Just the Ticket

Chapter 16

Chapter 16 #jttwbs

"But you were there," malumanay kong giit, halos talo ng malakas na boses ni Marion na bukambibig si LeBron James.

Caelan's eyebrows fused in hesitation. "Talaga?" he reassured silently. Tumikhim siya nang hindi ako sumagot. "Bakit nga pala? Ano'ng meron do'n? Akala ko naman sasali ka na sa mga dares namin." He laughed.

Hindi ko napigilan ang pagkurap ng dalawang mata ko. I forced the corner of my lips to rise for a reticent smile. "Ah, wala..."

His confused stare stretched for a moment before he set me aside by inserting himself back into their conversation. Ibinalik ko naman ang tingin kay Fern na abala pa rin sa inaasikaso.

Imposibleng hindi dare 'yon!

I remember the way how they seemed to congratulate him or something when he jogged back to the court. Hindi lang siguro maalala na ni Caelan? Sa tagal na rin niyon. Mahigit isang taon na.

My train of thoughts was cut short when Fern stood straight and gathered his documents. He was about to head back to us when a girl called his name and eventually approached him.

"Uy," nakangiting bati ni Fern.

"Is it true na lilipat ka for college?!" the girl queried with all the disapproval in her tone.

Huminto na talaga sila roon upang makapag-usap. I know the girl's name because she owns a spot on the list of well-known students. I didn't know they're friends, but surprise didn't come to me finding out now that they are.

Nilagpasan lang ni Marion ang dalawa. Siya na ang sumunod sa registrar bago ako dahil nalaktawan siya kanina. I eyed Keno and Caelan expectantly but they stayed conversing on their seats. Kung ganoon, si Fern lang ang kaibigan nitong babae.

Camara is right. Maraming kaibigan si Fern kasi may iba pa nga siyang nakasama sa mga picture taking noong graduation, eh. Kahit mga babae. He sure has a lot.

My eyes widened a fraction when out of reflex, Fern gripped on the garbage trolley that was about to hit the girl from behind. Nagse-cellphone kasi ang nagtutulak na janitor kaya hindi napansin sina Fern.

"Sorry! Sorry!"

"O-Okay lang po."

Kakamot-kamot sa ulo ang janitor nang lagpasan sila. He worriedly looked back again before he completely went off the scene.

"Natamaan ka ba? Late ata ako ng pigil," si Fern.

Camara is right. He doesn't choose gender for friends. And he treasures them all equally. That... one among those ladies could possibly mistake his treatment for something else.

The girl giggled and slammed his arm softly. "You were just right on time." Napatingin siya sa ginto niyang relos. "Hey. May errand pa 'ko. I gotta go."

Fern nodded understandingly. "Sige lang."

"I hope to still see you here!" anang babae habang papalayo na.

Humalakhak si Fern. "Posible naman..."

His eyes drifted to me as soon as he was done with his statement. He showed his hand and gestured the restroom. Umalis siya nang tumango ako. He's going to wash it because he had it dipped in the overflowing dirty garbage.

My eyes casted down and appreciated the tiles of the floor. I don't know why I'm mulling over how he treats all of us just the same. Kinalimutan ko na lang kalaunan.

Kinailangan kong tawagan si Camara upang makabalik. Umuwi rin kami matapos ang mga dapat asikasuhin.

I spent the day literally before college in my room. Dinadama ko ang haplos ng panghapong hangin sa masikip kong balkonahe habang iniisip ang magiging buhay kolehiyo. Gusto kong maging bagong yugto ito para sa akin. Mula noong bakasyon, iyon ang iniisip ko sa tuwing nabuburyo.