Chapter 18 | Hug

Hingal na hingal si Xamuel nang bumalik sa music room. Muling nagulat si Yara sa biglaang pagbukas ng pinto pero wala ng enerhiya si Xamuel para magpaliwanag. Naglahad ng tissue si Yara nang nakalapit si Xamuel.

"Ano bang ginawa mo?" Yara asked as Muel accepted her tissues.

"May kinuha ako sa gym."

Naningkit ang mga mata ni Yara. "Tapos bumalik ka rito? Akala ko kakain kayo?"

Umupo si Xamuel sa kanyang tabi kaya sinara muna ni Yara ang librong binabasa.

"Sabi mo kasi hindi ka na pupunta rito sa mga susunod na araw. May ibibigay lang ako, okay."

Yara was amused. "Napaka-importante ba ng ibibigay mo para takbuhin ang gym at music room? Pwede mo naman sanang ibigay na lang pagkatapos ng prom—"

Mabilis na nilapag ni Xamuel ang kulay pastel green na pouch sa lamesa. Dumapo roon ang buong atensyon ni Yara.

"It's for you, so just accept it," Xamuel said, finally breathing normal.

Yara alternatively glanced at the pouch and Xamuel twice before opening it. Xamuel watched her quietly, anticipating Yara's reaction. Yara was totally caught off guard when she opened the pouch Xamuel had given her and saw a variety of self-defense tools inside.

There were pepper spray bottles, a mini stun gun, and even a discreet personal alarm. Yara couldn't believe that Xamuel had thought to give her these items for protection.

Natatawang nilingon ni Yara si Xamuel habang hawak ang suklay na may nakatagong mini knife.

"Para sa akin ang mga 'to because?"

Muel rolled his eyes to contain his excitement. "Para may pang-self defense ka kapag mag-isa. Huwag kang mag-alala, effective lahat ng 'yan. Sinubukan ko na sa pinsan ko."

Humalakhak si Yara sa nalaman. "Seryoso ka ba? Kumusta ang pinsan mo?"

Muel smirked. "Huwag mo na siyang alalahanin, ang importante effective 'yan. Mapoprotektahan mo na ang sarili mo."

"Talagang lahat kulay green, ah?"

"Favorite color mo, 'di ba?"

Yara smiled at Muel before glancing back at his gift. She appreciated his small gesture, knowing that he had put thought into selecting something special just for her. The sun reflected off the delicate light green self-defense tools, creating a warm glow around the room.

"I appreciate this, really, Xamuel. Thank you," Yara said. "Hindi na ako muling magpapaapi, promise!"

Xamuel used to doubt himself as a friend to Yara because he felt like he wasn't doing enough. All those feelings disappeared the moment he saw the smile on her face. Moments like these reminded Xamuel why it was so important to show appreciation for the people we care about, and he was grateful for the opportunity to make Yara happy.

"Hanggang five lang ang practice. Anong oras ka uuwi?" Muel changed the subject.

Yara pointed at the book she was reading. "After I finish this."

Sinilip ni Xamuel ang libro. "Before the coffee gets cold?"

Yara nodded and glanced at him. "It's a Japanese novel, originally a play. I'm already at the third part of the book. Baka mauna pa akong matapos magbasa kaysa sa practice ninyo."

"Susunduin ka naman?"

Yara nodded, relieving Xamuel's worry. Muel was completely captivated by Yara's gaze. At that moment, none of it mattered as much as simply being there with her. He felt a rush of questions swirling around in his mind, but he couldn't find the words to speak them out loud. Muel found himself wondering about Yara's thoughts.

"Okay ka lang ba talagang hindi a-attend ng prom night?"

Yara chuckled, breaking their eye contact. "I'm not really into big gatherings, so I'm okay on that front. The only thing I regret is not being able to celebrate with you all. I've finally found some great friends, but I couldn't keep up."

Muel sighed upon hearing Yara's honest feelings.

"Ilang buwan na lang din matatapos na ang last semester tapos graduation na ang susunod. My classmates are eager to enter their dream universities to pursue their careers, while I'm..."

Hindi maintindihan ni Xamuel kung bakit tumigil si Yara sa pagsasalita—dahil ba hindi siya kumikibo?

"You like architecture, right?" Muel asked.

Yara nodded while looking down.

"There are many universities accepting arki."

"Alam ko," Yara chuckled. "But I never really had a dream university like the rest of you. I never thought of planning my future. I guess that's what makes me different from everyone else."

As silence enveloped the room, Muel found himself at a loss for words after hearing Yara's thoughts about the future. Her words lingered in the air, heavy with uncertainty and possibility. Muel's mind raced as he tried to grasp the implications of what she had disclosed.

Yara chuckled. "Sorry, I said too much. Anyway, a bright idea suddenly crossed my mind."

"What is it?" Muel absentmindedly asked.

Yara suddenly stood up and held his wrists. "Let's gatecrash!"

Muel's brows furrowed. "Gatecrash?"

"I mean, you're an official attendee, so ako lang talaga ang gatecrasher, but you get my point. Narinig kong may mga mascot na magpe-perform sa prom night. Kakanta raw sila after the formal ceremony! I want to sing a heartbreak song to get even with these mean people."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Xamuel. Kailanman ay hindi niya inakalang may lakas ng loob si Yara gawin ang mga ganitong bagay.

"Seryoso ka ba? Tapos idadamay mo ako?"

She pouted. "Wala naman akong ibang mayayaya bukod sa 'yo, pero kung ayaw mo—"

"Hindi naman sa ayaw ko pero paano natin mauunahan ang mga performer sa mascots?"

"Tanungin mo si Lion kung sino ang mga performer para makausap natin," Yara said as if it was an easy task.

"And if Lion doesn't know?"

"E 'di ipatanong mo sa kanya sa SSG president. Sila ang magka-partner, 'di ba? Look, it would be so fun to shock everyone without them knowing who are behind the mascots."

"Paano ka naman pupunta sa venue kung pinagbawalan ka nga?" Xamuel asked, already tired of the idea.

Yara flashed a reassuring smile. "Ako na ang bahala do'n!"

Umiling si Xamuel at bumitaw sa hawak ni Yara. Hindi natanggal ang titig ni Yara kay Xamuel kahit pa tumayo at umambang aalis na siya.

"Your idea's ridiculous. Hindi papayag si Lion tulungan tayo niyan lalo na't—"

"What if subukan mo muna tapos kung ayaw niya nga gaya ng sinasabi mo, e 'di saka na lang ako susuko," Yara suggested.

Walang nagawa si Xamuel kung hindi umo-o na lang sa gustong mangyari ni Yara. Tahimik siyang nagpaalam at umalis ng music room. Hindi alam ni Xamuel kung paano niya makukumbinsi si Lion sa idea ni Yara na pangge-gatecrash.

Dala-dala niya ang palaisipang iyon hanggang sa kanyang pagdating sa cafeteria. Mabilis niyang nahanap ang lamesa nilang apat at kinawayan pa siya ni Frost. Sinenyasan niya si Frost na titingin muna siya ng mga pagkain. Matapos ang ilang minutong paglilibot, bumili si Xamuel sa pinakakonti ang pila.

"Akala ko hindi ka na babalik, e," tukso ni Frost nang umupo si Muel sa tabi ni Lion.

Hindi nakatulong na kaharap niya pa sina Frost at South. Saglit na inobserbahan ni Xamuel ang reaction ng mga kaibigan sa kanyang pagdating. Mukhang kuryoso si South pero ayaw magtanong habang tahimik na tinatapos ni Lion ang kanyang pagkain sa tabi niya. Marami pa ang pagkain ni Frost at mukhang bagong luto pa.

"Sakto lang naman pagdating ko, hindi pa nga kayo tapos, e."

"Ano nangyari? Ano binigay mo kay Yara?" Frost asked.

"Kanina pa 'yan 'di mapakali," iritadong sabi ni South. "Kung gusto mo palang malaman sana sumama ka rin."

Frost snorted.

"Kumusta si Yara? Totoo bang hindi siya pinayagan ng parents niya sa prom night?" Lion asked. "No offense, Frost, parang hindi ka kasi seryoso kanina."

"Li naman!" nagtatampong sabi ni Frost. "Hindi ba ako katiwa-tiwala?"

"Hindi," sabay-sabay nilang sabi.

"Pero totoo 'yon. Tinanong ko siya kanina kung okay lang ba talaga sa kanyang hindi a-attend," Xamuel paused, remembering Yara's feelings. "Sabi niya okay lang daw siya sa part na hindi makakapunta ng prom, pero nanghihinayang si Yara na hindi raw natin siya kasama."

Frost pouted. "That's so sad."

"Bawi na lang tayo next time," South said nonchalantly.

Lion nodded. "Marami pa namang next time. Sana lang huwag nang mag-alala si Yara."

Xamuel agreed quietly, deep in thought, as he slowly ate his food. He knew that he needed to talk to Lion about Yara's idea, but he just couldn't find the right moment.

Xamuel was feeling a bit nervous about bringing up the topic. He took another spoonful of food and considered his options. Should he wait until after practice or during a quiet moment later in the evening?

Xamuel got distracted when South and Frost stood up. "Bibili lang kami ng inumin. May magpapasabay ba?"

Lion raised his hand. "Energy drink, please. Ubos na ubos na social battery ko kaka-practice."

"Tubig lang," Xamuel added.

Tumango ang dalawa at umalis. Bahala na nga!

"Li, may itatanong ako," bulong ni Muel sa katabi.

"Hm? What is it?"

Muel sighed. "Yara knows about the performing mascots on prom night. She wants to gatecrash and replace them so she can sing on stage with me. Can you help us talk with them?"

Lion finally looked at Xamuel. "Seryoso bang idea ni Yara 'to?"

Muel nodded.

"Hindi mo pinilit—"

"God, Li, hindi nga. Siya nagsabi niyan kanina kaya natagalan akong bumalik. Hindi ko nga rin inexpect na may gano'n pala siyang side."

Lion's eyes narrowed. "Kanina lang namomoblema si Ava dahil nagback-out 'yong dalawang students na nag-volunteer sa mascots."

"Seryoso ba?"

Lion nodded. "Kaya maghahanap siya ulit ng pamalit. Dalawang kanta lang naman ang ipe-perform at parehong duet. Kung kayo ni Yara ang isa-suggest ko, papayag na agad si Ava dahil ayaw na niya 'yong problemahin. Ang akin lang, paano pupunta si Yara?"

Xamuel rolled his eyes. "Siya na raw bahala do'n, basta raw makumbinsi kitang tulungan kami sa mascots."

"So you said yes to Yara," Lion concluded. "Akala ko ba last na 'yong kay Klassey?"

Napapikit si Xamuel sa atake ng kaibigan. "Wala raw kasi siyang ibang mayaya kaya ako na lang."

Lion chuckled. "So it's settled then? Kayo na ang magpe-perform? Sasabihin ko na kay Ava pagbalik natin ng gym."

Xamuel couldn't believe he let himself get involved in Yara's ridiculous idea to gatecrash prom. He had always prided himself on being more rational, but there was something about Yara's infectious energy and persuasion that made him throw caution to the wind.

"I can't believe I'm doing this," Xamuel chuckled.

"Doing what?" Frost asked behind them. "Tubig mo pala."

Sinenyasan ni Xamuel si Lion na huwag sabihin kina South at Frost ang pinag-usapan nila. Hindi kasi siya titigilang asarin ni Frost samantalang may parte ni Muel na nahihiya kay South.

"Thanks," Muel said and opened the bottle.

Lion also had his drink. Bumalik sina South at Frost sa kanya-kanyang upuan. Paupo na sila nang natigilan sa harap ni Xamuel. Kumunot ang noo ni Muel nang may maamoy na pamilyar na pabango sa kanyang likuran. Mula sa reaksyon ng dalawa na mukhang naguguluhan at hindi nasisiyahan, hindi na kailangan ni Xamuel lumingon para malaman kung sino ang taong nasa kanyang likuran.

Xamuel had goosebumps when his ex-girlfriend suddenly hugged him from behind. Firstly, their relationship ended for a reason, so the surprise physical contact brought back unwelcome memories and emotions.

Secondly, personal boundaries are important to him, and he felt uncomfortable with someone crossing that line without his consent.  Xamuel couldn't shake the feeling of discomfort and annoyance that lingered even after he stood up.

"What's your problem, Klassey?" Xamuel asked, his brows furrowed.

Klassey couldn't help but feel a pang of hurt as she watched her ex-boyfriend's annoyed expression. She could see the distance in his eyes, as if he had already moved on and forgotten about all the memories they shared. Her uneasy eyes searched for any sign of the person she used to know, but all she found was a stranger looking back at her.

"C-Can we talk?" Klassey whispered. "Mabilis lang, Xamuel. Please?"

Xamuel sighed as he watched Klassey, wondering why she had to come back after all this time.