what if we happened

9. Who was that Girl?

Chapter 9: Who was that Girl?

Seren

"Are those macarons in your bag? Pahingi naman!" Nahagip ng mga mata ni Anais sa loob ng bag ko 'yong box ng macarons noong kunin ko 'yong wallet ko. Ang bilis ng mga mata niya.

We had just settled in the canteen for lunch, waiting for Thalia before we buy foods. Kasama rin namin 'yong bestfriend ni Anais na si Arturo. Normally, sabay talaga sila mag-lunch dal'wa. He's usually quiet around us, more on the shy side.

"Ayaw ko nga!" pagdadamot ko, quickly zipping my bag and I hastily pushed it further under the table to hide the box of macarons. Hindi ako madamot lalo na sa mga kaibigan ko pero hindi lang kasi basta paborito kong pagkain 'to, it's just that it held a special significance for me. Galing kay Elias 'to, wala naman sigurong masama kung ipagdadamot ko? Sumimangot tuloy si Anais. "Sorry, vebs. I wanted to savor these macarons. I'll get you some other time, but these ones . . ." I smiled a bit. "I really want to keep them for myself for now, please?" I pleaded in a low tone.

Viviana grinned. "Well, alam mo ba kung bakit special kay Seren 'yan? Guess who it came from!" she said, her voice laced with excitement, even clapping her hands for effect.

Anais shot her brow. "OMG. I get it. It came from someone pala?" she prodded.

"Definitely!" kinikilig na sagot ni Viviana.

Anais gets interested right away. "Oh, my gosh! From whom? Kay Pambansang Prinsipeng Makata ba?"

Napakunot ako at matinding umiling. I didn't expect that to be the first thing that came to her mind. Pero sabagay, puwede nga rin naman niyang masabi na galing kay Pambansang Prinsipeng Makata 'to.

"Nope. Galing sa manliligaw niya," Viviana finally said it. Ikinagulat ko 'yong lumabas sa bibig niya kaya mabilis akong napalingon sa kaniya to glare at her. Ire-recruit niya pa si Anais para pagtulungan nila akong asarin.

Anais looked even more surprised. "May manliligaw si Seren?!"

I slightly shook my head. "Loka! Anong manliligaw? It's not like that. Hindi nga ako nililigawan ni Elias! Kulit mo naman, Viviana!" I blurted out, hoping to put an end to any wild ideas my friends might have.

Medyo uncomfy ako sa idea na 'yon. Paulit-ulit kong ipinapaalala sa sarili ko na 'wag umasa pero itong si Viviana, makulit.

Viviana laughed out loud at my reaction. Lalong namilog naman ang mga mata ni Anais, twinkling with amusement at the mention of Elias' name. "So, it explained na si Elias pala nagbigay niyan? Spill it! Don't keep me waiting! How did Elias give you macarons?" nasasabik na mga tanong niya sa akin. Her face alive with so much curiosity.

"Wala naman," mahina kong sagot.

"Ano nga?! Pabebe nito. OMG ka. Dapat detailed by detailed, ha! I need to know everything! Kuwentuhan mo ako, girl! Now!" pamimilit niya pa at mukhang wala na akong magagawa.

I couldn't help but smile at the thought of sharing this special moment with my friends. "Alright, I'll tell you. Pero 'wag kang masyadong maingay, ah."

Umayos siya ng upo at pinokus ang buong atensyon sa akin. "Okay. I'll behave. Dalian mo!" Bahagya niya pa akong hinampas sa kamay na parang bang atat na ata siya.

I took a deep breath first to relive the moment. "Well," trying to contain my excitement, "It was unexpected, really."

She flicked her hair impatiently. "Ang bagal magkuwento!"

I scoffed and continued, "Fine. Here's how it went down. After our class, kaninang umaga pumunta si Elias sa room namin 'tapos hinahanap niya ako."

"And then?" bitin niyang sambit. She's so invested with this.