She was floating in mid-air, her face breaking into a silly grin. It was a good feeling that was reminiscent of high school, when everything was fuzzily warm and giddy. Malala ang kilig na nararamdaman nya.
Isang magandang ngiti kasi galing kay Elmo ang sumalubong sa kanya pagdating na pagdating nya sa volunteer site. Nanibago sya sa ngiting yun because he had been a bit on the snobbish side since the project began.
Hihi. Ano ba. Nakakakilig naman eh. Hihi.
But then she chided herself. She knew her priorities. She understood that her goal was to help, not to fool around. But still...
Ang cute pala ng smile nya. Eeeeeeeeh. Pwede bang gumulong sa damuhan? Eeeeeeeeh.
She bit her lip, trying to restrain herself from giggling alone. Nararamdaman nya kasing mas tumindi pa ang kilig nya.
Wrong timing naman 'to si Elmo o. Pano pa ako makapag-focus nito?
What are you smiling about?
Napapitlag sya nang marinig ang boses. She didn't even know na nasa tabi na pala nya si Elmo.
Huh?
You're really a nutcase, aren't you, Julie? Diretsong tanong nito sa kanya habang nakatingin sa mukha nya. He had a somber look on his face, a far cry from the friendly smile na nakita nya mula dito nung kakarating lang nya sa site.
Excuse me, say that again? Di nya naikubli ang gulat at inis sa boses nya. Truth be told, she was a little bit affronted with the sarcastic tone of his voice.
Imbis na sumagot ay tumitig ito sa kanya na tila ba inaaral ang bawat detalye ng mukha niya. She suddenly felt uneasy at alam nyang namumula na sya dahil sa hiya. Just when she thought he'd stop, lalo pa syang tinitigan nito, and her heart skipped when she saw his eyes stop on her lips. It lasted for mere seconds but to her, it felt like eternity as she silently prayed that he didn't hear her heart thumping. Ibinalik nito ang tingin sa mata nya, gave her a gentle lopsided smile then chuckled.
Julie, this is not high school. Haha. Stop blushing.
.....
So?
Anong so?
So what?
Anong so what?
Jules, ang OA mo lang huh. I mean, what's the big deal? Ayaw mo pa nun, tinitigan ka na ng ultimate crush mo. Edi ikaw na ang maganda. Di ba. Sagot ni Maqui na tila hindi man lang apektado sa ikinwento nya.
Pero, Maq...
Shhhhh. Her best friend interjected. Eh bakit ang arte-arte mo? You already have his attention, Jules. He's flirting with you and that means nakikita ka nya. Tumigil ito sandali.
Oh my god, I can't believe that I'm actually lecturing you on this. Hindi ka na teenager no. Kainis. Ang arte.
Julie sighed in resignation. She's not used to being caught off-guard and ever so often, if she was stuck in an awkward situation, she always knew a good way out. Pero iba ang nangyari kanina. Elmo had left her speechless and looking dumb. Dahil dun tila nawala lahat ang kilig na naramdaman nya at napalitan ng pagkainis sa sarili.
Maq, I'm not stupid, am I? She had asked worriedly.
Her best friend laughed.
Ano ka ba, Jules. Of course not! Where's that coming from?
Nagpakawala na naman sya ng buntong-hininga.
Hindi ko man lang nasagot ang banat nya. Nakakainis.
Tumawa ulit si Maqui. Mas malakas.
Ah, now I get it. It's all about having the last laugh, isn't it?
Ayaw man nyang aminin, may punto ang kaibigan nya. Kilalang-kilala sya nito as someone who always makes sure to give a smart answer, as someone who easily redeems herself.
Umiling-iling si Maqui habang nakatingin sa kanya.
You know what, may conclusion ako dyan. Tila seryosong sambit nito.
Ano?
You and Elmo should end up together. Should. Dagdag nito na may diin pa sa salitang 'should'.
Although a little bit confused with her best friend's 'conclusion', di nya napigilang matawa sa sinabi nito.
And why is that?
Ngumiti ito sa kanya.
Because, you've finally met your match, gorgeous. Pakasal na kayo. Hahaha
