This Is Not Strange

Chapter Thirty-six

Bridgette

To say na I am happy is an understatement. Simula ata nang malaman ko na gusto rin ako ni Ella, I can't stop thinking about it na. Whenever I eat, I brush my teeth, kapag nag-aaral, at kung ano ang gawin ko, the memory of that night flashes back, always reminding me how lucky I am.

  Katulad ngayon, I'm walking papunta sa classroom namin while singing in a low tune the song I Wanna Be Your Girlfriend by Girl in Red. Students were slowly getting used to it, me being overjoyed always. Pagkarating ko sa room, nandoon na si Pen at mukhang stressed na sa pagsusulat ng assignment na hindi niya ginawa kagabi.

  I sat next to her and patted her back. “I told you na gawin mo ng maaga ang assignment mo. Hindi 'yung magmamadali ka.”

  She didn't reply to me, nagpatuloy lang siya sa pagsusulat as if her life depends on it. Ilang minuto ang lumipas at dumating na rin ang teacher namin na pagkapasok palang, pinakuha na kami ng paper dahil sa surprise test. Pero I'm always ready for surprises naman so I gladly took out a paper and followed his instructions.

  The day wasn't so bad, it's just full of tests and boring lectures pero hindi naman ako nagrereklamo. I'm just happy na I can go see Ella na. Every afternoon kasi sabay na kaming umuuwi, and nasanay na kami na hintayin ang isa't isa kahit ano pang oras matapos ito sa mga gawain. Papunta na sana ako sa floor nila when a student asked for me to come with them kasi may nag-aaway daw. Kahit gusto ko na takbuhin ang classroom nila Ella, kailangan ko unahin ang nag-aaway because it's my responsibility as their leader here.

  I followed the students and they lead me sa labas ng building namin where a circle is formed. Wala namang nagsisigawan, only bulungan of students as I passed by.

  “Excuse me,” I said as I passed by. Malapit na akong makapasok sa ginawa nilang circle nang may bigla akong narinig na nag-play. It was a love song, I think?

  I don't really recognize the song so I just continued making my way papasok sa circle nila. Nang makapasok ako ay hindi ko ni-expect ang nakita ko. Standing in front of me is Angelo, holding a bouquet in his left hand, and a box of chocolate on the other.

  What in the world is happening?

  He gave me a smile and took out the chargeable microphone he have, balancing it with the chocolate. “Hi, Miss President. I know bawal magsinungaling, but I need to do it para mapalapit kita.”

  I heard some of the students gushing, pero I'm more focused as to why he is doing this. Gosh, I need to see Ella pa.

  “What's the meaning of this, Angelo?” I asked, stepping closer to him.
 
  “I want to ask you, with the students as my witness, kung pwede ba akong manligaw sa'yo.”

  The people around us are whispering loudly kung gaano raw ako ka swerte pero I didn't minded it. Gosh, why is he doing this in public.

  “Look, Angelo...” He looked hopeful, pero I don't want to give him false hope. “Can you come with me? Gusto kitang makausap personally.”

  One of the students butt in na medyo ikinainis ko. “Huwag mo na itago, Bridgette. Dito mo na siya sagutin.”

  One, two, three agreed until everyone is cheering na for me to tell Angelo here in front of them all what my answer is.

  “Oo nga naman, Bri. You can tell me here. Don't be shy. Answer my yes or yes questions na, ” the guy said.

  I shook my head, making everyone stop. Pinili niya ito so bahala siya. Letting out a sigh, I said, “Okay, I get na you want to express your feelings in front of the crowd and now you want me to tell you my answer in front of them too. Angelo, you're a great guy but I'm sorry, I can't say yes to you.”