Sailing Close to the Wind

SCW 49 (Gahala's P.O.V)

"Kilala mo 'yon pre?"

"Sino?" takang tanong ko kay Theros matapos itago ang cellphone ko.

We're waiting for our professor for our next subject. Kahit si Yule, napatingin din sa kaniya na may nagtatanong na mata. Seatmate ko sila, and we vibe, so yeah, friends.

"Yung Yacey," tukoy niya.

"Malamang kaklase natin?" patanong na sagot sa kaniya ni Yule.

"Iba kasi yung pansinan nila, pre. Parang magkakilala na dati pa. " Theros explained sa tonong 'ang bobo mo'.

"Schoolmate ko noong highschool," awat na sagot ko sa kanila kasi nag-uumpisa na naman silang magbangayan.

I also didn't expect or even think of seeing Yacey here. I can't even remember the last time I saw her.

"Mukhang gusto ka pre," Theros whispered in a teasing manner, like it was some sort of secret.

My brows furrowed, and I raised one afterward, silently asking him what nonsense he was spouting.

"Kanina pa kasi tingin nang tingin sa 'yo," he added teasingly saka ako pabirong sinundot sa tagiliran. Mukha siyang tanga.

I winced and slapped his hands away. "Tarantado, pinagsasabi mo?"

"Tingnan mo kaya," ani niya sa akin saka may tinuro gamit ang kaniyang labi. Pasimple tuloy akong lumingon doon. Gano'n din ang ginawa ni Yule na nakikichismis.

I got awkward after seeing Yacey really looking in our direction. When our eyes met, she smiled a little but a genuine one. I hesitantly smiled back and looked away with brows furrowed. Akala ko nagbibiro at nangtritrip lang si Theros, but still, I don't want to put any meaning behind it.

I shook my head, "Sa akin ba nakatingin? Malay mo isa sa inyo yung tinitingnan."

"I don't care. I have a girlfriend, so stop it." I told them to end their teasing. If Amara ever hears it... I don't even want to imagine it.

"Huh?! You have?!" Halos sabay nilang tanong, kaya medyo napatingin sa amin ang iba.

I grinned proudly, "Yeah. Wala kayo nun, 'no? Pasensiya na, hindi niyo 'yon kaya."

Theros whistled while on the other side, Yule displayed his middle finger and mumbled, "Yabang." I just snickered at them as my answer.

Our conversation stopped when our professor came in. Soon after, naramdaman kong nawala din ang kanina pang mga matang nakatingin sa amin na wari'y nanunuod.

As the days passed, nagets ko yung sinabi ng mga kaibigan ko na gusto daw ako ni Yacey. Mararamdaman at makikita mo naman 'yon sa tao, e. As someone na may mahal at minamahal, I could see what she's trying to do. Yung paglapit-lapit niya, yung pagpapansin niya para makuha yung atensyon ko, yung mga titig niya na tumatagal, at ang pag-iiba ng mood niya kapag nag-uusap kami. I can't help but feel uncomfortable.

"Hi."

Napatigil kami sa pag-uusap ng mga kaibigan ko nang may biglang tumigil sa gilid ng mesa namin. Siniko ako ni Yule sa tagiliran nang makitang si Yacey iyon.

"Yeah?" I hesitantly asked since she was only looking in my direction. She didn't even bother to glance at my friends.

"Can I sit?" she asked, pointing to the chair beside me with her lips, which were painted with red lipstick.

I looked around the cafeteria and noticed it wasn't full yet. There were plenty of other empty seats. I gazed at her again and reluctantly answered, "May vacant pa namang iba." Lowkey refusing her.