T.S. STORIES #4: Say Don't Go (Completed)

Chapter 11

It's been a week since I got home. As usual, I'm doing some chores to get rid of Mama's loud voice. Aside from that, lately, she's been literally showing me some young guys he knew from her acquaintances?! She even attempted to set me up with someone the other day?!

"Wala ka pa ring nagugustuhan, 'nak? Pogi pa naman 'yong anak ni Kakai," she then goes again, interrupting my peace while washing the dishes.

"Ma, tigil-tigilan mo ako. Wala akong planong magkaboyfriend," I replied.

"Siguro 'yong pogi sa dagat pa rin gusto mo no. 'Yong naghatid sa akin sa ospital," she added, which made me wince in disgust.

"Ma naman. Pwede ba, huwag mo na siyang ipaalala sa akin? Hindi kami bati n'on."

"Sinasabi ko nga ba, may something kayo eh!"

"Wala, Ma. Wala," I denied.

She poked my side which made me flinch. "Ma, mababasag ko talaga 'tong mga pinggan. Sige ka," I threatened, while holding the plates.

She went away, clearly proving that she truly cares about these dishes more than her own children.

"Siya nga pala, nagkita kami ni Tito Yael mo sa palengke. Eh ang sabi, irefer daw kita sa project nila. Need kasi nila ng mga volunteer daw. Sali ka na. Baka do'n, may mahanap kang pogi—"

"Ma! Project ba talaga 'yan o isset up mo ulit ako?"

"Basta pinapapunta kita d'on para may silbi ka naman. Tutal, wala ka namang ginagawa dito sa bahay. Tsaka, pakakainin ka naman doon at may ayuda pa. "

She does have a point, but I really wasn't in the mood to go outside and interact with people. At first, I went back to my room and hid, but Mama threatened to kick me out of her house if I didn't have any plans about going to the barangay hall. In the end, I dressed up and with unwillingness, I went out.

At the barangay hall, I was greeted with a queue of teenagers, signing up for registration. Then, a middle aged man in his uniform approached me. "Anong sa'tin, dong?" he asked, but then I saw a hint of recognition on his face.

"Ike?"

"Ikaw pala, Tito Yael."

He seemed glad upon seeing me again, after I left for my studies. "Buti naman, nakauwi ka. Gusto mo magvolunteer sa project namin? Maglilinis lang naman tapos ayos-ayos konti," he said.

"Kung may pakain po, sali po ako, hehe," I shyly replied.

"Ay, 'yan lang pala. Magpapakain talaga si kapitan! Hali ka rito."

He took me to the signing table and there, he requested the in-charge to let me sign first, skipping the queue right in front of us. "Dali, pirma ka na," Tito Yael mouthed in urgency.

Right after I panicked finishing my details in the form, I glanced away from the queue, hoping I didn't make anyone pissed of me, cutting in line.

When he sent me to the meeting hall, it was too late to realize that I didn't bring anyone I know today. I heaved a sigh, upon knowing I'd be alone in the room of high school kids—

"Hi, sir Ike!"

My eyes widened in surprise upon seeing this girl named Venice, the one who called me for his project—Oh no. I fell into a trap.

I saw him standing right at the stage, and upon hearing Venice's voice across the hall, he turned to where I stood.

I gasped, as he waved at me.

"Oh, kilala niyo 'to si Ike?" Tito asked Venice.

She nodded. "Yes! In fact, we invited him a few days ago and he declin—I mean, he surely wants to join us now. 'Di ba, sir Ike?"

Oh, jeez, help me. Why do I have to see them again?!

At that moment, I badly wanted to run, but my feet weren't helping me either. I just stood there instead, with an upside down smile, as he approached us. "Good morning," he greeted.

And instead of greeting him back, I just glared at him, hoping he knew I didn't sign up for this.

"Oh siya, kayo na bahala sa pamangkin ko ha. Balik muna ako sa labas," Tito said and left me.

At last, I had a moment to turn around, but a hand held my wrist. "Where do you think you're going?"

It was certainly coming from him.

He pulled me away from the exit, and there, I lost hope of escaping this trap. "Pwede mag-back out—"

"Hindi pwede!" Venice and him answered in unison.

They found a seat for me, but it was in the frontmost row, so I was hesitant to take it. "Pwede sa likod na lan—"

"Hindi pwede!" they said in unison, now starting to freak me out.

"Dito ka lang para kita kita," he added, with a wink that winced me in disgust.

When he left and entertained the other volunteers, I was already plotting my escape but this girl was looking at me. Seriously, she locked her eyes on me. "Geez, nakakatakot ka na," I said.

"Apologies, sir Ike. Didn't mean to scare you. Feel at home. Do you need something? We can offer you food to comfort you for the meantime," she offered, but I shook my head as a quick reply.

"Hays, tama nga si sir Gelo. Cute mo nga talaga," she gushed.

My brows crossed upon hearing that. "Sinabi niya?"

There, she glanced away. "Wala po, sir Ike," she denied, but still gushing. She's just as weird as him.

Moments later, the program started and Raiver introduced himself as the one of the leading volunteers for this project. I couldn't imagine him leading in a community project at first, but as he spoke throughout the meeting, I witnessed how willing he was to help. He was able to reach out for sponsors and collaborated with the local officials, together with his small team.

Sounds too real.

Back then, he barely joined any outside school activities and if he would join, he'd just be there for the extra points.

Now, the tables have turned. It seemed I'm the lone unwilling ass to volunteer this project. Though it was for the betterment of the beaches, I really don't want to see him at all times.

"Now, it seems that my good friend here wants to give suggestions, right?"

The moment I heard that, I panicked, internally screaming in great terror, as he walked towards me with his microphone. I looked away, pretending that I didn't see him. But, no matter how I covered my face, he still stood in front of me and gave me the mic. "Dali, suggest ka na," he said, panicking me with sudden urgency.

I left with no other choice, but to speak in front of all. "Uhm..."

My mind was generating questions but I couldn't even pick one. I was literally dying inside. "Okay na siguro 'yong project. 'Yong main concern ko lang is..."

I took the mic away and mouthed one word in silence. "Ikaw."

He just laughed, and took the mic from my hand. "'Di bale, 'di lang ako ang maglelead sa project na 'to. We will make sure this project will be a successful one and worth it," he answered, far from the concern I raised.

Not anyone knows what I mouthed anyway.

But he is—the main concern of my life from this moment.