Watch my Step (Friend Series #4)

Chapter 3

"Do I really have to do this?" tanong ko kay France habang isinusuot niya sa akin ang ID para sa isang seminar. It's an Art Appreciation Seminar. Kaunti ang participants at ako na naman ang nadali niya dahil vacant ako.

Hindi pa nga ako nakakamove on sa pagsali niya sa'kin sa waltz kahapon, heto na naman siya.

"'Wag nang mag-reklamo Tep." sabi niya at itinulak ako papasok sa loob ng center.

I sighed and fixed the lace of my ID as I went in. Umupo ako sa pinakalikod. Bumagsak ang tingin ko sa programme na inabot sa'kin ni France kanina. Isang oras na mahigit nang magsimula ang seminar.

Tiningnan ko ang mga kasama sa loob. Karamihan ay mga architect students ang participants. Hindi na 'ko nagtaka nang mahagip ng mga mata ko si Ace sa unang row. Hindi ko na kailangang tumingin kung sino ang kanyang katabi dahil alam ko na agad kung sino ito.

Hindi ko nga lang maiwasang mapansin ang kasalukuyang ginagawa niya. His folded arm was draped over Ace's shoulder as he kept on whispering something at him. My guess about him yesterday was right. Napakawalang kuwenta nga niyang katabi.

I wonder how their friendship lasts despite of their differences. That's quite intriguing.

I crossed my arms and paid attention to the speaker. We did some activities that wasn't new to me. Related din naman sa art ang course na kinukuha ko dahil isa sa mga sub-course ko ang art and design. I'm a third year civil engineering student and by next semester, fourth year na 'ko. Can't wait to graduate and live on my own. Iyon talaga ang pinakapangarap ko.

I let out a deep audible breath in relief when the seminar is coming to an end. Finally. Nasa part na kami kung saan mag-e-elect na ng organization for Art Appreciation. Mayroon din naman kaming mga art clubs that's why I really don't see the need of adding another one.

Of course, popular and active students were nominated. I almost rolled my eyes when they have to step on the podium one by one to render their speech. Nasasayang ang oras ko sa walang kuwentang bagay.

I looked at my watch then to him and heaved an exasperated sigh. Girls have to push him to get up on his seat and force him to go to the podium. Kunwari ay ayaw at tatanggi-tanggi pero gustong-gusto naman. Halata naman kasi sa mukha niyang hindi mawala-wala ang ngiti.

"Hi," he greeted and looked around. Hindi ko pinansin ang pagkagulat niya nang magtagpo ang tingin naming dalawa. O baka naman hindi rin ako ang tinitingnan niya. Situation like this always happened in my class. When I thought my professor was looking at me pero sa seatmate o 'di kaya ay sa kaklaseng nasa harap o likod ko pala siya talagang nakatingin.

He scratched the back of his ear with his finger like he was hesitant to say what he's going to say. He looked at us before he rested his hands both on the edge of the stand. He leaned his upper body forward nearing his mouth to the microphone.

"I'm Kai," He then again, scratched the back of his ear with his forefinger. I rolled my eyes. Ang daming arte.

Ibinalik niyang muli ang kamay sa gilid ng stand saka nagsalita. "And I'm not interested in becoming your president."

I couldn't hide my shock with what he's just said. Sa halip na ma-offend at ma-disappoint ang speaker at mga participant sa kanyang sinabi ay mukhang natuwa at namangha pa ang mga ito sa kanya.

Alas, he won the meaningless election. Girls immediately flocked around him to congratulate him.

Pagkatapos makakuha ng certificate ay umalis na 'ko ro'n. Kung may maganda mang nangyari sa seminar, iyon ay ang free snacks at lunch. After I got mine, I headed outside the center and found a vacant lounge beside the pathway. Lahat sila ay sa center kumain ng lunch samantalang ako ay pinili na lumabas para maghanap ng puwesto na makakainan ko mag-isa.

Itinapon ko ang certificate at ID sa parihabang mesa sa lounge at naupo sa upuang gawa sa kawayan na kumikinang dahil sa varnish. I opened the styrofoam container. Kaagad akong natakam nang makita ang pagkain. I clumsily get the disposable spoon and fork and took a mouthful rice and meat.

"You didn't vote me."

Parang 'matic na pumait ang panlasa ko nang marinig ang boses na 'yon. Slowly, I chewed my food and glanced at him who is now sitting across from me.

"I didn't." ulit ko kahit hindi naman niya tinatanong. Kailangan pa ba niya ng boto ko? Kahit hindi ko siya i-boto ay mananalo siya kaya ibinigay ko na lang ang boto ko sa mas nangangailangan at karapat-dapat.

"Now, can you leave?" iritado kong tanong. Mas nairita pa nang makita ang 'di mawala-walang ngiti sa kanyang labi. I resumed eating and tried harder not to be bothered by his presence.

"May practice tayo ngayong one hanggang five since may meeting ang faculty." He informed me. Hindi naman siya ganoon ka-updated sa practice namin 'no?

Umismid ako. Mas lalo lang nairita nang ipaalala pa niya ang practice sa waltz.

I nodded my head and faced sideways. Bastos na kung bastos. Ayaw ko lang talaga makita ang pagmumukha niya.

"Ba't ka galit?"

"Hindi ako galit. Ganito talaga ako." agap ko at tinusok ang karne. Sa sobrang lakas ay natusok ko na rin pati ang styro.

"Hmm. Hindi ka naman ganyan sa'kin noon. You're actually sweet, caring and-"

"Damn you Almendarez." inis kong wika at hinarap siya.

I caught him, suppressing his laugh.

What he said evokes certain feeling and memory from my past. Ngayon na pinaalala niya sa'kin ang lahat ay gusto ko na lang siyang saktan bigla.

"Bakit?"

I stared at his playful eyes. He never really did change.

"Shut it, alright?" I said gritting my teeth. "Just shut it."

Pagkatapos kumain ay umalis na ako sa lounge at iniwan siya na abala sa pagguhit ng kung ano. Dumiretso ako sa restroom at tahimik akong nagpasalamat nang makitang wala itong laman na tao.

Inilapag ko ang bag sa granite sink at tumingin sa salamin sa harap. I stared at my reflection in the mirror. I looked problematic. Kung bakit ba naman kasi kailangan pa niyang ipaalala ang mga 'yon.

Aside from my brother and my father, he's the only man who had seen me grow. From being that sweet and innocent girl to this stone-cold playgirl.

This circumstance really happens when your parents are acquaintances. Ngayong malalaki na kami at hindi na rin nagpapansinan dala ng paglipas ng mga panahon ay parang isang sakit sa'kin tuwing binabalikan ko ang mga araw na 'yon.

I uttered a curse when I remember the days I hid in my room everytime he, together with his father, came visit at our house. I had to hide because I get this ticklish feeling in my chest whenever I see him. I was too young to understand what does that mean.

Ngayong malaki na 'ko ay ikinakahiya ko kung bakit naramdaman ko 'yon sa kanya.

I was seven when I had my first puppy love. My obsessive infatuation over him got my first heartache at seven.

Can you believe that? I got my first heartache at seven.