Saabreena
“I love you. I love you Saabreena Chua.”
I immediately opened my eyes. I was catching my breath as I can feel my heart beating so fast. Hindi lang yun isang panaginip. It really happened.
That night he asked me out for a dinner - date pala, he said those words. He said those words that kept on haunting me even to my sleep.
“I am not rushing things with you Saab.” He said. “I just want you to know what I really feel.”
“Je..Jeric.” I mumbled.
He smiled and stood up. “You don’t have to say anything Saab.”
I closed my eyes and shook my head vigorously.
“Why do you keep on bothering me Jeric Teng?” I mumbled. “Why do you keep on entering my mind?”
I sighed. “Am I in love with you already? Am I?”
I turned my attention to my wall clock. 5 a.m na pala. But my class would start at 10. Hindi na rin naman ako makaka-balik sa pagtulog, might as well go out to jog.
I immediately stood up and changed to jogging attire. I immediately got my phone and rushed out the house. Palabas na ako ng gate nung may mapansin ako.
“Jeric?” I mumbled.
I saw on the corner hugging his knees while his head is rested on his arms.
“Jeric.” I called as I poked his arm. “Jeric.”
He slowly moved as he turned to me and fluttered his eyes. “Saab.”
“Anong ginagawa mo dito?” I asked. “Don’t tell me kagabi ka pa dito?”
He let out a weary smile. “I was just worried about you.”
Kumunot ang noo ko. “Why?”
Inayos niya ang upo niya and he looked at me intently. “You were not in our game yesterday. And you weren’t even answering my texts and calls.”
I immediately looked away. “Kasi.. hindi ko na-check yung phone ko.”
“For three days?” he asked. “For three days, hindi mo na-check ang phone mo?”
Napalunok ako. Crap! Think Saab! Think!
“Iniiwasan mo ba ako Saab?” he asked which caught me off guard.
I bit my lower lip as I looked at him. He was just staring at me, waiting for my answer.
“Are you?.. are you avoiding me?” he asked again. This time, his voice seemed to be breaking.
I can see the frustration in his eyes. It’s been three days since he confessed his feelings to me. It’s been three days since I started avoiding him. It’s been three days since pabalik-balik siya dito sa bahay, pati sa school ko, pinupuntahan niya ako. But I tried to hide myself from him. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ginagawa ko yun.
“Ba’t hindi ka nagdoor bell?” I asked to change the topic. “Nag-doorbell ka sana. Papapasukin ka naman nina yaya eh.”
Nakatingin pa rin siya sa akin, still with his frustrated look. For a moment, he stared at me blankly, then he shook his head and stood up.
“I guess I shouldn’t have told you.” He said monotonously.
“Jeric.” I mumbled.
He smiled bitterly. “By the way… we lost our game. Wala yung lucky charm ko eh.”
