Written On A Canvas

Chapter 06

Chapter 06

"You have what now?"

Pinipigilan nito ang ngiti habang patingin-tingin sa cellphone niya. I still couldn't process what she said. Hindi lang ako makapaniwala siguro dahil sa pagkakakilala ko kay Alyanna, kain lang ang alam nito.

She does mention that she has a crush from time to time even when we were still in elementary school. But she'd always assure that they were just happy crushes or whatever that is. I guess it's not possible for her to have a boyfriend but... this early?

"Ano... may jowa na nga kasi ako..." she said, more louder and slower this time.

"Since when?" takang-taka kong tanong.

"Noong Intrams..." she answered.

Iyong Intramurals namin ay two months ago. So...

"Wait, so you're saying you have a boyfriend for two months now? And you only decided to tell this today?" I said, trying to make things clear.

Tumango ito habang kinakamot ang batok. "I mean, Angelica knew about this-"

"Wait, what?" I asked if I heard it audibly. "Mas nauna pang nalaman ni Angelica 'to kaysa sa akin?"

I actually have no problem with her having a boyfriend. It's inevitable. Sooner or later, Aly would really have one. But we swore to tell things first to each other. Even I would tell her first if I have a special someone, which I don't have, at the moment. Knowing how her other friend knew prior to me kind of stings.

"I didn't know how to tell you!" aniya. "Hindi ko alam ang magiging reaksyon mo. Baka magalit ka kapag nagka-jowa ako..." dagdag niya pa.

"Why would I be mad at you for having a boyfriend?" I didn't mean to slightly raise my voice. It's just that... we're best friends. She should've tried first before looking down at me like that. I thought she knew me.

"Kita mo na, galit ka nga..." sabi nito. "Kasi diba, sabi ko sayo noon na sa college pa ako magbo-boyfriend tapos eto..." she looked at me, rattling.

"I'm not mad about you being in a relationship. Ang akin lang, I should know a little more early," I sternly said. "Kasi iyon 'yung napagkasunduan natin, hindi ba? And you know I wouldn't have done the same thing to you."

Umiwas ito ng tingin. "Hindi ko nga alam kung paano sabihin sayo..."

"What do you mean? Sinasabi mo nga sa akin ang itsura kung puno na 'yong pad mo tapos simpleng 'Ice, I have a boyfriend now', biglang mahirap?" bulalas ko dito. I hate to argue with her in front of the food because I wasn't taught like that but maybe my ego was hurt that's why I couldn't help my mouth.

I don't have a lot of friends. Heck, I actually think I only have one. My friendship with Aly is six feet deep. We told each other things no one else knew. We promised to be the first ones to know who our crush is, what our dreams are, what our pet peeves are... it's that special.

So it made me wonder how Aly thought that this simple thing would make me mad? That just because she has a boyfriend, it'll make me go berserk? What am I? Her father? I'm her friend!

And the fact that she kept it for two months. Really, it stings.

"Sorry na..." paumanhin nito. "Plano ko naman talagang sabihin sayo. Hindi lang ako makahanap ng tamang tiyempo..."

"We're literally almost together everyday, Aly. Anong hindi ka lang makahanap ng tiyempo? Everyday's your chance!" The irritation in my voice is becoming strongly evident. The happiness in Aly's face faded and gloominess replaced.