Nagsabay rin kaming umuwi sa Pilipinas. Hindi na natuloy ang pagdalaw at pagpunta ko sa London dahil magandang balita ang dumating. Mommy just called me and told me to go home because we will post-celebrate my birthday. That's why I was also excited to go home. And we really did celebrate together. I hope for this year to be really good.
The class continued. Something has changed between Elij and I. Nararamdaman kong mas naglalapit ang loob naming dalawa. Madalas niya rin akong imbitahing lumabas at kumain. Hindi ako makatanggi dahil gusto ko rin. I was oblivious to something.
He also invited me when his birthday came. He cooked and baked his own cake. I've met his brothers too. Hindi lang ako nagtagal at nauna ring umalis bago pa sunod na dumating ang mga kaibigan niya.
"I already done your essays." ani ko habang nag-aayos ng gamit ko dahil katatapos lang ng klase namin.
"And I've already done it too."
"Bakit mo kasi ginawa? You know it's my part in the deal."
"Yeah, but-"
"I'll just give it to our other classmate then." I cut him off.
"Huwag. I'll just pass that," mabilis ring agap niya kaya naguluhan ako.
"Huh? Sabi mo-"
"Iyong ginawa mo na lang ang ipapasa ko. Baka maraming wrong grammar ang gawa ko, mabagsak pa."
"Okay. But I left it in my car so ibibigay ko na lang after class." i said and continued walking out the room.
"Hindi ba mabigat ang MacBook mo?"
"No. Why?"
"Baka lang kasi masakit sa balikat 'yan," he whistled casually and not looking at me.
"No worries."
Napatikhim siya bago nagpatuloy. "Do you want me to carry your bag instead?"
"No, kaya ko na. Thank you." I glanced at him and smiled.
He ran fast and now walking backwards, facing me. He raked his hair and fixed his black shoulder bag. He checked his wristwatch.
"It's lunch time. You're goin' somewhere?" Tanong niya ulit.
"School library."
"You won't have your lunch?"
Napailing ako. "I'll just buy yogurt later after."
"Don't tell me, you're on diet?"
I feel my cheeks heated with that. "Y-Yeah. I'm gaining more weight again because of you! So I need to lose it again and eat less!"
"You'll just starve yourself, Quartz. You need to eat more. Ang sarap kaya kumain."
"Please! Huwag mo akong demunyuhin, Elij!" ani ko at tinakpan ang mga tenga.
Natawa siya at pilit ibinaba ang mga kamay ko. Lumayo ako at naunang naglakad. I giggled and stuck my tongue out. Nauna akong pumasok sa loob ng walang lamang elevator. Agad din naman siyang sumunod at dumikit sa akin.
Magsasara na sana nang pareho naming narinig ang boses ni Maika sa labas at gustong magpahintay. I didn't move and let the elevator closed. But Elij suddenly put his foot trying to stop and prevent the elevator to close. Napasulyap ako sa kanya at napasulyap rin siya sa akin. Umiwas ako at nakaramdam ng konsensya dahil hindi ko gagawin ang ginawa niya.
"Thank you!" Maika's soft voice echoed inside. "Let's have a lunch together again." She smiled and went closer to him.
Napairap ako at pumagilid. Pero bigla ay napabahing ako ng mahina nang may maamoy na ibang pabango, probably it's Maika's. She's still using that perfume of hers. Sabay silang dalawang napatingin sa akin kaya parang nakaramdam ako ng hiya. I covered my nose and apologized.
