Collide / [Park Jay]

27

I immediately checked my messages when I woke up the next day. I couldn't seem to believe that I had a conversation with Jay and it sounded casual rather than awkward. To be honest, when I was texting him, parang nag-doubt pa ako kung siya talaga 'yong kausap ko. But then I realized that he has no reason to do that so I just went on with it.

Mabuti na lang talaga at naintindihan niya ang nangyari. I was really embarrassed of what I did but he made it clear that it was alright. I was also worried about what his friends might think but he told me that they're cool and didn't care much about it.

Was I wrong with my impressions of him? Well, he's nicer than I thought. Hindi ko nga rin inasahan na magre-reply siya, eh. I told myself that I will only text him if it's about our club tasks. But because I was eager to know what he felt and I couldn't wait 'til our next encounter, that was the only option left for me. And thank God, it went well.

Sighs of relief was the only thing I can clearly remember before I fell asleep that night.

"Hi, Yerim. Good morning." Jiro, our scriptwriter, suddenly appeared behind me while I was heading towards our building. Medyo nagulat ako doon pero hindi ko na lang ipinahalata.

"Good morning po.." I answered politely.

"Remember when I told you to drop the honorifics when we're talking? No need to set boundaries." He said coolly. "Anyway, nag-breakfast ka na? If hindi pa, you can join me. Papunta kasi akong cafeteria ngayon." Tanong pa niya. I looked at him, slightly confused. Siguro ay dahil hindi pa naman talaga kami close pero ngayon ay medyo iba ang kinikilos niya. Although, maayos naman ang pag-approach niya sa akin.

"Thanks for the invite but I already had my breakfast. And.. mags-start na rin ang first subject namin kaya wala nang oras." I said as I try to smile a bit. Well, kahit naman siguro walang klase ay tingin ko, hindi naman ako sasama sa kanya.

"Gano'n ba? Sige, next time na lang." He looked down while nodding slowly. Hmm.. may next time?

Nagpatuloy na lang ako sa paglalakad hanggang sa marating ko na ang entrance ng building namin. I suddenly felt relieved because we have to part ways from here.

"Bye, Yerim. See you around?" Paalam niya. Tumango lang ako doon at tipid na ngumiti. I even waved my hands so he can go right away.

Aalis na sana ako nang marinig ko siyang nagsalita ulit. I almost sighed because I thought he still has something to say to me. "Oh! Hi there, bro!" Masigla niyang sinabi. Mula sa akin ay bumaling ang tingin niya sa likuran ko.

"What's up?" Someone from behind said. Pamilyar ang boses kaya nagka-ideya na agad ako kung sino iyon kahit na hindi ko pa siya nililingon. "Good thing I saw you here. I was about to submit this." Dugtong pa niya.

I just looked at Jay as he handed some hard copies of our task last week to Jiro. Pagkatapos noon ay nag-usap pa sila saglit. Since I'm partly responsible for that, I stayed and waited until they're done. Kailangan na kasi 'yon ngayon dahil mamayang lunch time ay maga-announce ng upcoming events ang broadcasting club for this month. Si Jay lang ang nag-ayos noon kahit na dapat ay dalawa kaming gagawa. He said he wants to be fair with me since I did our previous task alone as well.

Pagkaalis ni Jiro ay sabay na kaming naglakad papunta sa classroom namin.

"Close pala kayo?" Komento ko. I tried to sound casual as possible because I'm still trying to weigh things. Sa text pa lang naman kasi kami nag-usap nang medyo klaro.

"You mean, kayong dalawa?" He said without looking at me. Nagtaka ako doon.

"Kami? Uh.. hindi naman masyado." Nag-aalangan kong sagot. I sighed at the back of my head. Ako nga ang nagtatanong sa kanya tapos ay ibabalik niya pala sa akin iyon?

He didn't say anything after that. Napansin kong naging mabilis rin ang paghakbang niya kaya medyo naiwanan na niya ako. Well, not that he's supposed to wait for me, though.

"He was lowkey denying na hindi siya intimidating in person noong magka-text kami. Pero totoo naman 'yon.." I whispered to myself as I glared at his back. Sakto namang lumingon siya sa akin at naabutan ako sa ganoong reaksyon.

"What's with that face?" Tanong niya habang binabagalan na ang paglakad, dahilan para maabutan ko ulit siya.

"Nothing. I just said thank you for doing our task." I smiled awkwardly. "And.. doon na rin pala sa.. nangyari noong Saturday..." Paisa-isa kong sinabi. I didn't even know why I came up with that response.

"Forget about it. Ayos na 'yon." He said while raising his eyebrows a bit.

"Anyway, was that really you?" I asked, sounding so hesitant. Napansin kong napakunot agad ang noo niya, tila hindi iyon naintindihan. "Uh.. I mean, 'yong kausap ko." Paglilinaw ko.

Agad siyang tumigil sa paglakad at tiningnan lang ako. After a few seconds, he just looked away.. smirking.

"Why? I was just wondering." I said. It's not so easy to read what's on his mind.

"So you're doubting my texts, huh? Shall we do phone calls, then?" He asked cockily.

Natigilan na lang ako habang pinapanood siyang naglakad na muli, bahagyang natatawa.