His Signs of Affection

Sign No. 2

02

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Some notable signs on my ‘List of Signs’.

The constant eyebrow flash every time you see that one person. How your lips part. Flaring nostrils and wide eyes.

Just some of the most obvious signs that one can use to know if someone likes her or him.

The world is filled with nonverbal signs that can speak for us. Signs that can say what we are hiding in our hearts.

Or we can just be verbal.

Which is basically hell.

“A-ano?” I stuttered the moment I was able to speak.

Tila natauhan din siya sa kanyang sinabi dahil napahakbang siya ng isang beses palayo sa ‘kin. Namula ang mukha niya at nawala ang diretsong tingin sa ‘kin.

He bit his lower lip. While I was frozen right there, holding tight my notebook.

“I meant,” his voice cracked. “I meant to say that I like you, Mr. Chasen. You know, as a sports writer. Kaya nga—"

I heard him whisper a curse.

“H-ha? I mean—ofcourse. O-ofcourse I know. Alam ko na nagustuhan mo siguro yung mga gawa kong article noh? Diba? You like me to write you article, Tama?” He looked at me. Bago pa siya tumugon ay nagsalita na ulit agad ako. “Tama!” paladesisyon kong wika.

Tumingin pa ako kay Chorine na nakatulala. “He likes me. To write his article,” paglilinaw ko rito. She remained silent, anyway.

Rupell’s lips narrowed as I nodded continuously like an idiot. Trying to remove the tension. “I-I understand. Hindi mo na nga need na iexplain kanina eh. Nakuha ko agad."

I looked at his teammates. Marami sa kanila eh nakakunot ang noo at nakabuka pa ang mga bibig.

When I glanced at Rupell again, he was looking at me. His eyebrows are lowered; lips compressed. Nang magtama ang tingin namin ay ibinaba niya ang tingin niya. It’s almost like he’s regretting something.

Huwag siyang mag-alala. I would never misunderstand na may gusto siya sa ‘kin. No need to regret.

There was an awkward moment of silence.

“Right!” pagbabasag ko sa katahimikan. “The interview,” I continued with faked joy in my voice.

“So saan nga ulit yung interview?” I smiled and looked at Chorine. Kinuhit ko pa siya para matauhan. “Ate Chorine,” mariin kong sambit.

“Ay oo, interview. Oo. Saan? Saan nga yung interview?” magulo niyang tanong nang matauhan. I continued smiling kahit nangangalay na ang labi ko.

Tinapik nila sa balikat si Rupell at saka palang ito muling tumingin sa ‘kin. “S-sa bench,” nautal pa niyang sambit.

“Oo. Sa bench nga pala. So saang bench?” I remained having eye contact with him like the brave warrior that I am.

Just answer the d*mn question, kahit saang bench pa yan! Ang tagaaal!!

“Sa may faculty nalang.” I was able to breath noong sumagot na siya. Almost like a heavy burden was taken away from me.

Nawala narin ang tingin niya sa ‘kin dahil tumingin na siya sa mga kasamahan niya. Napahawak pa siya sa kanyang batok at bahagyang napailing.

“Okay. Then bench it is!” pagbasag ni Chorine sa katahimikan. Chorine looked back at me and smiled. “Bench,” she repeated.

“Bench,” wika ko pa.