Chasing The Sunset

02

"Bacsilog na lang tayo."

Sa malapit na kainan lang naman kami napunta. It's eight in the morning and I have a training pa around 10 AM. Siguro after eating, I'll part ways with them. I was sitting next to Drio, and I am facing Kairo naman. They were talking about their school stuff, and I was just listening to them quietly.

Kanina pa ako tingin nang tingin sa tubig kasi kanina pa ako nauuhaw kaso nahihiya naman akong ipa-abot dahil kanina pa sila nag-uusap. Napanguso na lang ako at pinagpatuloy ang pagkain. Nagulat ako nang maglapag ng baso si Kairo sa harap ko tsaka niya nilagyan ng tubig pero hindi siya nakatingin at patuloy pa rin na nakikipag-usap.

"Thank you," I whispered. He just glanced at me and then put the pitcher back in its place.

"This week na rin pala Cheerdance 'no?" Kristen asked. "Gusto ko manood kaso ubusan na naman ng ticket niyan."

"Excited nga ako, eh," sabi ni Drio. Hindi ko alam kung saan nagsu-susuot ang isang 'to kasi after niya umorder ng food, umalis siya saglit. "Feel ko USTe parin 'yan. Wala namang makakatalo sa Salinggawi."

"Malay mo UP Pep Squad," Josh joked.

"May possibility naman lahat ng squad," Kristen said. "Sadyang may mga university talaga na nalalamang kasi kumpleto sa resources. Agree ka ba, Amelia?"

I was expecting her to come at me.  "Well, I agree. It's an advantage talaga of private universities the complete resources, training grounds, coaches, etc. However, if you have these things and then the students have no talents, what's the use right?"

"True ka diyan beshy ko," Drio said, patting my back.

They resumed talking about their school stuff, kaya nanahimik ako uli. Hindi naman ako pinabayaan ni Drio kasi minsan tinatanong niya rin ako tapos ini-explain din pag-alam niyang hindi ko mage-gets. It was about nine nung natapos kami kumain. We went outside na tapos nag-plan na ako mag-book ng grab para hindi na hassle papasok ng USTe.

"Una na ako. Pupunta pa ako campus, may kukunin pa," I heard Kairo say.

"Malapit lang naman USTe sa UP 'di ba?" Drio asked. "Sabay mo na 'tong aports ko boss."

"I'll book a grab na lang," I said. Inismiran ako ni Kairo, kaya't sinamaan ko siya ng tingin.

"Huwag na. Sabay ka na kay Kairo. Malapit lang naman UP sa inyo," he said. "Tsaka less gastos ka pa. Hindi ka niyan sisingilin sa gas."

"I can pay naman," I said.

"Miss Sungit, sumabay ka na. Hindi naman kita kakainin, eh," He laughed. "Unless?"

My brows rose up. "Unless what?"

"Ako," he pointed to himself. "Gusto mo-"

"Fine!" Inis kong sabi. Ang lakas niyang mang-asar! Siguro, kahit anong words ang lumabas sa bibig niya, kukulo talaga ang dugo ko.

"Konting asar sa'yo, namumula ka agad," Kairo said and laughed. "Ang cute talaga, eh."

I just ignored him. Cute? What am I, a dog? Bwesit!

"Tara na, Miss Sungit," he said.

Bubuksan ko na sana ang back seat door, pero nakita ko sa peripheral view ko ang tingin niya. "What?" I asked.

"Huwag mo naman akong gawing driver," sabi niya. "Dito ka sa harap. 'Wag ka diyan."

"Ang arte naman," bulong ko.

"Una na kami mga pare. Ingat kayo pabalik," paalam niya. Before closing the door, I waved at Drio. Josh and Kyle also waved at me, but when Kristen saw me, she slightly glared. I just don't care now, I have no plans on get friends with her naman.

"Ingatan mo 'yang tropa ko!" Narinig ko pang sigaw ni Drio.

I was fixing my things the whole drive, kaya medyo magalaw ako. "Likot naman nito," sabi niya tsaka tumawa.

"Paki mo ba," sagot ko naman. Mas lalo siyang tumawa at umiiling pa.

When I was done fixing my things, the whole car was so quiet. So to avoid awkwardness, "Are you from UP Diliman?" I asked.

"Bakit ka interesado?" He glanced at me, smirking. Masama ang tingin ko sa kanya, nagtatanong akong maayos! "Wala ako sa harap mo ngayon kung sa Diliman ako."

"So, you're from UP Manila?" I asked again.

"Yes," he answered. "Are you a college student?" I asked again.

"Why are you asking?" He asked back. "You look old to be a college student," I smirked.

"Hoy! Ang kapal mo," sabi niya. "Med student ako, third year."

My mouth formed an 'o' before nodding. I was just kidding when I said that; actually, he looks too young to be a medical student nga. "As far as I know, busy ang mga medical students. Marami ka sigurong oras?"

"Sakto lang," ngumisi na naman siya. "Ayaw mo bang kasama ako ngayon?"

"Oh, please," I said, rolling my eyes. Natawa na naman siya. "Am I like your happy pill? Kanina ka pa tawa nang tawa."

"Sakto lang," ngumisi na naman siya. Sinamaan ko na lang siya ng tingin at nanahimik. Siguro ten minutes away kami from the campus. "Ikaw? Ano grade mo na?"

"What grade?" Naka-kunot noo kong tanong. "I'm a second-year college student, BA Communications."

"Ay weh? Kala ko high school ka lang," he counterattacked.

I raised my middle finger at him, and he laughed again. "You look young, ah. Compliment 'yan."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," I said. Binaba niya ako gate 2, which is good because malapit lang 'yung gym dito. "Thank you for the ride, Mister."

"Ingat ka, Miss Sungit," ngumisi siya.

Nang maisara ko 'yung pinto ay kumaway uli ako sa kanya, nag-beep naman siya before dumiretso na paalis. While walking, I texted Drio that I was already here. Pagdating ko naman sa gym, wala pa masiyadong tao.