Chapter 14 | Jealous

"So, single ka na talaga ulit? Like for real, real?" natatawang tanong ni Frost habang pababa sila patungong cafeteria.

"Bakit ka ba tanong nang tanong? Pinapamukha mo ba talagang single ako?" Muel said with slight annoyance. Kanina pa kasi siya hindi tinatantanan ni Frost at puro ganito ang mga katanungan.

"Naninigurado lang dahil maraming nagpapareto! May mga kilala akong willing yayain ka sa prom. What if i-grab mo na? Pakita mo sa ex mong 'di lang siya ang may kayang magpalit agad."

Narinig ni Muel ang pagbatok ni Lion kay Frost. "Gago ka, kaya ka walang girlfriend, e."

"Aray naman, Li! Gusto ko lang namang magkaroon ng revenge arc si Xamuel dahil kinawawa siya ng ex niya."

South intervened, "Biggest hater ka lang talaga ni Klassey. Huwag mong igaya si Muel sa 'yong nagtatanim ng galit."

Frost pouted. "Bakit kasi ang babait ninyo?"

Xamuel chuckled. "Bakit kasi ang sama ng ugali mo? Ayan dapat ang itanong mo sa sarili, Frost."

"Ako na naman? Si South masama rin ugali, pasikreto lang!"

Their bickering continued as they walked through the corridors. Hindi malaman ni Xamuel kung bakit pero para bang napakagaan ng araw niya ngayon kahit kinukulit siya ni Frost. Para bang ngayon niya na lang muling nakita ang mga kulay sa paligid. After their break-up, Xamuel felt at peace. Finally freed from the weight of a relationship that was no longer serving him, he now had the opportunity to focus on himself and his growth.

Despite the large crowd as they entered the cafeteria, Xamuel's mood remained the same. It got even better when his eyes caught a familiar small figure of a girl. Xamuel was about to leave his friends to go straight in Yara's direction when Frost shouted her name. Nawala ang ngiti sa mukha ni Xamuel nang nakita niyang nagmamadaling nagtago si Yara sa likod ng kung sinoman.

"Iniiwasan niya ba tayo?" natatawang tanong ni Frost.

"Gago, tinakot mo," South said.

"Huh?"

"Bumili na nga muna tayo saka natin hanapin," Lion suggested. "May takoyaki sila ngayon."

Gusto man ni Xamuel idiin pa ang sisi kay Frost, nakuha ni Lion ang kanyang atensyon dahil sa takoyaki. Hindi naman nagca-crave si Xamuel ng takoyaki pero parang iyon na ang gusto niyang kainin ngayong tanghali. Sa ibang direksyon naman pumunta sina South at Frost. Sa kanilang tatlo, si Frost ang pinakamatagal mamili ng pagkain dahil bukod sa indecisive siyang tao, marami ring nakikipag-usap sa kanya.

"Ako na lang ang bibili. Pareho lang ba tayo ng order?" Lion asked while they were in line.

Tumango si Xamuel at nagbigay ng pambayad sa kaibigan. "Hanap na ako ng vacant table."

"Vacant table ba talaga o si Yara?" tukso ni Lion na hindi inasahan ni Muel.

Xamuel's cheeks flushed with a warm, rosy hue when Lion revealed a broad, knowing smirk as if he had just deciphered a well-kept secret.

Lion spoke just when Xamuel was about to defend himself, "Kasi friends na tayong lahat ngayon, right? So, it's just normal to sit with her."

"Ah–oo, tama. Try kong hanapin si Yara... pero kung wala na siya rito, hahanap na lang ako ng vacant."

Lion patted his back and slightly pushed him out of the line, making Xamuel move and search for Yara. Dalawang beses sinampal ni Muel ang sarili dahil hindi niya maintindihan para saan ang naramdaman niya kanina dahil lang sa sinabi ni Lion.

Tama naman si Li, magkakaibigan na silang lahat ngayon. Ito rin ang gustong mangyari ni Yara para mapalapit kay South. Ito rin ang ginusto ni Xamuel para magkaroon ng ibang mga kaibigan si Yara.

Finally, after bumping shoulders with strangers and randomly saying excuse me, he finally saw where Yara was. Nakaupo siya sa isang parihabang lamesa na pang-limahan. Mukhang ito na lang ang naabutan ni Yara dahil marami na ring naka-upo sa mga pang-isahan noong dumating sila.

Xamuel was still rehearsing whatever words were inside his head until Yara caught his eyes. Before he could feel anything weird again, he took steps toward her. Yara immediately pointed at the vacant chairs. Maraming pagpipilian si Xamuel na upuan ngunit sa tabi ni Yara siya dinala ng kanyang katawang tao.

"Himala, dito ka kumakain," Xamuel said.

Yara rolled her eyes, which was a rare sight to see. "For some reason, ang daming tao kahit saan ako magpunta."

Xamuel laughed. "Probably because prom's nearing."

Yara's expression changed upon hearing the word prom, and Xamuel immediately knew why. "Look, I'm over it. Hindi mo kailangang magpa-apekto masyado."

Yara lowered her food–a waffle with blueberry filling–and averted her gaze. "Hindi naman ako nagpapa-apekto pero–"

"I already told you it wasn't your fault. It was my decision to call it quits. Matagal ko na iyong napag-isipan kaya wala akong pagsisisi sa ginawa. Besides, I'm enjoying life now that I'm not associated with any of Klassey's mixed signals and blurry lines. Who would've thought a break-up could make people feel so alive?"

Yara shot a glance. "Bakit? May bago ka na rin agad?"

Natigilan saglit si Xamuel at napahalakhak muli. "Grabe? Mukha bang may bago na ako agad? I literally just came from a draining relationship, do you think I still have the energy to enter another one right after?"

"Maraming ganyan ngayon," Yara said as if she had people in mind.

Muel chuckled. "Klassey, for example?"

Muling umirap si Yara na kinatuwa ni Xamuel. "Bakit parang ang sungit mo ngayong araw? Is it the time of the month?"

"I won't talk about my mens to you."

"Okay, sungit. Kapag nakita mo si South dapat ganyan ka rin makipag-usap, ha."

Yara's expression slowly changed again upon hearing South's name. "D-Dito ba kayong lahat kakain? Hala, teka lang–"

"Ayon sila!" Frost's voice reached their table.

Kitang kita ni Xamuel kung paano namutla si Yara habang papalapit ang mga kaibigan niya. Gustuhin man ni Xamuel tulungan si Yara kumalma ay hindi niya magawa dahil nanguna ang kanyang saya–saya para tuksuhin pa lalo si Yara.

"Hi, Yara," Lion greeted with a smile and sat in front.

"Hello, Yara! Gusto mo ng carbonara?" Frost said and sat beside her. That sit was supposed to be for South, but whatever. Maybe South seating next to Lion would be better.

"Ah, okay na ako sa waffle ko, Frost."

"Frost, tinatakot mo talaga si Yara," Lion said as he handed Xamuel's order.

"H-Hindi naman," Yara immediately said. "Nagulat lang akong... dito pala kayong lahat kakain. Hindi kasi agad sinabi ni Xamuel."

Lahat sila'y napatingin kay Xamuel.

"Kasalanan mo pala, e," Frost said.

"Ang tagal mong nandito hindi mo man lang kami naalala?" Lion added gas to the fire.

"Oo na, kasalanan ko na," Muel surrendered. "Pero gaya nga ng sabi ni Li, magkakaibigan na tayo ngayon kaya masanay ka na, Yara."

Kung kanina'y namumutla sa kaba si Yara, ngayon naman ay para na siyang sasabog sa sobrang pula ng pisngi. Mabuti na lang at umilaw ang phone ni Yara na nasa lamesa kaya iyon ang pumukaw ng kanilang atensyon.

"Oh? You play C.O.C?" South asked.

Sunod-sunod na tango ang naging sagot ni Yara.

"Clash of clans? Naglalaro din kami niyan!" Frost exclaimed and pulled out his phone.

Hinayaan na ni Xamuel ang mga kaibigan kausapin si Yara at kinain na ang takoyaki. Tuwang tuwa si Frost malaman na naglalaro din si Yara ng C.O.C kaya halos hindi na niya nagalaw muli ang pagkain. Lion and South took out their phones as well to visit Yara's profile.

"Wow, ang ganda ng kay Lion," puri ni Yara habang tinitingnan ang account ni Li.

"Mas maganda sa 'kin, malakas defense," pagmamayabang ni Xamuel ngunit walang pumansin.

"Gawa na tayo ng bagong clan! Ang laki na rin pala ng town hall mo, Yara!" Frost said.

"C-Clan? Kasama ako?"

Xamuel chuckled when he saw how flushed Yara was upon hearing Frost's remarks. No one was against the idea of creating a new clan and having Yara join them anyway. At that moment, Xamuel noticed how Yara would look at South affectionately.

The way her gaze lingered on him, her smile softening as she watched him interact with them, spoke volumes about her feelings. He could see it in how she unconsciously touched her hair whenever South spoke or how her voice would soften when she talked to him.

Napa-iling na lamang si Xamuel at kinumbinsi ang sariling ito naman ang ginusto ni Yara. He should just let them be. If they worked out, then good for Yara. If they wouldn't, then...

🌻

Isang beses kumaway si Xamuel kina South at Lion na naghihintay sa harap ng gate ng paaralan bago tumawid kasama ang iilang estudyante. Halata sa mga mata nila na nagpuyat kagabi ngunit hindi dahil sa school works, kung hindi dahil sa paglalaro ng online games. Natuklasan kasi nilang may mga nilalaro pa pala si Yara at madalas walang kalaro kaya nag-initiate silang lahat sumali. Kahapon lang nagawa ang bagong clan nila sa C.O.C pero may magaganap agad na war mamayang gabi. Paniguradong hindi na naman sila matutulog para hindi matalo.

"Ang duga mo, natulog ka na kagabi," Lion said when Xamuel was close.

"Correction, nakatulog," Muel defended. "Saan na si Frost? Late na naman?"

South chuckled. "Baka hindi na nagising."

"Hayaan na natin 'yon," pabirong sabi ni Lion at sinuklay ang buhok gamit ang mga daliri.

"Magta-time na rin kaya pumasok na tayo–shit. Sila na naman?" South's change of expression caught their attention.

Sabay-sabay silang napalingon sa tinutukoy ni South at halos manlamig ang buong katawan ni Xamuel.

"I mean, the case's already closed, so baka hindi na nila susugurin si Muel–"

"Pero nakatitig sila kay Muel, Li."

Muel muttered a curse. "Magtago muna tayo para sigurado. Ayaw kong mahabol na naman!"

Just when they thought this problem with Xamuel's admirers was over, they collectively ran for their lives. With hearts pounding and adrenaline coursing through their veins, the duo pushed themselves to run faster than they ever thought possible. The fear of being swarmed by these girls fueled their pace, propelling them towards safety.

"Putang ina talaga, akala ko tapos na 'tong marathon na 'to!" South yelled desperately.

"Dito tayo!" Lion exclaimed and randomly opened a door they weren't familiar with.

It was a close call, but they had proven that sometimes speed is the key to survival in the chaotic world of obsession. Everyone was catching their breaths as Lion closed the doors. Xamuel looked around and assumed this was one of the school's storage areas. The room was spacious, and the boxes were organized.

"You know what I think? I think mas gaganahan silang maghabol ngayong single ka na," Lion said while stretching his legs.

"What?" pikong utas ni South. "Can't they just leave Muel alone?"

Xamuel was about to say something when they heard a noise. It was a loud thud, like something had fallen from a high place.

"We're not alone," South concluded. "Anong gagawin natin?"

Sabay silang napatingin kay Lion. Lion sneered. "Ako na naman magdedesisyon? Ano na lang mangyayari sa inyo kung wala ako."

"Li, please," pagmamakaawa ni Xamuel.

"Ang goal natin ay makarating sa room nang hindi nasasalubong ang mga babaeng iyon. P'wede namang umalis na tayo–"

"Paano 'yong narinig nating ingay?" South asked.

"Wala naman tayong pakialam do'n," Lion argued. "Unless if it stimulated your curiosity. P'wede naman nating tingnan muna para mapanatag kayo pero kung ako ang masusunod, gusto ko ng umalis."

Nagkatinginan ngayon sina South at Xamuel. Inaamin ni Xamuel na gusto niya ring tingnan muna kung sino pa ang narito sa loob dahil buong akala niya'y sila-sila lang ang nandito. If it was a regular school staff, then they'd be safe.

"Sige, hanapin na natin," Lion initiated.

They didn't need to be told twice. South and Xamuel followed Lion's lead, their footsteps echoing through the room. As they walked past the tall stacks of boxes, the darkness seemed to close in around them. The air was musty and stale, filled with a faint scent of old cardboard and dust. Xamuel remained silent, his eyes darting nervously from side to side as they continued. Despite their suspicion, Lion's confidence reassured them that they were on the right path.

"Look, Titus, I won't do whatever you like–"

"It's just a kiss, Frost! Akala ko ba sanay ka na sa ganito? Why not prove it now!"

"E sa ayaw kitang halikan saka magsisimula na ang klase!"

The girl Frost was talking with laughed sarcastically. "Kailan ka pa naging studious? That wasn't included in the rumors, Frost Alvaro."

"Just look for someone else, my God! Madadamay pa ako sa–"

As they discreetly observed from a distance, the three were taken aback by the intensity of Frost's interaction with the mysterious girl. How her fingers gripped his shoulders with determination, pulling him closer to her with each passing moment, was aggressive. Her lips met his in a ferocious display of desire, leaving no room for doubt that she wanted him with an almost possessive eagerness.

"What's happening here?" Lion immediately took action.

Xamuel was about to intervene and separate his friend from the strange girl when chaos erupted unexpectedly. As he moved to step in, South let out a sudden punch that connected with Frost's jaw. The scene unfolded so quickly that Xamuel and Lion could hardly believe his eyes. He watched as Frost stumbled back, a look of shock on his face before turning into anger.

"South!" Xamuel called and immediately held South's arms.

Lion helped Frost while the girl took the opportunity to escape. Because of that, Xamuel's grip on South loosened, allowing South to run free after the girl.

"What the fuck! What just happened? Kilala mo ba 'yon, Frost? Bakit ka niya pinipilit–"

"It's nothing serious, really," Frost said, almost laughing. "That girl's crazy. She needed me to make someone jealous."

"Jealous?" hindi makapaniwalang utas ni Xamuel. "Sino? Si South? Kasi wala na akong makitang rason para suntukin ka niya bigla!"

Frost couldn't help but to chuckle. "Sabi ko na, e. Ako na naman ang madadamay dito."

Pinilit sila ni Frost na huwag siyang dalhin sa school clinic dahil masungit daw ang nurse doon. Isa pa, ayaw ni Frost na ipadala pa sila sa school guidance dahil sa ginawa ni South. Ang ending, hindi pumasok sina Xamuel at Frost ngayong araw. Sinamahan ni Xamuel si Frost pumunta sa pinakamalapit na mall upang dalhin ang kaibigan sa isang clinic.

Suot nila ngayon ang panloob na puting t-shirt dahil kinailangan nilang tanggalin ang puting polo uniform at ID lace. The mall guards were a bit strict when it came to students visiting during class hours. Hindi na sila sinita kanina dahil hindi naka-uniform at halata namang may emergency.

Mabuti na ring hindi sila tinanong sa clinic kung saang school sila galing. They accommodated Xamuel and Frost peacefully. Mabuti na lang din at hindi gaanong seryoso ang natamong pasa ni Frost. Mas concerned pa si Frost sa mukha niya kaysa sa ginawa ni South.

Frost was finally allowed to go after receiving several pieces of advice from the nurse. Xamuel silently awaited Lion or South's message the entire stay, but nothing came. Lion volunteered to talk to South and settle whatever happened. Iyon ang inaabangan ni Xamuel na balita.

"Muel, saan tayo kakain? Gutom na 'ko!" Frost demanded and led the way.

"Gago, okay ka na ba talaga?"

"Oo nga, ang kulit mo naman–"

"Not your bruise, idiot. I'm asking if you're really okay with South."

Sandali siyang nilingon ng kaibigan at ngumisi, "Hayaan mo ang gagong 'yon. At least kilala na natin ngayon kung sino ba ang babaeng kinaaadikan niya."

Muel sighed and brushed his hair. "Ayan pa talaga naisip mo, ah."

"Gusto mo ng ramen? Bigla akong nag-crave ng ramen. Ang alam ko mayroon dito sa second floor."

"Oo na, mag-ramen na tayo. Paano ka ba kasi napunta sa gano'ng posisyon? Kilala mo na ba si Titus noon?"

Frost snorted. "Brad, ni hindi ko nga alam pangalan niya. She introduced herself earlier before convincing me to kiss her."

"That's it? Wala na siyang ibang sinabi?"

"Wala! Bigla-bigla na lang siyang–oh, ayon na ang ramen shop! Tara na, nagugutom na 'ko!"

For the nth time, Muel sighed. "Napaka-iksi talaga ng attention span."

Xamuel couldn't help but notice how unexpectedly kind Frost was after South caused a significant mishap. Rather than getting angry or placing blame, Frost remained calm and understanding of the situation.

Xamuel admired Frost's ability to handle difficult circumstances with patience and compassion. Frost might be overwhelmingly loud and foolish sometimes, but this showed a level of maturity and emotional intelligence that was truly impressive.

"Libre ko na ramen mo," Xamuel said as he caught up with Frost.

Frost's expression lightened. "Seryoso? Sige! Walang bawian, no erase!"

Muel laughed. "Bukas, tayo naman babawi kay South. I'm still not over the fact that he hurt you without thinking first." Pinagselosan ko rin naman siya noon kay Yara pero hindi ako nanapak.

"Muel, sure ka bang hindi ka rin niya nasuntok? Parang ang bait-bait mo ngayon."

Muel faked a smile. "Kumain na lang tayo bago pa magbago isip ko."