That Platonic Landi

04

“Nawala ka ‘nung party. San ka napunta girl?”



Tanong ni Ashley habang kumakain kami sa may Noval. I rolled my eyes at her nang maalala ko na naman kung paano sila maghalikan ni Zach ‘nung party. Nandidiri ako kapag naalala ko ‘yun. Grabe naman kasi.



“Sinong hindi aalis kapag nakita mo ang bestfriend mong nakikipaghalikan?” tanong ko sa kanya.



She stopped eating and looked at me with wide eyes. She held her chest looking shock. Got you girl!



“Nakita mo?” tanong niya. “Shit!”



“Don’t worry…” I assured her. “Kakalimutan ko na lang na walang ganun…nakakasuka kasi eh.”



“Gago!”



After eating, pumunta na kami for the next class. Mabuti na lang at naka-survive sa surprise quiz ng prof. My classmates would always congratulate me pero alam ko naman na hindi naman totoo ‘yun.



People would always point out your insecurity rather than your good deeds. Kahit isang pagkakamali. Pwede mo ‘yung ikasira.



I don’t easily trust people. People nowadays are full of their shits.



“Pupunta ka ng Katipunan?” I asked Ashley who was busy with his phone.



She looked at me with curious eyes.



“Bakit?”



“Sama ako.” sabi ko. Umayos siya ng upo at tiningnan ako na parang ngayon ko lang sinabi ‘yun. “May ibabalik lang ako.” paliwanag ko.



“Kanino?” takang tanong niya.



“Josh.” I simply said. “Ibabalik ko lang ‘yung pinahiram niyang damit.”




Kumunot ang noo niya sa mga sinasabi ko. Alam niya ba na nahulog kami sa pool? Oh, she’s busy with Zach that time.



“Oh!” she teased. “Trading clothes ah.”



“Nahulog kami sa pool.” Paliwanag ko.



Napa-o naman ang bunganga niya at tumango tango pa. After class napagkasunduan naming pumunta sa Katipunan. Ashley was looking forward to it since makikita niya na naman si Zach. As for me, I don’t know. Josh seems nice, as a friend. I don’t see him as someone I can trust. Suguro, hini pa ngayon.



He’s very comfortable to be with. Madaldal nga lang at nakaka-inis minsan.



“Malapit na pala UAAP ‘no?” tanong ni Ashley sa loob ng jeep papunta ng Katipunan.



I nodded at her since next week na ang CDC o Cheerdance Competion ng UAAP. After that, basketball ang sunod. I don’t really get excited about that.



“Nood tayo ng first game ng basketball.” Sabi niya, looking excited. “Zach invited me to watch ‘rin naman. Sila kasi ang first game laban sa Ateneo.”



“I don’t know…” I told her. “I’m really not interested.”



“Sige na!” pangungulit niya. “It’s gonna be fun since it’s their last year.”



Bumaba kami ni Ashley sa loob ng campus ng UP. Sobrang lawak dito at hiwalay ang mga building. We tried to ask some UP students kung saan nagpa-practice ang mga basketball player and answered the same.



“San ba ‘yung CHK Gym?” naiirita kong tanong kay Ashley. “Kanina pa tayo dito!”



“Girl! Hindi ko rin alam!” sagot niya.



Kanina pa kami hanap ng hanap ng sinasabi nila. We tried to use google map but it doesn’t helping us. Naka-ilang Ikot jeep na ata kami.



“Wait lang.” sabi ko kay Ashley ng maaninag ang isang pamilyar na tao.



I walked towards them while they were talking.



“Lana!” I greeted her.



She looked shock. Tumayo agad siya at niyakap ako. She’s my cousin from my mother’s side. Wala akong masyadong kakilala o kaclose man lang sa mga pinsan ko maliban sa kanya. She’s a bit boyish though kaya minsan nakakatakot siya.



“Uy kamusta?” tanong niya. “Gago! Nanggugulat ka Nikko!”



I laughed at her. Even her actions are a bit boyish. Pati na ‘rin ang suot niya. She’s wearing an oversized shirt tucked in his ripped jeans with her tote bag. May gitara ‘rin na nakalapag sa lamesa kung saan sila naka-upo kasama ang kausap niya.



“I’m just gonna ask something.” I told her. “May ibabalik lang kasi ako.” sabay pakita ko sa paperbag na laman ang damit ni Josh.



“Oh?”



“Where’s the CHK Gym?” I asked her.



“First time mo dito?” she asked and I nodded. “Katabi ng Mass Com building.”



“Thank you.” I smiled at her.



Napatigil kami ng tumikhim ang kasama niya. I looked at the guy who was smiling from ear to ear. Tumabi siya kay Lana who was glaring at him. The man extends his hand for a handshake.



“Paolo nga pala lodicakes.” Pagpapakilala niya. “Pao na lang pero pwede ‘ring babe pero baka magalit si Lana at masapak ako.” Sabi niya at tumawa.



My lips parted at that. I was looking at them with curiosity. Ganito ba talaga kapag taga-UP?



“Ah Nikko si Pao.” Pagpapakilala ni Lana. “Pao si Nikko pinsan ko. Nikko si Pao, jowa ko.”



The man beside him laughed. I nodded at Lana.



“Oh! This is Ashley, my bestfriend.”



“Hello!” Ashley greeted them with a wide smile.



“We’re gonna go now.” I told them. “See you when I see you.”



Naglakad kami ni Ashley papunta sa sinasabing CHK Gym. Mabuti na lang at may mga guide naman sa dinadaanan namin.



“Pinsan mo?” tanong ni Ashley. “Musikero siya?”



I nodded at her.



“Yeah. They have a band but I don’t know the name though.”



She nodded. I told her to text Zach na nandito kami sa labas ng CHK Gym. Alam ko naman na sasama si Josh kay Zach. I don’t know if they’re bestfriend?



“Ayan na sila!” Ashley informed me.



Naririnig ko ang tawanan ng player habang palabas ng gym. They all looked familiar since karamihan sa kanila ay nakita ko na sa house party. And they are so loud!



My gazed turned to Ashley who was walking towards Zach. They hugged each other so I have to stop myself from rolling my eyes.



I looked away to find Josh. Gusto ko nang ibalik to dahil ang bigat.



Nakita ko siyang kakalabas palang gym habang pinupunasan ang buhok niya. He was wearing a black sando and sweatshort with his basketball shoes with white socks inside. Nakasukbit ‘rin ang duffel bag niya sa likod.



“Josh.” Pagtawag ko.



He stopped walking and looked at my direction. His face lit up after seeing me and he quickly walks towards my direction with a smile on his face.



“Uy! Nikko!” he open his arms for a hug but I remain standing. Ibinaba niya ‘rin ang braso niya ng makitang wala akong planong tanggapin ‘yun. Napakamot pa siya sa batok.



“Ibabalik ko lang.” sabi ko sa kanya at pinakita ang paperbag na laman ang damit niya.



He looked at the paperbag and back at me.



“Kahit wag na.” sabi niya.



“No, I insist.” I handed him the paperbag at mabuti naman at tinanggap niya.



Naamoy ko ‘rin na bagong ligo siya. Basa pa ang buhok niya kaya todo punas siya. I looked away when he caught me staring at him. He smiled at me so I rolled my eyes at him and he just laughed. Pinuntahan ko si Ashley na kausap si Zach.



“Let’s go.” I told her.



“Uuwi na?” tanong niya. “Kakain pa ‘daw eh.”



“Kain ba?” Zach asked. “I know a place.” He said.



Sabay silang naglakad ni Ashley at iniwan ako. I scoffed at them at narinig ko ang tawa sa tabi ko. Josh was standing beside me while looking at me.



“Tara, kain?” he asked while slightly nodding his head.



I nodded at him and started walking para sundan si Ashley at Zach. Josh was beside me with his hand on his pockets. It’s already dark kaya naman lumilitaw na ang kulay kahel na langit. It looks beautiful.



“Nikko…” Josh uttered.



“What?”



“Mabaho ba ko?” he suddenly asked.



I looked at him with curious face. Mukhang hindi naman siya nagbibiro.



“Why do you always keep asking me that question?” I asked him. “Mabango ka.” Sagot ko sa kanya.



Narinig ko ang munting tawa niya so I scoffed. Nang makarating kami sa isang street ay sumakay kami sa tricycle.



Josh and I are sitting with the driver. Sa may motor kami habang si Ashley at Zach ay nasa loob. Napagigitnaan ako ng driver at ni Josh. Josh was on my left side. Nakahawak siya sa hahawakan ng tricycle kaya naman nadedepina ang bicep niya. His arms are protruding because he was gripping at the handle that’s why his veins are prominent in his arms. Dahil nakahawak siya sa handle, I can see his armpit with a jet-black hair in it. Umiwas ako ng tingin ng lumingon siya sa akin.



“Nikko…” pagtawag niya.



“Oh?” tanong ko sa kanya.



“Flex ko lang.” sabi niya at mas lalong hinigpitan ang paghawak sa handle kaya naman kitang kita ang biceps niya.



“Hindi ka ba kinikilabutan sa ginagawa mo?” tanong ko sa kanya.



“Bakit, kinikilabutan ka ba sa’kin?” natatawang tanong niya.



I glared at him and he just laughed.



Nakarating kami sa lugar kung saan kami kakain. It was a place filled with food stalls. Marami. Sobrag dami. It was overwhelming to see. There’s a lot of UP students here. Josh was beside me while greeting some people.



He’s totally a social butterfly.



“Welcome to Maginhawa.” Bulong niya sa’kin.



Nakahanap kami ng upuan at si Zach at Ashley ang nag-presintang umorder. Josh was sitting in front of me. Napapatingin pa kami sa mga taong bumabati sa kanya.



“Manonood ka ng UAAP?” biglang tanong niya.



“I don’t know. I don’t care.” I replied.



“Nikko…” he uttered. “Pa-accept ng friend request ko.” Sabi niya.



“Why would I do that?” I asked him.



“Friends tayo.” Simple niyang sagot.



“Kailan pa?” tanong ko sa kanya.



“Nung kinausap mo ko.” Sagot niya ulit. “Please…” the he gestured a peace sign.



“I’ll think about it.” I answered.



Mabuti na lang at dumating na sila Ashley at Zach dala-dala ang inorder nila. It was a fried squid. I was just looking at it with my curious eyes. Josh laughed at me while he’s eating the food.



“Masarap ‘yan.” Sabi niya.



Unti-unti akong kumagat sa pagkain para malasahan. I nodded when I like the taste of it. Josh smiled at me and continued to eat.



My brows furrowed when Josh handed me a drink. I looked at him.



“Cold cappuccino.” He simply said.



“Thanks.” I gave him a small smile.



Muntik nang maibuga ni Ashley ang inumin niya kaya naman napatingin kami sa kanya.



“Is that Daniella Velasco?” takang tanong niya.



I looked at the girl she was pointing at. Indeed it was Daniella Velasco, a model.



“She looks gorgeous!” Ashley said. “Wow! I can’t believe na makikita ko siya.” Pinaypayan pa niya ang sarili. “Kasama niya si Gabbie Santiago!”



“Gabbie?” I asked them looking confused.



“Model ‘rin siya.” Sagot ni Ashley.



“Yung gusto ni Josh…” sabi ni Zach habang tumatawa.



“Dati.” Mabilis na sagot ni Josh.



I sipped on my drink as I looked at the Gabbie they were talking. The boy looks very…cute. He looks like an angel! Hindi siya mukhang model. He was smiling at Daniella who was silently eating. Napapatingin ang ibang tao sa banda nila. Sino ba naman kasi ang hindi mapapatingin sa table na may mga model.



“Uwi na tayo?” tanong ni Josh.



We nodded at him at nagsitayuan na para umalis. Nahuli kong pasimpleng tumingin si Josh sa table nila Gabbie.



Dating gusto?



“Pa-accept na kasi.” Sabi ni Josh bago ako sumakay ng jeep pauwi.


Sabay kami ni Ashley pauwi. I used my phone and opened Facebook. Inaccept ko na ang sinabi ni Josh. A message pop-up on my phone.



Josh Alexander:
Ayun!


Josh Alexander:
Salamat!



Nang makapasok ako sa bahay ay sinalubong ako ng katulong namin. Nadatnan ko sa dining sina Dad, Mom, Ate Ysabelle kasama ang asawa niya. Dad was talking at him while they’re both laughing. I rolled my eyes.



“Nikko!” my mother called me. “Hindi ka kakain ng dinner?”



“No. I’m okay. I’m just gonna go to my room.”



Hindi ko na hinintay ang sagot niya at mabilis na umakyat papunta sa kwarto ko. I took a shower before reviewing my notes.



I saw my phone lit up for a message. I looked at it as I rolled my eyes.



Josh Alexander:
Anong ginagawa mo?



Josh Alexander:
Nakauwi ka na?



Ang formal naman ng text niya. Naka-capital letter ang unang letter. May tamang spelling.



Me:
Why so formal?



Mabilis ang sagot niya.



Josh Alexander:
Para hindi mo masungitan. Pasiguro ko lang.



That made me smile.



Hindi ko na sinagot ang iba niyang messages dahil busy ako. Narinig ko ang pagbukas ng pinto. My mother entered the room. I looked at her.



“What?” I asked her.



“Next week…” my mother said. “We will be going at an event for your father.”



“So…” I urged her to talk.



“He’s expecting us to come with him.” She said. “All of us.” She explained. “It’s a big event Nikko. Baka ‘dun ka ‘rin makahanap ng ipapakasal sa’yo. Your father is thinking about it. Hindi mo na kailangan pumasok sa med school.”



I gritted my teeth after hearing that. Kumuyom ang kamao ko sa gigil at pagtitimpi. 



“I’ll think about it.” I replied and she nodded.



Lumabas siya ng kwarto at mabilis kong pinulot ang phone to chat someone.



Me:
You have a ticket for the game?



He immediately replied. Halos hating gabi na pero gising pa rin siya.



Josh Alexander:
Woah! HAHAHAHA


Josh Alexander:
Wait lang! Tatawa lang ako! Hanep!



I rolled my eyes at that.



Me:
Don’t laugh at me! Answer my question.



Josh Alexander:
Ang bossy mo naman! Luging-lugi ako sa’yo pag nagkataon.



Me:
Just answer the damn question!



Josh Alexander:
Bigay ko sa’yo bukas. Bakit pala nagpabago isip mo?



Me:
Not really. I’m considering it as my option next week.



Josh Alexander:
Nung sinasabi mo? Option? Ako?



Josh Alexander:
Kita tayo bukas. Bigay ko sa’yo.



Me:
Thank you.



Nakahinga ako ng maluwag. I have an option this week. Ayokong pumunta event na ‘yun!



I was about to sleep when a message pop up on my phone screen.



I opened it and I can’t help but to smile.



It was a picture of Josh. He was pouting at mukhang nakahiga na siya. Binasa ko ang maliit na text sa ibaba.



Goodnight boss!



The next day, I was looking forward to seeing Josh with the ticket. I really need it! Nang matapos ang klase ay hinihintay ko na lang ang message niya para puntahan siya. Sabi niya ay siya na lang ang pupunta.



My face lit up when his message pop-up.



Josh Alexander:
Nandito ako sa may Lover’s Lane.



Me:
Bakit diyan?



Josh Alexander:
Para magmuka tayong lovers.



I rolled my eyes at that.



Nagpaalam na ko kay Ashley at mabilis na pumunta sa may Lover’s Lane. Nang mkarating ako ay hingal na hingal na ako. I saw him sitting on a bench while looking at his phone. I composed myself before walking towards him.



“Hey!” I greeted him.



He smiled at me. Tumayo siya at napatingin ako sa kanya dahil sa tangkad niya. hanggnag dibdib niya lang ata ako. Even the people around us was looking at him because of his height…or his face?



“Where’s the ticket?” I asked him.



“Grabe! Wala man lang libre?” tanong niya.



I scoffed at him. May kapalit pala ‘to?



“Okay fine!” the he smiled at me.



We ended up eating on Jollibee. Agaw pansin talaga ng tangkad niya.



“Ito na.” sabi niya ta may kinuha sa bag. He handed me the ticket for the game.



I smiled at him.



“Thank you.” I said to him.



“May tanong lang ako.” sabi niya.



“What?”



“Anong tingin mo sakin?” tanong niya na ikinatigil ko. “First impression?”


I looked at him. I squinted my eyes at him before answering his question.



“Isa kang social butterfly.” I replied. “The truth is…akala ko, tirador ka ng senior high.” Then I laughed a little.



His eyes widened at that. He held his chest looking offended. He sipped on the cup with drink in it.



“Grabe…” sabi niya at umiling-iling pa. “Talaga?”



“Yeah.” I answered. “I thought that your sister was your girlfriend.”



“Yawa!” sabi niya.



“Mukha ka naman kasing tirador ng senior high.” Sabi ko sa kanya.



“Hindi naman.” Sagot niya.



“Ano pala?”



“Tirador ako ng magdodoktor.” Sagot niya sa tanong ko. “Magdodoktor ka ba?” 



I smiled at him and he just crossed his arms on his chest.



“Hindi.” Pagsisininugaling ko.



“Nurse pala!” Mabilis niyang sagot na ikinatawa ko.