In Those Eyes

Kabanata Three

"Do you believe in the saying 'love is blind?'" Our teacher in theology asked suddenly.

A lot of my classmates raised their hands because this is the type of question they usually engage in.

"Yes, I believe that love is blind because we choose not to see their flaws." Said one of my classmates. Oh please, that's a big lie.

"I believe that it is blind, sir, because if you truly love someone everything does not seem to matter anymore." Some applauded this answer, which I didn't really understand why.

"Love is blind, and this is because we would never see the mistakes made by someone we love so much." Said another. The teacher smiled at their answers then proceeded to scan the room once more before locking eyes with me.

"Miss Valeno, care to share your thoughts regarding the question?" He said, which I'm guessing is because I was the only one with a disagreeing face in the class.

I stood up and faced the class.

"I disagree that love is blind sir." I heard some 'ooh' coming from my classmates.

"I think it is rather... uhm... forgiving. Because it's not that you don't see their flaws or mistakes, rather, because everyone has flaws and that's okay, it's because you chose to forgive or ignore it because of love. You can see their mistakes and faults, therefore it is not blind. You're just stupid." I said as I forgot to filter the last part. I sat down while the whole class was cheering for my answer for some reason. Yan, kaya kayo nasasaktan kaka-love is blind niyo. Red flag na go push pa rin.

I was excused again after that subject because of the practice I have to monitor. We started late today kasi ang tagal nung principal na i-approve yung excuse letter namin.

On the way to the gymnasium, nakita ko si Rieve na may dala dalang papel.

"Cutting ka ah?" Bungad ko sa kaniya.

"Luh, gago? Inutusan lang ako mag paprint eh." He scratched his head and looked like a cat caught in the act. "San' ka pala?"

"Sa gym lang, magbabantay ng practice." I said. I blushed when I realized that Jem would be there too. My crushable crush.

Nagpaalam na sa akin si Rieve kasi nag mamadali raw siya kaya nagpatuloy nalang ako sa paglalakad pa gym. When I entered, nakita ko agad si Jem. Suddenly nag play sa utak ko yung "Sa karagatan ng mga tao, ikaw ang nakikita ko..."  Oh please, not my delulu era again. Kailangan ko na talaga makasama sina Aisle, I need my senses knocked. Oh please, not like she'll knock some senses in me, she'll probably be more delusional.

I stared at Jem while walking towards my usual place on the bleachers. God really took his time making him eh noh? His looks could pass as a greek god.  He looked like every good thing combined into one. Fair skin with no single scar, his lips pinker than my lip balm, his chinky eyes na pag tinitigan ko biglang lumalaki kasi dinadala ako sa ibang universe, his teeth that looked so well cared for kasi sobrang puti, kaya rin kita alagaan hihi.

I face palmed myself because of my sudden thoughts.

"Hey, are you okay?" Biglang may sumulpot sa tabi ko. It was Jem. IT. WAS. JEM. JEM!!

"Ah oo hehe, medyo inantok lang. Nagpagising." What a lame excuse. He chuckled a bit before handing me a bottle of water and a chocolate bar.

"Thank you kahapon." He smiled genuinely. "Pambawi ko lang. By the way, my name is Jem. I wanted to introduce myself properly. Nahihiya pa kasi ako kahapon, natakot ako sayo eh. Akala ko mataray ka, pero sabi ni Rieve mabait ka naman daw." He handed me his hand once again. Are we going to hold hands again? Oh please, quit that Red!

"I'm Red," I shook his hand and chuckled because of what he said. "Mataray sa mataray, mabait sa mabait." I added and we both laughed.

After that he took his phone out and scrolled I guess, break time naman nila. So I did the same. Not long after, my insides were shaking because of the notification that popped.

*@tracehstn started following you.
*Jeremiah Trace Houston sent you a friend request.

I quickly accepted both of it and looked at Jem. He smiled at me.

"Friends na tayo, wala ka na magagawa. Cargo mo na ako habang buhay." He said laughing before standing up and going back to their practice. I tried to contain my smile. Baka mahalata ako!

I quickly opened my messenger app and went to our group chat.

GCING NA MAY PASOK PA

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! :Me

Aisle: ano yan? Dsurv i-chika mamayang dismissal!

Jace: TAMA! ILANG ARAW KA NA HINDI NA-CHIKA! PORKET KASALI CRUSH MO JAN!  FO NA BA TAYO? Pinagpalit mo na ba kami? 😔

Kali: Tang ina niyo. Nag quiquiz tayo. Pahinging sagot.

Aisle: tigili mag aral ka ng mabuti.

I laughed and turned my phone off kasi nag quiquiz pala sila. I didn't want to disturb them kasi baka mamaya mabigyan ko ng sagot. Graduate na kami sa ganon.

I busied myself with observing the participants and Jem, ofcourse. They're all doing well compared to yesterday.

"SCARED!" I knew it was Rieve because he's the only one who calls me by that name. "Hindi pa tapos?"

"Mukha bang tapos na?" Pinilosopo ko siya.

"Sabi ko nga kasi... uy golden hour, pwede mag picture." He took out his phone and posed for a selfie.

Rieve is handsome, I would not deny. We've been friends for years and I witnessed how girls flock over him. I understand them though. With his tan skin and stands at 6 feet tall with deep brown eyes and strong facial features, he is one good looking boy. His physique is also quite impressive; you can tell that he works out.

"Baka matunaw naman ako niyan." He said teasingly. I rolled my eyes. Eww? Si Jem ba siya?

"Ang kapal naman ng mukha mo? Saan mo hiniram yan? Sa encyclopedia? Pwede na pang Guinness World Record ah?" I said sarcastically.

"Sus, crush mo lang si Jem." He teased me again, but this time my eyes widened. Pano niya nalaman?!

"'Wag kang mag alala, hindi halata masyado lang kitang kilala." He smiled again with a hint of playfulness.

"Red! Ang chika!" Aisle's voice echoed through the whole gymnasium as she walked towards me with Jace and Kali following her like bodyguards.

Na dismiss naman agad ang practice after kaya hindi ko na inantay na makalabas lahat at nagpahila na kay Aisle.  Medyo nahiya rin kasi ako kay Rieve, kasi naman tropa niya yun eh.

We went to a cafe nearby para doon mag kwentuhan.

"Ano na ang balita?" Aisle asked excitedly. Yung dalawang lalaki naman parang mga matatandang nag aabang ng tsismis sa labas.

"Ina-dd niya ako sa Facebook at finollow sa Instagram!" I said happily.

We continued talking and catching up like we haven't talked for years, when in reality, like two days palang kaming wala masyadong usap. I was busy laughing at their stories when my phone buzzed and a notification popped up.

*@tracehstn sent you a message

I clicked it immediately. Kinakabahan ako, baka mamaya nilaglag na ako ni Rieve!

@tracehstn: you left earlier and I didn't get to say goodbye. Ingat ka, new found friend! Marami pang may crush sayo Ms. Rep.

I blushed. Both out of kilig and embarrassment kasi naman. What if sinabi ni Rieve kaya ganon yung last part nung message niya? Pero nakakakilig at the same time kasi nag message siya sakin para mag goodbye.

I replied to him first saying sorry and ingat din siya bago kunin ang helmet ni Jace at isinuot sa ulo ko.

"Napapaano ka na?" Jace said looking at me weirdly, Aisle and Kari giving me a 'what the fuck' look.

"Ingat daw kasi ako sabi ni crush hihi." Aisle pinched my sides before squealing with me and the two guys just looked so done with us.