We Just Are (GU #1.5)

23 : closure

We were late.

After a month in this university, I already had my first record of late. Blessing in disguise na lang na wala pa 'yung professor ko nung dumating ako ng classroom dahil kung hindi, lagot talaga ako.

I couldn't say the same for Slade since I didn't heard from him anymore. Baka mamaya ay magrereply na rin siya. I put my phone down in my armchair and my mind brought me to the events last night. Hindi ko na mapigilan ang ngiti sa aking labi.

Last night was...a surprise. Hindi ko talaga inaasahan na magkakaayos na kami ni Slade. I never thought he was planning something for me. Bumaba ang tingin ko sa suot na bracelet, kung saan ay nadagdagan na ng bagong charm.

Naalala ko naman 'yung dapat na ibibigay ko kay Slade. I should contact the studio for follow up. Baka kasi matagalan pa iyon.

Bumalik na naman ang isipan ko kagabi. It was all perfect. The romantic dinner, the fireworks, even the suite. Hindi ko talaga akalain na kina Onyx yung hotel na iyon. He must be really that rich. At iyon pa, sobra kong na-appreciate 'yung pagtulong na ginawa nila ni Kleo para sa amin ni Slade. And since I and Slade were already okay, I hoped that he and Kleo will reconcile soon.

On lunchtime, it was Kleo who met me. And I was expecting it since before my second class ended, I got a text from Slade. Sinabi niya ngang late siya sa unang klase at dahil meron silang quiz ay pinagbigyan siya nung professor na ngayong lunch 'yun gawin. I didn't know what he told that professor that the latter let him take the quiz. Hindi na rin naman na ako nagtanong. I just replied a 'good luck' and that if he could still make it for lunch, I'll be waiting.

Slade texted back with a smiley and an 'I love you'. At doo'y bumaba na ako.

"You guys were late," malamang sabi ni Kleo nang pareho na kaming nakaupo.

Inalis ko ang pagkain ko sa tray bago tumingin sa kanya at nahuling malaman din ang tingin niya. Okay. Anong ibig sabihin niya dyan?

"Hindi namin namalayan 'yung alarm," kaswal kong sagot.

At hindi ko naman maintindihan kung bakit mas lumapad pa ang ngisi niya. "Talaga ba?"

Pinanliitan ko siya ng mata. "Bakit ganyan ka magtanong?"

She shook her head with mock innocence. "I'm not implying anything!"

"Hindi nga," sabi ko. "Pero kanina pa may laman 'yang tingin mo."

Doon na siya natawa. Ay loka-loka talaga 'tong babaeng ito. "I'm just trying to get the juicy deets from you. Pero mukhang wala akong mapapala. You're not the type who shares details."

Juicy details? Of what? Nandoon naman siya nung date namin ni Slade. Then I remembered she mentioned about us being late then... Oh. She thought something juicy happened between Slade and me.

I felt my cheeks warm up as sliver of memories flashed inside my head. Slade and I were in a special kind of intimate last night. But still, it was not like what Kleo's thinking. At dahil tama si Kleo na hindi ako mahilig magshare ng detalye, tamang nasa isipan ko na lang iyon.

I smiled at her cheekily. "You're right. I don't share my private life."

Sinimangutan niya ako saka dinampot 'yung kubyertos at nagsimula nang kumain pero bago iyon ay narinig ko siyang bumulong, "Boring."

That would make me mad really but I kept my smile. Hah. Hindi niya masasabi 'yan kung alam niya lang ang ginawa namin ni Slade kagabi. At dahil wala naman akong balak magshare, shut up na lang ako.

*

Lumipas ang oras at dumating na rin ang uwian. Sinundo ako ni Slade sa library.

I was actually looking at the door before he even entered the room. Kaya naman nagawa ko pa siyang pagmasdan habang lumalapit sa akin. And it was such an enjoyable task. I could stare at Slade for the years of my life. Even when his jet black hair would turn into grey, his smooth skin would start to get wrinkles on it, those abs could no longer be seen, I could still stare at him.