SITUATIONS
“CYRUS, CAN WE MEET UP?” Ashley asked from the other line.
I almost hesitated. Something sent shivers to my spine. Iʼm feeling like I should meet her now but what comes next after that makes me feel off. “Sure.” I still agreed despite the storm of overthinking.
“Nasaan ka ba?” tanong ko.
“Iʼm currently at the parking lot, papunta na ako sa student hall.” she replied. “Letʼs meet there.”
“Okay, see you there, Ashley.” mahinang sabi ko.
And I ended the call. Tumayo na ako at akmang lalabas na ng studio nang bigla kong marinig ang boses ni Adi. “Saan ka pupunta?” tanong niya sa akin.
Napuno ng pagtataka ang mga mukha ng mga kaibigan ko. Lalong-lalo na si Marcus. Ang kaninang masayang pag-uusap ay napalitan ng matinding katahimikan.
Napatintin ako sa bawat isa sa kanila dahil sa katahimikang hindi mabasag. “Iʼm gonna meet up with a friend.” sambit ko. They seem to have grew suspicion towards me. Just what was suspicious with meeting a friend?
Inangkla ni Jonas ang kaniyang braso sa akin. “A guy friend?” he asks.
I gave a look on him. “Dude, whatʼs wrong with your face?” napailag ako nang ilapit niya ang mukha sa aking tainga.
I just sighed—in defeat. “Itʼs a girl.”
“Siguro nililigawan niya na.” Nagsimula ang pagbubulungan nina Primo at Andy sa gilid.
“Hoy, hindi ah!” tanggi ko. I glared at them after seeing them bursted laughing. “Babalik ako. Saglit lang naman ako.” paalam ko. Hindi ko na hinintay ang mga sasabihin nila at umalis na agad. Baka kung ano pa ang mga sabihin nila.
...
“KANINA KA PA BA RITO?” tanong ko kay Ashley na nakatayo sa harap ng entrance ng student hall. Napansin ko na may hawak na paperbag sa likod niya.
Mabilis siyang umiling. “ʼDi naman. Kakarating ko lang halos.”
“Hmm.” Tumango lamang ako. I didnʼt bother to come up with a good topic for a conversation because I was waiting for her to tell me what she wanted to tell me. “Do you have something to tell me when you asked me to meet you up here?” I didnʼt last long waiting for her response.
“I wanted to give you something.” she mutters and she handed me the one she was holding. The paper bag. “Open it.” mahinang sambit niya at umiwas bigla ng tingin.
Nagulat ako sa reaksyon niya. Why is she so shy suddenly? Hmm, whatever the reason may be, Iʼll just open what she have for me.
When I looked inside of the paper bag, all that I see is a wrapped-up small brownies. Each one of it were tied with a pink ribbon.
“Para saan ʼto?” tanong ko bigla. Hindi ko maiwasang mapatanong. Realizing that today is just one day ahead of valentineʼs day. This might mean something deep.
“To thank you for being my dance partner.” she softly smiled. “Kung ʼdi ka pumayag na maging partner ko, hindi ako makakasali sa event. I have a guy friend pero hindi kasi siya mahilig sa pagsasayaw. Ikaw na lang talaga ang tanging pag-asa ko noʼng araw na ʼyon.”
