Turning Tables (ON-GOING)

Chapter Three

Never

I keep on glancing at Kiel. He's facing our teacher now, but I know he's stopping his self from looking at my direction. Tss, taas ng pride.

Patuloy parin sa pakikipagkuwentuhan si Sir Pjones sa mga classmates ko na nakikipagbiruan lang sa kanya. Ang iba ay nag-cecellphone, chatting with their friends at natutulog.

The boys were busy talking, pero si Ivan ay natutulog na rin. Napagod sa pag-pangloko kay Sir. Kanina pa kasi rin siya nag-cocomplain na nagugutom na raw siya, kaya nga nakaupo siya malapit sa backdoor para kapag dinismiss na kami, diretso sa canteen na siya.

I looked at Yna and Alexis. I can see that Yna's bored already kasi tinitignan niya ang kanyang mga kuko with a blank face. Nico tapped Alex's shoulder kaya napalingon ito sa kanya. He said something but I can't hear it. Alexis tried to hide a smile at nagsimula na silang mag-kuwentuhan. Natuwa naman ako sa small gestures ni Nicolas, I can see that he is trying. He has the confidence already to be the first one to talk to Alexis na.

Now, I looked back at Kiel's direction, busy with his phone at nakakunot ang noo nito. Mukhang may problema yata. He's typing so fast that anytime his keypad might explode.

I noticed na hindi pala touchscreen iyong phone niya. It's an old model cellphone. No camera, no apps just a plain old black cellphone. Na iyong tipong ang snake nalang iyong nag-iisang game sa phone niya. Pero di ko na 'yon pinagtutuunan ng pansin. Tumikhim ako at nag-salita.

"Hmm, I thought all the Presidents here in our University are friendly" I said while looking at my nails.

I think Alexis heard my statement. Nilingon niya ako at tinignan ko rin siya. Tumaas ang gilid ng labi niya. I know what she's thinking. I know that look, kaya hindi na niya inalis ang tingin niya sa akin. Eyeing me with an amused expression.

Tumikhim si Kiel. The reason why he caught my attention. Bigla siyang nagsalita.

"Tsk, tsk.." he shook his head. "There's still women seeking for attention, huh. When in fact, lahat ng attention ng mga tao ay nasa kanya na" sabi niya habang umiiling at nakangisi. More like a sarcastic smile.

Is this guy serious? Sa lahat ng mga lalaki na nakilala ko, he's the only guy who has the guts na mag-parinig ng mga ganyang salita sa'kin. Even though I'm sitting, hinarap ko na talaga siya at siningkitan ng mata.

"It's because..." I cleared my throat before I proceeded. "The guy that I wanted to be my friend, na itatago nalang natin sa pangalan na Ezekiel... ay ayaw sa akin" I said.

I just realized na sobrang petty pala nito. We're like kids quarrelling just because he doesn't want me to be his friend. So pathetic.

Ngayon ay nakatingin na siya sa akin dahil sa sinabi ko. Mukhang galit ang mukha nya. He slightly opened his mouth pero tinikom rin niya 'yon. He sighed. Pinikit niya ang mga mata niya at hinilot ang sentido ng kanyang noo.

He slowly looked up and stared directly into my eyes. Nakahawak ako ngayon sa arm chair niya. His eyes are now fixed in my hand na nakahawak sa upuan niya at lumakbay ang mga mata niya patungo sa mga mata ko.

"Is that what you really want? To be my friend?" he asked in a cold tone.

Hindi ko alam kung anong pumasok sa utak ko, and I don't know what's wrong with my body, that I immediately nod at him.

Ellie? Seriously? You are not born to beg someone to be your friend. Isa kang Olivar! Sigaw ng utak ko, but there's something inside me na nagsasabing huwag iyon sundin.

"Yes" I said. It was almost a whisper.

Yes, Kiel. I want to be your friend. If you want the truth, then ito na. Sinasabi ko na gusto kitang maging kaibigan.