If I'm Not In Love

9

Sinundan ko ang tingin niya and I saw Ethon and Melissa walking towards the table na medyo malayo samin.

"Hindi ka ba nagseselos?" I suddenly blurted out.

Umangat ang kilay ni Troy kasabay ng pag-angat ng tingin niya sakin. "Why? Are you jealous?"

"I asked you first"

Binaba niya ang chopsticks na hawak niya saka mahinang hinila yung buhok ko. "Bakit ako magseselos? At sinong pagseselosan ko?" he asked.

"You said you do like her. So, why aren't you jealous?" I scowled.

"I just like her, Lala," sagot nito saka bumalik ulit sa pagkain na parang wala lang talaga sa kanya.

Hindi na ko nagtanong pa. We ate silently, madalas akong mapatingin sa side nila Ethon. Nakita ko kung paano asikasuhin ni Ethon si Melissa, but the latter didn't seem affected by his gesture. Manhid yata tong si Melissa e. Pagkatapos namin kumain, niyaya ko ng lumabas si Troy at dahil nagfade na yung inis niya, niyaya niya kong magdessert kaya pumunta naman kami sa bakeshop at kumain ng chocolate cake. Hinatid niya ko sa bahay after, ginabi na nga kami. Mama called and we just talked the whole night hanggang sa makatulog ako.

*

"Uy, sorry sa sinabi ni Ethon. I told you, masama ang tabas ng dila nun kapag naiinis," sabi ni Melissa ng magkita kami sa school.

I smiled at her. "Okay lang. He has a point naman," I shrugged.

"But still. Don't worry I defended you naman e. I told him that you're still a freshman and aren't allowed yet to do those kind of things"

"Thanks pero hindi mo na naman kailangan gawin yun." I said but I really appreciated what she did.

Hinampas niya ko ng malakas sa braso kaya napangiwi ako, ang bigat talaga ng kamay niya "I'm your friend, of course i'll do that"

I smiled at her again and clung my arms on hers bago ko siya hinila papasok sa gate.

"Kumusta ang tahi ng sugat mo?" tanong ko saka ko sinilip yung braso niya sa kabilang side.

"Okay lang, medyo kumikirot pa rin pero hindi na nagdudugo" sagot nito.

I nodded. Naupo kami sa may puno dahil maaga pa, nagkita lang naman kami ngayon ni Melissa sa gate kaya naisipan na din muna naming tumambay. Melissa is a very very friendly person. Tinawag na nga siyang Miss Congeniality e.

Classmate sila ni Ethon since senior high kaya medyo close na sila but I really think manhid talaga tong si Melissa e. Ethon likes her, kahit naman hindi niya sinabi sakin yun, alam ko na naman nung simula pa lang. It's very obvious. You can clearly see it by the way he looks at her.

"Hindi pa ba darating si Troy?" tanong niya.

I tilted my head then smiled at her when I remember what I discovered last weekend.

"Bakit ganyan ka makangiti?" she asked.

I folded my arms acrossed my chest then gave her a meaningful smile. "Ikaw ha!" I exclaimed.

"Ano?" takang takang tanong niya.

"Phonepal pala kayo ni Troy, kung hindi pa ko nagpunta sa kanila and hindi nagkweto si Tan hindi ko pa malalaman!"

Her eyes widened then her cheeks turned red. I chuckled then patted her head when I saw her reaction.

"But it's okay. You know, I don't meddle with other people's business unless they've asked for it"

She sighed then looked away "I'm sorry, nasanay lang ako because your phone's always busy," she said defensively.

"Weh? Alam mo namang kapag gabi lang nagiging busy ang phone ko dahil kay Mama," I chuckled again.