Chapter 13 | Good

"Are you goddamn serious?" I almost jumped in place when Reon whispered beside me.

Today was one of our library sessions just to temporarily disappear from a lot of people outside. Kasalukuyan kaming nakaupo sa pinakadulong parte ng library upang wala talagang makakita sa amin. Reon had her early snacks with her as we shared the same sitting position on the floor.

"Problema mo?" natatawa kong tanong sa kanya.

She gave me a deadly stare as she answered, "Kaya ka na-iissue, e."

"Correction, na-iisue na ako noon pa mang hindi nila alam na gusto ko si Trojan," I asserted.

"Oh, right," her sarcastic ass took over, "but now's a lot worse because you keep on fueling the fire."

"I didn't start the fire."

"Kaya nga sabi ko, you keep on fueling it. Talagang kinatutuwa mong asarin sila, 'no?" Reon sported a fake smile at me.

Pinantayan ko naman ang kanyang ngiti, "Look, it was Tiara's friends who first started the gossip about me having a crush on Trojan. It wasn't like we told them or something, it was their genius guess. Who am I to deny it? Hindi ko rin directly sinabing totoo iyon."

Reon kept nodding as if my reason was too draining to even comprehend, "But you keep on liking every photo and post ni Mikael. Malamang mahahalata talaga nila and they'll think that with those evidence, totoo ngang gusto mo siya."

"Totoo naman pero bahala sila," I chuckled, "si Trojan ang gusto ko, hindi sila."

"Malinaw ba sa 'yo kung bakit ka nila sinisiraan, Mika?" seryosong tanong sa akin ni Reon nang binalik ko sa aking phone ang aking atensyon, "pinagkakalat nilang patago kang may gusto kay Trojan at sinadya mong landiin siya para mag-break sila ni Audrey. Ang layo ng iniisip nila pero iyon ang lumalabas na totoo."

Pinigilan kong matawa sapagkat nakamamangha silang mag-isip. Siguro kung warfreak lang talaga akong tunay, lahat sila ay pinatulan ko na... pero hanggang sa ganito lang naman nila ako kayang siraan.

Si Trojan nga parang walang pakialam sa ex niya, hindi ba nila naiisip na sa larong 'to, sila ang totoong nagmumukhang timang?

"Ang aggressive rin pala nilang kaaway," biro ko, "hayaan mo na 'yon, Reon. Ang mahalaga, malapit ng matapos ang school year na 'to at magm-moving up tayo."

Silence invaded us and only Reon's crunches could be heard. Wala sa sarili kong ni-refresh ang newsfeed kaya naman lumabas ang bagong post mula sa official page ng school.

"Oh shit?"

"Why?" Reon asked, intrigued by my reaction.

"May junior prom?" I asked her back, too.

"What?" naguguluhan niyang tanong kaya lumapit ako sa kanya't pinakita ang post.

"See? Official na pala ang prom. Last week pa nila 'tong pinag-uusapan dahil may sabi-sabi raw na baka hindi matuloy. For sure, masaya ang mga gagang 'yon ngayon," I murmured as we scanned the full details about it.

"I am praying to the lord na sana hindi 'to gawing project ni miss Avega," naiiyak sa sabi ni Reon na aking kinatawa, ang hirap talaga tuwing nandito kami dahil hindi ko matodo ang boses ko.

"Why not?"

"Mapipilitan akong pumunta kung gano'n ang mangyayari," she pointed out as if I should've known it already.

My eyelids shrinked as I asked her, "Hindi ka pupunta? Final na 'yan? Ang duga mo."

Disgust was all over her face, "Ano namang gagawin ko roon, I rather play online all night than attendan that lame party."

"Pupunta ako, e! Hindi naman required na may ka-partner," I told her, "sumama ka na! Ubusin na lang natin 'yong mga handa tapos sayaw tayo, gano'n."

Nanatili siyang nakatitig sa akin na tila ba hindi pa rin kumbinsido kaya naman nagpatuloy ako, "Minsan lang natin 'tong mararanasan, ano ka ba?"

She groaned, "Attending means I have to wear a dress, I hate it."

"Lahat na lang ng bagay ayaw mo."

"Kung sasamahan kita, anong kapalit?" tanong niya sa akin.

Napasimangot ako, "Bakit kailangang may kapalit pa?"

"My attendance is not for free," pang-aasar niya sa akin.

I rolled my eyes and asked, "Pero kung project 'to ni miss Avega, pupunta ka?"

"Hey," mabilis niyang sita, "don't say that!"

"I am praying to the lord na sana gawing project 'to ni miss Avega," I rephrased what she said earlier.

"The lord will not grant your wish."

"Oh, bakit sa 'yo? Tutuparin ba niya? Mamaya natin malalaman kung sino ang mas mahal ni lord sa ating dalawa," I teased just to annoy her more.

"Shit naman, wala na nga akong dignidad sa pa-hiphop ni miss Avega. Paubusan ba talaga ng mukha rito sa grade ten?" she ranted and I almost died laughing quietly, "kung may prom dapat wala ng defense."

"Anong kinalaman ng defense natin sa prom?"

"If ever na may defense, for sure same week 'yan ng prom night or after. Nakaka-stress kaya both, hindi naman tayo robot."

"Wow!" halakhak ko muli, "ano ba 'yang mga linyahan mo para kang pagod na pagod sa buhay. High school pa lang tayo, baka matuluyan ka kapag sumabak ka na sa totoong mundo."

She kidded, "If ever someday makita mo 'kong nakahandusay na lang sa kalsada, ikaw na ang bahala sa libing ko."

"Puta ka talaga, wala man lang determination mabuhay," I chuckled.

Reon crumpled up her junk and I willingly told her that I'd throw them for her because I also had something to throw at the garbage bin.

Umiinom siya nang napagpasyahan kong tumayo upang itapon ang kalat namin. The nearest garbage bin was placed at the left corner of the library.

I let our trash slither off my hands down to the garbage bin. I was about to walk back to our area when the silence got distracted by two men discussing not far from where I was standing.

Bakit ba laging may naririnig akong something sa paligid ko? Hindi ko na sana papansinin pa ang paksa ng dalawa nang narinig ko ang pangalan ni Trojan.

I decided to come near the opposite side of the shelf where they were whispering. Mukhang hindi naman nila ako napansin dahil bukod sa busy silang mag-usap ay may mga hawak ding libro.

I pretended as if I was searching for a title for the sake of gossip. Kailan pa ba ako nagbasa tungkol sa business? Gusto kong tawanan ang sarili ko.

"But Trojan said he wouldn't come to this prom," halakhak ng isa, he was somehow tall. His dimples appeared in their glory when he snickered.

"Dude's been going crazy because of Audrey's stunts. I mean, if I am the one in his shoes, I'll probably go insane too," mariing utas ng kasama niyang matangkad ding lalaki na mas mukhang seryoso ang dating.

Saka ko lang namukhaan nang bahagya ko silang sinilip, mga kaibigan pala sila ni Trojan. Sila iyong mga madalas niyang kasama tuwing break, uwian at kahit sa mga groupings. I bet they're his closest among all of his friends.

"So hindi rin tayo pupunta, gano'n? Because we need to support Trojan?" natatawang tanong muli ni dimples.

"I don't feel like going as well anyway."

"Kill joy niyo talaga."

"And for sure Audrey and her friends will come up with something, alam mo naman iyong mga 'yon. Ewan ko ba kung anong pumasok sa kokote ni Trojan at pati siya'y pinatulan niya," iritadong sabi ni serious one.

"Do you know who's the girl?"

"Na kinaiinisan ni Audrey?"

Dimples nodded before the serious one answered, "I don't know her but we already saw her name multiple times on Trojan's notifications. Do you think Audrey's speculation is true?"

Puta? Paano nila ako nakita multiple times sa notifications ni Trojan?

"Oh right, I remember! Noong nag-movie marathon tayo and Trojan shared his screen, then a bulk of notifications popped out of nowhere," halakhak muli ni dimples, "I think we already saw her once. I mean if she's really that kind of a stalker of Trojan? There's no way we haven't seen her yet."

Saka lang ako nabalik sa katinuan at bahagyang kinabahan. Baka ma-realize nilang na sa kabilang shelf lang ang babaaeng pinag-uusapan nila! Mabilis akong pumulot ng libro at agad binuklat upang itago ang mukha.

"But I don't believe Audrey, she's full of bullshits, you know that. Out of all Trojan's exes, she's on top of the worse," iyon ang huling narinig ko mula kay dimples.

I almost ran the distance just to make sure I already escaped that shelf. Binaba ko na lang ang libro nang napansin ko na si Reon na nakatayo at suot na ang bag. Na sa kanang kamay niya ang aking bag na agad niyang nilahad sa akin nang nakita ako.

"What's that?" she pointed to the book I was holding with her lips.

"Wala lang 'to," I dismissively said, "tara na sa room ba or court?"

Her eyes were still on it, "You're bringing that to our class?"

Umirap ako at padabog na nilagay sa pinakamalapit na shelf ang hawak na libro para lang matahimik na si Reon.

"Let me guess, nakasalubong mo si Trojan?"

"No," I immediately answered as we walked toward the exit, "just his friends."

"Oh? Sinong friends?"

I shrugged and told her, "I don't know their names... pero iyong may dimples-"

"Probably he is Krit," singit niya.

"At iyong mukhang seryoso na matangkad," I trailed off, I thought she'd say the name as well, "kilala mo?"

"Yeah," she answered more like a sigh, "Pirad."

Naintriga naman ako, "Bakit ganyan ang reaksyon mo? Ex mo?"

Nabigla yata ang gaga sa tanong ko kaya napalakas ang suntok niya sa braso ko. Agad niyang napansing nasaktan ako dahil doon ngunit hindi man lang nag-sorry!

"He isn't my ex, okay? We're just not kind to each other. Parte kasi ako noon ng school arnis and so he was, noong kami na ang pinaglaban nairita ako sa kanya dahil ang hirap kalaban," she shared.

"Anong ginawa mo?"

"I did a bit of advanced martial arts, turned out he also knew those moves."

"Ang pikon mo talaga," komento ko.

"I know, that's why I quit... I mean, I expected them to expel me out anyway because he was, you know, more capable than me," she drawled.

I didn't speak anything after that, she still seemed upset about it so I rather not cross the line.

Our first schedule today was Physical Education and Reon reminded me that Miss Avega ordered us to come to the school's covered court first and not go to our room.

When we opened the court's entrance, I noticed other sections present with us here. Our section was at the far left corner and they were already in line by group when we came near.

We were all wearing the unified PE uniform for today so it wasn't that uncomfortable for me to move. Reon and I belonged in the same group so we decided to just occupy the last vacant space at the back of our group's line.

Everyone was chattering about the prom announcement in excitement except for us. Ang malas ko nga lang dahil malapit sa akin ang grupo ni Tiara. Kahit hindi ko naman gustong makinig ay naririnig ko dahil sa lakas ng mga bunganga nila.

"For sure Trojan will run after Audrey. Hindi ba't before he used to replace his ex quickly. Ngayon, ilang buwan na ang lumipas at wala pa siyang bago."

Napalakas tuloy ang pagpigil ko ng tawa sa narinig. I noticed their heads turning at me as if I was some kind of impostor.

"What's funny, Mika?" Tiara inquired.

I just covered my ears as though trying to block bad news and didn't speak a word.

"Unlike you, Tiara has the bigger chance to date Trojan to prom. Kumusta pala ang pagiging instant reactor ni Trojan sa social media? May process na ba?" tukso pa niya.

I put down my hands and stood up against her with a smirk, "Malay mo nga kami na, e."

"Hindi ka lang pala creepy stalker, asado ka pa. Darling, you might not even be on his list."

"Bakit ko kailangang sumama sa listahan niya kung ako na ang pinili?" pag-iilusyon ko pa para lang mabaliw sila kaiisip kung totoo ba ang mga sinasabi ko o ano.

"And we're supposed to buy that?"

"No," I chuckled, "but I'm sure it'll be stuck in your head. Gustong gusto niyo pa naman akong iniisip, I'm honestly tired of running in your mind."

Tiara looked so done with me when she said, "Why don't you just look out for your hot tempered friend? Baka may mapaalis na naman 'yan dito sa school-"

"Okay, class!" saktong dumating si miss Avega.

I glanced at Reon while miss Avega reiterated the announcement about the prom.

What Tiara said earlier left a mark on me. Hindi naman ako masisisi ni Reon kung curious ako sa buhay niya. Matatapos na ang school year pero niisang detalye tungkol sa pamilya o kahit anong personal na bagay ay hindi pa siya nagbabahagi sa akin. Ang alam ko lang ay galit siya sa mga tao rito at gano'n din sila sa kanya.

"Attending the prom is a must since it will be your project-"

Saka lang nagsalita si Reon, "Putangina talaga."

I chuckled and elbowed her, "Mas mahal ako ni lord."

Inirapan lang ako ng gaga at sinabing, "Sana kunin ka na rin niya."

I hid my lips in between my palms to stop my laughter from coming out. Nagpatuloy lamang si miss Avega sa instructions niya at sinabi pa talaga niya kung bakit niya ito ginawang project.

Para bang may pakiramdam siyang may tatanggi kaya may nakahandang mga rason upang wala na silang mareklamo pa.

After half of an hour of discussion, she finally let us do stretching for the sake of today's activity. I was doing a plank while a co-member waited for my record.

Hindi pa sana ako matatapos nang bigla akong may naramdamang tumulak sa akin. Nasubsob pa ang mukha ko sa floor mat!

"Puta kang babae ka," iritado kong hiyaw kay Reon.

Tumakbo lang ang gaga palayo sa akin habang malakas ang tawa at ako naman 'tong iika-ika pang hinabol siya. Mas concern pa ako sa mukha ko kaysa sa mismong mga braso. Hindi ko nahuli si Reon dahil ang sakit talaga ng pagkakatulak niya sa akin.

Hindi nagtagal ay ni-dismiss na kami ni miss Avega. Malakas kong binangga si Reon habang palabas kami ng court.

Iritado ang iilan naming mga kaklase dahil ang likot naming dalawa sa pila ngunit wala akong pakialam sa mga mukha nila, gusto ko lang gantihan si Reon.

Natatawa kaming tuluyang lumabas ng court. Sinadya kong iharang ang aking kanang paa sa kanyang daanan upang matalisod ang bobo. Tawang tawa ako nang sobra siyang natalisod na tipong akala mo'y may hinuling palaka.

I couldn't see the hallway properly because my vision was blurred with tears of joy. I could only hear Reon's constantly swearing me to death when a familiar voice called me.

It was then I came back to normal. The confusion was all over my face when I caught sight of him here!

Saktong lumabas ang grupo ni Tiara nang nakalapit na sa akin si Trojan. He was with his two friends I saw earlier at the library.

I couldn't see their faces because Trojan was such a huge distraction. It was as if my eyes automatically concentrated on him like some sort of camera lens as he came upon me.

"You know about the prom?" Trojan raised a question yet his eyes remained opaque.

I timidly nodded. My heart was beating rapidly as if I ran a thousand miles! It was as if the earth wasn't providing sufficient oxygen for me to breathe properly.

"Good," he stated, "be my date?"

Gago?

Totoo ba 'to?

"Huh?" natataranta kong tanong.

I was about to check on Tiara's side when his gazes captured mine again.

"Can you be my date?" he repeated, the corner of his lips gradually rose.

"Sure?"

"Bakit parang hindi ka sigurado?" he chuckled, his face was too close to mine!

"Bakit kasi ako?"

Nagkibitbalikat lang ang tarantado at nag-iwan ng katagang, "Wear something red, you know you look best in it."