Peace On My Chaos

Kabanata 11

According to a study, it is possible for a man and a woman to remain friends.  Having interaction is acceptable. That seeing your friend is viable.

But what can you expect from people's judgement?

The thought of Adriano standing beside me is out of how I pictured my today's scenario.

Sure, nagkakausap kami pero hindi ko hinayaan ang sarili ko na umabot sa mga ganitong eksena na sa mga lakad ko ay isama siya or yayain siya.

Hindi man minu-minuto ang palitan namin ng mensahe ngunit maraming beses na hindi ko mapigilan ang sarili na mag-isip ng ibang bagay sa mga inaakto ni Adriano. At patuloy ko lang na ini-ignora ang mga ito.

Like how I chose to ignore how his presence affects me today.

"Kaya pala hindi active sa gc kasi may iba ng 'kaibigan'."

I sensed the stress on Von's last word but I didn't react. Nahihiya ako dahil sa mga kantiyaw na natamo ko kanina noong nakalapit na sa'min si Adriano at sakin ang tungo. Hindi maiwasang mag-isip sila ng kung bakit siya nandito.
Hindi ko alam kung anong plano nila mamaya pagkatapos namin dito pero bakit parang obligado akong magpaliwanag sa kanila? They even accused me of not sharing things like this to them.

Ano bang dapat kong i-share? Si Adriano? Ka small talk ko?

I was saved by Shayn's sudden announcement na kailangan niyang umuwi before 5pm kaya nag- agawan na ng team mates. I just let them decide kung sino ang magka-grupo.

"So bakit ka nandito?"

I asked Adriano without giving him a glance. I thought he's in Libacao.

"Taga-cheer mo." I turned to him but didn't comment anything. He's about to look at me but I avoid his eyes and focus at my friends again.

"Random picks na nga lang baka walang pumili sa'kin."

Inabot ni Drin ang bag niya at naglabas ng papel at ballpen.

"Arte naman. Ito na lang, girls versus boys!"

Andrei snatched the ballpen from Drin and pointed it with us. Nakaupo lang kami ni Von habang hinihintay ang desisyon ng mga kasama namin sa groupings.

"Dehado naman yata ako Shayn sa versus versus, ako lang mag-isa."

I checked for the time and got up from the bench to meddle with them. Kailangan lang naman naming mag-laro para sa group video pero sineseryoso naman nila. In the end, ako si Fleur at Drin laban sa tatlo.

And now I'll have to ask Adriano para videohan kami since nandito na rin siya. Taga-cheer pala ah? Well, things happens for a purpose.

I turned to him although I caught him already looking at me, he didn't averted his gaze. I gave him my phone that made him arch his left brow.

"Videohan mo kami para worth-it naman pagpunta mo rito."

I said those words and I'm aware that my friends were looking at us right now.

"Sobrang worth-it nga."

Hindi ko na pinatulan ang pasaring niya at tumalikod para lumapit sa mga kasama ko. I looked at the net and raised my two hands above to analyze the height.

"Alam mo bang blooming ka during quarantine?"  

I tried to avoid Fleur's teases but since we're team mates, wala akong ligtas.

"Game na?" Tumango ako kay Shayn at nilingon si Adriano to send him a cignal, were about to start. I saw him giving hand gestures.

We were giving a good play since most of us know how to play volleyball. Sa sobrang galing ay sumobra ang pag-hampas ni Fleur ng bola at walang sumalo sa kabila.  I had to stopped Adriano for filming the scene kaya sa naiilang na hakbang ay lumapit ako sakanya.