Tingin | M. Takashi

10

MITSUYA

Kanina pa siya pagulong gulong sa kama. Hindi mo malaman kung anong trip niya na pwesto. I sighed heavily and sat on the foam. 

“Are you uncomfortable na nandito ako?” Tanong ko kaya tumingin siya sa ‘kin at umiwas agad.

“No. I can’t sleep lang talaga.” She answered.

“Do you want something? Hinaan ko ba aircon?” I asked.

“Wala naman akong gusto. Wag mo na hinaan yung aircon.”

Hinayaan ko lang ulit siya at bigla namang kumidlat at kumulog kaya nakita ko kung paano siya magtakip ng kumot.

She’s scared. Biglang kumidlat ulit kaya agad siyang tumayo at lumapit sa ‘kin. Siniksik ang sarili sa dibdib ko. “Are you scared?”

Hindi siya sumagot. Agad akong bumangon at tinignan siya na maigi. She’s really the same person i met during elementary school.

The one na takot sa thunder. The one na laging umiiyak kapag hindi pa nasusundo. The one who always run to me kapag inaaway siya ng mga kaklase niya or ibang students.

The one i continuously admire and look for. “Gusto mo kwentuhan kita?” I asked.

“Tungkol saan?” 

“About my elementary days.” I answered.

Umupo naman siya at tumingin sa ‘kin. “Okay, makikinig ako.”

I smiled at her and started the story. I hope she remembers me through this one. 

Flashbacks

“DSPC?” I asked habang binubuksan ang vcut na binili ko sa canteen. “Are we going to another school and compete?”

“Yes! Cool, right?” Izana said and smiled. “I want to see her.”

“Hindi ka pa rin makamove on.” Ran said. Nag transfer kasi sa other school crush niya napagod ata makita mukha niya. 

We went to the office and i saw a girl sitting at kumakain lang ng nips. “Hi!” She greeted me. 

“Oh, hi?” Nahihiyang sagot ko. 

She looks so cute lalo na yung hairstyle niya. Nakabraid ang magkabilang side na buhok niya at may ribbon na maliliit. She has dimples pa nga kapag ngumingiti magkabilaan pa. Maliit ang ilong at singkit ang mata.

“Kuya Izana, radio broad ka pa rin?” She asked.

“Yes, you? Photojournalist pa rin?” Izana asked and she nodded.

“I bought my camera with me. Papatignan ko kay Miss if okay na ‘to para sa laban.” She said. 

Wala akong ibang masabi. Nakatingin lang ako sa kanya the whole time. OA na kung OA pero it was my first time being enchanted with someone like this.

She’s the very first girl that i never get tired to stare at kahit na nagdi discuss ang adviser namin wala sa kanya lang ako nakatingin. 

After our DSPC days, i always wish to meet her kahit sa hallway man lang. This is just a simple crush lang naman siguro?

Pero mali, i’ve been looking for her sa buong sulok nitong school. At kapag trip ka nga ni Lord, it was morning. Flag ceremony when i saw her in the crowd leading her classmates sa pila nila.