Strums of Life

06

Happy reading :)

-

Sari-sarili na kaming sibat nang umalis kami sa gymnasium. Sa gym kasi ginanap dahil kakailanganin ng malaking space para sa cheerdance pero pag nag-awarding naman na ay sa auditorium na kami.

We were falling in line when Zamira got my attention. Sumingit siya sa pila ko. Kasalukuyan kaming nandito sa cafeteria.

I let him.

"Galing ko ba?" he asked looking back on where I am.

"Hindi ko narinig," I said sarcastically when in fact, I was rooting for them.

He smirks and tap my shoulders lightly.

"Saan ba kayo nakapwesto? Hindi ko kayo nakita."

Hindi ako nagsalita para sagutin siya. Hindi naman kami close, ang hilig hilig niyang kausapin ako.

"Forget it! I'll just ask Elly."

Dahil nauuna sila Asia sa akin ay pina-una ko na sila para makahanap ng upuan. Fortunately, wala silang mahanap. Mabuti na lang for take outs 'yung binili naming food.

"Wala kayo pwesto?" Zamira asked. I was about to come to them because I was left on the line kanina but my precious eyes saw Narria so I walk past them.

"You can come to the music room, let's eat there." Dinig ko pang sabi ni Zami pero nagdiretso nalang ako.

"Uy, Morrie! Saan ka?" nagtatakang tanong sa akin ni Jesny habang sinusundan ako ng tingin.

I tried as hard as I could to make myself low-key and blend into the crowd so Narria wouldn't notice me.

"Mauna na ako," I told them as I speed up. I let my feet lead me into the familiar place, in the music room.

I felt like I was short on oxygen when I enter. Kung hindi ko pa nakita si Narria at nakapagtago baka talagang magiging tulay na ang mabait na anak ni Mama.

"Why are you here?" Levielle asked, his hands on his pockets.

Magkaharap kaming dalawa. Mukhang palabas na siya nang pumasok ako. Eros looks at us keenly. Nag-aalala akong nag-iwas ng tingin sa maissur nitong tingin. I'll just mention the magic name and then boom! His mind will be preoccupied and if that is the case, he won't get suspicious or he'll discard that issue in his mind that was about to build.

"Papunta na rin sila Anastasia." I made sure that I muttered it loud and clear so Eros could hear it, siya naman talaga ang sinasabihan ko.

I feel bad for using my friend to save my ass.

"Oh? Ano connect?" Levielle's gentle voice echoed while I was busy checking out how Eros would react to that five simple words.

"Sabi ni Zamira, we could come and eat here. Nauna lang ako dahil may hindi kaaya-aya akong nakita sa caf," I replied, saving my ass for the second time.

He only looks at me with his puzzled expression. Embarrassment was eating me wholly, bit by bit. Ang tagal nila Asia! Sa buwan pa ba sila nagdaan?

"Is that so?" Nagkibit balikat siya at saka walang ano-anong lumabas. Parang nakahinga ako ng maluwag do'n ah.

Kami na lang ni Eros ang naiwan sa loob. Ngayon ko lang napansin na ang tahimik niya, hindi katulad ni Zamira.

"Do you like cheesecake?"

I look at him when he suddenly asked that question. Why so random?

"I like chocolates more but I don't actually hate it."