Just the Ticket

Chapter 3

Chapter 3 #jttwbs

But the situation where you badly want to confirm if someone is looking at you always occurs even at unfavorable times.

"Sandali!" si Ma'am Ruez. "Nakalimutan ko ang transferees! Magkakakilala naman na kayong lahat dito, 'di ba? Kaya 'yung mga bago na lang ang magpakilala muna bago ang election."

Habang tinatanong ni Ma'am Ruez ang buong klase kung sino ang mga bagong salta, nagbaba ako ng tingin sa mga nakaupo na sa sahig. Nakasandal sila sa likod ng paa ng mga upuan sa naunang row bago ang amin.

Marion, as far as I can recall his name, was sprawled on the floor with his cutely exposed tummy rolls. He was the one far from me which was on the opposite side of the passage.

Keno's folded knees were across him, above it were his folded arms with his chin resting on it. Bahagyang nakanguso at kapansin-pansin ang malantik na pilikmata.

Si Fern ay isang tuhod lang ang nakatupi. Nakapatong ang braso niya roon sa tuhod. His other hand was planted on the floor for the foundation. His other slack clad long leg was stretched out—I could feel it having contact with my shoe.

Nakasandal din ang ulo niya kaya bahagya rin siyang nakatingala. A small amused grin was pasted on his lips. Although his head was directed to me, his eyes were on Caelan beside me.

It somehow relieved me but there was still a remnant of irritation over him... them. Saka hindi rin ako komportable. Kung bakit ba naman kasi sila nariyan sa baba?

My knitted eyebrows went back to normal when Fern looked like he sensed that someone was staring at him. Ibinaling ko ang tingin sa unahan bago pa niya ako mahuli.

Panibagong katangahan na naman iyon sa listahan ko. Mga mata ko lang kasi ang naigalaw ko kaya nanatiling medyo nakayuko ang ulo! Inisip ko ang itsura ko at mukha akong tanga.

I eventually felt it taking effect on my neck. I fixed my posture with stealth and without tearing my eyes away from Ma'm Ruez the whole time. Kahit nararamdaman ko ang minsang tumatama na binti ni Fern sa sapatos ko kapag gumagalaw siya nang kaunti.

"Porn ba 'yan?" Caelan asked quietly. Halos masamid ako sa sariling laway dahil sa narinig ngunit hindi ko ipinahalata.

I glued my whole attention to Ma'am Ruez who was engrossed in listening to the introduction of each transferees. Ni hindi niya natutunugan na may mga outsiders dito. Kapag nasa likod nga naman. Marami talagang maaaring mangyari sa likod.

"Porn 'yan, 'no?" ulit ni Caelan.

Nanonood kasi ang tatlo niyang tropa sa iisang cellphone. Si Keno at Marion ang naghati sa kulay asul na earphones habang si Fern ay nakikinood lang. I wondered if he could comprehend whatever they were watching in that case.

Sabagay. Kung bastos nga ang palabas, mukhang maiintindihan naman ang nagaganap kahit walang tunog? I sneered at the thought.

"Shh! Para mamaya pa ang gano'n, okay?" mapilyong sagot ni Keno. Even if I wasn't looking, I could visualize his sultry smirk.

"So, hindi?" si Caelan.

"Hindi nga, 'tol."

"Ows? Sige nga, ano 'yan?" usisa pa ni Caelan, halatang hindi naniniwala. Hindi lang siguro niya masilip at baka mapansin ni Ma'am Ruez na may kakausapin siya sa sahig.

"Sex," said Marion's voice.

I heard Caelan's audible sigh. "Mga walang kunsensya. Mangumpisal kayo, ha, kasi gusto kong makita kayo sa langit."

Napamaang si Keno at Marion kay Caelan. Napatawa rin ang huli kalaunan, hindi natagalan ang pagpapanggap na matino. Birds with the same feather flock together, ika nga.