That Platonic Landi

05

“Manonood ka ba talaga?”



Josh asked me while we’re eating at a fast food chain. Akala ko matatapos na ‘yung palibre ko sa kanya pero hindi pa pala. It’s okay with me though dahil pasalamat ko na ‘rin dahil sa ticket na bigay niya.



“I’m not sure.” I replied. “Isasama ko lang naman sa option ‘yun.”



Kumunot naman ang noo niya sa sinabi ko. Tumigil siya sa pagkain ng burger at tiningnan ako ng maigi.



“Option?” he asked with curious face.



“Basta.” Sagot ko. “Hindi mo ‘rin naman ‘yun maiintindihan.”



My mother would always talk about that event. Kailangan ba talaga na kumpleto kaming pumunta ‘dun? For all I know, magpapakitang gilas lang naman sila sa mga kakilala nila. I don’t know why they’re doing that thing. Kailangan ba talagang malaman ng lahat na nanalo si Dad ng kaso? Baka ginamitan niya na naman ng koneksyon.



“Baka may gagawin kang iba tapos madamay ako ah.” Sabi niya na parang natatakot. “H’wag kang mangdamay.”



I scoffed at that. He crossed his arms on his chest emphasizing his biceps.



“OA ka!” sabi ko sa kanya. “Kung may gagawa man ng masama, ikaw ‘yun.” Sipat ko sa kanya. “With that kind of face, I’m sure you will.”



He licked his lower lip while looking at me intently. I arched a brow at him.



“Baka nga.” Sabi niya at nagkibit-balikat.



After eating, naglakad lang kami sa may overpass para umuwi na. Ako lang naman ang uuwi dahil hihintayin niya pa si Jennie. We we’re walking along Dapitan and people would always look at him. Medyo conscious ako dahil naka-nursing uniform ako at may bitbit na libro. I noticed that people would always look at him… and then to me.



Baka ma-issue na naman.



Huminto kami sa isang waiting shed at may mga ibang estudyante ‘rin dun na naghihintay. All of them are looking at us…or sa kasama ko.



I looked away when I noticed Josh’s eyes were on me.



“Pwede ka nang umalis.” Sabi ko sa kanya at tiningnan siya.



Inayos niya ang backpack niya at inilagay ang kamay sa bulsa.



“Hindi pa.” sagot niya. “Mamaya na. Aalis ako kapag nakasakay ka na.”



I scoffed at him and he just laughed. Yinakap ko ng mahigpit ang librong dala ko habang nakatingin sa mga sasakyan na dumadaan. Malapit nang gumabi dahil nakikita ko na ang kahel na langit.



“Hindi ba magagalit ‘yung kapatid mo?” tanong ko sa kanya.



“Lagi namang galit ‘yun.” He replied so I laughed at that. “Parang ikaw.” Then he laughed.



I glared at him. Tawa siya ng tawa at aamba na sana akong paluin siya ng librong dala ko kaso may biglang nagpa-picture sa kanyang mga estudyante.



Fans niya ata.



“Don’t you have a practice today?” I asked him.



“Wala…” mabilis niyang sagot. “Pahinga naman ngayon.”



“Aren’t you nervous?” I asked him and he just looked at me with furrowed brows. “About the first game?”



Mukha kasing chill lang sila. Sa sabado na ang laro pero halos wala man lang siyang ipakitang nerbyos o ano man. I’m not an athlete pero kung isa ko ‘dun, siguro I would freaked out…like a lot.



“Konti lang naman.” Sagot niya. “Sanay na ‘rin naman ako. Final year ko na ‘rin naman kaya eenjoyin ko na lang.” then he shrugged.



I nodded at that. Maybe all you have to do is to enjoy the moment and be happy. I wish I could do that. But the reality is…I can’t.



“Kailangan mo ba ng t-shirt para sa game?” biglang tanong niya.



Kumunot naman ang noo ko sa tanong niya.



“Why?”



“Sino ba susuportahan mo sa laro?” tanong niya.



“Wala.” Sagot ko.



Nanlaki ang mata niya sa sinabi ko. Umiling-iling pa siya habang naririnig ko ang mahihinang mura mula sa kanya. Humarap siya sa’kin habang nakalagay ang kamay sa bewang niya na parang nagmamaktol.



“Baka naman ako ang suportahan mo.” Sabi niya. “Kailangan na kailangan lang.”



“Manood lang ako.” sabi ko. “Wala akong sinabi na may susuportahan ako.” ngumwi naman siya. “I’m not even sure kung makakapunta ako.”



“Sayang pa naman ang ipapahiram kung shirt.” Bulong niya pero narinig ko.



“Just save that shirt next time.” I said to him.


“Huh? ‘Nung sinasabi mo?” pagmamaang-maangan niya.



I rolled my eyes at him. Nang may jeep nang huminto sa harap ay tiningnan ko siya at tumango naman siya. He smiled at me while waving his hand. I gave him a small smile bago ako pumasok ng jeep pauwi.



When I got home, nadatnan ko si Mom kasama ang mga amiga niya sa may sala. They invited me to join them but I’m not in the mood to be plastic.



Pumasok ako sa kwarto ko at nag-aral. I decided to check my phone to see if there’s an update from my blockmates. Wala naman.



Until I saw Josh’s story. It was posted an hour ago. I clicked it and I saw a picture of a maroon shirt with ‘Taga-UP’ print in it. There’s a small text so I decided to read it.



‘Sayang’



At may kasama pang sad and crying emoji. I would like to piss him more but I stop myself from doing that. Baka kasi magmayabang na naman ang loko.



“Sasama ka sa Saturday?” Ashley asked me.



Nandito kami sa library para magreview pero mukhang ako lang naman dahil busy ang kasama ko sa pakikipaglandian.



“I’m not sure.” I replied to her.



“Girl, sayang opportunity. Masaya ‘yun.” Sabi niya.



“Please stop. Mag-review ka na lang para hindi ka bumagsak sa biology.” Sabi ko sa kanya at sumimangot.



I tried to review for a subject but I was disturbed by Ashley. Iba talaga ang nagagawa ng landi at libog sa isang tao. Halimbawa na ‘nun ang katabi ko.



I checked my phone and saw a message from Josh.



Josh Alexander:
Pupunta kami diyan.



Kumunot naman ang noo ko. Kailangan baa lam ko?



Me:
So?



He immediately replied.



Josh Alexander:
Share ko lang naman



Josh Alexander:
Nagsusungit ka na naman



I rolled my eyes and I didn’t reply to that.



Pagkatapos mag-review kung review man ‘yun. Hinila ako ni Ashley papunta ng Main Building dahil nandun raw si Zach. I’m sure that Josh was also there hence to his message I got from him.



Ashley was excited about that…but not me. Nang makarating kami sa harap ng Main Building ay nakita namin ang dalawa na naka-tayo sa may tiger statue.



“Uy!” sigaw ni Ashley. Kaya naman napatingin sa amin ang dalawa pati na ang ibang dumadaan.



Zach immediately walk towards Ashley and hugged her. I squinted my eyes at them before turning my gazed to Josh who was smiling from ear to ear while looking at me.



“Manonood ka?” tanong niya.



“Ng ano?”



“Ng porn.” He suddenly said and my eyes widened at that. He laughed at my reaction. “Ng game sa sabado.”



“Ang kulit mo.” Sabi ko sa kanya.



“Sa’yo lang naman.” Sabi niya. “Manonood ka?”



“I’m not sure.”



The four of us decided to eat at a Japanese place. Ashley was so talkative kaya naman napapatingin ang ibang tao sa table namin. Mabuti naman ang dumating na ang inorder namin ng matahimik na si Ashley.



I ordered ramen since I don’t eat sushi. Josh was curiously looking at me while I’m eating kaya naman na-coconscious ako.



“Hindi ka kumakain ng sushi?” tanong niya at tumango naman ako.



Both of us were silently eating habang ang dalawang lovebirds na kasama namin ay hindi tumitigil sa landian. I want to make them stop pero…buhay naman nila ‘yun. It’s their relationship.



“I brought the jersey.” Zach said.



Ashley seems excited about that. May kinuha si Zach sa bag niya. it’s a maroon jersey with number 4 in it with his surname at the back. He handed it to Ashley who was about to shout hysterically.



Josh and I re just watching the two. I looked away when Ashley kissed Zach on the cheek.



“Thank you.” She said.



Nagpatuloy na lang akong kumain. I saw my phone lit up. Tiningnan ko at nakitang may chat galing kay Josh. I looked at Josh who was looking at me intently. Nginuso niya ang phone ko.



Josh Alexander:
Ayaw mo ng shirt?



Josh Alexander:
Gusto mo ng jersey?



Kumunot naman ang noo ko sa tanong niya. Tiningnan ko siya ta nakitang nakatingin pa ‘rin siya sa’kin na parang nag-aabang ng sasabihin ko.



I typed my reply.



Me:
I don’t know.



Me:
Ewan ko sa’yo. Kumain ka na lang.



Narinig ko ang mahinang tawa niya. I glared at him and he just shrugged.



After we eat, hinatid ni Zach si Ashley gamit ng kotse niya. Josh insisted too but I turned it down. Wala naman siyang magagawa dahil ayoko.



Nang makarating ako sa bahay at nadatnan ko sila Mom at Dad kasama si Nick na kumakain na. Hindi man lang ako hinintay. Natawa na lang ako sa sarili ko dahil hindi naman nila ‘yun gagawin.



I sat down on the chair without greeting them kaya naman napatingin si Dad sa’kin. Hindi ko ‘yun pinansin at kumuha ng kakainin.



I want to rolled my eyes at them when they’re talking about some cases. Nakakasuka. Dad was the one heading the firm. Naririnig ko ‘rin na magtatake siya ng judicial exam for him to be a judge. Sana hindi siya makapasa dahil hindi naman bagay sa kanya.



After that dinner, I walked towards my room at baka sumunod na naman ang magaling kong magulang at kung ano-ano na naman ang sabihin nila. Ayoko nang marinig ang mag sinasabi nila.



Ayokong magaya kay ate na pumasok sa isang unwanted marriage. Isa pa, nasusuka akong magpakasal sa ibang taong hindi ko naman kilala o mahal.




Days went by hanggang sa dumating na ang sabado. Mom was busy preparing about that fucking event. In the afternoon I took a shower and choose my outfit for today’s event.



When I went down, I saw my mother wearing a gown with her bag and accessories. At her age, she looks elegant and classy kaya naman baliw na baliw ang tatay ko sa kanya. Well, sino ba naman kasi ang mababaliw kung ipakasal ka sa taong hindi mo naman kilala.



Yeah, my parents are also a product of fixed marriage. Ni minsan hindi ko sila nakitang maglambingan. Maybe because they doesn’t love each other? Tapos ngayon ipapagawa nila sa amin ang nangyari sa kanila? How pathetic of them?



“Nikko…” my mother called me. “Hindi ka pa nakabihis! Hindi ka sasama?”



They are all looking at me with curious eyes. I’m wearing a casual clothes different from the event they’re going. I’m wearing a white dress-shirt partnered with a white-washed jeans. I’m also wearing a sneaker and my small bag.



“Mukha ba kong sasama?” balik kong tanong.



My mother’s eyes widened. My father was angry that is evident to his face. I saw my brother Nick smirked at me.



“You little shit!” my father shouted. My mother stopped him and tried to calm him down.



“Nikko…” my mother muttered. “This event is very important to your father.



I nodded at her.



“I know that this event is important for him.” I told her. “But not for me.” I bluntly said. “Don’t worry. Para kasi ‘to sa internship namin and I can’t afford to not go. Baka bumaba pa ang grades ko at masigawan niyo ko.”



Hindi ko na hinintay ang sasabihin nila at lumabas na ng bahay. Pumara ako ng taxi papunta kung saan gaganapin ang game. I also texted Ashley na hintayin ako para sabay na kami.



I saw a message from Josh pop-up on my phone.



Josh Alexander:
San ka?



Josh Alexander:
Hindi ka manonood?



I didn’t reply to that. Nang makarating ako sa location ay hinanap ko muna si Ashley. There’s a lot of people in here. Some of them are wearing maroon colored shirt and some of them are wearing blue colored shirt.



“Buti manonood ka!” sigaw ni Ashley.



She was wearing the jersey that Zach gave him. Naka-skirt ‘rin siya at maroon headband. Handang-handa siya!



When we entered the arena, halos mabingi ako sa sigawan ng tao. May mga drums pa galing sa kanya kanyang school. We found our seat at sa pinaka-malapit pa kaya naman kitang kita ang court at players. Nasa may part kami ng mga taga-UP. They are wilding while cheering. Nakikisabay pa nga si Ashley sa kanila.



“Ayan na sila!” sigaw ni Ashley sa tabi ko.



Unang lumabas sa podium ang mga naka-blue na players. Indeed they are from Ateneo. The crowd was gone wild. Huli nang lumabas ang mga nakasuot na maroon jersey. They were laughing. Ashley was shouting Zach’s name kaya naman napatingin si Zach sa banda namin. Zach wave his hand at us. Tinabig niya ‘rin si Josh na abala sa phone niya.



When Josh looked at our direction, his face lit up. He waved his hand at us with a smile on his face. Nakita kong nag-type siya sa phone niya.



I checked my phone and I saw his message.



Josh Alexander:
Hindi ka niyan sure ah.



Josh Alexander:
HAHAHAHA




I looked at him and rolled my eyes. He laughed at my reaction and I glared at him before typing my reply.



Me:
Sana ma-injure ka!



I looked at him and he just laughed. He gestured a peace sign and I smiled at him sarcastically. He typed again so I looked at my phone.



Josh Alexander:
Hindi bagay sa’yo suot mo!



Josh Alexander:
Dapat naka-suot ka ng maroon jersey…



Josh Alexander:
Galing sa’kin



I looked at him and he just smiled at me before standing up. Sobrang hype ng tao dito sa banda namin.



I looked at Josh. Bagay sa kanya ang suot niya. He was wearing there maroon colored jersey with green lining. He was also wearing a white knee-support and white socks partnered with his white sneaker. There’s the iconic ‘Unibersidad ng Pilipinas’ print in front of their jersey with his number, 06.



When he turned a round, I read his surname and it contains only three letters.



‘Tiu’



“Chinese ba si Josh?” tanong ko kay Ashley.



“Girl, bulag ka ba o wala ka talagang pakialam.” Sabi niya. “Oo, mukha namang Chinese si Josh.” Sagot niya sa tanong ko. “Bakit? Hindi ba halata?” at tumawa pa siya.



I looked at Josh and caught him looking at me intently. He smiled at me before warming up with his teammates.



So…he’s Chinese huh?