Chasing Pavements (GXG)

6. Caught in the Act

Madison

I was walking my way back to the dorm. I was full of sweat, ang dami ko kasing inayos sa Jinan. It was a restricted area. Halos lahat ng mga estudyante dito ay alam na ako lang dapat ang pwedeng pumasok dun.

Or at least, dapat may pahintulot ko bago pumasok.

But this certain girl— who keeps on bugging me since I met her— just entered without my permission. She was really annoying. And the fact that she makes me feel things I haven't felt in the longest, it's so pathetic. I want her to go away and never bother me again.

But that last thought doesn't sit well with me. Because the truth is, I like seeing her. 

Kumunot ang noo ko ng mapansin kong yung dalawang taong nag-uusap malapit sa entrance ng dorm. She was smiling so brightly and she looked so pretty.

I put my hands inside my pocket and walked past through them. I even heard Caroline call my name, but I didn't respond.

"San ka galing? Kanina pa ako naghihintay sayo dito." Napatingin ako sa nagsalita pagkapasok ko ng office namin dito.

It was Felicity— the closest friend I have in this university. She's also one of the officers. Nakaupo lang sya sa couch at nag crossed arms.

Wait, may usapan ba kami?

"Nakalimutan mo? Hah! I knew it. Nakalimutan mo!" Nagtatampo nitong sabi.

Automatic naman akong napatingin sa kalendaryo. I lost track of the dates.

Today's August 21.

Oh, it's her birthday.

She's right, I forgot. Pero ayoko namang ipahalata na nakalimutan ko. For sure, magdadrama lang sya and I really don't have the energy to entertain drama at all.

"Of course not." Kinuha ko ang blue rose sa likod ng blouse ko na pinitas ko kanina sa garden. Buti nalang talaga pumitas ako ng isa.

"For you. Happy birthday, Fel." I greeted her with a smile.

Tinanggap nya ito at tuluyan ng napaiyak habang niyayakap ako. Felicity can be really dramatic, but tolerable naman. She's like a sister to me.

"Hey, I didn't forget. Please don't cry."

"Di ako umiiyak dahil sa akala ko nakalimutan mo ang birthday ko which is I know nakalimutan mo talaga. Umiiyak ako kasi ngayon ko lang ulit nakita na ngumiti ka. Kainis ka!" Binatukan nya pa ako.

"Aray naman! Papalagpasin ko na binatukan moko ngayon kasi birthday mo." Reklamo ko naman ditoz

"Heh! Papalagpasin ko din na nakalimutan mo ang birthday ko. Two years mo ng nakakalimutan. Last na yan!" At binatukan nya pa ulit ako.

"Oo na oo na! Ang sadista mo. Tara na nga." Hinawakan ko ang kamay nya at hinila palabas.

"Hoy Madi! San tayo pupunta?"

I decided to treat her today. Malayo kasi family ni Felicity kaya for sure wala 'tong kasama mag celebrate ng birthday nya.

Saktong pagbukas ko ng pinto ay ang pagdaan ng dalawang babae na nagtatawanan pa.

Great!

Parehas din silang natigilan sa paglabas namin.

"Oy Pres, saan kayo ni VP? Date?" Nakangising tanong ni Caroline.

"Anong pinagsasabi mo dyan Caroline? Kinikidnap nga ako nito." Natatawang sagot naman ni Fel.

Tinitigan ko lang ang babaeng kasama ni Caroline. Bumaba ang tingin nito sa kamay naming dalawa ni Felicity.