Only You (EDITING)

Chapter 6

I thought Andrei wasn't serious when he said he'd try to get close to me. But when he sat with us on lunch the next day, that's when I realize that he meant what he said. While the other two accepted him with open arms, Shan and I were both flabbergasted. The other two didn't even try to hide their excitement when he sat down in between them. Halatang-halata ang kilig.

Sab had her eyes on Andrei the whole time like he's a rare view. Nasa tapat ko lang siya kaya kitang-kita ko kung paano gumuhit ang pagkamangha sa kanyang mga mata. It was so uncomfortable. Hindi man lang niya sinubukang itago na type niya ang lalaki.

"Sandali lang, tinatawag ako." Andrei went to the varsity's table. Doon kaming apat nagkatinginan nang biglang pigil na sumigaw sina Sab at Annette kaya nagmistulang ipit ang kanilang boses.

"Ang gwapo niya talaga," Annette squealed.

"His eye-smile. My gosh," Sabrina was imagining what he looked like smiling.

I can't believe I'm hearing this. They enjoy hearing themselves talk about guys while I get to be uncomfortable listening to them. My foot keeps tapping uncontrollably, and no matter how hard I try, I can't seem to stop it. They keep gushing over him and each second is more unbearable than the last.

"Uh, my water bottle's not here. Titignan ko lang sa classroom." I rushed out of the canteen. Hindi ko alam kung bakit bigla nalang akong naiirit sa paligid.

Habang naglalakad ay nakita ko sina Bea at Lemuel na magkatabing nakaupo sa isang sementong bench sa tapat ng classroom namin. Ang lalapad ng mga ngiti nila habang nakatingin sa isa't isa. Nakapatong ang baba ni Bea sa balikat ni Lemuel habang ang kanilang kamay ay magkasalikop.

Mas lalo pa akong nagimbal sa nasaksihan nang yumakap si Bea sa tagiliran ni Lemuel. Hinayaan lang siya ng lalaki at tumawa pa.

I slowed my pace to let them feel my presence. Lemuel was the first one to put distance when he recognized me and Bea rolled her eyes. I tried convincing myself that there's nothing worrisome with what I saw and they were just naturally touchy with each other as friends but my senses are telling me otherwise.

I have no idea how I got back to the canteen. I just found myself sitting next to them. My body was present but my mind was going somewhere else. Hindi ako nilulubayan ng mga nasaksihan ko kanina. Hindi pa nakatulong na si Sabrina ang katapat ko na abot langit ang ngiti habang nakikipagbiruan sa tatlo. Andrei hasn't returned yet.

"Hello? From Earth to Aubri?" I returned to reality when I saw Sab's hand snapping in my face.

"Y-yes? Why?"

"Ikaw, ha. Ang daya mo. Magtatampo na talaga ako sa'yo." She smiled. Madaya? "Close na pala kayo ni Andrei? I heard him ask if you forgot what you two have talked last night."

Oh, right. Nang makiupo si Andrei sa amin kanina, ako ang unang nag-react at tinanong kung anong ginagawa niya. Then he asked if I forgot what he told me last night. Which I thought was another one of his jokes.

"Nag-uusap na pala kayo? Do you talk every night? How long have you two become friends and why haven't I known that? Why didn't you tell me?" sunod-sunod niyang tanong.

"They're not friends. Feeling close lang talaga yung cousin ko," singit ni Shan.

Annette clicked her tongue repeatedly. "Nako, anong klaseng reaksyon 'yan, Sabrina? Ikaw ha parang wala kang nililigawan na Lemuel."

"Well, he's not yet my boyfriend and Andrei's just my side crush. Hello, the more choices you have, the more chances of winning." Sinamaan ng tingin ang katabi niyang si Annette. I saw how her expression darkened and rolled her eyes but when she caught me watching, she instantly flashed her usual pretty smile.