Of Angels and Saints

2. The Weird Nerd

"Okay, boys! It's the time of the month again!"

I'm carrying a huge box as I returned to my apartment's living room, Cosmo was tailing me. I saw how Luke looked at me in confusion behind his glasses while Jason's groan can be heard through my ipad.

"Ngayon na ba? Dadatnan ka na? Good, god! Thankfully I'm in Boston, good luck with that Luke—"

Pabagsak kong nilapag ang plastic na kahon sa carpet bago ako tuluyang naupo sa pwesto sa tapat ni Luciano. He's sitting on the single couch, a laptop resting on his lap, probably doing his research. Actually ay sinasanay ko pa ang sarili ko sa presensya ni Luke sa apartment. We never really hang out at my place that much(except during my weekly parties days that I got tired of) kasi nahihiya sila kay Clem. It's always at either boys' places, but ever since Clem and June joined our circle, these boys would just come and go at my place as much as they want to— especially Luke.

'Di ko pa alam ang nararamdaman ko tungkol sa mga bigla-biglaang pagsulpot ni Luke. Do we love it? Do we hate it? At least I've got a more tolerable company, that's for sure... Since the annoying one is on the other side of the planet.

"I don't think na 'yung period niya ang pinapahiwatig ni Lilith. It was done a week ago, right?" Luke asked me.

Hindi ko mapigilang mapangiti sa isang 'to. Tinanguan ko lang naman ito bago tiningnan ng masama si Jason sa screen. He's already topless and in bed, probably about to go to sleep.

"I'm doing my nails!"

Both boys moaned in annoyance.

"Lils, hindi ko kayang pakinggan ang ingay ng pagfa-file ng kuko mo ngayon, I need to finish my work. I have a timeline that I'm supposed to stick to!"

"Pota, mas mahirap pang mamili ng kulay ng kuko mo kesa sa final exam namin—"

"It's probably harder than the boards!"

"Definitely harder than the boards!"

They both laughed, pero agad ding tumigil nang makitang seryoso ko lang silang dalawa na tinitingnan. I tied my long, brown, wavy hair in a bun before opening my kit. Considered pa bang kit ang ganito kalaking box?

"Kung gusto mo ng walang istorbo sa pagt-thesis mo, you can just go home, Luciano. May kotse ka. At ikaw naman, Jason—"

"Oh, ano? What did I do?"

"Pick a color! Luke already did two weeks ago, it was baby blue, which was so cute by the way!" I gave Luke a satisfied smile to which he only slightly bowed and smirked at habang 'di parin tinatanggal ang mata sa screen ng laptop niya.

"Good luck, Jas." He added.

"Yeah, good luck, Jas. You need to pick the right one. I'm a college student, interning at one of the country's successful accounting firm. It better be right."

Mas lalo lang na nagreklamo si Jason. He rolled his eyes at me while running his fingers through his hair. Hinayaan ko lang naman siyang mag-inarte while I started setting up on the coffee table. Nang napansin ni Luke na kailangan ko ang espasyo ay tinulungan niya akong ligpitin ang nagkalat niyang mga papel.

"I swear that this is a trick question! Malamang ay may iniisip ka nang kulay na masusunod din kapag 'di mo gusto ang suggestion namin, so why bother asking?"

"You're here, invading my personal space..." I pointed Luke, "physically and..." I paused and glanced at Jason, "through technology. Might as well na gamitin ko kayo 'di ba?"

"Manggagamit ka talaga kahit noong nasa grade school palang tayo... Naalala mo? TLE 'yun, sinunog mo 'yung ginagawa mong jam—"

"Nasunog." I corrected, making Luke chuckle. "'Di ko kasalanan na ang bilis masunog 'nun eh umihi lang ako saglit!"