ET2: Through The Storm

Chapter 11

Crystal Dwight's Villorio

"You-"

I was dumbfounded with my own realization. It was indeed him, the first ever guy who gave me flowers. I never received one before. And it was Ryle the first one who expressed an interest on me. Wala akong ni isang manliligaw noong highschool ako.

"Anong ningiti-ngiti mo d'yan?" I asked when Ryle couldn't stop grinning. He smiles so wide that his sterling eyes couldn't be fully seen anymore. Naniningkit ang mga mata niya.

"It's the first Valentines that I am with you," he said, still the smile was curved on his lips.

"Bilisan mo na nga lang dyan? Magsisimula na ang program, eh!" I said instead of minding his words.

"Every time we are together, ikaw palagi ang nauuna," he stated when he reached me and walked next to me.

"Bakit may problema ba do'n? Saka ikaw itong mabagal maglakad, eh!"

"Ikaw kaya itong mabilis maglakad!" he argued.

"What? Are you arguing with me?" I countered back.

He shook his head. "Sabi ko nga, ako ang mabagal maglakad."

While we are at the quadrangle of the university, a group of students approached us. "Can we take photos of the both you?" the man with a big glasses asked. There's a camera on his hand.

"Your say, Dwight," Ryle announced, facing me.

I glanced at him with worries filled in my gaze. I know that they are going to display the photo at the booth later so it means that there are a lot of students who can see that. I don't want such attention. Alam ko na magiging isyu 'yon kapag nagkataon. Ryle is one of the star here in DU, it's not a good idea to display our photo together.

"I'm sorry, Lino but I am not in a mood to have a photoshoot right now," Ryle spoke.

That "Lino" guy, looked down, his mood suddenly changed. Mas lumungkot ang malalmlam niyang mga mata. His complexion is not good too. He seems sick.

"Okay lang po, kuya Ryle. Naiintindihan ko po," he uttered. "Naisipan ko lang pong i-approach kayo dahil marami po kayong ma-a-attract na students sa booth namin. Kayo lang po kasi ang kilala ko na sikat rito sa DU. May subject po kasi kami na magiging basehan ng points namin ang number of visitors sa booth namin," he explained.

Nakaramdam ako ng pagka-kosensya nang marinig ang side niya. Paano kung bumagsak sila dahil sa hindi ko pagpayag na kunan niya kami ng litrato ni Ryle?

"Then, how about this," Ryle uttered again. "I'll call Johnny and Ellaine for you. Mas kilala sila kaysa akin."

"Kuya Ryle, nakakahiya naman po sa kanila," usal ni Lino.

"Wait." Ryle began searching for his phone at his pants' pocket. When he found it he phoned Johnny.

"Viegas, saan ka?" he said when put the phone near his ear.

Napa-iling ako sa naging bungad niya nang sagutin ni Johnny ang tawag. Walang formalities. Best friend nga sila.

"There's someone who wants to take photos of you with Ellaine. Ano game ka?"

He put down his phone with a smile. "Okay na. Nasa AVR sila ngayon."

"'Yung building po sa kabila ng Riona, kuya?"

Ryle nodded. "Yeah. Paalis na sila pero hihintayin niya lang daw kayo."

"Kung gano'n po, punta na po kami roon. Salamat po, kuya Ryle!" Agad silang tumakbo patungo sa AVR. Kumaway pa sila bago tuluyang lumaho sa paningin namin.