My Virtual Boyfriend (ON-HOLD!)

Four: "Friends"?

"Miss Villaraza, are you with us?"

Napatingin ako sa English Prof ko. Is she calling my name?

"P-po?"

Gosh. Everybody’s looking at me, even my best friend since High School na si Janine, na nagkataong classmate ko sa subject na iyon. They are all eyeing me. What's wrong with me? Nagta-transform na ba ako nang hindi ko alam?

"Class, when you come to my class, please make sure that your thoughts are with you. Don't leave your thoughts somewhere else. Ang ayoko sa lahat, eh, 'yong physically present nga pero mentally absent naman."

Hala, paktay. Nagalit nga yata si Prof. Gomez sa akin. Kanina pa ba niya ako tinatawag? Ba't 'di ko narinig? Gosh, tanga-tanga mo naman, Lara.

Grabe, kakahiya. Bumukas po sana ang lupa at kainin ako ng buhay. As in now na.

Yuko, Lara. Yuko.

"That's all for now, class. Prepare for a short quiz next meeting."

Hay, thank you, Lord! Exit na, Lara, bilis!

Dali-dali kong niligpit ang aking mga gamit at saka halos takbuhin na ang pintuan palabas ng classroom.

"Lara, wait!"

Ay, yes, si Janine! Nakalimutan ko si Janine. Kasi naman, eh...

She kept up with me in a couple of seconds, though.

"Dahan-dahan naman. Nagmamadali? May lakad?" anito.

"Eh, kasi naman, dyahi 'yong nangyari. Gosh, it was so embarrassing!" ang sabi ko habang nagmamadali pa ring maglakad.

"Kasalanan mo naman kasi. Alam mo namang may pagka-terror 'yong si Prof. Gomez, palibhasa old maid, bakit mo hinayaang maglakbay sa outer space 'yang utak mo?"

"How long was she calling my name ba before I noticed?"

"Hmmm. Mga thrice din siguro."

"As in? Tatlong beses pero 'di ko agad napansin?"

"As in! Ganoon katindi! Ano ba kasing iniisip mo kanina, ha?"

I stopped walking and looked at Janine in the face.

"May sasabihin ako sa'yo pero huwag mo akong pagtatawanan, ha?" ang sabi ko sa kanya.

"Sure, no problem. Ako pa! Ano ba 'yon?"

"When's your next class?"

She checked her wristwatch. "I still have an hour and a half before my next class," anito.