TW // Sexual Harassment/Assault, Substance Abuse
Chapter 3
Nakatanaw lang ako sa mga estudyanteng nakapila sa harapan ng table na pinuwestuhan ko. Karamihan ng mga nakapila ay lalaki at nagtutulakan pa, parang mga gutom na gutom. At syempre, ang mga babaeng nagugulo nila ay nagrereklamo at bumubulyaw. Nawala ang pokus ng mga mata ko sa mga tao nang may humarang kaya naman napatingala ako.
"Hi, Sabreighna." bati ni Jade, kasama niya ang bestfriend niyang si Isla.
I just gave them a small smile and distracted myself with my phone. I opened my gallery and started to look at the photos in it for the nth time. Wala naman gaanong laman ang gallery ng phone ko kaya binabagalan ko ang pag swipe. Para na rin mag mukha akong busy at hindi kausapin ng dalawang babaeng nasa harap ko.
Nilapag nilang dalawa ang mga binili nilang pagkain sa table at umupo.
"Sabreighna, makikipuwesto kami, ha?" paalam ni Jade.
"Oo. Napansin kasi naming Jeffrey's been hanging out with you lately, eh. So, we decided to do the same." dugtong ni Isla.
I nodded. "Sure."
Isla giggled while Jade clapped in glee.
"You're cool naman pala, eh?" Isla started opening her cheesecake.
I saw Jade take a deep breath as she exchanged looks with Isla. Jade cleared her throat then put her elbows on the table and leaned on it.
"Uhm, Sab? 'Di ba you're eating lunch with Nathaniel sometimes?" she asked and plastered an obviously fake smile.
I mentally rolled my eyes. If it's not about Jeffrey, then definitely it's Kuya Tan. Kuya Tan doesn't really have many friends and doesn't show any interest in having a girlfriend. I don't know if it's because of Tito Dan or it's just him. Though, there are rumors that he's dating Patricia, his classmate. I'm just not sure though.
No one knows that we're step-siblings. It's not like we're hiding it or denying each other. Wala namang nagtatanong kaya wala ring dapat sabihin.
And Jeffrey, he's sort of sending signals that he likes me.
That's actually the reason why Kuya Tan has been spending his lunchtime with me.
"Hindi naman. He's only with me kapag may free time siya." I answered and continued on looking on my phone kahit wala naman nang makikita roon.
Jade didn't respond so I glanced at her. I saw how disappointed she was as she looked down and bit her lip. Hinayaan ko na lang siya. Kahit naman positive ang naging sagot ko, hindi pa rin naman siya papansinin ni Kuya Tan. Sayang lang din ang laway ko.
"Hi, Sabreighna!"
My heart skipped a beat after hearing that familiar gentle voice. I knew right away that it was Jeffrey. Ipinasok ko ang phone ko sa loob ng bulsa ng skirt ko at nilingon siya. He smiled at me as he sat on my left side so I looked away.
I cleared my throat. "You're here... again."
Isla had her mouth gapped in shock while looking at me. "Girl, it's Jeffrey! The Jeffrey Alfuego! Why are you complaining? Akala ko friends kayo?"
Jeffrey chuckled. "We are friends. Masungit lang talaga si Constance."
Nagsalubong ang mga kilay ko at nilingon si Jeffrey. "Please, refrain yourself from calling me that."
Napasipol siya. "And now, she's so formal..."
Napairap na lang ako at hindi na pinatulan ang pang aasar niya.
