How to Love

Chapter 6

How to Love

Chapter 6

It has already been two weeks since I met Michael. So far, so good. He was still very nice and funny and he was also spending most of his time with us rather than his classmates.

"Best, may pimple ka." Sofia said.

Break time namin ngayon at si Ralph busy na nangbuburaot.

"Oo nga eh." I said reaching to touch it. Nasa ilong ko pa naman; sa gilid. Ugh. Nakakainis.

"Kasi naman..."

"Ano?" I said and looked at her.

"Masyado kasing iniisip si Michael eh." Then she snickered.

Then suddenly the window slid open. "Guilty as charged." Michael appeared and leaned on the windowpane with his usual smile.

I rolled my eyes at them. "Di kaya!" I said and looked at the pimple through a mirror. "Malapit na yung dalaw ko." I said pertaining to my menstruation.

"Ah." Sofia said beside me.

"Kain tayo?" Michael asked.

"Di ako gutom eh. Gutom ka ba? Sasamahan kitang kumain." I offered. "Di din eh." He said. "Dami ko nakain kaninang umaga."

"Pasok ka." Sofia said and Michael did. He pulled a chair and faced us. He pulled out his phone. "Anong twitter username mo?" he asked.

"Bakit?" I asked dumbly.

"Ifofollow kita syempre! Ikaw talaga, binibini." He said.

I rolled my eyes at him and gave him my username. He asked Sofia's too and I asked for his hotspot password and gave him my phone. I saw that he has like a thousand of followers and believe it or not, Ralph was worse a with a couple of thousand.

"Paano nangyari yun?" I demanded.

"Ganto kasi yun," Ralph started to explain slowly like I was a nursery student. "Diba second year nakapasok ako sa basketball team." I nodded. "Napunta kami sa iba't ibang school para dun sa mga laro namin." I nodded again. "Eh maraming nagwapuhan sakin." I rolled my eyes at him and Sofia stifled a laugh. "Hiningi nila yung f*******: ko pero sabi ko twitter na lang. Kaya ayun."

"Iba talaga kapag sporty yung lalaki eh no?" Sofia said almost dreamily and Ralph smiled at her. Michael and I saw this and we exchanged knowing looks.

"Dagdag pogi points kasi. Nung first year gwapo na ko. Pero nung sumali na ko sa varsity mas lalo lang akong pumogi. Naging habulin pa lalo ako ng chicks." He said and ran a hand through his hair.

"Oo pati mga sirena dyan sa tabi-tabi." I said and Michael laughed.

We laughed.

"Pero ang pogi ko talaga eh." He shook his head.

Since I was close to him I reached up to his ear and I twisted it. "Anong sabi mo?"

"Hindi na po. Tama na. Tama na. Tama na po. Hindi na ko pogi." He pleaded.

I released his ear. "Grabe, Best. Brutal!" he said as he touched his ears with his fingers. I rolled my eyes at him. "Pero pogi naman talaga ako, Best di ba? Sporty pa. Matalino. Nasakin na ang lahat."

I groaned exasperatedly. "You're so full of yourself."

"Ganyan talaga, varsity eh." He said and strolled away.

"Huh? Anong connect nun?" I asked Sofia.

Sofia shrugged but giggled. "Oh, Michael, Magingat-ingat ka na sa mga bagay na sasabihin mo kung ayaw mong matulad kay Ralph."

Michael shook his head but he was smiling. He was looking at his desk. "Mag-tryout ako sa Basketball team."

I nodded even though I shouldn't. "Edi mabuti."

"Kailan ba yan? Pwede ba kaming manood?" Sofia asked.

"Sa Thursday ang Fourth Year." Ralph suddenly came back and answered the question. "Pero wag na kayong manood. Baka mapressure si Insan hindi makashoot." He said.

"Oo nga," Michael agreed. "Baka walang pumasok sa mga tira ko. Okay lang ba?" He gave me the look.

The Look—a look that you will only receive from Michael Mercado. It is when he looks at you through his lashes when he's asking you of something and when he's trying to be cute. Not that he really needs to try though.

"Okay lang." I said half-heartedly and nodded at him.

Gah! Gusto kong mapanood yung tryout nya. Huhuhu! Maybe I could watch for a minute or two or something just to watch him play. Besides, it was not like he was gonna see me.

***

It was a Wednesday morning and I'm dying. Unang araw po ng dalaw ko ngayon at sobrang sakit ng puson ko ever since kaninang pagkagising. Medyo malamig pa dahil may dadating daw na bagyo pero bukas pa daw ang downfall sabi kanina sa weather forecast.

P.E. class namin ngayon for two hours. Ang P.E. class kasi dito sa St. Claire ay per year; Monday, Freshman; Tuesday, Sophomore; Wednesday, Juniors; Thursday, Seniors. Tas pag Friday naman it's either may mass kami or may school activity.

Nandito kami sa school grounds at yung iba kong kaklase ay nagp-prepare na para sa stretching samantalang ako nakaupo lang at nagdadalamhati.

"Best, alam mo makakabuti sayo pagnagstretching ka at exercise." Ralph said. He was currently stretching on his own. Varsity nga naman siya at sisiw lang sa kanya yan samantalang pag kami parang first time namin lagi magexercise.

"Alam ko naman yun pero ang sakit talaga." I said and clutched on my stomach as it hurt again.

"Masakit ba talaga?" he asked and gave me a worried look.

"Oo, Best. Tas feeling ko may waterfalls pagtumatayo ako."

"Kadiri, Best." He said and shuddered, probably imagining a pool of blood. "Kung ikaw nandidiri ano pa kaya ako?" I said almost disdainfully at him. "Tas ngayon PMS ka pa." he snickered. "Tara, punta tayong clinic."

"No." I said and I crossed my arms on my chest.

"Tara na." he said.

"Ayoko." I scowled at him.

He sighed, giving up. Usually, persevere yan si Ralph para makuha ang gusto niya pero alam naman niyang hindi siya mananalo sakin. "Oh sige, sasabihin ko na lang kay, miss na iexcuse ka muna."

"Eh masungit yun eh!"

"Eh ano naman? Vibes kami. Crush ako nun eh." He said with a goofy smile.

I rolled my eyes at him. My mood shifted. "Bahala ka sa buhay mo."

He sighed again. "Mga babae nga naman talaga." He muttered under his breath as he walked away.

"Anung nangyari dun?" Sofia appeared and asked as she watched Ralph's retreating back.

"Iexcuse lang ako kay, Miss."

"Eh bakit ganun yung huling sinabi niya?"

"Nasungitan ko yata."

"Ay, Best ang kapal. Kapal na mukha mong magsungit. Ikaw na nga yung tinutulungan jan eh."

"Sorry na." I said.

"Ewan ko sayo, Best."

"Punta ka na dun. Magstart na yung stretching."

The stretching started with Ralph and Alvin leading it.

Then there was me—miserable that I couldn't join them for this class.

***

Thursday na ngayon at ang sakit pa rin ng puson ko. Just so you know, irregular po yung dalaw ko kaya pagnagkaron ay sobrang sakit talaga para sakin. Minsan gusto ko na lang mapaiyak.

I really don't feel like going to school today but I reminded myself na tryouts ng fourth year ngayon and I've got to watch Michael play. Di ko alam kung bakit sobrang big deal para sakin yung pagtryout ni Michael eh ayaw naman niya kong manood. But even though I thought of that, I pushed myself off my bed and took a short warm bath since bawal ako ng malamig ngayon. It was also a chilly morning. Sabi sa weather forecast, mamayang gabi pa daw ang downfall ng ulan kaya makararanas lang kami ng malamig na hangin at onting ambon ngayon, so I wore my jacket.

And here I am now seated on my seat with the side of my head pressed against my plastic desk. I was watching as students walk along the corridors before the first bell rings.

"Best, buhay ka pa?" Ralph said beside me and nudged me on my shoulder. "Oo naman." I muttered. Ang sakit talaga. "Mamamatay pa lang."

Michael tapped on the glass window and slid it open. "Good morning, Binibini." He said with a bright smile.

I nodded at him. I couldn't even manage to smile at him. He furrowed his eyebrows in my lack of response and Ralph stood up to explain my current situation.

"PMS pa din?" he asked and Ralph nodded at him. He looked at me again and smiled. "Halika. May ibibigay ako sayo."

I stood up without arguing. It was the least I could do. When I reached him he grabbed my hand and pressed a warm Styrofoam on it. I almost jumped from the heat of the cup. He might have noticed it because he fumbled for his

handkerchief and when he found it, he pressed it against my palm together with the steaming cup.

"Para sayo." He said. I nodded at him and managed to give him a small smile of appreciation.

"Akyat na ko." I nodded at him and he nodded at Ralph who nodded in return.

I sat back down on my seat and tore the Styrofoam's lid. I inhaled the delicious sweet smell before taking a sip. Para siyang milkshake na mainit. Sarap!

"Patikim!" Ralph said and reached for the cup.

"Ayoko nga! Akin 'to eh." I said and inched the cup away from his hands.

"Minsan nga magsusungit ako sa bahay, baka bigyan din ako ni Insan ng mga pagkain." He said as he adjusted his bag on the sit in front of him. Batukan ko nga. "Joke lang syempre." He said and smiled.

Eto yung ngiti ni Ralph. Yung tipong nakakahawa. Kaya naman napangiti na lang din ako at unti-unti ko ng inubos yung gatas, feeling warm and comforted inside my stomach.

***

Breaktime na at wala akong ganang kumain. Pinayagan ako ni Ralph na mangburaot dun sa tuna sandwich niya pero parang ayoko talagang kumain. I was being miserable again.

Ip-pull out si Ralph at Alvin ngayon pa lang break para iorganize yung mga magtatryout. Madaming grumaduate na varsity last year at si Alvin ang napiling Captain ngayon. Yung co-captain niya, fourth year. Pero silang dalawa ni Ralph ang namamahal ng tryouts ngayon. Pati yung mga

participants i-pull out na din. At dahil sobrang dami nila, pinayagan ang lahat ng fourth year na manood sa gym para suportahan ang mga kaklase nila.

Then suddenly someone flopped down on the seat beside me. Michael.

"Okay ka na?" he asked.

"Medyo." I said then pouted.

He laughed. "Kawawa ka naman."

"Ah ge, kawawaan mo ko." Kunwaring nagtampo.

He just continued to laugh. "May dala ulit ako." He said and placed a tumbler on my desk and a wide bar of Cadbury chocolate.

Oh My God!

"Ano yan?" I asked dumbly.

"Chocolate at mainit na tubig." He said. "Ano ka ba naman."

"Para sakin ba yan?"

He groaned. "Malamang." He looked like he was containing his laughter from the way I was acting.

"Ah okay sige, natatawa siya sakin." I said and rolled my eyes at him.

He stared at me for a few seconds before he spoke. "Smile ka naman sakin." He said and gave me the look. "Kanina ka pa nakasimangot," he continued. "Pano na lang ako mamomotivate maglaro mamaya kung hindi manlang ako nginingitian ng crush ko." He said and shook his head.

After that, I laughed. "Crush? So pinanindigan mo yan?" I remembered that particular conversation where I somehow started this all. I don't even know what this is.

"Oo naman! Ikaw ba?"

I looked at him for a while before I nodded and muttered, "Oo." Wait, am I basically telling him that I have a crush on him? Yeah. I guess it seems that way.

He poked me on my side. "Yiee! Crush niya ko." I laughed. He looked ridiculously cute. "Di kaya."

Then he pretended to leave but I stopped him anyway blocking his way with my arms, forcing him to stay put. "Joke lang."

He smiled. "Kain na."

I slowly tear the chocolate's wrapping and took a bite. "San mo nakuha to?" I asked through a mouthful.

"Secret." He said and I rolled my eyes at him.

"Oy oy! Pahingi!" Ralph said when he saw what I was eating when he entered the room.

I reached my arm at him and he placed his hand on top of mine before taking a bite. "Punta na tayong gym." He said to Michael. Michael nodded. Ralph took another bite. "Tara na."

"'Tara na' pero kain ka ng kain dyan." Michael said and stood up.

Ralph chuckled. "Last," he said and took his last bite. He grabbed his bag. "Binibini, hindi ka pa ngumingiti sakin." Michael reminded.

"Tumawa na po ako." I said as if it were to solve every problem on this planet.

"Ngiti. Hindi tawa." He pointed out.

So I smiled at him, a real one, with my teeth showing and my eyes crinkling at the corners and my cheeks gathering to my cheekbones. Michael responded with the same smile. "Good luck." I said. "Dapat makapasok ka ah."

"Pagnakapasok ako may premyo?" he said and ran a hand through his hair. I wonder how it feels to touch it. Will it feel like the same as Ralph or not?

"Oo naman."

"Bat ako walang ganun nung nakapasok ako?" Ralph asked as he pouted. "Close na ba tayo nung nakapasok ka?" I asked sarcastically.

"Ah so close na kayo ng pinsan ko." I thought for a moment but before I could answer he spoke again. "Ah! Nga pala, hindi kayo

close. Naglalandian lang." he snickered and turned his back to me.

I rolled my eyes even though he couldn't see it. Michael laughed. "Grabe magsalita." He said and walked side by side of his cousin and slung an arm over Ralph's shoulders and started talking about basketball.

As they exited the room, a couple of senior girls walked passed them and the girls both turned their heads just to look at the cousins again. I shook my head disbelievingly. So head turner pala sila. Edi sila na gwapo.

***

Dismissal na ngayon at kasama ko si Sofia. Hindi pa rin tapos yung tryout sa gym kaya naman pumunta kami dun. Nabawasan na yung mga estudyante dito kasi yung iba umuwi na. Mostly, girls na lang.

Nakita kong nakaupo si Ralph sa isa mga bench. Pawis na pawis. Nilapitan namin siya.

"Best!" I called out and he snapped his head towards me and smiled at me and Sofia. "Naglaro ka?"

"Obvious ba?" he asked sarcastically. I deserved that. "Kailangan kasi makipaglaro ng mga varsity dun sa mga nagt-tryout eh." He said and gulped some water.

"Si Michael?" I asked since I didn't see him.

"Ayun oh," Ralph said and nodded towards the court and I immediately saw Michael.

"Magaling ba?" I asked.

"Oo naman. Pasok na yan." He said as we sat beside him a few inches away because he's still dripping sweat.

"Bakit? Dahil sayo?"

"Di ah! Magaling talaga yan! Mas magaling pa sakin." He said.

I snapped my head at him, thinking that I have heard wrongly.

"Ano ulit sabi mo, Best?" I asked.

"Sabi ko magaling si Insan." He repeated slowly and I nod my head, taking in what he said. "Bakit?"

I grinned at him. "Parang ngayon lang kita narinig na mangpuri ng iba."

"Grabe ka naman." Then he scoffed but then smiled as he watched his cousin on the court. "Di, pero mas magaling talaga si Insan sakin sa basketball." I smiled but then his next words made them disappear and a

snort to come from me. "Pero dun lang! Tas sa lahat ng bagay, ako na." he said and wiggled his eyebrows at me.

I rolled my eyes at him. "Tapos na ba yung tryout?"

"Oo, laro-laro na lang yan." He said. Then I turned my attention on the court. The players were running to the other side of the court. I guessed that it was still varsity versus participants. The varsities had their jerseys on and the participants were wearing plain white shirts.

Michael was standing on the three-point line, waiting for the ball holder to pass him the ball. Skin and face glistened from sweat; the shirt soaked from the water from his body and his hair. Oh, gosh his hair. It was wet and he pushed it upward impatiently just before the ball closes in his hands. With no second hesitation, he jumped and shot the ball. It went in. Then there was a loud cheer from the audience which I guess was from his classmates. He smiled when the ball entered the basket and was now running again to the opposite side of the court, guarding Alvin who has the ball.

Alvin looked confident that Michael wouldn't steal the ball away from him. But it happened so fast. Michael took a step backward as Alvin was eyeing him with intensity and Michael happened to seem calm at this situation. In fact, he has a small smile playing on his lips. He took a right step and Alvin immediately put the ball to his left. But Michael was faster, it was just a fake. He made it look like he was taking a step to the right and immediately changed his footing to step to the left and reached for the ball as soon as Alvin put the ball away—closer now to him.

Then without any guards remaining as they seem to recover from shock on what happened, Michael had a free half-court all to himself and shot the ball in a Lay-Up. The crowd cheered again and this time, Sofia and I joined them. He must have somehow heard my voice through all the cheers because he turned to look back at me.

I smiled widely at him and waved my hand. It took it a moment for him grin at me and a whistle blows making everyone in action stop. Their coach went in

the center of the court with his clipboard and signals for every player to come close.

"Teka lang, best." Ralph said and I nodded. He walked to the mass of players in the middle of the court where Michael was being slapped on the back in appreciation and his hair getting ruffled.

"Ano kayang feeling paglumapit ka dyan sa mga yan?" Sofia asked.

"Yuck!" I replied. "Mga amoy pawis." I shuddered and Sofia laughed at my reaction. "Di ko bet yung ganun, best."

"Sino bang may sabing lalapit tayo dun?" she asked.

"Wala."

"Wala naman pala eh." A moment of silence later then she sighed and I looked at her. She was watching the cousins. Ralph has his arm around Michael's shoulders as they both listen intently on what the coach was saying.

"Anong keme mo dyan?" I asked.

"Wala. Ang pogi lang talaga nilang dalawa." She said dreamily and placed her elbows on her knees and placed her head on her palms and continued to watch with a faint smile on her lips.

"Asus!" I responded. "Eh ano naman ngayon kung pogi?"

"Best, hindi na feelings ang labanan sa panahon ngayon, mukha na." she said.

"So saan mo hinuhugot yan?" I asked curiously.

She smiled wickedly. "Wala naman. Naisip ko lang sabihin."

I rolled my eyes. You can't just say na bigla mo na lang naisip ang isang bagay. Dahil lahat ng naiisip mo ay may pinagmumulan. But I didn't argue anymore because Ralph was walking towards us.

"Shower lang kami tas kain tayo." He said. Sofia and I both nodded. "Saan?" she asked.

"Chinese tayo." He said and after having our approval he jogged away and joined the other players to take their deserved shower.

***

Ralph and Michael's spoons and forks kept on clattering on their plates as they ate. I looked at Sofia who is sitting beside me and saw that she has the same expression as I am as she watched the cousins ate. She might've felt that I was staring at her because she looked at me and smiled.

"Lalamig pagkain niyo." Ralph said then slurped on his noodle soup.

I focused on my food and spooned some of my lemon chicken. We were currently at a mall eating Chinese food for snack or should I say dinner. Yung magpinsan naka-P.E. Uniform na. And don't even get me started with their hair. I don't know what they used on it but it looks so shiny and soft to touch that my hand suddenly itches to run my fingers through them. I really didn't get it why people in books suddenly feel they want to touch someone's hair but it seems like I do understand it now. I really thought it was impossible to happen but here I was, wanting to touch someone's hair.

"Kailan daw malalaman yung results?" tanong ni Sofia.

"Sa Monday daw." Ralph said. "Pusta ako, si Insan pinaka una sa listahan ni Coach." Michael smiled but didn't say anything. Buti pa tong isang 'to, medyo hindi kasing yabang ni Ralph. "Sa totoo lang, pare," Ralph said to Michael. "Hindi ko talaga inaasahan yung ginawa mo kanina eh." Then both of them chuckled.

"Wala naman yun." Michael denied.

"Pa-humble ka pa dyan." Ralph muttered and we all laughed.

"Wag mo kasi akong itulad sayo, Ralph." Michael said.

Ralph nodded his head with a grin. "Pero si Best talaga hindi nakinig." He said.

"Anong ako?" I asked.

"Sabi namin, wag kang manood pero pumunta ka pa din." He said teasingly. "Bat ba gustong-gusto mong manood?"

I looked around the table except for their eyes because I was sure as hell they were looking at me. "Gusto ko eh. Masama ba? Pagmamay-ari niyo ba yung gym?" I rolled my eyes.

Ralph nodded his head but he was still smiling as he scoops the remains on his noodles. I spared a glance at Michael and he was staring at his empty plate with a smile that exposes a dimple.

Wait.

A dimple?

I never knew he has a dimple. How is that possible?

"May dimple ka pala." Sofia said to Michael.

"Naks, Insan. Lumalabas nanaman yang dimple mo na pamatay ng chicks." Ralph said and Michael.

"Hindi! May dalawang babae kasi dun sa kabilang table. Kanina pa tingin ng tingin." He said and casually nodded his head to the table.

I looked over my shoulder and sure enough there are two girls who are stealing glances at us—no, at Ralph and Michael. I rolled my eyes.

"Best, nakita ko yun." Sofia whispered to me.

"Shhhh." I whispered back. I finished my glass of water. "Tara na?" I asked them.

They nodded. We all stood up, grabbed our bags, and exited the restaurant. Nagbayad na po kami kung yan ang iniisip niyo. Sofia and I lead the way to the exit.

"Best! Intay lang naman." Ralph said and slung an arm on my shoulder. "Ang bilis mo maglakad."

"Sorry." I muttered. He transferred himself to my other side so he was in between Sofia and me. Michael walked beside me. Ralph's arm fell from my shoulders as he started conversation with Sofia.

I just kept walking with my eyes on my feet as they walked. I'm not really in the mood for such talking because 1. I'm feeling full. 2. I'm on my period (probably mood swings issue). And 3. Because... I don't know. I don't even want to say what I'm about to say because 1. I've got definitely no right. 2. I don't want to feel that way. 3. I don't know if he wants me to feel that way. And 4. Why should I even feel that way? Every reason that will answer to this question will lead to Reason no. 1 (if there'll be any answer to it). Let's cut the chase, I think I was a bit jealous.

Hell, I don't even know what that word means nor do I know how it feels. But really? I really don't want to know how that would feel. It'll be crazy that's for sure. But I just can't help it. Those two girls at the restaurant sure is prettier than me. And older. How am I supposed to know if Michael has a thing for older women?

A smile tugged on my lips as I thought of Michael dating an older woman (woman around 21 or something).

Why am I supposed to be jealous when I've got not right to be? I'm not he's girlfriend—but honestly, somewhere deep deep down inside me is wishing that I was. Let's just not mention that fact that we have just met a month ago. Does liking someone has something to do on how long you know the person?

Wait.

Like ko nga ba tong tao na 'to?

It's awkward to say that I do. But do I really?

We text regularly; every time I wake up there is already a text from him greeting me a good morning then before I went to sleep there's always a good night. We share stories and yeah, maybe sometime flirt—if you can even call it flirting in my part.

I sighed almost loudly.

"May problema ba?" he asked, taking a worried glance at me. I shook my head. "Wala."

"Sigurado?"

I nodded and gave him a very small smile. "Oo. Pagod lang." Only then that I realized how I mean those words. Suddenly, my shoulders and eyes felt heavy.

Pagkasakay naming ng jeep, nalaman namin na traffic dahil umuulan. Eto na yata yung bagyo. Ralph's phone started ringing and he answered it. After a few second, he gave it to me. I gave him a curios glance before he mouthed that it was his mother.

"Hello, Tita?" I said once I have the phone pressed to my ear.

"Shane? Pwede bang makiusap?" She sounded so stressed on the other line of the phone.

"Ano po yun tita?" I asked worriedly.

"Baha na kasi yung daan pauwi. Would you mind kung dyan muna sila Ralph sa inyo? Baka kasi lumusong yang dalawang yan eh galing tryout baka magkasakit." She said.

"Oo naman po, Tita." I said with no hesitation. "Kayo na lang po ba magsasabi kay mommy o ako na po?"

"Ako na lang, hija. Salamat ah?" she said, it was obvious in her voice that she was relieved.

"Opo, tita."

"Ingat kayo."

"Kayo din po." I said and we said bye and hung up.

"Anong sabi?" Ralph and Michael both asked.

I smiled lazily at them. "Sleepover daw kayo sa bahay."

"Sainyo?" Michael asked.

I nodded. "Oo." I turned to Sofia. "Sama ka, Sofia?"

"Dipende magpapalam pa ko." She said.

"Text mo na Mommy mo." I said and rested my head with my eyes closed on the soft plastic covered foam behind my head.

Then suddenly, Michael laced our arms together and pulled my head to rest on his shoulder. I didn't move away because I somehow like it there.

"Inaantok ka?" he asked and inched his face to mine. I don't know how but he's voice suddenly went deeper and it caused butterflies to erupt in my stomach and I couldn't help the smile that crossed my face.

"Wag kang ganyan." I said and slapped his face lightly away.

"Bakit?" he asked and just placed his head where it was before I slapped it away.

"Kinikilig ako." I said half telling the truth, half joking. "Niloloko mo naman ako, Binibini." He said with a grin.

I just shook my head and refused to look at him and just remained silent all the way to our house.