Collide / [Park Jay]

58

The following days at school became hectic as well. Abala na ang broadcasting club sa pag-aasikaso sa magaganap na school festival sa susunod na linggo. Our club leaders already planned and organized the sequence of events for the whole week and now, we're finalizing everything. Actually, I'm still not familiar of how everything goes since it's my first time experiencing this first-hand. Nakikita ko lang kasi 'to sa mga movies or animations na napapanood ko. Iba pa rin pala talaga kapag nasa mismong sitwasyon ka na at aktwal mong ginagawa iyon.

"Oh, 'yan na pala si busy friend." Bungad sa akin ni Hana nang makalapit ako sa kanila sa canteen. It's already lunch time and I just got off from our club duties. Kanina pa sila nandito and they insisted to wait for me para sabay-sabay pa rin kaming kumain.

"Sorry talaga. May tinapos lang ako.." I said before taking the seat beside them.

"Sana pala nag-broadcasting na lang din ako. You know, para ma-excuse din ako sa klase!" Sunhee commented as we decided to eat our meal. Thankfully, naisabay na rin nila ako ng pag-order dahil kung hindi, kailangan ko pang pumila nang matagal sa counter.

"It was tiring, though. But still, interesting." I said before flashing a little smile.

Dahil nga hindi ako masyadong confident sa mga bagay-bagay about handling, organizing, or even hosting an activity, I was just assigned to coordinate with every class representatives regarding their booths and events they're participating in. At first, I felt anxious in talking to people I don't personally know. But eventually, I learned how to handle it well. Mababait rin naman sila and very cooperative with our club's suggestions.

"Where's Jay, by the way?" Halos sabay nilang tanong sa kalagitnaan ng aming pagkain. I paused for a while because of that. Ngayong nabanggit nila iyon ay napaisip rin ako kung nasaan nga ba siya because I honestly have no idea.

"Hindi ko alam.." I answered truthfully.

"Why? I thought he's your partner." Hana said in between chewing her food. Halata ang pagtataka sa itsura niya ngayon.

"Uh.. h-he was. Pero sa iba na kasi siya naka-assign, eh.." Nag-aalangan kong sinabi nang may maalala.

"Oh.. sinong tinopak sa inyong dalawa?" Sunhee started laughing for some reason. Si Hana naman ay medyo nag-isip pa saglit pero kalaunan ay dinaluhan rin ang kaibigan namin sa pagtawa.

"Something must've happened, 'no?" She said in amusement.

Hindi na ako nakaimik at napasimangot na lang dahil hindi ko rin alam kung bakit ang bilis ng mga pangyayari noong araw na 'yon.

Initially, Jay and I were both assigned in this specific task for our school festival. Siguro ay dahil nga magkaklase kami kaya hindi na rin kami pinaghihiwalay everytime na may pinapagawa sila sa amin. We were simply told to communicate with the representatives of each class and discuss the flow of events. Although it was all posted on our online school community and bulletin boards, hindi rin naman maiiwasan na mayroong gustong makipag-usap nang personal para sa mga follow-up questions nila and such.

However, for some reason, I really find it hard doing it with him. Unang araw pa lang ng pag-aasikaso namin noon ay hindi na agad kami nagkasundo. Well, how am I supposed to act? He had his own ways of "coordinating" that I find really unnecessary. I mean, he suddenly became so approachable to everyone, especially the higher batches. And it's a total bothersome to see that he was so into it. Dahil siyempre, naaabala rin ako doon.

"Look.. you don't have to talk to everyone, Jay. Just the class representatives." Marahan kong sinabi nang makalabas kami sa isang classroom na pinuntahan. Nauuna ako sa paglakad at sinadya ko rin iyon para hindi ko makita ang reaksyon niya.