Chapter Two
894 Words
I was talking to Tam as we walk towards the school cafeteria. Magla-lunch kaming dalawa dahil may klase pa sina Louisse at Denisse pareho.
"There's someone in my Algebra class who wants your number," said Tamara.
"Don't give my number."
"My apologies your highness, cause I already did."
"Gosh! Forget it. I was about to change my number anyway," I said while checking my phone. So far, wala pa namang nang spam.
"As usual," Tamara shrugs her shoulders, "Napansin ko lang, tahimik ka yata ngayon?" she continued.
"Oh yeah? Bat mo naman naisip 'yan?"
"Hindi ko naisip. Napansin ko."
Nilingon ko siya. "My vacation is the worse vacation ever."
"Expected. Ano pa ba ang bago? Sabi ko naman kasi na sumama ka na lang sa akin sa Iloilo."
"I have something to tell you."
"Hindi ka na virgin?"
"Shut up okay?"
"Whhaaaat? Totoo?"
"Tamara, please naman. Makinig ka."
"My gosh! Ano ba? Totoo?"
"Nooo! I think I'm in love."
"f**k?" nabagsag dito ang hawak na food tray.
"Now I got your attention."
"With whom? Sa naka-s*x mo?"
"You're being crazy. Of course not. Ito kasi 'yon, the whole summer wala akong ginawa kundi magkulong sa bahay. Manood ng movies, mag-online, kumain, matulog, movies, online, kain, tulog. Then I found this dating site as I browse online. And I met a guy. He's Taiwanese and we talked everyday. He's nice and I don't know why I like him. Tapos naging kami. Hindi ako sanay sa long-distance because it was my first time blah blah blah. I broke up with him the day before ako umalis sa Davao."
"Gosh, why did you do that? Kung inlove ka sana tinuloy mo na lang. Wala namang mawawala sa'yo di ba?"
"Ikaw na mismo ang nagsabi na 'there's no such thing called forever.'
"Indeed. And you can't just fall in love lalo na sa ganiyan."
"I don't know. But I missed him. I missed his chats and calls every night. I missed our talks."
Tumawa lang ito, "Omg! Ano ka ba kasi. Mag-boyfriend ka na lang kasi. Marami naman dito sa MMU. Nagpapakipot ka pa."
"I'm not. And I'm not desperate to just grab a boyfriend because I need one."
"Hindi naman desperada ang tawag diyan. Ilang buwan ka nang walang boyfriend?"
"Six."
"Ang taray mo kasi. Gusto mo hanapan na lang kita ng boyfriend?"
"Baliw ka."
Naupo kami sa dati naming pwesto. Good thing at alam ng lahat na may nagmamay-ari ng table na iyon.
"You know, Lanz Mitchell Exodus Lopez?" maya-maya ay tanong ulit nito.
"No."
"He is a new student here. And everybody thinks he's hot."
"Not everybody, I guess. Because I don't think he is."
Tumawa si Tamara.
"Hindi mo pa siya nakita, so hindi ka counted sa everybody."
I rolled my eyes.
---
History Class
Late ang professor namin at nagkakagulo ang buong klase.
I jerk when my phone vibrates inside my pocket. I smiled when I saw Tristan's name.
"Hey. . "
I took a deep breath as someone took the seat beside me. His smell washes my whole system. So manly.
"Yeah?" Hinarap ko ito. I came face to face with the living Greek god. Chiseled face, dark and long lashes with such manly eyebrows—deep brown eyes with kissable lips.
"So?"
"What?"
"You have a nice ass."
Napanganga ako sa lumabas sa bibig nito. He's a devil, not a god.
"Pervert." I hissed at saka tinulak ito. Sarap sapakin ng mga poging manyak.
"It doesn't mean when someone like your hot ass made them a pervert."
I ignored him.
"I'm Exodus." He offered his hand, which I ignored again.
"What's your name, spicy little, bugger?"
"Back off, pervert." Malakas na sigaw ko bago ito nilayasan.
I skipped classes that day. I stayed in my apartment talking with Tristan. At least we remained friends.
Hindi na ako nilapitan pa ng Exodus na iyon pagkatapos.
***
"What happened to you? Anong nangyari no'ng summer? You've been keeping yourself isolated,' tanong sa akin ni Louise nang lapitan niya ako sa bleachers isang hapon.
"I'm waiting for Tom."
"Tom the football player? Like seriously?"
"Yeah. He's my partner in History project."
"Good. Get yourself a boyfriend. Good luck."
Tom invited me para manood ng basketball game ng University namin that time. After manalo ang team namin ay dinala niya ako sa party ng mga ito. Cousin kasi nito ang import ng MMU.
"Tequila or wine?" Tanong nito sa akin nang makarating kami sa bar na pinuntahan ng mga ito.
"Margarita."
"I'll be back."
"Okay."
Kakaalis lang ni Tom nang may lumapit sa akin at binigyan ako ng isang drink.
"It's from a guy over there." Sinundan ko ang tingin nito. Then I saw Exodus Lopez making out with one of his girls on their table.
"From him?" tanong ko.
"Yes po."
"Thanks but no thanks. I have my drink later." Sigaw ko para marinig nito ang sinabi ko.
"You sure?"
"Hundred."
Bwisit talagang lalaki sa buhay ang isang Exodus Lopez. Bakit ba nabubuhay pa sa mundo ang mga lalaking tulad nito?
That night, I ended up with someone else's company. Tom left me nowhere because he found someone willing to warm his bed. I took a cab that night. I've deleted Tom's number on my phone and sleep in peace. The next day, I have an official boyfriend after six months of being single.
- Writer
