Moonage Daydream (Ciudad de Escalante #4)

Phase 15

Like what Zachariel and I planned on that day, we met after finishing both of our plans. It's weekend and that kinda made me nervous because a lot of students are roaming around the Ciudad De Escalante. Nakakainis lang dahil kung kailan sa mismong araw, doon ko lang nararamdaman lagi ang kaba at what ifs.

What if someone might see us together? It's not wrong if we are together, but I can't ignore the possibility that someone will surely recognize him. He's well-known, and stares are lingering at him. Tapos kapag nakita ako na kasama niya... baka anong isipin nila. What if they'll judge or tease him for having me as his friend?

I sighed.

You're at this phase again, Azariah.

When will you stop overthinking?

"What's that face mask for?" Zachariel asked. He was consciously watching me while I was fixing the black mask on my face.

Mas inayos ko ang facemask sa aking mukha dahil narito na pala kami sa downtown. Natakpan naman ang kalahating mukha ko pero kapansin pansin pa rin ang freckles na nasa tungki ng aking ilong.

"Let's go. Just do that later..." Zachariel whispered when he saw me planning to put something to hide my freckles. Huminga ako ng malalim at sinara na ang bag at tinaas nalang ang face mask. I hope no one will recognize me.

Gaya ng pwesto namin noon, sa harap kami umupong dalawa katabi ng driver. He's still observing me as he unlocked the door beside him. Nang makuntento ako sa ayos ng facemask, sumunod na rin ako kaagad sa kanya na bumaba ng jeep.

Zachariel helped me to get off safely. He held my other hand and I placed the another on his firm shoulder. May kataasan kasi ang jeep kaya hirap akong makababa bukod sa bigat ng katawan ko.

"Mausok kaya kailangan," pagdadahilan ko nang kuryoso pa rin niya akong tinitingnan.

He nodded like he bought my reason. Nakababa na ako ng tuluyan kaya naglakad kami palayo sa babaan ng mga jeepney hanggang sa makarating sa sentro ng downtown.

Dumagundong muli ang kaba sa akin nang makita na matao. Most of them are group of students. Lumayo ako ng bahagya sa kanya nang dumapo kaagad ang mata ng mga babae na nasa malapit sa amin, or I must say to him. He's only wearing his usual after practice outfit — black track pants, cossbody backpack, oversized plain shirt and rubber shoes but still, he always stand out in the crowd!

"You can remove your mask for a while. Nothing's polluted here," aniya nang makapasok na kami sa Picasso Studio.

"Hindi, huwag na..." pagtanggi ko dahil may mga nakita ako kaninang mga estudyante na nasa loob.

Zachariel looked at me with confusion. Mukhang nawe-weirduhan na siya sa kinikilos ko. I know I'm really weird at this moment! May nais pa sana siyang sabihin nang ipagpatuloy nalang niya ang pagsusulat sa pangalan naming dalawa sa log book. My lips parted a bit when he wrote my full name.

He included my middle initial, no wrong spellings, and neat handwriting.

"Alam mo ang buong pangalan ko?" nawiwindang kong tanong habang nakatitig sa sinulat niya sa log book.

Ma. Azariah Miraise C. Prado la Silvestre

"Of course, who wouldn't? All Prado la Silvestres have Miraise or Edel in their second name," sambit niya sa pamimilosopong paraan kaya napaikot ako ng mata.

His tone is... argh!

"Ang pilosopo mo 'no?" hindi ko mapigilang komento dahil sa kanyang tono. He only shrugged and an arrogant smile plastered at his lips. Aminado pa talaga.