Colored (REVISED)

Chapter 1 : Crush

Chapter 1 — Crush

For a teenager, I was naive before. I was just a girl who loves to study, study and study. But it was before, when I met him – which is years ago, my life suddenly changed. And I think, I'm a lovestruck teenager now.

Honestly, I never felt this way before. Kung paanong bumibilis ang tibok ng puso ko sa t'wing nakikita ko siya. At kung paano hanapin ng mga mata ko ang presensya niya.

I am happy to feel this – that finally, after how many crying years, I am in love.

“Tulala ka,” I heard Rochelle said. “Anong iniisip mo?”

“O baka naman, sino?”

I heard them laughed – Dianne, Shiela and Rochelle. Hindi ko na lang sila sinagot dahil baka madulas pa ako at masabi ko pa ang totoo.

I looked at James Jero Ortega who's now tapping his table. I secretly smiled – not minding their presences.

“Hey, sino ba ‘yang tinitingnan mo?”

I rolled my eyes, trying to look pissed. “Wala ‘no!”

“Really? But you're blushing, Emerald,” Shiela said and chuckled. Kinapa ko ang pisnging nag-iinit at umiwas ng tingin.

Am I that transparent?

I saw Rochelle twitched her lips. “You're not good in lying.”

“Sino ba kasi ‘yong tinitingnan mo?” tanong naman ni Dianne at lumapit pa lalo sa akin. “Crush mo?”

I immediately shook my head as an answer. Hindi naman na sila nagsalita pa nang dumating si Sir Diaz. But Rochelle is still staring at me. Maybe, waiting for me to let her know the truth. Well, as if I'm going to tell her. I don't mind keeping a secret to them as long as it has something to do with Jero.

I really don't mind.

When the bell rang, I immediately went to the cafeteria. I don't want to entertain their questions, especially Rochelle's.

But I know, I just can't keep this feelings for Jero as a secret lalo na't hindi titigil sina Rochelle hangga't wala silang nalalaman. And as long as I can keep this, hinding-hindi ko muna sasabihin sa kanila.

It's not that I don't trust them as my friend – I just don't want them to know because they'll probably tell everyone once they know my secret. At ayokong malaman ‘yon ni Jero. Hangga't maaari, wala dapat siyang malaman. I don't want him to stay away from me just because of my feelings.

“Uh, puwedeng tumabi?”

I looked up and saw Kelly Andres who's with Jero. Nag-iwas na lang ako ng tingin at tumango.

“Thanks!” I heard Jero said.

I continued to eat my pizza roll that I ordered a while ago. Payuko-yuko lang ako dahil ayoko silang makita na magkasama sa harapan ko.

Many vacant tables are here but why they chose to sit beside me?

“What do you want? I'll order,” sabi pa ni Jero.

“Hindi, dito ka na lang.” Kelly stood up. “Ako na o-order.”