The One Who Stares Behind

KABANATA 18

Minsan sa sobrang perpekto ng mga pangyayari, hindi natin maiwasang isipin kung totoo pa ba ito o hindi na.
Kung pinagbibigyan lang ba tayo ng tadhana na maging masaya ngayon o pinaglalaruan dahil ano mang oras ay maaari nitong baliktarin ang sitwasyon.

"Who will be your date?"

"My boyfie ofcourse!"

"Looking forward to date Michaelson! Kung wala lang siyang Maureen e."

Akin yang binabanggit mo.

Napairap na lamang ako sa hangin at itinaklob sa mukha ko ang binabasa kong libro na hindi ko na rin naman maintindihan sa ingay ng mga babaeng 'to.Sounds bitter but hell yeah. Hindi maproseso ng utak ko ang katotohanang iyon.

"You heard the news?"

"News about what? Or 'who' is the best question?"

"Not so sure pa ah. Pero mukhang si Ms. Athalia Tzavara ang date ni Xandrev sa ball. Naiinggit ako!"

"It's okay girl"

Sineryoso niya? Well, that's Xandrev Ross? Why would I ever question my brother's abilities?

"Ano ba kayo? Nandiyan si Zafh oh."
Mahinang bulong ng isa sa kanila ngunit hindi iyon nakaligtas sa pandinig ko. Sana hindi na lamang siya bumulong.

"Speaking of. Come closer.."

"Sino kayang magiging date niya? Okay, given that she's pretty, bakit parang walang nagyayaya sa kanya?That seems so impossible right?"

Thank you for the compliment.

"Maybe they're afraid."

"Of what naman?"

"To be punched by her brother and also by her." I heard them slighly chuckles.

Inilapag ko ang libro sa mesa na ikinatahimik nilang lahat.

"We're sorry, Zafh."
Hindi ko na lang sila pinansin. Maaksaya lamang ang atensyon ko sa walang kwentang bagay.

"Lexus Seth Rosetti." Natigilan ako nang banggitin nila ang pangalan na iyon.

"Okay girls.
He is really so breath taking. Like ugh!"

"I can be naked in front of him if he'll just say so.."

"Ya crazy bitch! But I love that idea!"

Sluts. Well, that man hasn't shown up or popped up anywhere like he usually does.

Don't get me wrong. I'm just curious. Maybe it's because I'm used to seeing him with his... yeah, banana in hand, with that playful expression on his face. That's it.

"I'm really thrilled by him. His voice... his face that's so Greek-god-like, and his killer body."

It seems these girls are excessively praising him, but that's not my concern, so I should stay out of it.

Dahil tinatamad na rin naman akong makinig sa kanilang nakakairitang diskusyon ay napagpasyahan ko na lamang na lumabas at pumunta ng oval.

I was alone now because Lynne, Anne, and Debbie were still in class. It just happened to be our free hour, so I was here.

I sat on a bench and continued reading my book when I heard footsteps entering the gymnasium. I suddenly felt nervous and accidentally bit the corner of my lip.

Masakit.

"Who will be your date El?" rinig kong tanong ng isa sa mga kasama niya.

"Oo nga bro! Last year na natin dito sa Estrella oh!"

Si El iyon at ang ilan nitong ka-team mates sa basketball. Nakajersey sila at naka baskeball shorts. At hindi ko maitanggi ang paghanga sa kabuuan nito. He's hot with that outfit.

Naaaliw mang pagmasdan ito ay itinago ko na lamang ang aking mukha sa libro. I didn't want him to see me because I still felt guilty about last night. The thought of him from yesterday made me laugh in my mind and smile.

"She's hiding," El simply said, but my heart was racing again, affected by his presence."My date, she's hiding,"sabi nito na bahagya pang tumawa.

"Nababaliw ka na, El!"

"Crazy inlove!" rinig ko pang pangangantiyaw sa kanya ng mga kaibigan niya.

Wait, is he talking about me? I don't want to get my hopes up, but the possibility added to my happiness. I only realized too late that the book I was using to hide my face had fallen. Tanga lang, Zafh.

"Shit! Zafh's here?" A tall guy asked.

"She's really pretty, bro!" said one of them, not taking his eyes off me.

"Stop it, Lucho," El cut in.

"Why stop me, El?" Lucho asked, followed by a chuckle.

El then turned his gaze directly to me, and I found myself staring back.

What now, Eli? Can you answer?

"Hi Zafh, Lucho Agustin.
Will you be my date for the upcoming ball?" napuno ng tawanan ang gynasium at kantiyaw para kay Lucho ngunit nanatili lamang na tahimik si El.

Sasagot na sana ako nang unahan ako nito."She's offlimits man." Seryosong sabi ni El.

Natigilan ako maging ang mga kasama nito bago nakuhang tumingin sa kanya.

"At bakit hindi El? Bakit hindi siya pwede?"

Nilingon ko ang nagmamay ari ng boses na iyon at hindi ako nagkamali. Maureen.

Lumapit ito sa kanila at muling napuno ng kantiyawan nang gawaran ng isang halik sa pisngi si El. Ngumisi pa ito nang magtagpo ang aming mga tingin.

"Napakatamis naman pala,"

"Siguradong ikaw ang date nito Maureen. Tama ba?!"

"May pa 'she's hiding' pang nalalaman tong si Michaelson. Yun naman pala e 'she's coming dapat."

Para akong natulos sa kinauupuan ko habang nakikita silang nagtatawanan maging si Maui ay nakitawa na rin, para inisin ako. Sigurado yun.

"Of course I'll be his date. No doubt about it, guys."

I couldn't handle it anymore. I stood up and walked out without even looking back at them. What for? It would be a waste of time. Try harder, Maureen. Try even more.

I had so much on my mind that I almost forgot about the E-ball later.

I took my phone from the leather pants I was wearing and checked if there were any messages.

Mama

Zafh, I already sent your gown for the ball. I hope you'll like it. Enjoy the party baby. I love you.
-Mom

Okay. Nagmadali akong naglakad papunta sa kwarto namin. Doon ay sumalubong sa akin ang hindi pamilyar na mga tao bibit ang isang pulang kahon. Kaagad ko silang nilapitan.

"Excuse me?"

"Are you Ms. Zafhyrna Kasianna Romero?"

"Ako nga." sagot ko.

"Ms. AZ sent this for you."

"Pakidala na lang sa loob ng kwarto."

Tumango naman ito at binuksan ang kwarto namin nila Debbie. Doon rin ay naabutan ko sila Anne, Debbie, at Lynne sa may kani kanilang kama habang nakaladlad na dito ang mga isusuot nila.

"Pakilagay na lang doon, pwede na rin kayong umalis pagkatapos."

"Yes Ms. Zafh."