Been Through (SCS #3)

11.

The foundation week's last day arrived quickly. Naialis na rin ang ilang booths na ginawa ng bawat estudyante at lahat ay nasa gymnasium para masaksihan ang closing performance ng mga piling estudyante. The awarding for sports and cheerleading competition will also happen later.

I'm with my classmates, sitting on the bleachers at the side of the gymnasium. Sa court kasi magpe-perform ang mga estudyante kaya walang upuan na inilagay doon. Nasa stage ang mga trophies at certificates na ia-award sa mga nanalo.

"Here," I look up and saw Janus beside me, handing me a can of juice. Inabot ko 'yon at hinayaan siyang maupo sa tabi ko. I immediately felt their gaze at our direction but, I didn't bother looking back.

These past days with Janus, I found myself getting comfortable with him. I can see how genuine of a person he is despite being a troublemaker before. Napapansin ko rin na nagiging maayos ang pakikitungo ni Janus sa mga tao sa paligid niya. He even make up to those classes he always miss. He's listening attentively to the professors. He's now wearing his uniform properly and I can't help but... be proud?

Proud because of his efforts.

"Magpe-perform ka?" tanong ko sa kaniya nang mapansin na nagsisimula na ang pagsasalita ng host para sa closing remarks.

Janus looked at the court and back at me, his locks covering his forehead as he nodded at me. "Last performance kami bago ang awarding. Cheer mo ako, ha?" he flashed me a smile. Bahagya akong natawa at uminom sa juice na inabot niya.

"Basta galingan mo," sabi ko. Umayos siya ng upo at sumaludo pa sa akin bago ngumiti nang malawak.

"Janus! Tawag ka!" I saw one of the member of dance club approaching. Dumako ang tingin nito sa akin at bahagyang ngumiti. "Hello, Yara!" he greeted me. I was shocked because of that but, I did greeted him back. Hindi ko kasi siya kilala kaya nakakagulat na ako, kilala niya.

"Hello," I smiled back.

"Manonood ka hanggang mamaya?" tanong nito sa akin. I nodded at him. Nakita ko naman ang pagngiti nito at humaplos ang kamay niya sa batok niya.

"Uh, p'wede ka bang maa- Aray ko, Janus!" his words were cut off when Janus pulled him with him. Huminto sa paglalakad si Janus at lumingon sa akin.

"Doon muna ako, Yara," aniya sa akin habang hila ang kasama niya. Tumango lang ako at hinayaan na silang umalis. Sumandal ako at nakinig sa speech ng mga school officials. Inabutan pa ako ng mga kaklase ng pagkain na magalang kong inayawan dahil busog din ako. Mama Kali cooked food for me to bring here so, I'm full.

"Luh, may paepal na naman," I heard one of my classmate murmured. They're behind me so, I managed to hear them. Hindi ko na sana papansinin nang mag-usap ulit sila.

"Halatang may gusto siya kay Janus, 'no? Papansin lagi," I heard them again and when I heard the familiar name, I instantly looked at the direction where he is.

"Halata namang walang interes sa kaniya si Janus, 'te," bulong pa sa likod ko pero, ang atensyon ko ay nasa kabilang dako ng gym kung nasaan si Janus. Nakaupo sa bleachers at nagsisintas ng sapatos, sa tabi niya ay si Unice na nagsasalita. May dala pang bimpo at kahon na hindi ko alam kung anong laman.

Fron what I observe, Unice seems to always approach Janus and I'm not stupid to be oblivious with what she's trying to do. She likes Janus and that's obvious with how she showed me the attitude last time.