From : Alonna
So sorry! Hindi ko alam na matatagalan ako dito. I already texted the three. Sorry, Nichoella!
Ngumuso ako at tinignan si Hugo na nakatayo sa patong-patong na libro. He was holding one old book from the shelves. Tumagilid ang ulo ko habang pinagmamasdan siya.
Nakakunot ang noo niya at seryoso ang mga mata. His lips moved for a very small smile. Humalukipkip siya habang ang isang paa'y nakatingin sa libro. His pupils moved for every sentence he's reading.
Nagtipa ako ng mensahe.
Me : It's okay. Hindi naman ako nainip. We kinda invaded your house.
Alonna : We? Who's with you?
Tinikom ko ang bibig ko.
Me : Wala!
Alonna : That Carvajal, isn't it?
Me: What 'that'? He's Hugo.
Alonna : Boyfriend mo na ba 'yan?
I sighed. Sumandal ako. Nilingon ako ni Hugo. Every move I make, he would look at me. Ngumiti lang ako sa kaniya at lumingon muli sa cellphone ko.
Me : Hindi, ah. We're friends. Like you and Ruther.
Alonna : Manila kid daw 'yan sabi ni Ruther.
Me : Yep. La Salle.
Alonna : Mukhang chickboy sabi ko.
Alonna : Pero sabi ni Ruther, hindi.
Me : Chismosa niyong dalawa!
Me : Well?
Alonna : Ewan ko lang, ha. Something's off. Pwede ba 'yon? He's like ten times hotter than Ruther.
I burst out of laughter.
Kumunot ang noo ni Hugo sa akin. Binaba niya ng kaunti ang libro at tinitigan ako. I shook my head.
Me : Oh, come on. You just think of Ruther as a friend, that's why.
Alonna : Don't dodge the topic.
Alonna : But anyway, I'm just looking out for you. 'Yang mga ganyan kagwapo at kalinis, they're dangerous.
Me : You can't say that.
Alonna : Nobody's perfect.
Nilingon ko si Hugo. Naglalakad siya patungo sa akin habang hawak hawak ang libro. Nakasilid sa pahina ang gitnang daliri niya kung saan siya huling huminto.
I sniffed his perfume as he sat beside me.
Nginuso niya ang cellphone ko. "Your mom?"
Umiling ako at tumagilid para hindi niya makita ang pinag-uusapan namin ni Alonna.
Kumunot ang noo niya at pinagmasdan ako. He's looking at me ridiculously.
"Boyfriend?"
Tinago ko ang cellphone ko at tinikom ang labi. "Yeah."
Lumukot lalo ang noo niya. He placed his book on his lap. He stared at me longer like there was something wrong with me. He clenched his jaw.
Tumango siya at hindi nagsalita.
I smiled. "Bakit kung boyfriend ko?"
"Wala naman," mayabang na sabi niya.
"You have that look in your face."
"I just wonder if he exists..." luminga linga siya, kunwaring may hinahanap. He stopped on my face and pulled a sarcastic smirk.
Nalaglag ang ngiti ko.
