VI
"AN OFFICER informed me that she saw you. With a guy." He started while reading something inside the folder he's holding. "You were late because you were with your boyfriend? I don't need an irresponsible member in my club, Joshan. Or at least know your priorities." He coldly added and dropped the folder in front of me.
I carefully took it. "He's not my boyfriend. He's my best friend. Sinamahan ko lang siya sa Guidance Office because he's a transferee." I opened the folder and acted like I'm reading it because I feel too intimidated. "Second, I'm not irresponsible. Hindi ako na-late intentionally. I'm sorry for being late, okay? Hindi na mauulit."
Biglang tumahimik 'yong buong room kaya nagtaka ko. Tumingala ako sakaniya at nakitang nakatitig siya sa'kin bago umiling nang nakitang nakatingin na 'ko. "That line is used too often, it's dying to be saved."
Nanigas ako sa kinauupuan ko dahil sa pag-iling niya.
I remembered the time when I suspected him to be a weirdo. When he shook his head while looking at me.
"Hey. Hey." I blinked ceaselessly when he waved his hands near my face. "Don't space out. Read what's inside the folder. Tanungin mo 'ko kung may hindi ka maintindihan."
"Can I ask you a favor?" Wala pa rin sa wisyong tanong ko.
"Favor?" His brows narrowed. "Are we that close for a favor?" But he shrugged anyway. "You can, but it depends." He nonchalantly added.
"Pwedeng 'wag kang iiling kapag ako kausap mo?"
He looked at me like I said something along the lines: a fish has four feet and started walking. "What? How am I supposed to do that?" He confusedly asked.
"Just... don't. If you'll say no, just say it out loud. Don't shake your head. And if it's not allowed to speak, then just do sign language."
I'm being weird, I know. But I can't stand the feeling of being scared when he's doing that. I can't tell him the reason, alright.
"You're weird." He blurted out. Called it.
"I know. Just don't do that. Pwede?" I bit my lip because of embarrassment.
He simply looked at me and shrugged later on. "Okay."
I sighed in relief. "Thanks."
He went to the mini-refrigerator in the corner of the room and grabbed two bottles of water. "Nabasa mo na ba 'yang mga nakalagay diyan?" Nilapag niya 'yong isa sa harap ko bago umupo ng tatlo ang agwat na upuan mula sa'kin.
"What is this for?" I scanned the paper and the numbers with rules written next to it. And the next page has schedules of some activities.
"Diyan nakalagay 'yong mga activities ng club natin pati 'yong schedules ng mga practice niyong new comers. You can get your copy from a member, she's our classmate. I gave it to her because you were late." Medyo may sama pa rin ng loob na sabi niya.
"Pinapunta mo kami ng seven ng umaga tapos one hour lang ang tinatagal ng meeting? And our original time ng pasukan is eleven thirty. Hindi niyo ba naisip na sayang 'yong oras?" Hindi ko pagpansin sa sinabi niya habang patuloy na binabasa 'yong nasa folder.
He chuckled and that made me look at him. "You're talking like you're an officer, when in fact, you're just a newcomer. And it's not my fault, alright. 'Yong Student Council ang gumawa ng schedule na 'to at sinusunod lang namin." He drank his bottled water and I looked away because his adam's apple is too distracting.
I nodded and stood up when I felt that we're done talking. "Got to go." Lalabas na sana 'ko nang may maalala. "Sino sa mga kaklase natin 'yong pinagbigyan mo ng kopya ko?"
