#2: Strumming the Pain

Strumming 20

"Hey, hindi ka ba natulog kagabi? Look at you, you look like a panda."

I snapped back to reality when I heard Jeshua asking me that question. I yawned when I looked at her, making her laugh even more. She even shook her head while looking at me. I rolled my eyes at her, and just ignored her question. I was too occupied last night that I didn't get enough sleep.

I just checked my phone for the nth time and saw nothing on my notification so I just put it back. Is he busy? After I replied to him yesterday, he didn't text me again— which made me wonder. It just feel new, not seeing her name popping on my phone screen.

"What happened?" Jeshua asked curiously. I looked at her and shook my head.

"Nothing, don't mind me." sagot ko lang naman. "I just watched a drama last night." she doesn't seem convinced with my answer.

"You're unfair." she answered, sulky. "I thought I'm your best friend." tila nagtatampong sabi pa niya.

"How am I unfair?" I asked.

Hindi na siya sumagot dahil dumating na ang professor namin, napailing na lang siya sa 'kin. Kaagad nagsimula ang discussion namin, tumahimik na si Jeshua at nakinig. While I was trying to focus on the discussion kahit na lumilipad na ang utak ko.

Pag-uwi ko kagabi ay walang sinabi si Daddy, maybe because he saw me with Rory. He was even so happy when he saw us together— which I just ignored since it doesn't mean anything. That Rory guy literally just dragged me to that cafè! Speaking of that cafè, I'm still bothered about what I witnessed. I don't know if I feel jealous or scared... I don't understand.

"Listen, Kha. Kanina pa sumusulyap sa 'yo si Miss Eria, she'll turn into a dragon again." Jeshua whispered, joking.

Sinubukan ko namang makinig hanggang matapos ang class namin. I heaved a sigh, trying to ignore the unnecessary things in my mind. I checked my phone again while waiting for my next class, bumagsak ang balikat ko nang makitang walang text sa akin si Kirk. I decided to message him so I typed a message.

To: Kirk

What time is your last class?

It took him minutes to reply.

From: Kirk

2pm

From: Kirk

Are you busy after that? Can we meet?

To: Kirk

Not really

From: Kirk

I'll wait for you at the waiting shed outside the school

To: Kirk

Okay

Kumunot ang noo ko nang mabasa ang reply niya. I glanced at Jeshua, but she's busy with her phone kaya hindi ko na siya ginulo. Sumandal ako sa kinauupuan ko at hinintay ang susunod naming professor. Hanggang matapos ang klase ay parang wala ako sa sarili ko. We already visited Ariell a while ago kaya nang dismissal ay dumiretso ako sa may waiting shed sa labas ng school.