The Seat We Sit On (HFS #1)

seat #13

I can't deny the fact that sometimes, I can't separate real memories from imagination, especially before. May mga naaalala ako na galing sa nakaraan ngunit hindi ko naman sigurado kung totoo ba o gawa-gawa lang ng isipan.

“For now, nail art na lang muna ang gagawin niyo. Next meeting, sa facial mask tayo. Remember, you should use an organic one. Go to your partners. You may start now.”

Hindi na kailangan, Ma'am. Nakaupo na siya sa tabi ko!

Naramdaman ko ang pagtikhim niya at ang dahan-dahang pag-usod ng upuan mula sa kabilang desk palpit sa akin. Amoy na amoy ko tuloy ang pabango niya. It's a mixture of sweet musk and minty scent.

“Uh...you go first?” Rico asks, but sounds more like a suggestion.

Wala akong gamit sa kukong nadala. Thanks to him I'm gonna survive this one. I timidly nod.

“Mmm...'kay.”

Awkward.

Inilapag niya ang dalawang palad sa desk. Napanguso ako habang pinapasadahan ng tingin ang mga kuko niya. Gusto kong humagalpak sa tawa nang makita ang hugis ng mga ito. I cover my mouth with my palm and look at him.

Those nails are not the common nail shape you always see in a guy. His are small and a bit roundish, yet boxy. Parang pambata lang, walang matinong shape.

“Do you have a problem with my nails?”

Nanliit ang mga mata niya. Agad naman akong umiling kaso natanggal ang palad na nakatakip sa labi. A mocking laughter escaped.

“Wala, a! Ang cute nga eh,” bawi ko.

Sarcasm laced on my voice. Though, the laughter's roaring deep again. My eyes squint while I laugh at him. He remains impassive.

I slowly reach for his thumb while  my lips are in a thin line, suppressing a laugh. Biting my lower lip, I commence to the task. Hindi ko na masyadong ginupitan para magmukhang mahaba. Hanggang doon lang ang alam ko.

Nakayuko lang ako at pinipilit ituon ang mga mata sa kuko ni Rico dahil parang natutunaw ang pakiramdam ko sa titig niya. Even when I don't directly see where he's staring at, my instinct tells me so.

I am trying hard not to be awkward, even if I already am. Hindi ko tuloy maintindihan ang sarili dahil hindi naman nakakailang ang katahimikan kung ako lang mag-isa. Kahit maghapon pang tikom ang aking bibig.

Wala akong maisip na design kaya pinatungan ko na lang ang itim na nail polish ng mga glitters. It somehow reminds me of the vast cosmos where wonders are omnipresent; where stars twinkle on their mighty shine and scattered along the Milky Way.

Still on Rico's first hand, Mrs. Lauchenco announces that we only have fifteen minutes to finish. Nagmadali tuloy ako kaya ang kaninang ingat na ingat na paglagay ay nagulo na. Ni hindi pa rin nakasimula si Rico!

Nang matapos ay doon pa lang siya nakahinga nang maluwag. Tension rules my system and the pressure makes my adrenaline rush tingles. I glance at Rico's wristwatch. He only has ten minutes to finish.

“Ipapa-check ko na,” sambit ko.

Marahan siyang umiling. “Sabay na lang tayo.”

“Bakit hindi ka na lang mauna?”

“Bakit naman hindi tayo magsasabay? Para minsanan na lang sana. We're partners after all,” he said.

Humina ang huling pangungusap na sinambit. The cognac irises of his stare at me with intensity. Natahimik ako. Rico's gaze drops at my hands. He starts doing the same on my nails.

The whole time, Rico's eyes are focused on my nails. While he's doing that, my other hand is secretly gripping onto my skirt tightly. When he finishes cutting my nails in both hands, I see how he purses his lips while staring at my hands.

“Ang haba pa ring tignan kahit pudpod na, 'no?” he casually says.

Why do I hear it such ass in a tone like we're already friends. Sinasalubong na rin niya ang aking mga mata. Mistulang walang puwang ng katahimikan kanina.

“Dalian mo ketdi!”

Ako pa ang mas natataranta. Nakakahiya kung ako ang naging dahilan ng pagbagsak niya.

“Relax,” he chuckles.

Inusog niya ang upuan palapit sa akin at binilisan na rin ang paglalagay ng nail polish kahit na kitang-kita ko sa mga mata niya ang kalituhan kung paano iyon gamitin. Ganoon pa man, nanatiling kalmado ang mga kilos niya.

“How can you manage to be at ease even when you lack time already?” I ask, curious about how he can do it almost every time.

Binalingan niya ako. “Listen, even if I had enough time, sigurado akong isa pa rin ang resulta. I suck at arts, you know.”

I am stunned for a moment. Do somebody also feel that feeling when a person you know who is above you in terms of academic performance can't do the thing you're really best at? 'Twas good in my part for I am reminded that no one's really perfect. Rico's not perfect. Like me, he has flaws.

I mean, it's obvious on his attitude but when it comes to his ability, it's my first time to know something he can't do. Satisfying for it's deemed like we have an indirect similarity. That somehow, he is on the same level as me.

Sa huli, kombinasyon ng puti at lila ang nailagay niya. Napangiwi ako sa naging kinalabasan. I may be addicted to crooked arts but I know that he doesn't really intend to attain this result. Hadn't he rush things...

“Rico,” tawag ko.

Hindi ko na napigilan ang bunganga. “Ang pangit. Ang dumi tignan,” I bluntly state.

I am worrying about his grades. He's an honor student. Baka ito pa ang magpababa ng top niya. He's lips protrude but he grins anyway.

“Kinuha mo 'yong 15 minutes eh,” may bahid ng tuksong aniya.

Now, he's smirking. It makes me feel more guilty. I don't have a courage to meet his eyes anymore so I stay looking down on my tainted shoes.

“Pero ayos lang. Kahit mas mahaba ang oras ko, ganito pa rin ang resulta,” dagdag niya at saka humalakhak nang marahan.

Kahit na!

I feel like he's just consoling me. Ginulo pa niya ang buhok ko. Shuta!

I bite my lip and say, “tara na nga.”

Tatayo na sana ako nang maramdaman ang kamay ni Rico sa aking pupulsuhan. My eyes widely open.

A gasp escapes my lips when I notice that his thumb is just right above my pulse. By the intent stare he's giving me, I can't help but to wonder if he felt it too. Did he feel the light spark in my veins? Did it reach him?

“Bakit?” naguguluhan kong tanong sa kaniya.

Umayos siya ng upo at mahinang hinila ako palapit. “May gagawin pa ako.”

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mary mnemosynth