Chapter 17
Isang linggo at tatlong araw na rin ang lumipas simula no'ng nagtapat si Mazro sa akin. Nothing had changed. He's still as consistent as promised. I received flowers, told him not to spend money on me so he's giving me handwritten letters, and consistently sending me home safe and sound.
He's a good listener, a wise person, and also kind. Hindi man niya pinapakita ang pagiging mabait niya sa iba, ramdam ko naman 'yon and it's all that matters. He wanted me to come into his house and introduce me to his parents but I refused. Hindi ko alam kung magugustuhan ba nila ako.
Today is Friday and we are currently outside of our classroom. Nagpa-practice kami ng performance namin kasama ang mga ka-grupo ko. Nothing had changed, too. They still don't talk to me if ain't needed.
Dave is in a different group, magkatabi kasi kami. Whenever the teacher will decide that we'll group by counting, he's always a number next to me. Everything's kind of better now, it's not same as before but not to the point that he treats me as a stranger. He smiles, laughs, and jokes around me.
"Jenim! Pasok ka at do'n ka sa likod ni Marie sa ikalawang kanta." sabi ng lider namin na si Lovely.
I focused and nodded at her. We are practicing a dance. I am not good when it comes to dancing. Wala naman akong choice, hahataw nalang para sa grades. Hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin ko sa mga steppings na 'to kung magiging abogado ako.
Sinunod ko 'yong mga steps na tinuturo nila sa akin. Hindi naman gano'n ka hirap. My sweats are dripping. Hinihingal na ako pero wala naman akong choice. The people around me are still functioning well. How did they get this much stamina?
"Jenim, mayro'n ka bang stepping na gustong i-suggest?" tanong ni Lovely.
"None. Just go on, I'm fine with it." sagot ko at tumango naman si Lovely.
'Yong ibang mga ka-grupo ko, todo suggest ng steppings. Wala talaga akong talent pagdating sa sayawan, eh.
"From the top hanggang sa bagong stepping!" sigaw ni Lovely na nasa harapan.
Sumunod kaming lahat at bumalik sila sa first formation. May mga hindi kasi kasali at sila naman 'yong hindi kasali tuwing kami na ang sasayaw hanggang sa kaming lahat na. This is all Lovely's idea.
I stayed focused. I rushed to my position when it's about time for our turn. We clapped as we walk to the front. I turned left as practiced and... wait!
Mazro is leaning against the wall of their classroom with his arms crossed over his chest and a smile on his lips.
My eyes widened and immediately looked away.
"Stop!"
Bigla akong natauhan. Tumingin ako sa nga ka-grupo ko at nakatingin silang lahat sa akin.
Gago 'tong si Mazro, hindi tuloy ako nakapagpokus.
"Sorry." I apologized.
We started from the top again. There are others that are grumpy about it. Gusto na nilang umuwi dahil sobrang init na. Even me, wants to go home already. Nakakapagod 'tong pinagagawa namin.
This time around, I'm focused. Even though I'm still conscious that Mazro is watching, I didn't let it bother me. Mamaya na ako mahiya, wala pa akong oras para diyan.
After ilang ulit namin ay natapos na rin namin ang kanta. We are gathered by our leader to wrap up.
"Sa susunod na dalawang araw ay magpe-perform na tayo. Bukas, Sabado, dapat ay nandito kayong lahat para sa polishing ng buong performance. Sa hapon naman, gagawin natin ang costume, bibili kami ni Faye mamaya ng tela." wika ni Lovely.
They collected fifteen pesos from each one of us for our costume. We will just wear tights and leotards layered with a skirt that we will make tomorrow.
"Walang a-absent bukas, ah?" Lovely reminded.
After everything we prayed together.
"Sige, umuwi na kayo."
Nagsi-alisan na kami pagkatapos ng sinabi ni Lovely. Pumasok ako sa classroom at kinuha ang bag ko. I saw Dave's chair empty, he probably left already. May mga classmates akong naiwan, ang mga cleaners at kaibigan nila.
I fixed myself infront on the mirror, I don't why am I doing this lately. I guess it's because Maz is sending me home consistently.
"You could've just gone home without me. Kaya ko namang umuwi kahit wala ka."
"As if I'd do that."
He looked at me.
"Sabi ko tratuhin kitang girlfriend ko hanggang um-oo ka. I ain't treating my girl that way." he added.
I looked away. Mukha na siguro akong hinog na kamatis sa pinagsasabi niya. Where did all of his guts came from. Hindi lang 'to namamansin no'n, ah.
Nagsimula na kaming mag-lakad. Do'n na siya magpapasundo ng driver niya sa'min o maglalakad siya pabalik ng paaralan. He talks about how his day went and I listened.
"How about you? How's your day?" he asked.
"Ayun, puro practice. Pupunta pa nga ako ng school bukas para sa practice namin. I guess that's pretty much it, nothing cool happened." I answered.
"How about Dave?" he asked.
I told him about what happened between Dave and I. He's concern about his brother, he often ask about Dave's whereabouts.
"Nothing changed. He's still in this process he told me about."
"Pagtiyagaan mo lang 'yon. Mizee and I have been doing it for a long time already, wala namang nawala." he said.
I nodded.
I don't know what's making Dave act like this. Their parents are the ones that are having issue and they are out of it. Well, I can't just say it straight to his face, it is out of my business.
"We're here." Mazro said.
We stopped and I looked at him. He's smiling at me. Tiningnan ko bawat anggulo ng mukha niya at walang nagbago, ang gwapo niya pa rin. He's a total package, my human diary, friend, teacher, and the brother I never had.
I just know what to do with this package.
"Pasok ka muna, pakilala kita kay Mama." sabi ko.
He was shocked. It's the first time I invited him.
"As in n-now? I'm not prepared, I should call my driver first to buy me a p-present for your M-Mama." natatarantang saad niya.
"Hindi na kailangan 'yan." sabi ko at hinila siya papasok ng aming bahay.
"Ma!" sigaw ko.
"Oh! Nandito ako sa kusina, nagluluto, bakit?"
Hinatak ko si Maz papuntang kusina at ramdam ko ang panggiginaw ng kamay niya.
"Relax." I whispered.
"Oh, sino 'yang kasama mo?" tanong ni Mama pagkatapos niya kaming makita.
Nagmano muna ako sa kanya bago pinakilala si Maz.
"Si Mazro po, Ma. Boyfriend ko."
^_^
