Not-so-Ordinary Ordinary

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/16/

            We reached our apartment. Yes, my apartment. I decided na dito na muna kami tutuloy pansamantala. We are with Isaac and we convinced him that the two boys were there coincidentally at nakita lang kami na nasa ganoong sitwasyon—which I know is false dahil ramdam ko na sinusundan nila ako kanina while I was walking.

Isaac looks like someone who have a big mouth so we chose to lie about our friendship dahil baka kumalat pa ito sa school kinabukasan.

Kasulukuyang ginagamot ni Gavin ang mga sugat ni Isaac. Me and Vaughn was sitting quietly at the sofa while we look at Gavin. Gavin have always dreamed of being a doctor pero dahil bata pa siya noong gumraduate, he remained studying medicine until now.

The atmosphere was awkward. We are not talking to each other to support the act we are doing. 

"Bakit alam mo ang pasikot-sikot sa eskinitang iyon?" Vaughn broke the silence and the three of us looked at him.

"I used to walk there when I don't commute. Though, isang beses lang yun pero naalala ko parin kung saan ang labas ng eskinitang yun." 

Perks of having a good memory.

"It's dangerous there, you know." seryosong sabi ni Gavin na linalagyan ng band aid ang sugat ni Isaac sa pisngi.

"I know." I said.

"Salamat ulit sa pagligtas saakin." sabi ni Isaac na pang-ilang beses na yata niyang sinabi saakin mula noong dumating kami.

"Why are you there, by the way?" seryosong saad ni Vaughn na nakacross arms at nakadekwatrong nakaupo sa single sofa.

Nahihiyang tumungo si Isaac, "Kinaladkad nila ako doon nung nakita nilang humiwalay na ako sa mga kaibigan ko. Nanlaban ako sa pag-aakalang dadalawa lang sila pero unti-unti silang dumami."

"Who are they?" I asked.

Napaiwas ito ng tingin saamin, "I...I, ah. Galing sila sa ibang school at uhm...napagtripan namin sila ng mga kaibigan ko noong napadaan sila sa tambayan namin. Akala namin hindi papalag pero nalaman namin na isa pala silang gang." 

"That is why bullies should stop bullying." seryoso kong saad.

Naawa ako, yes, but that is a lesson for him to stop what he is doing.

Tumahimik ito sa kinauupuan niya.

"Saan ka nakatira?" tumayo ako at tumingin sakaniya, "Gabi na, you should go home." 

"Isasabay ka na namin." Gavin looked at him and smiled.

"Hindi na, kaya ko namang umuwi mag-isa." Isaac stood up and smiled back, "sobra-sobra na ang naitulong niyo saakin."

"It is dangerous outside. Baka balikan ka nila." I said.

He looked at us before nodding.

. . . . .

Hindi nanaman ako makatulog. It was this letter again...I received one again.

I saw it at my door step noong hinatid ko ang tatlo sa labas ng apartment ko. 

"Deceivers are everywhere.
You can feel them anywhere."

It has the same meaning like the other letter—about trusting. 

I sighed and closed my eyes shut. I knew there is something behind this. 

. . . . .

Another hell day for a girl who doesn't have enough sleep. 

Pinagsawalang bahala ko muna ang sulat na iyon at nagpatuloy sa eskuwelahan. I need to set my personal life aside. 

Kasulukuyan akong nakatunganga sa board. I was waiting for the recess to come which is after this subject.

Tic. Toc. Tic. Toc.

History subject was never my favorite but I does enjoy having a peek of our history. I find it amusing to know about the life before us. But the way it was taught is boring, making the whole subject boring.

Nararamdaman ko ang pagbigat ng talukap ng mga mata ko. I am desperate for a sleep na ipinagkait saakin ng sulat na iyon.

"Ms. Salazar, if you want to sleep, get out of my class now." napamulat ako noong marinig ang boses ni sir.

Napakaseryoso ng aura nito at nakakatakot, "get. out. of. my. class. NOW." 

Agad akong napatayo at lumabas ng classroom, not minding the glaces of my classmates. Palagi namang may nalabas na isa saamin tuwing subject niya dahil laging may nakakatulog at suwerte ka nalang kung hindi ka makikita ng eagle eyes ni sir.

Sumandal ako sa pader sa tabi ng pintuan. Maya-maya lang naman ay recess na kaya hindi ako mapapagod kakatayo dito.

I closed my eyes. I really want to sleep. 

"Samara," napamulat ako ng mata at tumingin sa tumawag saakin.

It's Isaac. 

"Hey." mahinang bati ko dito.

He was smiling at me at may hawak na box ng chocolates.

"Pupuntahan na sana kita sa classroom mo pero nakita kita dito." he explained.

"Bakit ka nga pala nasa labas?" he looked at me, worrying evident on his face.

"Pinalabas ako ni sir." I calmly answered na parang 'di big deal ang pagpapalabas ni sir saakin.

"Huh? Bakit daw?" he once again asked me.

Ang chismoso mo. I thought and chuckled.

"I fell asleep." I bluntly said at nagkibit balikat.

Napatawa siya. Ang cute niya tumawa, I admitted it. His little dimples are showing.

"A-ah... p-para pala sa'yo." kinamot niya ang batok niya habang inaabot ang box ng chocolates saakin. I saw a faint tint of pink on his bruised cheek that made me chuckle. 

Ang cute lang.

"Salamat, Samara. Kung hindi dahil sa'yo baka sa sementeryo ko na makikita ang sarili ko." he smiled at me.

"I told you, it's nothing. Thanks for the chocolates, you don't need to give me these but I appreciate it." I smiled that made him blushed more.

"How did you know my name and where my classroom is?" tanong ko noong napansin ko na tinawag niya ako sa pangalan ko.

Napaiwas siya ng tingin, "T-tinanong ko yung kaklase mo, s-si Jem, yung bestfriend mo daw." his ears are turning red. 

Napa-iling ako at napangiti. Jem is really something. 'Di ko alam na may self-proclaimed best friend na pala ako ngayon.

"Ahh... teka... ba't namumula yung tainga mo? Ayos ka lang ba?" I was bothered nung namula ng husto yung tainga niya. It was like all his blood was on his ears.

"S-sige, aalis na ako." nagmamadali itong naglakad palayo kaya napakunot ang noo ko at agad na natawa.

He's cute. I would like him as my younger brother.

Napapailing na nakangiti kong binuksan ang box ng chocolate. Agad akong napatigil at napaawang ng bahagya ang bibig ko. May sticky note na nakadikit sa takip ng chocolate at nakita ko agad 'to dahil kulay pink ito at nakakatawag pansin.

'Crush kita :)'

Uh... what?

. . . . . . .