The Seat We Sit On (HFS #1)

seat #20

The way Rico's face illuminates with the lights inside this shop while he grins at me carved a new space in my memory. Nginitian ko lang siya pabalik at saka nag-iwas ng tingin. Pakiwari ko'y para na naman akong baliw mamaya na hindi makatulog. I would probably stay awake again, but this time it is because of happiness, a relieving escapade. Somehow, a new moment is added on my once-in-a-while bottle.

Silence creeps in again. But this time, I am already unafraid to be enveloped by it. May pagkakataong magtatama ang paningin namin sa isa't isa, saka kami mag-uunahang mag-iwas ng tingin. Unlike before, I am more comfortable to be immersed in silence with him. Even when there are no talks anymore, it is still fine. Just the beats of our hearts, the sipping on our coffee cups, the burning of our cheeks, his swollen eyes, and my sweaty palm making its way up through his hair.

Baon ko iyon sa aking isipan hanggang dumating ang Lunes sa pag-asang baka makita ko na naman siya. But I was a bit disappointed when he didn't show up at the gate.

We have an early dismissal. Excited smiles form on my classmates' lips but I can hardly bare to have one. It's just eleven in the morning. They're already leaving the room one by one. Pinapanood ko lang sila nang maramdaman ang titig ng kung sino sa gilid ko. Pagkabaling ko, nag-iwas ng tingin si Owen at saka kinuha ang dustpan. Isa siya sa cleaners ngayon?

I sigh. Kung umuwi na rin kaya ako? But it's still early and I have nothing to do. Nasa hamba na ako ng gate ngunit kasabay noon ay ang pag-tunog saglit ng phone ko sa bulsa. May text? Nino? My chest jumps in glee when Rico's name appears on the screen.

Rico:
Freesia, help :<

I type in a reply. 'Shuta, wassup?'

Rico:
I forgot my polo uniform so I can't get in right now.

You:
Asan ka ba?

Rico:
Sa kanto sa gilid ng entrance. Why?

You:
I'll go there >.<

Rico:
Will wait for you then.

Pagkatapos mabasa ang huling text niya ay dali-dali na akong lumabas ng school premises. My feet takes me to the place he told me. There, I found him standing beside the wall that surrounds the Collins High School. His usual thick eyebrows are furrowed. Ang isang kamay ay nasa isang strap ng suot niyang malaking itim na bag pack.

“Rico!” tawag ko.

He glances at me. Kinaway ko ang isang kamay bago tumakbo palapit sa kaniya. His eyes are just intently still into me.

“What's meron?” tanong ko pagkalapit sa kaniya.

Hinihingal pa ako samantalang ang ilang hibla ng buhok ay humarang sa mukha ko. The wind blows gently; still, it feels humid. I can feel sweats all over my face, my neck and nape.

Nagkamot siya ng ulo, parang nahihiya. “You already know,” he pursed his lips.

Humagalpak ako sa tawa. “Bakit ba kasi nakalimutan mo? Really, the Student Council President, of all people?"

Nag-iwas siya ng tingin. His eyes are distant. Parang wala siya sa sarili.

“I was busy thinking about your smile.”

I gulped. “Ha?”

Napapikit siya. For a second, I thought he really did not intend to say out loud what he just said. Sumulyap siya sa akin. Ramdam ko sa mga mata niya ang pag-aalinlangan. I give him a questioning look.