The Jerk Coefficient

Chapter 36

MY PLATES?!

"Oh, okay na? Hingang malalim." I held both of Alyssa's hands at saka pinakawalan ito.

"Papapuntahin ko siya dito at babalik akong Maynila para nganga siya." May inis pa ring bumabakas sa mukha niya.

I already talked to Matt about this. Ilang beses kong sinuntok ang gagong yun sa braso dahil sa ginawa niya kay Alyssa. Napalakas daw kasi ang inuman nilang boys at biglang nag-aya na lang si Joshua doon sa katabing bar kasi marami raw siyang kakilalang girls dun na member ng sisterhood na connected sa fraternity nila.

So one thing led to another and then the drunk girl was dared to do a lap dance at si Matt ang napili niya. Naabutan ni Alyssa and all hell went loose.

Kwento lang to ng tatlo sakin. I wasn't there. Nasa shift ako.

"Hindi! Pupunta siya dito at mag-uusap kayo."

"Ah, okay, okay."

"Bantayan kita dito hanggang sa nakarating na si Matt."

"Okay, okay." Nakanguso itong dinampot ang phone niya mula sa bulsa niya at saka tinawagan si Matt. Lumayo-layo siya sakin kaya minabuti kong tumabi kay Gareth.

"Baka gusto mo nang umuwi? Matatagalan pa ata ako dito. Nakakaabala na ko sayo." 

"I'll wait for you, Blake. I settled the inventory last night. Wala na akong kailangang gawin."

"How about sa practice mo sa basketball?" I held the plastic in front of him na may lamang pande monay. "Gusto mo?"

"Busog na ko. Thank you. I'll ditch them for today."

"Sira ka ba?! Lagot ka kay coach." He laughed it off.

"Malayo pa naman ang game namin."

Sandali akong napatigil sa sinabi ko. This seems so familiar kasi, pero sa ibang tao lang. Sa loob ng isang taong pagkakakilala ko kay Leo at palagi naming magkasama, ilang beses ko nang nasabi yung "Lagot ka kay coach!" It's just crazy how fast time goes.

Pwedeng pumikit ka lang nang ilang segundo, at pagmulat mo ng mga mata mo ay ibang-iba na ang buhay mo. Nawala na yung taong parang noon lang ay parating nandiyan para kulitin at inisin ka.

Cut it, Blake. Reminiscing is for the weak.

I shivered because of what I was thinking off. What the hell is wrong with me? Ilang buwan na ang nakakalipas. Gareth suddenly put his right arm around me and pulled me closer.

"What's up?" My facial expressions are too transparent, huh? "Nilalamig ka?"

"Oo, may dumaan atang multo," I joked.

He chuckled seeing me stiffened for a bit, pero hindi nagtagal ay kumalma din ang muscles ko sa katawan. Tinanggal niya rin naman kasi agad ang braso niya and put it behind us, probably making sure that I'm not uncomfortable.

Knowing him, he never takes advantage of me. He was there for me sa mga vulnerable moment ko last year but never siyang nagpakita o nagkaroon ng bad intentions or motives sakin. Given that he confessed to me before, I still Gareth as a friend and I'm sure that he sees me the same.

"Ga-graduate ka na ah." That was me attempting to change the topic.

"Yes, yes, I am." Nakangiti siyang bumaling sakin.

"Do you plan on pursuing PBA? You've got potentials."

"50-50 pa ko diyan." I was shocked for seconds doon sa sagot niya. I don't know. When you see him play and bring glory to his team and our university, you'd imagine nothing but him being a part of PBA too. There's that fiery side of Gareth when he's in court.