Not Me

CHAPTER FORTY SIX

This is the first weekend that Tonton opted to stay in our unit. And honestly, I wish he didn't.

"Kahit naman anong piliin mo, hindi pa rin ako pupunta sa Freshman night." I told him while he's busy choosing my attire for that night.

"Not unless ipahila kita sa mga security guards mo." He answered. "Bet mo ba 'to?" He then showed a red tux with silver accent.

I was amazed how he saw a lot of beautiful designs but ignored them all until he saw this one. Honestly, that's the kind of tux I would prefer kung pupunta lang talaga ako - and if only that's not associated with my family.

"Red? Gusto mo talaga malaman ng mga taong anak ako ni Ferds?" I jokingly told him.

Red has been my father's political color since he started his career. Sanay na sanay na akong magsuot ng pula kaka-akyat ng stage.

"Mabilis naman akong kausap. Pink, bet mo para same na tayong Lani?" He answered which I am aware of was a joke.

"Black na lang para hindi kita ng mga tao." I answered. Mukhang wala naman na akong magagawa kaya pumili na lang ako. Besides, if not on Freshman Night, masusuot ko pa naman ang black tuxedo sa ibang events.

"Seryoso? Bet mong kapareho mo halos lahat?" He asked in disbelief. Panigurado naman kasing naka-itim halos lahat ng pupunta sa event.

"Better." I answered. "Hindi naman ako pupunta to stand out." I reminded him. Or maybe, I won't attend at all. Who knows?

"May point." He answered and continued on searching for a coat.

I honestly don't want to exert an effort on my outfit even if I'd attend. I mean, what would a "Freshman Night" mean for me, right? Pakiramdam ko nga, uupo lang ako doon, kakain, tapos uuwi.

"Here!" Tonton shouted na panigurado, narinig ng mga nasa paligid namin. He raised a black coat with red accent on it and I confirmed, maganda ang taste ni Tonton when it comes to wardrobe.

He chose for himself too. Kaya siguro niya ako pinipilit ay dahil wala pa siyang isusuot talaga.

When I saw what he chose, I confirmed that Tonton wanted to standout for that night.

"Just don't stay with me for that night." I told him. His outfit will surely be an eye magnet at kapag malapit siya sa akin, mas madali akong makikita ng mga tao.

Binayaran na namin ang binili namin at dumiretso sa grocery pagkatapos.

"Medyo matagal na tayong magkasama pero ngayon pa talaga natin naisip na maggrocery together, 'no?" Natatawa niyang sabi habang kumukuha ng mga cup noodles.

"Lagi kang wala pag weekends, e. Besides, hindi naman tayo madalas kumakain sa unit." I responded. "Mukhang kailangan ko na ngayon dahil wala naman na akong makakasamang kumain sa labas." I added after realizing na kailangan ko na talagang mag-stock ng pagkain.

"Masaya naman akong kasama kumain, 'di ba? Enjoy ka muna sa presence ko. Wala naman akong planong maging fake bodyguard mo." Natatawang biro nito.