TIME AFTER TIME (KathBie)

7. A SUDDEN TURN

NAGLALAKAD SI MARA palabas ng gate at nakabuntot sa kanya si Christian. 

“Sinusundan mo ba ako?” tumalikod si Mara at tinanong si Christian.

“Hindi, sinasamahan kita. Saan ba ang punta mo?” tanong ni Christian.

“Jinjin!Butch!” sigaw ni Mara at hindi pinansin ang tanong ni Christian. Mara walked towards Jinjin and Butch at si Christian naman ay sumunod sa kanya. “Pauwi nab a kayo?” tanong ni Mara sa dalawa.

“Oo,sana.” Sagot ni Butch.

“Wag muna. Derek called me and wanted to meet up, ipapakilala ko kayo.” Mara smiled to the both of them. 

“Hmmmm.” Jinjin made a gesture as if thinking.

“Paalam ka na lang sa parents mo, dali na Friday naman ngayon eh.” Sabi ni Mara sa dalawa. 

“Okay.” Sabi na lang ng dalawa.

“That’s good, I wanted to meet Derek na din.” Biglang sabi ni Christian. That’s the only time that Mara noticed Christian being still behind her.

“I’m sorry?” takang taka na sabi ni Mara.

“Sasama ako.” Christian smirked.

“And who invited you to go with us?” tanong ni Mara. 

“Hindi ba ako pwede sumama?” tanong ni Christian pabalik.

“Hindi.” Mara said and just pulled Jinjin and Butch. “By the way,” hinto ni Mara at humarap kay Christian. “Pasabi sa schoolbus hindi kami sasabay.” 

“Hindi din ako sasabay, may practice kami.” Sabi ni Christian kay Mara.

“Eh may practice ka pala tapos sasama ka pa sa amin. You’re weird.” Sabi ni Mara kay Christian. “Tara, guys tayo na lang magpaalam.” Sabi ni Mara kay Butch at Jinjin. Lumabas na ng gate ang tatlo while Christian was just left staring at them. Ano nga ba ang gagawin niya to be friends with Mara again? Susundan ba niya ito or will he just head to play basketball.

He feels so frustrated right now and kapag frustrated siya, dalawa lang ang ginagawa niya, nagbabasketball or nagsusulat.

He sighed. Siguro, magbabasketball na lang siya. 

NAKATINGIN LANG SI MARA KAY DEREK while they wait for their turn sa counter. 

“Will you please stop doing that?” tanong ni Derek sa kanya. 

“I’m sorry, there’s just something different about you.” Sabi ni Mara kay Derek na parang nang-aasar. “You like her, don’t you?” pahabol ni Mara.

“What?” Derek answered trying to hide a smile. Pero failure naman ang pagtatago niya. 

“You know, Derek, there’s no point in lying to me.” Natawa na sabi ni Mara. 

“Well, it’s impossible not to like her.” Sabi ni Derek and Mara smiled in victory. “She’s pretty even with whose black rimmed glasses and she’s nice to talk to.” 

Ipinakilala na kasi ni Mara si Butch at Jinjin kay Derek and she noticed on how much Derek takes an interest on Jinjin. Papaano, every once in a while he asks her questions. Matagal ng kilala ni Mara si Derek and honestly, Derek isn’t the type of pero who will make the conversation first. Naaalala niya dati it took them five weeks of school before finally introducing themselves with each other. 

“It’s a shame. You don’t know how to speak Filipino. Maybe your conversations would have been easier if you knew Filipino language.” Sabi ni Mara kay Derek. Nakikita niya na din kasi na parang manonose bleed na sina Butch at Jinjin kapag nakikipagusap kay Derek. 

“You see, that’s the thing. That’s the reason why I called you.” Derek gave a winning smile. It’s their turn sa counter and gave their orders. Another round of cakes and shakes. 

“What about it?” tanong ni Mara. 

“I’m having troubles. I have Filipino subjects but since I came from abroad, I have this special Filipino thing and I’m still having troubles.” Sabi ni Derek as he pick up their orders. Naglakad na sila papuntang table. “Please, tutor me.” Sabi nito kay Mara habang naglalakad papuntang table. 

“Fine.” Nakangiting sabi ni Mara.

“That’s it? No conditions?” pagtatakang tanong ni Derek.

“Well, I assume you know me well, just as long as you’ll feed me and treat me some food, I am good.” Nakangiting sabi ni Mara. 

“Thanks.” Sabi ni Derek pabalik.

“ANO?” ANG TANGING tanong na umiikot sa room ngayon. They were supposed to be in the auditorium pero ang meeting nila was moved to a classroom. Kakasabi lang sa kanila that Claire got to an accident earlier that afternoon and wouldn’t be able to make it. A lot of questions started to arise. Pati ang adviser ng drama club ay nandoon dahil naaksidente ang president nito. 

“Okay na siya?” tanong ng isang student. 

“I won’t say that she’s 100% okay but she had a sprain.” Sabi ng adviser nila. 

“So, what now?” tanong ni Christian. 

“Hindi pa natin alam sa ngayon. Pero she has an injury. I guess we’ll just have to wait for more information.” Ang tanging nasabi ng adviser nila. So they were dismissed pero some of them just decided to stay there at first.

The next day, they had to be in the same room again. This time, Claire was there. May balot ang paa nito at nakasaklay. Halatang inis na inis ito dahil na din siguro sa hassle na dala ng injury niya. 

“The doctor said that Claire’s injury will take time to heal. So there is no chance for her to be at the practice.” Sabi ng adviser nila. Halatang masakit for Claire ang nangyari dahil she’s the lead part anyway. “So we all decided to have her a replacement.” Sabi ng adviser nila. 

Mara roamed her eyes around the room. Kay Migs na ang reaction ay nangangamba at the same time natutuwa at kay Christian na blanko lang ang expression. 

“Ma’m” Migs raised hand at napatingin na ulit si Mara sa kanya. “Si Mara Delgado na lang nung replacement since she’s here for a punishment.” Migs continued. Nanlaki ang mata ni Mara as her ears try to digest everything na naririnig.

The adviser looked at Mara and at the same time Claire turned to her,too. 

“Magpa-audition na lang tayo for the role.” Claire said casually. “Every girl who doesn’t have a role yet are required to audition. Lahat ng girls na walang major tasks, kailangan mag-audition.” Claire continued.

Somehow, nakahinga si Mara dahil hindi automatic sa kanya ang role. 

“Mara’s the only girl who doesn’t have a role.” Christian suddenly said. Claire roamed her eyes around the room checking the girls. Christian is telling the truth. Ang ibang girls ay may role na at ang iba naman ay head ng props, head sa writing, head sa costume.

“Then I guess Mara it is. Mara Delgado we’ll be our new lead.” Sabi ng adviser nila. Wala naman nasabi si Claire dahil halatang wala na silang ibang choice. “Mara, you should talk with Claire about the script and about the story.” The adviser continued.

Mara just looked at the adviser not knowing what expression to pull.

Si Christian naman,nakangiting nakatingin lang kay Mara. His new leading lady.