Spectacular

Chapter 3

Why do people always hold me back from what I want? I want to let them hold me back because I don't want to be a selfish girl anymore.

So even if it's against my will, bumangon na ako at naghanda sa pagpasok.

They say, showering is good while you're thinking. Pero sa tingin ko hindi. Nakapikit lang ako habang nasa tapat ng shower, no movement, no thoughts, no anxieties, no bothers. All I feel is my heavy eyes at panlalamig ko dahil sa tubig. Don't mind it anyway.. I can stay like this forever.

I can but I should not.

It takes me a whole 30 minutes to finish my bath at wala na rin sa bahay sila mommy at daddy. Hindi ko na nagawang kumain at dumiretso na kaagad sa eskuwelahan.

Pagkarating ko ay nakita kong nagrereview silang lahat, saka ko lang naalala na mayroon pala kaming quiz kay Mr. Ramirez, teacher sa English namin. Kaya kinuha ko na rin ang notebook ko at sumabay na mag-review.

I was staring at my notes when I noticed a familiar built in my peripheral view. I know it's him. Kabisado ko na lahat sa kanya dati pa. Kaya naman nang nakita kong lumalapit siya saakin ay nataranta ako but I tried my best to act natural.
I can feel and hear my heart, why!

"Matutunaw 'yang notebook mo," he said and I finally looked at him.

Black eyes meet black eyes. I gulped.

"Hindi ko naman kasi talaga intensyon mag-review.." Napayuko ako at nakita ang mga kamay niya na nakasalikop sa isa't-isa. He does that when he wants to talk to someone intently.

"Bakit mo ako--"

"Nagtataka ka siguro--"

Napatingin ako sa kanya nang sabay kaming magsalita at tumawa siya.

"Ikaw na muna," sabi niya.

I looked at Miguel, he looked like he matured a lot. He has this resting serious face at sa unang tingin, aakalain mong hindi siya makakatawa at makakangiti ng ganito.

His movements are rough and tough. Manly, kumbaga. 

He's too hard for me. I still want him, anyway.

"Uh, bakit kinausap mo ako ngayon?" His brows furrowed in confusion pero mukha siyang na-offend kaya I quickly add something. "It's just that, hindi mo naman ako kinakausap ng ganito first thing in the morning. Well, kinakausap mo ako pero hindi ganito na... ganyan, yung ano, uhm, umupo ka pa sa tabi ko. Uh, tapos ano, 'yun lang," I cleared my throat and catch my breath.

He looked at me intently, tila tinitignan kung talagang seryoso ako. Magkadikit ang labi niya blanko ang ekspresyon ng mata niya. Nanlamig ako bigla dahil sa aura niya.

Napayuko nalang ako at kinagat ang labi ko. I'm overreacting. Nakaka-turn off ka, Cassandra!

"Clear your schedule after class for me," diretso niyang sabi.

Napaawang ang bibig ko at napaangat ng tingin sa kanya.

"No questions," he smiled. And I feel warm.

I smiled a little.

"Pahiram ng notebook mo," sabi ni Miguel habang kinukuha ang notebook ko. I nod a little and stared at him for a while. He rested his back on the seat and reviewed my notes.

His mere presence by my side is making me happy. Is this how my day would be? Would I be happy?

My classmates give me malicious stares. Like the "uy kinikilig siya" look. I just playfully roll my eyes on them. Alam na nila 'yan dahil mula elementary kami ay kami kami na ang magkakaklase. Fate or not, I'm thankful. Para kasing may mga kapatid ako. Pero kahit na kaibigan ko silang lahat, walang papantay sa pagkakaibigan namin ni Llana. We're beyond best friends.. My dad and her dad were business partners. While both of our moms are teachers in one school.

I know that this moment with Miguel is only temporary. My sisterhood with Llana, the comfort of my home.. everything.. is temporary. And the scary thing is, I'm so devoted to things even though they're not meant to be with me forever.

The class has started, hindi pa rin umalis si Miguel sa tabi ko. Pinabayaan ko nalang siya at nakinig sa sinasabi ni Mister.

"Your quiz today will be taken home," my teacher declared. At maririnig mo na ang mga "yes", "salamat sir" ng mga kaklase ko. Pero hindi ako nakisabay sa kanila dahil hindi pa dumadating si Llana. She's never late before.

Inilabas ko nang pasimple ang cellphone ko at tinext siya.

Sis, wake up. Time for school.

"Itago mo muna 'yan," Miguel whispered.

"I will let you watch two films and I want everyone to write a movie review and a reaction paper each film. That means, I will cover your time up to your third period. You'll pass that next week, no extensions. This is your take home quiz.."

"Sir, naman!"

"Bakit? Ang dami!"

Mr. Ramirez just laughed. "If someone will get a 3 perfect score in their reaction paper and movie review.. Exempted na siya sa final examination next next week."

"Sir, sabi niyo 'yan ah!"

"Gora, sir!"

"Where's Llana, anyway?" I heard Miguel said.