Busy being Yours

33. Deserved Better

"Hi," 

Mas lalong nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang ako na naman ang kinausap ni Jason. Ni hindi pa nga ako nakakaget-over sa fact na si Luke Mariano mismo ang nagpakilala sa 'kin tas ito na naman? I bit my lip to stop myself from squealing before I looked at my best friend that was mostly looking so confused.

How dare she look so confused? Ako nga dapat 'tong naguguluhan. Sa buong pagkakaibigan namin ay ako halos 'yung walang tigil sa kakadada tungkol kay Luke at sa mga malalapit na kaibigan nito while most of the time she's just there... listening and not caring at all, pero siya pa 'tong acquainted na sa mga crushes ko! I mean, let's not overreact, she's shares the same apartment with Lilith Da Rosa. Imagine how shocked I was when I first found out about it! Kulang nalang ay 'di niya ako imbitahin sa kanila kapag nag-iinsist ako na bibisita ako so that I wouldn't embarrass her in front of Lils.

I mean, how could she think of me that way? I'll never do that to her. No way.

"Hi..." I half squealed, half spoke as I reached for Jas' extended hand. Nakita ko kung paano niya ako tinaasan ng kilay while Clem snorted. Sinamaan ko ito ng tingin, akala siguro niya ay nakakalimutan ko na ang fact na magkakilala na pala sila ni Luke at 'di man niya ito pinaalam sa 'kin. I mean, it's not like it's her obligation to let me know, but come on! 

"Junipher Jimenez, kaibigan ni Clem."

"Of course. I'm Jason Andres, kaibigan ni Luke. Treasurer din ng Council of Med-" he smiled, showing me his perfect set of teeth (and gums). I really hate Clem the day that she pointed out kung gaano ka lumuluwa ang gilagid ni Jason kapag ngumingisi ito. I get that she's just exaggerating and also to spite me for acting like a rabid fan pero hindi ko na rin talaga ito magawang ma-ignora. He really has this gummy smile but it makes him more distinct... more Jason.

"Alam ko," mahina kong tawa, 'di ko sinasadyang putulin ang pagsasalita nito. I was just too excited with the fact that I'm actually talking to him in full conversation. Mas okay sana kung si Luke but he's already on-stage. Sayang. Hindi na ako magrereklamo since next to him, Jason's also pretty talkative too! Ni si Lilith nga na matagal na akong medyo kilala (she knows me by name and also as Clem's friend) ay hindi ko nakakausap ng ganito katagal. "I'm an active leader of an org under the council. Kami 'yung nag-suggest ng iilang activities sa inyo, raising the concerns of some of our members and you guys also approved for our request na magkaroon ng water fountain sa lobby ng building natin. I'm planning to run as council president next year. Will you back me up? I mean, hindi ako puro salita lang, I promise! I have a list of my plans already..." dali-dali kong inabot ang bag ko for my planner, "Actually ay kaunting breakdown lang ang naisulat ko dito," I flipped a few pages, "I had my solid plan sa laptop ko kaso naiwan ko sa bahay but I can email it to you if you want-"

"June?"

"Naka-excel siya but if you prefer it to be in docs or PDF, I have that as well. Magsabi ka lang-"

"Junipher!" 

Tiningnan ko si Clem na pinanliliitan na ako ng mga mata. Pasimple rin itong umiiling at hinihila ako papalapit sakaniya. Jason remained smiling the entire time. If my best friend looked embarrassed, he looked so amused by the whole thing.

"What?" I breathed. Still looking at Jason. I really need his support on this one. Ever since I entered the Medical Technology program ay alam ko nang kailangan ng pagbabago sa mga estudiyanteng nagsisilbing lider nito. I've only seen the changes when Luke was elected as the president at mas lalo lang nito akong in-inspire to do better, I know that I can make changes too with me as the president. I already had the confidence that I'll do good on my own pero hindi rin ako tatanggi ng tulong mula sa mga taong kagaya ni Jason. We both know how much influence he have on these students.