Always Have Been, Always Will Be | ✓

37

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Chapter 37

Trying Again

"Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwalang magkakilala kayo ni Sauyer," ulit na naman ni Celestine habang nakaupo kami sa quad.

We were all reviewing the photos we took in our cameras for an assessment, utilizing our vacant time to do so. Lahat kami ay nakapokus sa ginagawa pero nagawa pa ring isingit ni Celestine ang paulit-ulit niyang binabanggit simula nung araw na 'yon.

I sighed, tired of having to answer the same thing over and over again.

"I told you, we're just friends. Last school year, he had to go to America and now he's back," I answered without taking my eyes off of the screen of my camera.

It was true, though. He indeed left last year and was back now. And for the friend part, I didn't know what to label him because obviously, I couldn't say he was an ex for that would be too personal, not to mention that he probably hasn't came out yet. At saka...hindi ko pa alam kung ano kami, kaya friends na lang muna.

"Bakit siya nagpa-America?" Dinig kong usisa ni Kyiel at napatingin sa akin sa sulok ng aking mga mata.

I halted and pressed my lips together, contemplating whether to tell them the reason or not.

"Personal reasons," ang kalaunang sinagot ko.

Finals were already approaching—we were that deep into the school year. Ang bilis talaga ng panahon, parang kahapon lang na baguhan ako sa university na 'to, tapos ngayon, nagpupuyat na at nag-c-cram na ulit ako. But fortunately enough, I've been doing fine. I skimmed through the prelims and midterms without facing much struggles, so I guess that was a win for me.

I guess Mommy's constant pressures on me had a good side after all, huh.

"Single ba siya?"

I was forced to put my camera down and look at Celestine's hopeful and ecstatic expression. Bakas sa mukha niya ang pag-asa dahil simula pa lang nung nalaman niyang kilala ko si Sauyer, hindi niya na ako tinatantanan. Ipakilala ko raw siya, at paulit-ulit ko namang sinasabi na baka busy 'yon.

"Hindi ko alam," tipid kong sagot.

Agad namang sumimangot si Celestine. Pati si Kyiel ngayo'y nakaobserba na rin sa amin, si Serene naman ay nanatiling nakatuon ang pansin sa ginagawa.

"Bakit hindi mo alam? Tanungin mo, please!" Pagpumilit niya.

"Hindi kami gano'n ka-close."

"E bakit sabi niya noon sa 'yo, magsama kayong uuwi?" Patuloy na pag-interoga niya sa akin, pinanliliitan pa ako ng mga mata.

I heaved a sigh, placing the camera down on my lap and crossing my arms. I maintaining eye contact. "I already mentioned that he only offered to drive me home dahil may atraso siya sa akin that time. Hindi ko masasabi kung ano."

"Hindi kayo close pero hinatid ka pauwi?" Her squinted eyes were an evidence that she still wasn't convinced.

"Maybe they're friends, but not close enough to introduce each other. If you have seen Elize's face that day we saw Sauyer, Elize was shy. Baka may obligasyon lang sa kaniya si Sauyer nung oras na 'yon," Kyiel finally spoke up for me.