This Is Not Strange

Chapter Six

Bridgette

After our talk, we decided to watch movies to spare some time. Ilan din ang napanood namin, at lahat ay puro girls love na movie. Hindi namin namalayan na hapon na pala kung hindi kami kinatok ni Ate Menerva, isa sa mga kasama ko sa bahay na nag aalaga sa akin, upang mag meryenda.

  Nang makababa ay pumwesto kami sa garden kung saan inihanda ni ate ang pagkain. Ella was shy to eat pa pero I convinced her na hindi naman dapat mahiya sa pagkain.

  “Salamat sa pakain, Bridgette.”

  “No worries. Para rin sa'yo 'yan, you're so liit na kasi. I remember when we were still in elementary, you're this cute and fluffy girl na palaging nakabusangot kapag naglalakad,” I said, smiling at the memory. Palagi naman nag-crocross ang path namin noon because our school is not that big and palagi rin siyang active sa school activities na kung saan ako kasali.

  “Grabe! Ayaw ko na talaga maalala ang mga panahong iyon. Nakakatrauma!” She laughed a little after saying it. I noticed the sudden change of mood from her. Was it because I mentioned her past?

  “Okay, let's not go down memory lane baka madapa tayo. Kailan ba-”

  “Bridgette!”

  Me and Ella turn to look where the voice came from, and it was Pen glaring at me. She is shaking her head but her mood suddenly changed when she saw Ella.

  “Ella banana! I miss you!” She ran up to Ella and gave her a bone crushing hug.

  I didn't know they were close.

  “Palagi tayong nagkakasalubong sa school, Ate Pen. Huwag kang echosera, ” replied the smaller girl.

  “Ano ka ba! Ayaw mo nun, may nakakamiss na sa'yo.”

  Ngumiwi si Ella na ikinatawa naman ni Pen. I just stare at the two of them confused.

  “Bakit ka nga pala nandito?” asked Pen as she took a seat at the empty chair beside me.

  “Kasi wala ako sa school at bahay?”

  “Umayos ka. Ang bata bata mo pa pero ang galing mo na mamelosopo.”

  “Hoy, Ate P! Hindi ako bata, sixteen na ako. Teen.”

  “Bata pa rin 'yun!”

  “Pwede sumingit? Bakit kayo magkakilala?” I asked, finally getting their attention.

  “Kasi kaibigan ko itong si Ella. Kayo ba? Bakit kayo magkasama?”

  “We're friends too. We were just hanging out ngayon.”

  “Speaking of hanging out, bakit wala ka sa klase?” Pen asked, her eyes shifting between me and my company.

  I gave Ella a glance but she just grin at me.

  “Because I was asked by-”

  “Sumakit ang tiyan niya, Ate P. Nakita ko siya sa gate na namimilipit kaya sinamahan ko na umuwi para walang mangyareng masama.”

  I threw a grateful look at Ella. I didn't know she'd cover up for me. I don't want to tell Pen na nag cutting ako kasi sa sobrang close nila ni Mommy, baka masabi niya. Sobrang daldal pa naman niya minsan.

  “Ayos ka na ba?” she asked.

  I nod. Baka pahabain pa niya.

  “Anyway, dumaan lang talaga ako para icheck itong Ate Bridgette mo Ella. Bri and Ella banana, mauna na ako, ha? Hinihintay ako ni Kuya Ross sa labas 'eh.”

  I nod and she gave me a hug. She did the same to Ella who frowned but wave.

  “Dapat pala tinatawag kitang Ate, Ate Bridgette,” Ella said, turning to look at me.

  My eyes widen at her words. “Gosh, no! Huwag mo akong tawaging ate. Kahit kailan, huwag na huwag.”

  I don't mind when someone younger than me call me ate, but hearing it from Ella feels weird.

  “Why naman? Mas matanda ka naman.”

  “Hey! I'm only a year older,” sagot ko. She's sixteen and I'm seventeen.

  “Matanda pa rin 'yun, Ate Bridgette.”

  Nang aasar na talaga siya because her face is showing it.

  “Isa pang tawag mo ng, ate.”

  “Ate.”

  Gosh, she really doesn't know how to stop teasing me.

  “Bahala ka, kausapin mo ang baso.”

  “Baso, ayaw magpatawag ng ate ni Bridgette.”

  Tinignan ko siya ng masama at nag peace sign naman siya.

  “Joke lang. Hindi bagay sayo si Ate Bridgette. Ang weird kapag sinasabi. Tawagin nalang kitang London,” nakangisi niyang tugon.

  I gave her a confused look. London? Saan naman nanggaling 'yun?

  “London? Bakit?”

  “Para ma complete na ang pangalan mo. London Bridgette.”

  Ngumiwi ako sa kanya and gave her a blank stare. “Very funny talaga, Ella.”

  “Syempre! Mana ako kay Ate Lyrie.”

  We talked for about an hour pa before she decided to leave. It was nice knowing that I'm free to talk to one person about what I'm feeling. I've finally realized why I had these weird butterflies noon whenever I talk to other girls who I find very attractive. I know na this is the start palang of me discovering my sexuality. It's comforting to know there's people like Ella who doesn't make a big deal out of it.

  * * *

  Today is monday, which is also the start for our training for the upcoming contest. After class, dumeretso na ako sa writers club where the other members are starting to practice na. I placed my bag and laptop on the table in the front, while my eyes are busy searching for the girl I've been thinking about for the last three nights.

   She was sitting in the corner, glaring at the paper she's holding. I shook my head and smile. Napapansin ko na madalas talaga siyang badtrip. Hindi naman siya nagiging rude, ang cute niya nga tignan.

  I decided to come up to her and check if she had practiced na ba. Aside from being friends, I want her to know na she can ask for help with anything related to school. Hindi kasi siya sanay na manghingi ng tulong, napapansin kong she's used to finding things out by herself.

  “Hi, El!” I greeted, and took a seat at the vacant one beside her.

  “Hello.”

  Wow, ang dry naman.

  “What are you doing?”

  She placed the paper in the desk and turn to look at me. “Nagluluto ako, Bridgette.”

  I frown, is she really not in a good mood? “I'm sorry. Are you alright ba?”

  Tumango siya at kinuha ulit ang paper para magbasa.

  “Do you want to talk-”

  “Ayos nga lang ako. Pwede ba? Gusto ko muna magbasa ng tahimik.”

  I was surprised at her. It's not like I've seen her in a bad mood before, nakakapanibago lang. So instead of pushing her buttons more, I decided to go back to my desk nalang. I hope she's alright.