ROLE
“YES! TAPOS NA RIN ANG EXAMS!” I strectched my arms up high. Finally able to breathe this freely is something Iʼve been looking forward to since Monday, the start of exams.
“Arenʼt we going to meet the boys?” tanong ni Marcus.
“Oo, pero teka lang, may dadaanan lang ako. Kung gusto mo, mauna ka na.” tumalikod ako at patagong ngumiti. Iʼm finally going to see her.
Akmang lalakad na ako nang marinig ko ang boses ni Marcus. “Youʼre going to see Hazel, arenʼt you?”
Humarap ako sa kaniya. “Wow, you saw through me.” saad ko saka ngumisi.
“Iʼm a good observer.” he said, smirking. “Sasama ako sa ʼyo. Hindi naman siguro big deal ʼyon.”
I sighed. It wouldnʼt hurt to let him tag along with me. “Okay, letʼs go.”
...
“HELLO. NANDʼYAN BA SI HAZEL?” tanong ko sa isang lalaki. He was the one who opened the door when I went to Hazeʼs room.
“Sheʼs not here. Lumabas siya kanina.” he said.
“Ah, ganoʼn ba...” I looked to Marcus, yearning for his sympathy. “Tell her to meet me at the parking lot at 5:30 pm.”
“Noted.” he nods. “Anyways congrats sa panalo niyo last week!”
“Oh, thank you...!” I tapped his shoulder before leaving. “Mauuna na kami.”
Hindi na kami nagtagal doon at naghintay na bumalik si Haze. Babalik din naman siya sa room pero baka mamaya pa. Napagtanto namin ni Marcus na puntahan na ang mga kaibigan namin sa cafeteria. They might be already done taking their exams too as of the moment.
Malapit na kami sa hagdanan nang mahagip ng mata ko ang isang pamilyar na lalaki mula sa ʼdi kalayuan mula sa aming kinatatayuan.
“Isnʼt that Hazel?” asked Marcus.
Napalingon ako sa kung saang direksyon nakatingin si Marcus. There I saw Hazel and the guy—who I just saw a while ago. How come I didnʼt notice that sheʼs next to that guy who first appeared in my sight?
“Thatʼs the a-hole youʼre talking about.” he muttered.
I froze from my stance, “Yeah.” I couldnʼt speak either. Nakaramdam ako ng matinding kirot sa dibdib nang makita kung paano ngumiti si Haze habang kausap ang lalaking ʼyon. Siya lang naman ang lalaking nagpa-iyak kay Haze. She hated him. “My eyes must be deceiving me.” I whispered under my unstable breathing.
“Hinahanap na tayo nila Adi.” walang emosyong paalala ni Marcus. If he hadnʼt spoke to me, I would still be lost between my senses.
Unfortunately, I was still in my feet, unable to move a muscle. Then unexpectedly, Marcus showed up in front of me, blocking my sight. “Your eyes are deceiving you. Tara na.”
He pulled me by force. I was in complete delusion that I needed Marcusʼ help. Nakahinga ako ng maluwag dahil nakaalis na kami sa lugar na ʼyon. Pero hindi maalis ang sakit na nararamdaman ko sa bandang dibdib.
Nalulungkot ako sa dami ng iniisip ko. Hindi nga dapat makaapekto sa pisikal kong katawan ang nararamdaman ko. Alam ko naman na simula palang noʼng una, hindi niya makalimutan si Nathan. His knock towards her heart was clearly heard and he was instantly recognized. Sheʼd still prefer to open her doors for him. No doubts. Iʼm just a friend to her and my role in her life would not exceed more than that.
...
“MUKHANG MALALIM ANG INIISIP MO, CYRUS.” Narinig ko ang boses ni Adrian.
Napatingin ako sa kaniya. At dahil sa sinabi niya, malamang ay tanong na ang susunod. Ano namang sasabihin kong dahilan? Hindi pa nila alam na may gusto ako kay Haze. Ni hindi nga nila alam na may nagugustuhan na ako.
