Just the Ticket

Chapter 20

Chapter 20 #jttwbs

Now, that must be another of their dares. I'd rather believe the likelihood of zombie apocalypse than take what Fern implied seriously. Kasi malabo talaga.

May parte sa akin ang naiinis na binibiktima na naman nila ako sa mga ganito nila. Pero hindi ko rin matanggi na parang pinipilit ko lang ang sarili na mainis. Ewan ko ba!

On my fourth step after entering the rowdy canteen, I met Fern's intent eyes among all other innumerable pairs.

Nakita rin ako ni Keno na kasama niya sa mesa. Keno was about to raise his hand for me when Marion hindered him to do so. Alam ko, kahit gaano pagtakpan ng mesa sa akin.

Nagpatuloy ako sa paglalakad bitbit ang tumbler at wallet ko. I walked past the four of them like I didn't consider them my close friends.

Nilingon ko ulit ang gawi nila nang nakapila na ako.

Likod ni Fern ang nakaharap sa akin. Nakayuko na ulit siya sa gitara habang banayad na iniiling ang ulo. Despite the lack of actual evidence, I believe he's not anything close to strumming the awaiting strings because he's just staring down at it.

"Guwapo talaga lalo ni Kuya Fern sa uniform niya."

"Sino?"

"Ay, transferee ka nga pala. Ayun, oh, 'yung may hawak na gitara... Crush namin yan ni Ate rito sa school. Sayang lang kasi lumipat na ngayong taon."

"Grabe, oo, girl. Ang guwapo ng likod."

"Tss! Hintayin mo mamaya, daan tayo sa harap nila! Nang makita mo harapan!"

"Pero seryoso, halatang guwapo nga kahit nakatalikod."

I released a sigh after hearing the girls behind me. A sigh of agreement. Totoo namang isa si Fern sa mga guwapo na kilala ko. And his good looks is not based on a few's personal preferences. It fits on the noticeable general standard.

Ayon nga rin sa isang babae, totoo rin naman talagang guwapo kahit ang likod ni Fern. Lalo na ngayong humahaba na ulit ang buhok nito.

Kaya... Kaya imposible talaga!

"Hala, si Ate Erisette pala 'yang nasa harapan mo."

"Erisette? Sino naman 'yun?"

"Shh! Best friend 'yan ni Kuya Fern. Sana hindi niya narinig."

My forehead creased at two discoveries. Hindi ko alam na kilala ako ng babae at na kilala ako bilang... best friend ni Fern? But with how we were with each other, I think it was only natural for them to think of us like that.

After getting myself a lunch meal, I sauntered around the canteen without stopping at where Fern was, though it was what I'd naturally do if only we were in good terms.

Kasi nagkatotoo iyong distansiya. Not for the reason of his made-up girlfriend requiring it but for what happened the moment he laid me on that tricycle. Hindi ko siya kinausap. Hindi niya rin ako kinausap.

Kaibahan lang ngayon, hindi na lang siya ang hindi namamansin. Ako rin. Hindi na ako nag-e-effort na magkausap kami. I couldn't bring myself to speak to him even just a few words.

Sa kalagitnaan ng pagkain sa ibang mesa ay sumagi sa mesa nina Fern ang paningin ko lalo at nasa linya rin iyon. I witnessed them leaving their table most probably because they already finished their meals.

Nakapapanibago rin talaga. Aalis na si Fern at babalik sa sariling school... nang hindi kami nagkausap dalawa.

"Thank you. I'm now confident. Perfect score sana ako nito!" bulalas ni Camara kaya binitiwan ko na ang kaniyang reviewers.