Collide / [Park Jay]

61

Today marks the first day of our school festival. Kahit pagod sa naging overall planning and organizing, hindi pa rin mawala sa akin 'yong excitement dahil first time kong mararanasan ito nang aktwal. I was home-schooled and barely had friends to do fun activities with so everything about this event gives me some sort of butterflies.

I woke up early like the usual. Kahapon ang naging last arrangement namin sa school. Pinauna na nila kaming mga babae sa pag-uwi dahil biro nila ay hindi na kami kailangan doon. The guys were tasked to lift and arrange heavy stuff like tables, chairs, speakers, and such. Hindi ko lang alam na aabutin sila ng madaling araw doon dahil akala ko, kaunti na lang ang natirang gawain. Pero normal naman daw iyon sa broadcasting tuwing may ganap sa school, especially now that the festival is one of its major events.

"Dumaan nga pala si Jay dito. Hintayin mo daw siya." Bungad sa akin ng guard namin sa building nang makababa ako. Nagmamadalian pa nga ako at natigilan lang nang marinig ang pangalang iyon. I didn't mind what he said at first because I was too focused on the fact that he knows him. I mean, how.. and when?

"Oh.. b-bakit daw po?" I asked, a bit hesitant but at the same time, curious. Hindi naman kasi namin napag-usapan na hihintayin ko siya ngayon at wala rin naman siyang text tungkol doon. I actually want him to rest a bit more since he just got off from school, probably tired.

"Kukunin lang daw 'yong kotse." Tugon ng guwardiya sa akin. I just nodded slowly as I walk myself out of our building.

We barely talk the whole preparation week because of what happened. Idagdag pa nga iyong pagiging hiwalay namin this time sa task as per my request na kalaunan naman ay pinagsisihan ko. Well, nagkikita naman kami sa classroom tuwing may ilang subjects na kailangang pasukan even though considered as "excused" naman kami because of our club. Iyon nga lang, hindi rin kami nag-uusap doon dahil siyempre, we're also trying to cope up with our missed topics. Aral lang halos, gano'n. Paminsan ay nakakatanggap naman ako ng text galing sa kanya kapag nakauwi na ako pero late ko na rin nababasa dahil sa iba pang gawain.

Naupo muna ako sa waiting shed at doon na lang siya hinintay. I don't know what he's up to, though. But for whatever reason, I still waited for him for a couple of minutes before he finally arrived.

"I'm glad you waited." Jay said in a heavy breath like he was in a rush or something. Tumayo na ako sa kinauupuan ko at pinasadahan muna siya ng tingin bago siya hinarap.

Unlike his usual dark get-up, he's now wearing a blue polo shirt, tucked in white pants with his expensive sneakers. His hoop earrings and silver wrist watch are also noticeable like it was intended for viewing. I gasped at the sight of him. He seem like a different person now.

"Uh, yeah.. Kuya guard told me. And halos kakababa ko lang rin so I didn't wait that long." Mabuti na lang at naging kalmado pa rin ang tugon ko sa kanya.

"Well, that's a relief. I thought you're gonna leave because I left the Hideout a bit late. Hindi na ako nakapag-text kasi nagmadali na ako sa pagd-drive pabalik dito. I'm sorry.." Tipid siyang ngumisi at pasimpleng i-minuwestra ang sasakyan sa likod niya.

"Ikaw ang nag-drive?" Nagtataka kong tanong. I assumed he's with his driver dahil madalas naman na gano'n. But the car was tinted so I couldn't confirm it myself at the moment.

"Yeah. Does it sound surprising that I drive?" Bahagya siyang natawa. I just shook my head and keep my thoughts to myself. "Tara na?" Mayamaya ay tanong niya.

"Hmm.. isasabay mo ako?" Medyo nabigla kong sinabi. Well, aware naman ako doon pero ang in-expect ko lang kasi talaga ay kasama niya 'yong driver niya and he would just ask me for a free ride. But I guess, it's just us, so..