Her Prince

- 23 -

- ADDYSON LOPEZ -

Julien had made it his job to take care of me while I was wounded. Sabay kaming pumapasok at umuuwi, I had become aware of his class schedule now too. Mas maaga ng ilang oras ang mga klase ko sa umaga, at ilang oras din na mas late sa kanya sa hapon. He had to adjust para lang masabayan ako.

"Don't sweat it Addy, it's too boring sa condo. Thank you for giving me something to do." He told me one time with a full smile.

Gustuhin ko mang tumanggi, he and my friends were right. I badly needed help, and Julien was willing to give it to me. Sino naman ako para tumanggi? Ang mga kaibigan ko naman syempre, kulang na lang ay ipagtulakan ako literally kay Julien.

Hinahatid at inalalayan niya ako sa classroom, hindi na ako nagpapa-alalay hanggang sa loob dahil nandoon naman ang mga kaibigan ko. Tapos hihintayin niya ako sa labas ng room sa last class ko. Ang akala tuloy ng blockmates ko, boyfriend ko si Julien. The whole East University probably thought the same, dahil kahit saan ako magpunta ngayon, ang daming matang nakamasid sa'kin.

If not for my friends, baka na-corner na ako ng ilan sa mga admirer ni Julien eh.

Today was the last day of the week, I could walk on my own now, with a few limps here and there. He was waiting outside for me as usual, as I limped out of the classroom. My friends hugged me goodbye, bago ako muling binilin at iniwan kay Julien.

He took my bag, as his hand found its place on the small of my back. "Mint Choco or Rocky Road?" he casually asked.

"Rocky Road."

"Rocky Road it is."

Napataas ang kilay ko, "Sure ka? Aren't you a Mint Choco lover?"

"You'll have your Rocky Road Miss, and I'll have my Mint Chocolate." He looked so unbothered, natawa ako nang malakas and he laughed with me.

I had wanted to buy him food one time, to at least make it up to him for all the help, kaya nagpadaan ako sa 7/11 minsan, but he would not let me pay. Until it became our routine, na dumaan at mag-ice cream as 7/11 bago kami umuwi.

Only a few meters from the store, I stopped and faced him. This question was bothering me a little, I needed it out. "Wala bang magagalit?"

Julien frowned, he looked cute. "Magagalit? Saan?"

"Sa pagsabay mo sa'kin?" Alam nang lahat na meron siyang babaeng gusto, at hindi ako 'yon.

"Wala naman..." he smiled, but didn't quite reach his eyes. He pondered for a moment, "May magagalit ba sa'yo? May boyfriend ka ba? Manliligaw? I can explain our situation if you want."

Natawa ako sa biglang pag-panic niya, "Mukha bang meron ako non?"

"Then we're good, right?" he probed, when I didn't answer his smile was gone. "Or do you find this uncomfortable? Naiilang ka ba sa'kin? Was this too much for you? I'm sorry I was just—"

"Julien, hindi gano'n. Komportable ako. Hindi ako naiilang. It's not too much. Ikaw lang ang iniisip ko."

"I like helping you, Addy. It's not bothersome at all, but if it's bothersome for you–"

"It's not!"

"May nanggugulo ba sa'yo dahil sa'kin?"

"Wala. Walang ganon. Nagtatanong lang ang blockmates ko, pero hindi nila ako ginugulo."

"Sigurado ka?" When I nodded, sabi niya agad, "You tell me first thing, kapag may nanggulo sayo."

Tumango lang ulit ako. "Okay."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

"Then? What's the problem?"

Pinag-isipan kong mabuti kung sasabihin ko ba sa kanya. But I had to be honest with him, it was for his sake too. "The girl you like... hindi ba magagalit?" tinaas ko ang dalawang kamay ko as if to surrender, "You have one right?"

"The girl I like... won't mind. She doesn't care." Julien's bright eyes, so suddenly became dim. It was like I was looking at a completely different set of eyes for a second. He blinked and the light in his eyes came back. "I know it's not too long since we met, but if I ever made you uncomfortable, I'm sorry. Madalas kasi feeling close ako agad. I'm always like this to people I'm comfortable with. Unfair naman kung ako lang ang komportable sa'tin 'di ba?"

"Komportable ako!" I insisted, pero duda pa rin siya.

"It's okay to be honest with me. We're friends, right?"

Friends. Yes, we were most definitely friends now. "Komportable nga ako, promise!"

He raised a thick brow, "Pero?"

"Nahihiya lang ako, but I swear komportable ako sa'yo, Julien."

"Bakit ka naman mahihiya? Ako lang naman 'to." He chuckled, and I was relieved to see the sunshine Julien back.

"Hindi pa kasi tayo gaanong close?" I said instead, and he looked almost hurt.

"Then starting today, let's be close for real." He offered me a smile that finally reached his eyes.

"Okay." sumagot ako agad, dahil baka kung ano na naman ang isipin niya. But I couldn't help but think... was it really that easy?