Heart Tamer (That Girl #1)

21. Saoirse

"Busyng-busy makipaglandian sa text, sana all mine-message," irap ni Rafa na hindi ko manlang namalayang gising na pala.

"Hindi ba kayo nag-uusap ng crush mo?" curious kong tanong, sa kapal ng mukha ng babaeng 'to imposibleng hindi pa niya nagawang i-chat o i-text 'yong crush niyang manager sa ramen house.

Nakasimangot na umiling-iling sa'kin si Rafa bago inabot ang sariling cellphone at chineck iyon. Ilang sandali lang ay ipinakita niya sa'kin ang screen ng cellphone niya kung sa'n naka-display ang conversation nila ng crush niya.

"He's ignoring you," I gasped.

Puro si Rafa ang nagme-messsage between them, ini-scroll ko pa ang past messages nila at nakitang may apat o lilimang reply lang ang crush niya and the rest ay message na ni Rafa.

"Why do you keep on messaging him? He clearly doesn't like talking to you," I asked confused.

"I know, but I like him," she sighed.

I wanted to say something, even tell her how desperate I think it is but I just bit my bottom lip and didn't say anything. I know how tactless I could get sometimes, and that is something I've been trying to work out about myself lately. Sabi sa'kin ni Audrey before, you should never say anything sa mga bagay na hindi mo naman naiintindihan, lalo na kung hindi maganda ang sasabihin mo, and clearly this is something I don't understand. Why Rafa likes this guy, and why she's being desperate for him are some things that I don't know the reason to.

Naikwento na ni Rafa sa'kin ang crush niya na 'yon, na hindi ko pa naman nakakalimutan na kaibigan din ni Damian. Based on Rafa's story the guy is really a catch, matalino, mabait, masipag mag-aral at dahil nga pangarap maging lawyer ay may pakialam din sa lipunan. He likes to attend important talks, outreach programs and rallies regarding social issues that affect mostly the marginalized.

"I still don't understand, ang daming may gusto sa'yo—"

"But he's the only one I like," Rafa said cutting me off. Wala na 'kong sinabi 'ron dahil wala naman na talaga 'kong masasabi, I let go of the topic and so is Rafa. Nag-ayos na kaming pareho at ginawa na ang video ko para sa product review.

Saktong dinner na nang matapos kami ni Rafa, dumating din si Audrey from rehearsal at nagyaya na mag-dinner sa labas, tinatamad kaming magluto pareho ni Rafa kaya mabilis kaming nag-agree at nagpalit lang ako ng simpleng pulang knitted-sweater cropped top at itim na high waisted skirt. Si Rafa at Audrey ay parehas na naka-dress, Rafa is wearing a plain white sleeveless fitted dress na ang haba ay lagpas tuhod, habang si Audrey naman ay naka-pink square-neckline short dress.

We used Rafa's car at siya na rin ang nag-drive, nasa shotgun seat si Audrey at nasa likod naman ako. They're talking about some assignments and projects that I know nothing about dahil bukod sa hindi ko naman sila kaklase ay ni hindi rin kami parehas ng course. They're both taking AB Mass Communication.

After talking about school stuff, Rafa filled Audrey in with her gossip about me and Damian while we're still on the way to the restaurant, hinayaan ko lang siya dahil kasama naman nila 'ko at sa kanilang dalawa lang naman nakakarating ang chismis nila sa isa't-isa. I just checked my phone to see kung may reply na si Damian sa message ko, but wala pa rin. Itinabi ko na lang ulit iyon sa loob ng maliit kong bag.

"If he pursue her, then Damian is going to be her first boyfriend!" excited na sabi pa ni Audrey kay Rafa, nasa loob na kami ng restaurant at nakakuha na rin ng table ay hindi pa rin natatapos ang usapan nilang dalawa tungkol sa'min ni Damian.

"Anong pursue? Walang ganon, ni hindi nga kami magkaibigan ni Damian," I said bursting their bubbles.

"He likes you, so obvious kaya!" but of course like Rafa, Audrey strongly believe the conclusion they already came up with.