The Heartthrob That Can't Walk

Chapter 19

It’s been a week since I start teaching her. I can say that she’s willing to learn. Maybe school is just making her nervous. Lagi siyang takot na magkamali lalo sa recitation. Hindi siya gano’n ka talino pero handang natuto. That’s what makes it easy for me.

“Stanlly, pag bumagsak ako mag lalayas ako. Hanapin mo’ko ah?”

I massage my nose bridge. She’s like this since earlier. Nervous as fuck. Well all of us are. I’m also nervous not for me but for her. Pag bumagsak siya para na rin akong bumagsak. I’m the one who teach her. Pag hindi siya pumasa baka masakal ko na siya. Pinagpuyatan ko siya kahit na tinutulugan niya ‘ko. This is killing me.

“Good afternoon, everyone—” mom suddenly enter, she’s from work.

“Shhh!” both of us hush her.

She gave us a confuse look, “bastos kayo ah! What’s with that face?” she asked, “ohhh, labasan na nga pala ng mga naka pasa.” She remember.

“Anyway, Tori, follow me.” Mom ignores us.

We’re just here in the living room. Facing the laptop. Waiting for the school page to post the announcement. Kanina pa kami rito. Naubos na ang chips namin habang nanonood at nag papalipas ng oras. Three minutes nalang. Shit.

“Lumayo ka sa’kin baka masakal kita.” Banta ko. Ngumuso siya at umusod palayo.

“Lord, lagi ako nag pepray. Please…sana pumasa po ako. Kahit si Stanlly nalang bagsak.” she prayed while her eyes were close. Tinitigan ko siya ng masama. Nang maramdaman ang titig ko ay nag peace sign siya. Kainis. Ang sarap itapon sa bangin.

3…2…1!

The grades has been posted.

“Hala ayan na!” lumapit siya saakin at nag tago sa likod ko. Tanga  mas madali kitang masasakal makita mo.

Kahit na nginginig ang mga kamay ay nagawa kong puntahan ang mail ko. I click on the link where the list is provided. I automatically look for her name. Damn mamaya na’ko!

Passed- Deguzman Shane- 2.50

“Huy…pasado ka? Tingnan mo na sakin.” aniya habang nasa likod ko pa rin.

I smile. She passed. She freaking passed!

Without any word I hug her. She was stunned but she hug me back.

“Huy, comforting hug ba ‘to? Hindi ako nakapasa?” halos maiyak na tanong niya.

I laughed, “you passed, idiot.”

“Huh?” takang tanong niya. Nang makuha ay tumili siya dahilan para mailayo ko siya sa’kin.

“Tone done your voice!” napa hawak ako sa tenga ‘ko.

“Waaaaa, sorry. Pasado ako! Hala pasado ako?!” parang baliw niyang sambit.

“Yeah, I’ll check mine.”

“Hindi mo pa tinitingnan sayo?” nagtatakang tanong niya.

Inuna ‘ko ang sayo. Mas kabado pa ata ako sa kaniya. What is happening to me?

Passed- Losena Stanlly – 2

I sighed in a relief. I was expecting this. But her grades made me happy. I’m the one who teach her. I bit my lip but I still failed to hide my smile. Shit.

“Bakit naka ngiti ka? Pasado ka rin?” na simangot nalang ako. Panira naman ‘to.

“Oo pasado ako.”

She smiled sweetly. Tangina. Anong nangyayari sa’kin? Bakit biglang bumilis tibok ng puso ko? Nag pa-palpitate ba’ko? Hindi naman ako uminom ng kape. Gago. Ayoko na.