#NewClassicNRO

Chapter 7
Teasings

For a week, it was like I was playing a losing game of hide-and-seek.

I kept on trying to avoid Jirro as I finally knew my place. I knew where I should stand. I acknowledged whatever relationship he had with Ivory. I didn't want to be associated. I wanted myself out of their picture.

However, the more I tried to slip away from him, the more fate tried to pull me closer. We frequently ran into each other in the hallways. He approached me every time he could. I received more messages from him.

It didn't help that he already knew my phone number. If I wouldn't reply to him on social media, he would text me to tell me that he sent a message. I couldn't reason out that I didn't read his message because I didn't check my social media accounts. And if I didn't reply to him through text because I didn't have load, he knew I could reply online instead.

It was very complicated.

I could still remember our first exchanged of conversation through text messages.

From: Jirro
Cloe, this is Jirro. Nakauwi ka na? Si Ivory ang nagsauli sa akin ng camera. She told me that she was the one who filmed us.

I received that message when I was nearing home. As I didn't want to be rude because I just left without telling him, I allowed myself to reply and explain.

To: Jirro
Nakauwi na. Sorry. Medyo sumama ang pakiramdam ko bigla. Navideohan naman ata kayo ni Ivory.

The moment I sent my reply, I called out to the jeepney driver to stop the vehicle. Mabilis akong bumaba roon at naglakad sa eskinita papunta sa aming bahay. Nang makapasok sa gate ng apartment ay saka ko lamang binasa ang bagong mensahe na dumating galing kay Jirro.

From: Jirro
It's alright. Make sure to rest and eat properly if you're not feeling well.

I bit my lower. Jirro was expressing his concern for me. Unlike before, I could no longer feel the butterflies flying in my tummy. Rather, it felt like there was a flammable acid burning my insides―making me feel pain.

Feeling extremely uncomfortable, I didn't reply anymore. I kept myself busy checking the videos I filmed that day. In the end, I fell asleep out of exhaustion after eating dinner.

I thought my heart and mind would finally be at peace once I pretended that he doesn't exist. But Jirro kept reminding me that he's real. He unconsciously wouldn't let a day pass without making sure that I was aware of his existence.

"Puwede ba kami makisabay kumain sa inyo?"

Halos mabulunan ako nang mag-angat ako ng tingin kay Jirro. He was with Brad. They were both carrying their trays.

Mabilis kong nilibot ng tingin ang cafeteria para makita kung mayroon pang bakanteng lamesa. Hindi naman ganoon katao, ngunit bago pa ako makasagot ay nauna na ang dalawang kaibigan ko sa pagpayag na makisama sila sa aming lamesa.

And of course, because there was a vacant seat beside me, Jirro sat on it right away. He carefully placed his tray down on the table while Brad also settled down with us.

Pakiramdam ko ay mayroong bumara na pagkain sa aking lalamunan nang tumama ang kanyang braso sa akin. Bahagya akong umusod palayo sa kanya upang hindi kami masyadong dikit sa isa't isa.

While I was still feeling conscious beside him, when I lifted my gaze to look at my friends, I saw that they were smiling meaningfully. Nginuso pa nila si Jirro na tahimik sa aking tabi. Medyo napalingon din tuloy sa kanila si Brad.

I gave them a good glare. I thought that would stop them from trying to tease me to Jirro, but they suddenly went all out.

Nagtaas ng kilay si Jasmine at mas lumapad ang ngiti. "Bagay na bagay talaga kayong dalawa."

My eyes widened as she didn't even try to filter her words. I panicked as my heart pounded wildly.

Brad faked a cough and looked away. I couldn't bring myself to try and see Jirro's reaction because I was breaking cold sweats on my temples. It felt like I was about to pass out.

"Jasmine!" I couldn't stop myself from raising my voice.

Ayos lang sana kung sa akin lang nila sasabihin 'yon. Hindi ko alam kung saan sila nakakuha ng lakas ng loob na inisin ako sa harap mismo ni Jirro. The embarrassment mixed with anxiety filled my cheeks with heat. It caused my heart to race faster than ever. I wanted to curl up into a tiny ball and roll away.

Ngumuso si Jasmine, nagpipigil ng tawa. "Nagsasabi lang naman ako ng totoo," pagdadahilan niya. "Bagay naman talaga kayong dalawa."

"Oo nga, Cloe," pagsabat pa ni Martha na hindi nakatulong sa sitwasyon. She was just adding a dried timber to the fire, leading my cheeks to burn more.

"Mahiya nga kayong dalawa kay Jirro," iritado ko nang sabi.

Mukhang napansin naman nila na hindi ako nakikipagbiruan. Itinikom agad nilang dalawa ang kanilang mga labi para manahimik kung kailang napakawalan na nila ang mga salitang dapat nanatili na lamang bilang kanilang saloobin.

I never had any violent thoughts, but I suddenly felt like flying into a rage. I was really about to lose it, if only Jirro didn't speak up and tame my mad soul.

"It's alright," Jirro calmly said. "I don't mind being teased to you."

Napaawang ang aking mga labi. Nilingon ko si Jirro.

He faced me back and raised the corners of his lips. There was a hint of joy in his eyes. It seemed like he was enjoying it, rather than being irritated like I was.

"Jirro! Brad!"

I immediately snapped out from locking eye contact with Jirro. I was slightly stunned when I saw Ivory and Anya nearing us. Nang tumama sa akin ang matalim na tingin ni Ivory ay mabilis kong inilihis ang aking mga mata. I didn't know why I was feeling guilty even though I didn't do anything wrong. I was just simply sitting beside Jirro and nothing more.

"Nandito lang pala kayong dalawa." Dinig kong sabi ni Ivory.

Tahimik akong nagpatuloy na lamang sa pagkain, sinusubukan na hindi na ituon ang atensyon sa kanilang pag-uusap. Pati ang aking mga kaibigan na nakaramdam ng tensyon ay hindi na nakisali.

"Kanina pa kami naghihintay ni Anya roon sa puwesto natin." Sa tono pa lang ng boses ni Ivory ay alam kong hindi siya natutuwa sa sitwasyon. "Hindi pa kami nagsisimula kumain."

"Sorry," Jirro apologized right away. "Sinabi ko naman kay Anya kanina na hindi kami sasabay ni Brad. We had a very short meeting with the Acoustics just a few minutes ago."

"But we waited for you, guys..." The dejection on Ivory's voice was audible.

"Sorry. I will make it up to you tomorrow. Kumain na kayo ni Anya," sabi na lang ni Jirro.

"You mean, you two won't really eat with us?" She sounded so betrayed and hurt.

I didn't want to seem rude, but I had no idea why she was making a big deal about it. Kailangan ba talaga nilang sabay kumain araw-araw?

"Sorry, Ivory," muling paghingi ng pasesya ni Jirro. "Dito na muna kami ni Brad kila Cloe."

Bahagya akong nag-angat ng tingin kay Ivory para makita ang kanyang ekspresyon. She was gritting her teeth, obviously just trying to keep her cool and stopping herself from exploding.

"Bahala na kayo." Ayon na lamang ang sinabi ni Ivory at saka kami tinalikuran para magmartsa paalis.

Her best friend, Anya, ran to follow her right away after I caught her giving a look at Brad. And within just a few seconds since they left, Brad suddenly stood up. All of us turned to him as he caught our attention.

"Samahan ko lang sila, Jirro," paalam nito sa kaibigan.

Jirro casually nodded his head once and said, "Sure."

Dala-dala ang pagkain na hindi pa nasisimulang kainin ay umalis si Brad para sundan ang mga kaibigan. I could tell that he was feeling bad because Ivory's feeling down. However, I didn't expect that Jirro would choose to stay here with me when Ivory wanted to eat together with him.

As I didn't want to get on the bad side of Ivory after she warned me, I turned to Jirro. I was afraid to be branded as someone who acts against her own words. Also, I also knew the consequences my heart would face if I let him stay.

"Bakit hindi ka na lang sumama sa kanila?" bungad kong tanong kay Jirro. "Nagtatampo ata si Ivory. Dapat sumabay ka na kay Brad."

The crescent smile on his lips slowly disappeared when he faced me, like the dark clouds tried to cover it from beaming. His eyes were filled with emotions which made me feel guiltier.

"Dito lang ako," simpleng sabi niya.

He didn't say anything else in addition. Instead, he just proceeded to start eating his lunch.

Biting my lower lip, I was desperate to stop myself from staying here and indulging on something that I thought I could never have. Alam kong kapag hinayaan ko ang sarili ko ay mahihirapan na akong tumigil pa ulit.

I blew out a deep breath as I decided that I should leave. "I'm done eating," I announced and looked at my friends. "Pupunta lang ako sa library. Hindi ninyo na ako kailangang samahan."

Before I could stand up, a warm hand gripped on my forearm. It was a tight grip, but also gentle at the same time. Sa kanyang paraan ng paghawak ay para bang ayaw niya akong pakawalan, ngunit ayaw niya rin akong masaktan.

"Why are you trying to avoid me?" he asked me, a hint of steel in his voice.

It made me shiver to the core. I froze on my seat, unable to stand up and continue my plan. I was like a criminal on the loose who just got caught by my pursuer.

Words were hanging on lips. I couldn't find the strength to speak at once to defend myself when I looked at him.

"Is it because of Ivory?" He went direct to the point and hit the right spot. "What did she tell you during the foundation day?"

Kung paano niya nakuha ang lahat ay hindi ko alam. Mukhang kahit paano ko lulusutan ang kanyang mga tanong, ramdam kong sigurado na siya sa kanyang iniisip.

"Hindi naman kita iniiwasan." Trying my best to deny it, I turned away as it was awkward looking at him in the eye.

Honestly, I had no problem admitting that I was really avoiding him. I just didn't know what to tell him once he asks why. I would never have the guts to tell him my reasons without confessing what I truly feel about him.

His grip loosened as he chuckled without humor. "You're not a good liar, Cloe," he stated. "It's very obvious that you're avoiding me. And I'm sure that it's because of Ivory."

I blinked a few times while staring straight into his eyes which were hungry and searching for answers.

Mas lalong nanuyo ang aking lalamunan. Wala na akong ideya kung paano ko ililihis ang aming usapan. He already trapped me and put cuffs on my hands that I couldn't get away.

"Hoy, ano ba kayong dalawa!" Jasmine interfered, trying to make the atmosphere lighter. "Baka magkainlaban na talaga kayo niyan, ah?!"

I didn't know if I should be thankful because of her interference that I was able to slip from Jirro's hold as I took my arm back―or hate it because she tried to push us together again.

"Jirro, umamin ka nga. Gusto mo si Cloe, no?" dagdag pa ni Martha, halatang nang-iinis.

Mabilis kong nilingon ang mga kaibigan upang irapan. Sana nga lang ay magtigil na sila. Hindi ko alam kung paano pa nila naisipan na mang-inis sa gitna ng matinding tensyon sa aming dalawa ni Jirro.

"I do."

My head snapped back to Jirro in an instant. My eyes widened. Goose bumps tingled my skin, probably caused by shock and disbelief. It felt like my feelings were about to crush me as pressure grew inside my chest.

No one expected that he would answer Jasmine and Martha's teasings seriously that even my playful friends zipped their lips.

On the other hand, Jirro looked serious. There was no hint of humor on his face. I tried seeking his eyes for assurance, and it showed me his sincerity and genuineness.

"I do like you, Cloe," he confessed, holding onto my eyes. "I really like you."