Collide / [Park Jay]

29

I was in the middle of my shift when I heard my phone beeping countless of times because of the incoming notifications. Hindi ko agad nabuksan iyon dahil marami pa akong ginagawa. But looking at the previews, it was from our classroom's group chat. At first, I thought it was just a normal conversation between them. But when I started to see my name being mentioned a couple of times, doon na ako nagtaka. I must admit, it made me a bit anxious since I don't usually participate in our chats, unless it's about school works. Pero mabilis rin namang nawala iyon nang malaman ko na ang dahilan kung bakit.

From what I read, Nari was looking for Jay but she couldn't reach him. The way she asked the whole class, it seems like an important matter. And I was being mentioned because he was last seen with me. Iyon nga lang, hindi ko alam ang isasagot ko doon. Oo nga at nakasabay ko si Jay kanina pag-uwi pero maging ako naman ay wala ring ideya kung nasaan siya ngayon.

I suddenly thought of sending him a message to ask where he is. Gusto ko rin sanang itanong kung anong dapat kong isagot kay Nari kung sakali. Recently, I made a mistake by letting myself decide on my own for his sake. At ayaw ko namang mangyari ulit iyon.

I was thinking of what to tell him when a group of guys entered the store. Knowing that they're Jay's friends, I suddenly felt relieved because I know he's with them and I don't have to worry anymore. Ibinaba ko na ang cellphone ko at inabangan na lang siya habang isa-isang pumapasok ang mga kaibigan niya. However, I didn't see any hints of him. Akala ko noong una, nasa hulihan lang siya. I spent another whole minute staring at the store's entrance, hoping he'd appear out of nowhere. Pero wala talaga.

I just went back to my senses when his friends are already in the counter to pay for what they got. They started a casual conversation with me, probably because they already knew me.

"What time ang shift mo.. Yerim?" Tanong noong isa at pasimpleng tumingin sa name plate ko. "Should I look forward on seeing you here often?" Sabi pa niya at ngumiti. He looks bubbly, though.

"Six to ten." Sagot ko.

I wanted to ask them so bad about Jay but I didn't know where to start. Our conversation is getting nice and light so I don't want to ruin the mood. But for some reason, I think I won't feel at ease for the rest of the night if I don't try to do something.

"Hindi niyo kasama si Jay?" Kaswal kong tanong kahit na sobrang obvious noon. Mayamaya ay napansin kong tila naging mas interesado pa sila sa akin.

"Yeah. Iniwan muna namin. Ang daming arte, eh." Natatawa nilang sagot. I remained silent for a while, badly want to ask where he is right now.

"Oh.. is he okay?" I asked again. Natapos na ang transaction namin pero nanatili lang silang nakatayo sa counter habang kausap ako. Kanya-kanya sila ng reaksyon sa narinig.

"Gusto mo papuntahin ko dito?" Tanong noong isa niyang kaibigan. My eyes widened a bit at that.

"Uh, n-no. I was just asking." Mariin kong sinabi habang umiiling.

"Sige, makakarating." Hindi ko alam kung nang-aasar ba sila o ano. I just watched them as they made their way out of the store, giggling about something I have no idea about.

Well, it seems like Jay is doing fine. I thought something bad happened to him from the way Nari sounded. Mabuti na lang at wala naman. Siguro ay talagang may kailangan lang silang pag-usapan at dahil hindi niya ma-contact si Jay, nag-alala siya ng sobra doon.

I just feel bad that I couldn't help her. She keeps on mentioning me but good thing, my friends are there to clear it up for me. Totoo namang abala ako sa oras ng shift ko kaya hindi rin ako makakapagreply kaagad. Isa pa, ayaw kong pangunahan si Jay. He told me last time that I should leave things like this to him since it's up for him to decide.

"Paalis ka na?" Haeyoon asked. Siya 'yong kasunod ko sa shift at halos kadarating lang din niya.

"Yeah." I smiled as I took off my vest.

"H'wag ka nang maglinis, ha? Ako na ang bahala dito." Sabi pa niya at sabay kaming natawa doon. I usually cleaned the area before leaving and she always complains about it. Alam niya kasing may pasok pa ako kinabukasan at h'wag daw akong magpakapagod. She's really sweet.

"Fine! Thanks!" Sagot ko. Pagkatapos noon ay naglakad na rin ako pauwi.

Before entering our building, I stopped for a while to stare at the quiet street in front of me. This is where Jay and I usually part ways everytime na magkakasabay kami. Madalas ay pinapauna niya akong pumasok sa building namin bago siya umalis kaya hindi ko rin alam kung saan ba talaga siya nagpupunta dito.

All of a sudden, my curiosity grows. I don't want to be nosy but I really want to know what is his business here. Although it's quite impossible since I can never ask Jay myself about it. I also can't ask my friends since they're not supposed to know about where he spends most of his time.

I sighed.

Park Jay, since when did you get my interest?