Dreamed Love Story

27. Best Man

Mabagal akong naglalakad habang papunta sa library, humming a song with earphones on.

It's been a week already since Shaira got upset with me. Since then, I always tell her what I do, and anything new. Ayoko nang maulit pa yun, yung may makalimutan na naman akong sabihin sa kanya, at magtampo na naman siya.

Minsan, natatawa na lang siya sa akin. Palagi niyang sinasabi na magtira naman daw ako ng konting privacy. She even said that at this rate, baka sabihin ko na daw sa kanya pati mga kinakain ko. Or worse, as she said, baka daw sabihin ko na sa kanya pati date ng monthly period ko.

Nung makapasok na ako, nag-log in na ako at naghanap na ng libro. I just want to read para magpalipas ng oras. 2:30 pa lang ngayon at 4:30 pa ng hapon ang klase ko.

I got a book at dumiretso sa isang pandalawahang mesa. I want to read quietly.

I'm already enjoying the book and was smiling from ear to ear when someone coughed beside me.

I looked up at the person and it's Lawrence. He smiled at me, which I returned.

"Hi, Hope. Can I sit here with you?" He softly said. One thing about this guy, napaka-malumanay niyang magsalita.

"Of course you can." I looked at him and smiled. Ang linis talaga niyang tingnan. Clean-cut hair, neat clothes and a formal aura.

"Wala ka na bang klase?" Tanong niya matapos maupo sa katabi kong silya.

"Mamaya pa. I just want to read while waiting for the time. Ikaw, wala ka ng klase?"

"Wala yata yung professor namin, so I decided to go here. May kailangan din kasi akong gawing assignment sa isa kong subject."

"Anong subject ba? Maybe I can help?" Nakangiti kong tanong. Mula high school, I'm really fond of helping others on their assignments. Pero minsan, nami-misinterpret lang ng iba, saying that I am only boasting around, like I know everything. Kaya hinay-hinay na ako sa pag-aalok ng tulong ngayon.

"Really? It would be a big help. Hulog ka talaga ng langit." Nakangiti niyang sabi, pagkatapos ay ngumuso sa akin. See, Lawrence is a good guy. Alam kong hindi niya mamasamain ang sinabi ko.

"So, what's the topic?"

"It's all about gender equality. You know, gays, lesbians, transgenders and such. Our teacher asked on how we would treat them, as human beings and as part of the society. What do you think, Hope?" He hopefully asked.

So, the question was something personal for him, huh? I decided to tease him a bit.

"Talaga? Interesting topic." Bahagya akong humilig sa mesa at ipinatong ang mukha ko sa dalawa kong braso.
"Can I say my honest opinion?" He nodded, and I smiled inwardly. Masubukan nga to.

I cleared my throat and answered him seriously.

"Honestly, I think we don't need to give them attention. They are nobodies. They don't matter in the society." Pinigilan kong matawa ng makita kong bahagyang lumaki ang mga mata niya. I guess he didn't expect my answer. Malayung-malayo sa kung anong inakala niyang isasagot ko.

I saw how his adams apple moved before speaking. "I guess it's your opinion. It's your freedom to think what you want." Ngumiti siya ng tipid sa akin, but there was undeniable hurt in his voice.

Yumuko siya sa kanyang notes at marahil ay isinulat ang mga sinabi ko. Nag-angat lang siya ng tingin ng malakas akong tumawa. He stared at me like I was some crazy woman.

"Pssst, lower your voice students. It's a library, not a market." Our strict librarian approached us, but is looking at me.

"I'm sorry, maam."

Nung bumalik na ang aming librarian sa mesa niya, agad akong tinanong ni Lawrence.

"Why did you laugh? Is there something funny?"

"I'm sorry, but your reaction is priceless." Tumigil muna ako sa pagsasalita upang tumawang muli. I just can't help it. I didn't know I can fool him that easily.

"Actually, hindi totoo yung mga pinagsasabi ko kanina. My honest opinion about gays and lesbians?" I looked at him seriously. "They need to be treated fairly. Parte pa din naman sila ng lipunan. They are still humans. No matter what they are, we must respect them. Iba man sila kesa sa karaniwan, tao parin naman sila. We are all sons of God, so we are all brothers and sisters."

His face lighted upon my statement. So, totoo pala talaga yung sapantaha ko?

"Really, Desiree Hope? For real?" Kulang na lang yakapin niya ako dahil sa sobrang sayang ipinapakita ng mga mata niya.

"Yeah. It's the truth. Joke ko lang yung una." Nakangiti kong wika. "Why?"

"Anong 'bakit'?" Nakakunot-noong tanong niya sa akin.

"It's just... What should I say?" Napapakamot sa ulong tanong ko. It seems a bit difficult to find the right words to say, so I just said, "Nevermind." Tinakpan ko na lang ng tawa yung gusto kong itanong. I think I already know the answer.

"What is it? Spill it out. I will answer it honestly." I got tempted for a while, but I dismissed the thought. The words I want to utter can be insulting for him.

"Nevermind, really." Nakangiting sagot ko sa kanya.

"Basta, if ever you would ask anything, or need something, don't hesitate to tell me. I would be very willing to help."

"Thanks, Lawrence. But wait, ang haba naman ng pangalan mo. Can I give you a nickname?"

"Call." Nakangiti niyang sabi.

"Then, can I call you Renz?"

Sandali muna siyang nag-isip at pagkaraan ay ngumiti din at tumango sa akin.

"So, are we close now? As in, really close?"

"Hindi pa ba?" Nakangising wika niya.

Napatawa ako sa sinabi niya at agad ko siyang nahampas sa balikat. He catched my hand, at ikinulong iyon sa palad niya, to restrain me from hurting him again.

Nasa ganung sitwasyon kami ng makarinig ako ng isang tikhim. Napalingon ako at nakita ko ang walang kangiti-ngiting mukha ni Blake. He looked like he is ready to punch someone. Ang sama din niyang makatingin kay Lawrence.

"Why are you here, Blake?"

"It's already quarter to 4, pero hindi ka pa pumupuntang classroom. Hindi ka rin nagre-reply sa mga text ko, at mas lalong hindi mo sinasagot ang mga tawag ko." Nakasimangot niyang wika, habang matalim na nakatingin kay Lawrence.

I hastily checked my phone and found his messages and many missed calls. My phone is in silent mode dahil nasa lib ako, at mukhang nag-enjoy din ako sa pakikipag-usap kay Lawrence.

"I'm sorry, Blake. Hindi ko napansin." Apologetic kong sabi sabay hawak sa kamay niya.

"It's okay. I understand." He looked at me and smiled. Pero ng bumaling siya kay Lawrence, agad umasim ang mukha niya. "Ang hindi ko gusto, yung may umaagaw sa kung anong akin."

Napamulagat ako dahil sa sinabi niya. Does he mean Lawrence?! When I looked at him, he has the same reaction with me. It seems like Blake's accusations rendered him speechless.

"Pare, Hope is mine. Gusto mo din siya? Puwes, may the best man wins. But I assure you, I am the best." He said, then smirked at Lawrence.