The Boyfriend Project (COMPLETED) #Wattys2016

Nineteenth

19 - Nice

I tried to keep my eyes open for five minutes. Five minutes na lang kasi dismissal na. Pwede akong maglakad-lakad para mawala ang antok ko.

I was able to finish one-fourth of the revision on my thesis. Halos 3am na ako natulog bago ako na-satisfy sa ginagawa kong revision.

I yawned discreetly, moisture forming on my eyes.

My phone vibrated. I secretly checked the message.

From: Simon

Di kita masusundo. Kita na lang tayo sa canteen. Ingat ka.

I smiled. Kinikilig. Hays. Why are you doing this to me, Simon? Sobra kang magpakilig.

Despite my tired body and mind, I walked with a skip on my steps towards the canteen. Sobra saya ko na di ko na inaalintana ang pagod.

That's how Simon affects me.

My smile falter when I saw Simon on a table with a girl on his side. He was smiling at her.

My breathing faltered. May kumurot sa dibdib ko. Sobrang bigat ng dibdib ko bigla. I can't even take another step.

That girl was no other girl. Siya si Reese. The one I saw with Simon before.

I shook my head and brace myself as I approached their table.

Binati ako ng barkada ni Simon, Simon greeted me as well as he guided me to sit beside him. Nasa kabilang side niya si Reese.

"Stay here. Bibili lang ako ng snacks mo." He said as he stood up.

"Sabay na ako sayo Simon. Nagugutom na rin ako e.Ginutom mo ako." Reese said, laughing and run towards Simon.

Simon laughed and patted her head, smiling gently towards her.

With his gentle gesture, I felt like someone squeezed my heart as I watched the two of them.

"You know what," biglang sabi ni Yassie, barkada ni Simon. "Kung di lang sinabi ni Simon na may girlfriend sya, I would start shipping those two." Ngumuso pa sya para ituro yung dalawa.

Nagulat ako. I was not able to react for a moment. My world suddenly stopped.

I smiled weakly at her.

Inside my head, I saw somebody put another chain on my heart, squeezing it tighter.

"They look good together. And they are good friends way back freshie days pa." Yassie added.

The other girls from the group agreed with her and said their opinions. Someone from the group even confessed na dati nyang crush si Simon and told everyone Simon's good qualities.

"Kaya super swerte mo kay Simon, Gale. Kundi ibibigay na namin si Simon kay Reese. May crush din kasi yun dun." Yassie commented.

I was not able to say something kasi hindi ko alam ang dapat sabihin.

This is the first time I was put in this position.

I am hurting.

Yun lang ang nag-register sa utak ko.

"Sure ka?" Sabi ni Reese kay Simon, habang inilalapag nila ang snacks na nabili nila.

"Oo nga. Ang kulit mo talaga." Simon said, ginulo pa ang buhok ni Yassie.

"Okay! Wag mo na guluhin buhok, huy!"

Umiling si Simon at saka pa lang ako hinarap.

"Kain ka na. Matatapos na kami tapos alis na tayo."

I nodded and smiled at him weakly.

I started eating while Simon and Reese did some finishing on their report. Konti lang ang napilit ko sa sarili kong kainin kahit kanina sa klase ay gutom na gutom na ako. Nawalan ako ng gana sa nalaman ko at nakikita ko.

When Simon was done cleaning his stuff, he frowned when he saw my left over food but didn't comment on it.

"Saan na tayo?" He asked ng makalabas na kami ng canteen, buhat nya ang gamit ko.

I took my bag from him. Pagod na ako sa kaka-isip. Naguguluhan na din ako.

"Uwi na ako. Gusto ko ng magpahinga."

I saw how he clenched his jaw and breathed deeply. He took my bag again.

"Okay, ihatid na kita."

"Salamat." I murmured noong makarating na kami sa apartment.

He pulled me in for a hug. Napapikit ako sa napakasarap na pakiramdam na dulot ng yakap nya.

"Rest well, Gale." Bulong niya at naramdaman ko ang paghalik nya sa noo ko.

Nagpaalam na si Simon. Wala pa sina A at C. Nahiga ako sa kama at pinilit kong matulog.

Pero di ko maaalis sa isip ko sina Reese at Simon. Him smiling to her. That gentle smile. His nice gesture.

And there was me.

I just don't know.