Chapter 11 | Stay

Halos mabingi na si Xamuel sa usapan ng mga taong nasa paligid niya. Lahat ng seniors at juniors ay sabik na para sa nalalapit na prom. Dumami na rin ang mga naghahanap ng date noong bumalik sila sa klase. Halos araw-araw yata ay may pumupunta sa mga room para magpapansin sa gusto nilang yayain.

Hindi madalas magsuot ng earphones si Xamuel sa eskwela, pero kinailangan niya ngayon para hindi maubos ang pasensya. He never felt so bitter. Kalagitnaan na ng linggo at pareho pa rin ang ganap sa campus. Napapairap na lang si Xamuel tuwing may nagtitilian at nag-aasaran sa daan.

"Baka hindi na bumalik mga mata mo," tawa ni Lion. "May plano ka na ba kung paano yayayain si Klassey?"

Xamuel snorted. "Bakit ko pa yayayain, paniguradong si Derrick isasama niya."

"Petty."

"Just saying! Also, I'm not in the mood for parties and prom shit. Gastos lang."

"Required 'yon."

"So? Hindi naman ako babagsak sa simpleng hindi pag-attend. Sobra-sobra na grades ko, Li."

Lion shrugged. "Whatever you say."

Bumalik si Lion sa pagsusulat ng notes habang nanatili si Xamuel na tulala–saka lang nadistorbo ang paningin niya nang umupo si South sa kanyang harapan. Biglang sumagi sa isip ni Xamuel ang pabor ni Yara. Hindi pa sila muling nagkaka-usap at nagkikita simula noong nagsimula ang klase. Napatanong si Xamuel kung gusto kaya ni Yara maging partner si South sa prom. If ever Yara wanted that, Xamuel thought this was the right time to introduce her to South.

Xamuel observed South as the guy took down notes. Paminsan-minsan ay tina-tap ni South ang phone screen na tila ba may inaabangan. Xamuel never asked nosy questions about South's life because he knew South would share only if he was comfortable. Ang alam lang ni Xamuel, parehong nurse ang magulang ni South at OFW ang tatay niya. Malapit silang magkakaibigan sa nanay ni South dahil madalas silang ipagluto ng special puto tuwing bumibisita.

Bukod roon, wala nang ibang alam si Xamuel, lalo na sa aspetong may kinalaman sa babae. Hindi sigurado si Xamuel kung may pag-asa ba si Yara o sadyang nahahawa na siya sa pagiging delusional ng babae. Matagal na niya itong pinag-iisipan at ngayon lang nabuo ang desisyon ni Xamuel.

Xamuel stood up and sat beside South. Napatalon si South sa gulat na kinatawa ni Xamuel.

"Para kang tanga. Kanina tulala lang tapos tatabi bigla sa akin. Problema mo?"

"Ang sungit mo naman. Bad mood? Binasted ka ba ng niyaya mo sa prom?" tukso ni Xamuel, nagbaka sakaling may makuha siyang impormasyon kay South.

"Saan mo naman 'yan nakuha? Hindi ako pupunta sa prom."

Kumunot ang noo ni Muel. "Kahapon lang may dalawang babaeng kinausap ka, ah. What happened?"

"I rejected them. Hindi naman ako interesado sa prom. May valid excuse din naman ako dahil araw iyon ng entrance exam ko sa dalawang university."

"Dalawa?"

South nodded. "Isa sa umaga tapos may isa sa hapon."

"Grabe, good luck, brad."

"Ngayon lumayo ka na sa akin."

Inakbayan ni Xamuel si South ngunit agad umiwas ang kaibigan. Ang hirap talagang kausapin ng isang 'to!

Xamuel chuckled. "Saglit lang, may sasabihin pa ako."

"Pakibilisan, naiirita na ako sa 'yo."

"Gago–kasi may gustong magpakilala sa 'yo–"

"Pass."

"Makinig ka muna, 'di mo pa nga kilala kung sino," iritadong sabi ni Muel. "Naaalala mo ba si Yara?"

Napansing natigilan si South nang narinig ang pangalan ni Yara–mukhang naaalala pa niya ang dalaga.

"Klassey's friend, who's helping you?"

"Yes, her. She wants to get to know you."

South glared at him with his deep, dark eyes. He was the embodiment of darkness, with every aspect of his being steeped in shades of black. His hair, a lustrous jet-black mane, fell untamed across his forehead, framing his brooding eyes that seemed to hold a secret within their depths. The mysterious allure radiating from South was further amplified by his stoic and enigmatic persona. He possessed an aura that captivated those around him and whispered tales of hidden depths waiting to be explored. It was as if he carried the weight of the night on his shoulders yet effortlessly exuded an air of quiet confidence.

"Bakit ako? Si Frost na lang dapat."

"Gago, 'di ko naman kontrolado utak no'n. Anyway, she's a big help to me and this is the favor she asked. Baka naman puwede mong pagbigyan. She isn't expecting you to like her back anyway, basta lang makilala ka niya."

"Fine," South said out of the blue.

"Fine? Payag ka?"

"Oo nga. Kailan ba?"

Hindi makapaniwala si Xamuel pero hindi na siya muling nagtanong. "Mamayang uwian?"

"Saan?"

"Kahit sa garden na lang malapit sa gate," natatawang sabi ni Muel.

"What's funny?"

"Wala, ang bilis mo kasi umo-o."

"Pakilala lang naman, and I'm curious about her. Tayo lang ba? Hindi kasama sina Lion at Frost?"

"Oo, para hindi na rin maingay. Saka mahiya 'yon lalo kapag lahat tayo."

Kaya nang nag-break time, naghintay si Xamuel sa usual spot kung saan madalas bumili si Yara para iparating ang magandang balita. Hindi naman nabigo si Xamuel dahil nakita niya agad si Yara. Xamuel noticed Yara grew fond of the school's brownies ever since they met. That was Yara's usual order along with a cold drink of mango shake.

Tatawagin pa lang sana ni Xamuel si Yara noong lumabas nang nagtugma ang mga mata nila. Saglit na lumaki ang mga mata ni Yara ngunit mabilis ding naglakad patungo sa kinatatayuan ni Xamuel.

"Hello," Yara greeted. "Waiting for Klassey?"

"No, actually. Ikaw hinihintay ko," Muel chuckled. "Your hair's shorter."

Yara smiled. "Nagpagupit ako last week. You're hair's getting longer."

Si Xamuel naman ngayon ang natigilan. "Yeah, tinatamad pa akong magpagupit."

"It's okay; it suits you."

In that instant, Xamuel couldn't help but feel an overwhelming surge of joy mixed with a tinge of disbelief. His casual demeanor might have momentarily faltered as he struggled to find the right words to reply–after all, compliments don't come his way often.

"Anyway, I have good news. Pumayag si South makita ka."

Hindi nakagalaw si Yara. "Okay ka lang? Humihinga ka pa ba?"

"Wait, seryoso? Hindi ba 'to prank?" naiiyak na tanong ni Yara. "Baka naman imbento mo lang 'yan!"

"Totoo nga! Late birthday gift ko na' to," Muel laughed.

"True ba talaga? Kailan daw?"

"Mamayang uwian, sa garden daw."

"Mamaya agad? Kasama ka naman, 'di ba?"

"Malamang, sino magpapakilala sa 'yo kung wala ako."

Saka lang siguro nag-sink in kay Yara na magkikita na sila ni South mamaya. Napatalon sa tuwa ang dalaga at muntik pang ma-out of balance sa sobrang saya.

"Dahan-dahan naman," Xamuel laughed as he helped Yara stand up.

"Sorry, I'm just so happy. Thank you, Muel," Yara said. "Kahit na kinakabahan ako ngayon pa lang, salamat pa rin. Hindi ako prepared ngayong araw pero thank you talaga."

Muel brushed his hair. "Saka mo na ako pasalamatan kapag tapos na."

"Paano mo napapayag si South?" Yara asked, full of curiosity.

"Ewan ko rin, umo-o agad siya noong narinig pangalan mo."

"Kilala niya ako?"

"Oo–ayan may pang-delulu ka na ulit."

Napatalon muli sa saya si Yara at handa na ang mga bisig ni Xamuel para saluhin siya sakaling mawala na naman sa balanse.

"Should I remove my glasses later? Kaso hindi ko siya makikita nang maayos kapag walang salamin. Should I apply light makeup–"

"Just be yourself, really. South likes genuine people," Muel said.

"Okay, genuine person naman ako."

"Saya mo, ah."

"Hehe, thank you! By the way, have you asked Kla for prom?"

Bumagsak ang mga balikat ni Muel. "Wala akong plano pumunta."

"Ay, bakit?" Yara asked, worried. "I think we can convince her naman."

"Huwag mo na akong idamay sa pagiging delulu mo. Obviously, she's going out with Derrick. Anong laban ko kung desisyon na niya 'yon?"

Yara's eyes squinted. "You sound like a loser."

"Wow? After all the thank yous, sasabihan mo akong loser?" Muel chuckled. "I just don't want to compete in a game I've already lost, Yara. I'm not like you."

"Ouch, ha. What happened to you? You weren't this negative last year."

"Just realized some things that you don't have to know. Anyway, mamaya na lang. See you, and don't be late," Muel said dismissively.

Yara had no choice but to let Xamuel walk away. In Muel's defense, he didn't want to go to that topic yet. As much as possible, he wanted to keep his thoughts to himself first. Hindi pa naman siya sigurado pero naisip niya na ring makipaghiwalay kay Klassey kung magtutuloy-tuloy man ang ugnayan nila ni Derrick.

"Li," Muel called as he sat beside his friend. "Kung ikaw ang nasa kalagayan ko at may ibang kinikita jowa mo, anong gagawin mo?"

"Kagulat naman mga tanungan mo. Ang tagal mong nasa cafeteria tapos wala kang dalang pagkain?"

"Not hungry," Muel said, pouting.

Inabutan siya ng biscuit ni Lion na tinanggap niya naman. He opened and ate it while Lion thought of his answer.

"Communication is the key, Muel."

"But she's ignoring me."

"Basta subukan mo lang. I mean, if I were you. I know Nia as my girlfriend, so I know how to settle things with her," Lion said.

"Pero paano kung sinabi ni Herminia sa 'yo na hayaan mo muna siyang sumama sa iba dahil para sa inyo raw 'yon?"

"I won't let her, duh. I'll do everything to convince her she doesn't need to solo everything. In the first place, this was a conflict affecting both of us."

"Puta, paano ba kasi 'yang convince na 'yan. Sinubukan ko namang makipag-usap, but she ignores me every time. Parang ang nagiging dating na lang tuloy, naghahabol ako sa taong malayo na sa akin."

Lion sighed. "Klassey's difficult to convince, huh?"

"Sobra, she goes off on her own. She decided to date Derrick for show without asking if I was fine with it. Paano kung gawin ko rin 'yon sa kanya? Makipag-date rin ako sa isa sa mga humabol sa akin at sabihing para sa amin 'yon? The longer this goes, the less reasonable it becomes. I feel like Klassey's just... taking me for a fool."

"Well... if it's becoming toxic, I think you know what to do."

Xamuel tried to shake off their last conversation as time passed. He didn't want to ruin Yara and South's first meeting. Yara had been such a great help in keeping him updated with Klassey's whereabouts, so he didn't want to disappoint her. However, deep down lies a secret emotion he tries not to acknowledge. It wasn't right to feel disappointed when Yara was finally close to fulfilling her dream of meeting his friend. He had no right to feel that way.

"Frost, na saan si South?" Muel asked when he tried to search for South inside their room after dismissal. "Nag-ayos lang ako ng gamit nawala na siya."

"May dadaanan yata. Ewan ko, ang deadma kanina ng isang 'yon," Frost said.

Baka nauna na sa garden. Xamuel convinced himself that was the case, so he ran his way toward the meeting place. Siya ang naunang nakarating sa malaking hardin ng paaralan. The school's garden was spacious and had tables for students. May limang malalaking puno na nagsisilbing silong tuwing mainit. Mahangin dahil sa buwan ng Enero at pagabi na. Nakabukas lahat ng ilaw sa paligid kaya kahit papaano'y hindi madilim.

"Xamuel!" Yara called as she neared.

Xamuel opened his messages to see if South had replied to his recent text, but he got nothing. Putang ina, na saan ka na ba, South!

"Kanina ka pa ba? Sorry, late kami na-dismiss," Yara said as she took a seat in front.

"Hindi naman. Wala pa si South, hindi kami nagsabay dahil bigla siyang nawala."

"Oh? Baka umuwi na?" Yara tried to sound okay, but Muel knew better.

"I don't know. Hindi rin sumasagot. I'm... sorry–"

"Hindi mo naman kasalanan," Yara said as she stretched. "I'm beat anyway. Napagod ako sa lessons today."

She placed her bag above the table and rested her head on it. Muel sighed and looked away. The last thing Yara needed was pity. He once again sent a message to South, hoping this time he'd reply. As minutes passed, the evening breeze started to feel cold against their skin.

"I'm really sorry in behalf of South," Muel broke the silence. "Hindi rin kasi siya nagsabi sa akin."

"It's... okay. Maybe we aren't just for each other."

"Don't be like that," Muel whispered. "Hindi mo pa nga nakikita, e."

Yara chuckled. "You're awfully sounding optimistic."

The wind blew Yara's hair, making it easy for Xamuel to see her face. Then, Xamuel realized Yara was slightly similar to South–mysterious, deep, and dark. Xamuel couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to Yara than what met the eye, an elusive essence lurking beneath her composed exterior.

"We can just reschedule this," Muel suggested.

"Okay."

"Huwag ka nang malungkot," Muel tried to tease her.

"I'm not sad, just tired."

"Paano ka uuwi?"

"Sundo. Nandiyan na kanina pa."

"You should go, then," Muel said, tapping her elbow.

Yara slowly raised her head and fixed her glasses. There was no point in fixing her hair due to the wind. Muel expected Yara to stand up and bid her goodbye, but she stared at him instead.

"Xamuel," Yara called–his name sounded captivating in her voice. "Are you giving up?"

Xamuel blinked several times. "What do you mean?"

"Are you giving up on Klassey?" Yara asked without sugarcoating anything. "Dumadami na ang nag-iisip na wala na kayo dahil mas lalo siyang napapalapit kay Derrick. Everyone expects them to be together on the prom, too."

"I'm aware; that's why I'm not attending–"

"You're being a coward," Yara emphasized.

"Wait lang, bakit biglang napunta sa akin?" Muel chuckled humorlessly. "Don't say that as if you know what I feel."

"I don't care what you feel–your girlfriend's slipping off your hold, and you're not doing anything."

"What would you do, then?" Xamuel challenged.

"Run after her, ask her to prom," Yara recited. "I'll do anything to make someone stay."

Xamuel's piercing gaze locked onto the depths of Yara's eyes. It was as though Yara's vulnerability had ignited a dormant flame within him, igniting an unquenchable curiosity to uncover what she truly meant–what lengths she would go to ensure someone remained rooted in her life.

"I actually thought of asking her," Xamuel said. "But I don't have the courage to do it alone."

Yara's face lightened. "E 'di sasamahan kita! Ano bang balak mo? Kantahan si Klassey?"

"Please, may trauma na ako sa kanta-kanta na 'yan," naiiyak na sabi ni Muel na kinatawa ni Yara.

"But you're so good at it. Narinig ko ring kaya ka nagustuhan ni Kla because of your voice."

"Tagal na no'n, baka mairita lang siya ngayon."

"So ano? Kakaldagan mo na lang ba?"

Muel's eyes squinted. "What's kaldag?"

Napanganga si Yara sa gulat. "Hindi mo alam 'yon? Tanong mo si Frost, baka siya alam."

"Ah, kung si Frost ang nakakaalam ayaw ko nang malaman."

Yara laughed. "So ano nga? Kaldag o kanta?"

"I don't know what's kaldag, and it sounds weird anyway, so maybe I'll go with singing."

"That's the spirit. Conquer your trauma!"

Xamuel groaned and washed his face with his palms. "Bahala na nga."

"May naiisip ka na bang kanta?" Yara asked, excited.

"Say you won't let go..."

Yara nodded, pleased of Muel's song choice. "That's... a wonderful song. Bagay pa sa inyong dalawa. Magp-practice pa ba tayo or kaya mo na?"

"Kaya ko kumanta mag-isa, pero hindi ko alam kung paano siya yayayain. I don't want it to be a surprise tapos maraming makakakita."

"Ah, I have an idea!"

"I don't trust your idea," Muel said.

"I got you. Ako ang bahala!"

"Nakakatakot ka na, Yara."

Yara smiled to reassure him. "Don't worry; we'll make Klassey stay. In exchange, reschedule my meet-up with South."

Xamuel sighed but, in the end, agreed. "Deal."