Missed Connections

2 : Statue by Lil' Eddie

It has been a week since school started. Medyo na overwhelmed din ako sa surroundings ko, especially sa new environment. Because even though my friends and I are in the same school, we took different strands.

Si Adienne ay nasa STEM, while Syrine and Amber are in TVL-Cookery. Tapos ako naman, nasa HUMSS.

I was busy scribbling onto my binder notebook while sitting on a bench by the fountain. My phone vibrated and I took it out from my pocket. It was Syrine who texted me.

“Andito sa library ’yung crush mo”

A smile is immediately painted on my face. Does this mean na dito rin nag enroll si Quim? Shet!

Agad kong isinara ’yung binder ko at ipinasok sa mini backpack ko. While putting it inside, nahagip nang mga mata ko ang bracelet na isinauli ni Yeshua a week ago.

I never saw him again after that though. Immediately, I shook my head to drive away my random thoughts. Tumayo ako sa kinauupuan kong bench at nagsimula nang maglakad papuntang library.

Habang tinatahak ko ang daan papunta doon, I keep on recalling the activities I need to submit within this week. So far my academics is doing well since school welcomed my presence once again.

Drowned in my own thoughts, I didn’t noticed na nasa harap na pala ako nang library. Our school library is huge, or I must stay, enermous. Neo-classicism din ang style ng structure nito.

I sighed before taking a step again towards the main entrance. I heard some circle of a group laughing and giggling behind my back, I turned my head lightly and I saw someone unexpected. Yeshua. His eyes captivated mine.

Agad kong ibinalik ang tingin ko sa harapan at mas binilisan ang paglalakad. Nang makapasok ako sa library ay agad kong hinanap ang pagmumukha nila Amber. Nang makita ko silang nagsusulat at nagbabasa ay agad akong lumapit sa pwesto nila.

“Sipag ah?” ani ko at napalingon sila sa’kin. “Te, tagal mo dumating. Lumabas na ang knight and shining armor mo” banas na sabi ni Syrine. “Ay ganon, kasalanan ko pang lumabas agad siya. Edi ’wag siya magpakita sa’kin, u-uncrush ko na siya” humalikipkip ako pagkasabi ko non. “Lakas na nang loob mo i-uncrush siya ha, porket ba may nagugustuhan kang mas matured?” Adienne said and even wiggled her brows.

Tinaasan ko siya nang kilay. “News flash, hindi ako pumapatol sa mas matanda—” naputol ang sasabihin ko nang may sumabat mula sa likod ko. “Sinong matanda?” hinarap ko agad ang walang hiya na pumutol sa sasabihin ko.

“Ikaw, baka gusto mo—” my mouth was left opened when I saw who is it. I immediately closed it and shifted my expression into being annoyed. “Gusto ko, what? Be your motivation?” ani niya at inilagay ang isang kamay niya sa bulsa ng pants niya. He is wearing their uniform— navy blue pants and a white polo sleeve with a tie.

“Pardon me, what?” my eyes widened with what he said. Me? papatol sa three years older than me? No way! “Sabi ko, pangit mo mag eyeliner” my jaw dropped onto the ground with what he said. “Wooh, payag ka non, Sol. Halos isang oras mo gawin eyeliner mo tapos pangit daw” ani ni Amber at ngumisi. “Ako n’yan, magdadabog ako e” dagdag pa ni Syrine.

I rolled my eyes on him and marched out. Nevermind him! Maghahanap nalang ako ng mga libro na pwede ko basahin para makapag advance study, since wala naman na dito ’yung crush ko. I was busy browsing through the shelf, and finally found something I could possibly read. But it is placed in the first compartment of the shelf that is way too out from my reach. But then.

I felt someone stood behind me. I turned myself and saw him. “Kuya Yeshua” I muttered. His eyes darted on the book na nasa pinakamataas na part ng shelf. He took a step making me hit my back on the shelf filled with books. My eyes went down and stared onto the tile floor. I felt him grabbed something sa may taas ko. Then I felt him holding the book I was trying to reach on. “Here, Jaycel” ani niya at ngumiti.

“I didn’t asked for your help—”

“I know. But I just wanted to do so” he shrugged.

“Thank you po, Kuya Yeshua” I said. Now that he kept his distance from me, I kept on wondering where was he for a week I didn’t saw his presence.

“I got busy with my schedule if that’s what you’re thinking” ani niya at ngumiti nang kaunti. “Kapal mo naman po, I didn’t asked where were you e” pagtataray ko.

He shrugged his shoulders and laughed. Confusion is painted on my face the moment he opened his palm in front of me. I gave him a questioning look.

“Hindi pantay ang eyeliner mo today, unlike when I first saw you. Give me your eyeliner, I’ll fix it for you” ani niya. Wala na akong nagawa kundi kunin ang make-up wipes at eyeliner ko sa aking bag. Iniabot ko sa kaniya ang mga ’yon at nahigit ang hininga ko nang hilahin niya ako palapit muli sa kaniya.

He held the back of my head and started to wipe off my eyeliner. He did it carefully like I am going to break into pieces if he wouldn’t. Malalakas ang tibok ng dibdib ko habang tinatanggal niya ang eyeliner ko. He is seemed so focus. A smile crept into his face when he finished doing it.

I saw how his eyes darted onto a part of my face.

“Your mole makes you even more beautiful. They suit you very well” he complimented.

I’m like a statue, stuck staring right at you.

And suddenly, butterflies started to roam inside my tummy. “Bilisan mo nalang tapusin, o baka naman hindi ka marunong mag eyeliner?” I stated. He just chuckled with what I said and started to draw a wing.

“I like your eyes, they’re very beautiful” he said again making me feel like I am in a rollercoaster ride kahit dino-drawing niya lang yung eyeliner ko. Moments after, he pulled away and had a proud look on his face. “The wing I drew suits perfectly with your thin almond shaped eyes” he muttered. I immediately took my pocket mirror inside my back and had a look of it.

And it’s true, marunong siyang mag eyeliner. Baka naman may girlfriend na siya, or ’yung ex niya? So what, Soleia Jaycel?

“I have a little sister, she taught me how to do so” he said and scratched his nape. “Oh, thank you po” sa lahat nang pwede kong sabihin, ’yun lang ang lumabas sa mga bibig ko.

“No worries” ani niya at isinauli sa’kin ang make-up ko. “I have to go now, Kuya Yeshua” ani ko. He just nodded his head and gave me a tiny smile. “Go ahead, Ingat ka!” he said and I nodded my head as a response.

I turned my back away from him and made my way out. Nang makarating ako sa Librarian’s Desk ay pumirma ako sa borrower’s card saka lumabas.

The summer wind kissed my face the moment I stepped out from the air-conditioned library. I glanced once again from the entrance, and I saw him. He is talking to a Senior Highschool Student based on his uniform. He is smiling to him, and when he noticed someone is eyeing him, he turned his gaze unto me.

I felt electrified with his gaze. He gave me an ear to ear smile and waved his hand. Inirapan ko lang siya at umalis na nang tuluyan sa library.

“It’s just 'cause I can't believe that you're so beautiful”