"Ang gwapo ko kaya” he said, groaning even louder as I pinched him harder.

Napapatingin na ang iba saamin pero sinasamaan ko lang sila ng tingin. He touched my hand, so I quickly pulled it away from his ear.

Damn that electrifying feeling!

"Ang kapal ng mukha mo! Hindi ka pogi!"

"Gwapo ako, gwapo" he said, doing a "pogi" sign, which made me even more annoyed.

–

We were at the siomai stall because Vera suddenly craved for some. I got hungry thinking about it, so I joined the line. Nagtaka akong tumingin kay Russel na kinalabit ako at may hawak na siomai at gulaman.

"Nang aasar ka na naman ba?"

His brows furrowed. "Sa’yo ‘yan. Nakakahiya naman kung pipila ka pa,”

I was about to refuse, but my stomach had other plans. I forced a smile and accepted it. I returned to the standing table where Vera and the others were.

"Oh, pre, hindi ka bumili?" Jeff asked Russel while still chewing.

He shook his head. "Busog pa ako”

Bigla tuloy akong napatingin sa kinakain ko. Para akong nahiya bigla dahil para sa kanya dapat ‘to kaso binigay saakin.

I had a hard time swallowing and took a sip of the gulaman. I nudged Russel, who was laughing with Jeff.

He looked at me, still amused.

"Hati na tayo dito. Don't worry, hindi ko pa nagagalaw lahat. Baka magreklamo ka pa,” I said, pushing the paper plate of siomai toward him.

Sumulyap ako sa mga kaibigan ko. Helene almost spat out the gulaman she was drinking, and Dahlia laughed at her. Vera, who was watching, just shook her head.

It looked like Helene was about to hit Dahlia, but Dahlia quickly moved away, still laughing.

"Bruha ka! Kadiri, kumakain 'yung tao e!"

"Ayos lang naman. Hindi ka naman mukhang tao e," Dahlia teased back.

I nudged Russel again.

"Kailangan pa ba kitang subuan?" I asked irritatedly.

Si Jeff naman ngayon ang muntik ng mabilaukan. He flashed me a peace sign when I looked at him. "Iba lang naisip ko. Sige na, mag subuan na kayo”

Russel smirked at me. Lumapit pa saakin at ako naman ay napalayo ng kaonti. Hindi ko talaga kaya na ganito siya kalapit saakin!

"Talaga, gagawin mo 'yon?" He asked playfully.

Pinandilatan ko sya ng mata. "Asa!"

Kumain nalang ako at hindi na sya pinansin. He grabbed a toothpick to join in. "Baka kulang pa, ikaw na pumila" he said, chuckling.

I rolled my eyes. "Busog na ako,"

He laughed. "Kaya ang payat mo e,”

I almost reached for his ear again, but he quickly distanced himself from me. "Ikaw, Silene, mapanakit ka. Siguro sawang sawa na si Jackstone sa pananakit mo” his brows were furrowed while almost glaring at me.

I moved closer to grab his ear again, and I succeeded. But I wasn’t satisfied, so I yanked his hair.

"Magbabanggit ka na nga lang ng pangalan, mali mali pa!"

"Hindi naman sya importante para tandaan ko ang pangalan nya,”” he said, still whining.

It reminded me of when we were kids. The first time he said my name wrong, and I would always glare at him whenever I saw him. Instead of calling me Silene, he called me Celine.

Isang araw pa bago nya matama ang pagbigkas ng pangalan ko.

"Baka naman magkatuluyan kayo nyan,” Jeff said, smirking while watching us.

"Bakit, selos ka?" Vera asked, arching her right brow.

His brows furrowed as he shook his head twice. "Hindi ah!"

I froze a bit when he grabbed my hand again. I didn’t react immediately when he threw his arm around me. Hindi makuntento!

They whistled. "Bagay kayo. Sana all!"

"May boyfriend ako,” I said.

Hindi sila nagpatinag at inasar pa ako lalo. We left the siomai stall to buy clothes and browse for things we might like. I already had enough clothes and shoes I hadn’t used, so I decided not to buy anything yet. Maybe I’ll get something next week.

"I saw your boyfriend a while ago,” Russel broke the silence between us.

Hindi na siya naka akbay saakin kaya nakahinga ako nang maluwag. I suddenly became curious and waited for him to say more. His expression was serious as he kept his hands in his maroon hoodie pockets.

"Saan? Kelan?" I asked.

He looked at me with brows furrowed. "Boyfriend mo ta's wala kang alam?"

I pouted a little, feeling slightly embarrassed. "Hindi pa kami nakakapag usap mula kanina”

He scoffed. "May iba na ‘yan,”

"Syempre alam mo kasi babaero ka rin, 'di ba?"

He smirked. "Wala naman akong babae,”

I scoffed. "Talaga? Edi sino pala si Amanda, huh?"

Natigilan sya saglit pero nagpatuloy muli sa paglalakad. Ako pa ba ang lolokohin nya ngayon? Pero sa tuwing iniisip ko na naman si Jackson ay nalulungkot lang ako lalo.

Baka bukas ko pa mapuntahan sa kanila dahil hindi na pwede ngayon dahil gabi na at baka wala pa siya sa kanila.

"Wala 'yon. May gusto akong iba,” he said in a monotone voice.

I nodded and didn’t ask anything further.