SEARCH(Epistolary)

SEARCH 05

SEARCH 05 | The Squad

ESTINE

I wasn't paying attention with the loud conversation around me. My mind was drifting elsewhere.

"Here,"

I was snapped with my thoughts when a mocha frappe blocked my view. Napa-angat ang tingin ko kay Nheo, mas lalo niya pa iyong inilapit sa akin nang hindi ko pa iyon kinukuha.

"Thanks," I softly muttered as I grabbed it from his hand.

Pinanuod ko siyang tumalikod sa akin at pumunta sa katabing upuan ni Kastiel. Inilapag niya rin sa mesa ang beverage niya.

"May salonpas ba kayo? Parang dudugo na ang ilong ko sa kakabasa nito," Nasabi ni Saki habang hinihilut ang sentido niya.

I glanced at him. Kunti na lang ay matatabunan na ng mga libro ang mukha niya. We were wearing our usual t-shirt attire with our school's logo and course engraved on it.

"You shouldn't have seek my help then," Napa-irap si Kastiel at muling sumipsip ng watermelon juice niya.

Napanguso ang lalaki at muling itinuon ang pansin sa binabasa. Even though clearly, nothing's going in his mind. Napa-iling na lang ako. He will fail for sure.

"Hindi ka makakapag-aral ng maayos dito. Ang ingay kaya. You should go to the library or somewhere peaceful," I said.

"Palagi na lang akong naleleft out sa barkadang ito kaya ayoko," He shook his head firmly.

"You wouldn't be left out if you're studying properly, idiot. Can't you see we're trying to adjust because of you," Nheo seconded. By now, Saki should listen to him.

"Ugh! Mamaya na nga lang ako mag-aaral," Tinanggal niya ang mga libro sa mesa at ipinasok sa bag niya. "Nasaan sina Fibbie?"

Napatingin ako sa relo ko. Malapit na ang labas nina Fibbie at Yvolet pero si Rheanna hindi ko alam kung nasaan.

Nasa cafeteria kami ngayon at itong mga lalake pa lang ang kasama ko. Kaya hindi ako masiyadong nag-iingay. We are close but I'm not really in the mood.

"Hey, you okay?" Suddenly, Kastiel asked. Hindi ako nakatingin sa kanila kaya hindi ko alam kung sino ang kinakausap niya. "Estine, look at me,"

My eyes widened at agad akong napatingin sa kanya. "Hah? Oo okay lang ako,"

"You're spacing out," Itinuro niya ako. "What's the matter?"

"Oo nga kanina ko pa napapansin," Sabi naman ni Ciello na nakatuon ang atensiyon sa cellphone.

I didn't answer him instead I looked at the guy beside him who's busy staring elsewhere. "Hindi mo pa rin ba siya pinapansin?" Naiwan sa ere ang coke ni Nheo. Naramdaman niya ata qng tingin ko at bumaling ito sa akin.

"Sino?" Itinuloy niya ang pag-inom sa coke niya.

"You know, she wouldn't hang out with us if you always make her feel ignoret. C'mon, guys don't ruined our friendship with a little fight. It's been what? 4 freaking days!"

Tumaas ang kilay ni Nheo sa akin. He seems pissed as his defined jaw moved. "Who told you that? I'm not making her feel ignored. It's her own mind thinking that way. She such a drama queen,"

"Guys," Boses ni Rheanna ang pumigil sa tensiong nagaganap.

Ngunit napa-awang na lang labi ko ng makita kung sino ang nasa likuran niya. Fibbie and Yvolet was there. They were both stuck in the ground, unable to move. Seems like they heard it.