Girl in Disguise

GiD 37 -

The New Year has brought another chance for us to set things right and to open up a new chapter in our lives. One more year loaded with sweet recollections and cheerful times has passed. You have made my year exceptionally uncommon, and I wish this continuous forever. With you around, each minute is a unique event for me. I wish you all to have a year as incredible as you are. Happy New Year!

* * * * * *

"Hi, gorgeous!"

Mula sa aklat na binabasa ko ay umangat ang tingin ko sa taong nasa harapan ko ngayon. It's none other than, the campus Queen Bee, Kelly.

"Yes Kelly?" Mabilis ko itong tinapunan ng tingin saka muli ko ring ibinalik ang aking atensiyon sa aklat na binabasa ko.

"Oh! That was kinda rude!" Maarte nitong sabi.

"Uhm.. Well, sorry for that." Sabi ko na lang para matigil na ito.

"Nah ah! I'll forgive you in one condition."

Napataas ang sulok ng labi ko at hindi ko rin naiwasang hindi magtaas ng kilay. She'll forgive me in one condition. What was that for? Ganoon na ba kalaking kasalaman ang maging rude paminsan-minsan? As if I committed a grave crime at siya bilang isang Queen Bee na magpapataw sa akin ng pardon.

Condition my ass!

"And that is?" Pero sinakyan ko pa rin ito.

"Be my date!" She smiled seductively at me.

I want to laugh really hard. Be her date, that's what she said. Just the other day someone told me to be his date. From two different people. This is a déjà vu for me.

Si Kelly, maiintindihan ko pa. Pero si Clyde? Masasabi kong nawawala na ito sa katinuan. Hindi ko lubos maisip kung bakit nito naisipang maging ka date ako.

Unti-unti kong hinamig ang sarili ko saka tumingin kay Kelly ng nakangiti. Not a genuine smile though. Dito ako magaling, eh. Ang magpanggap.

I'm an expert at hiding my feelings. I had masked my emotions for so long due to the volatile environment I grew up in.

I learned to smile slowly all the time by forcing myself to only smile that way. Kahit na kabaliktaran niyon ang totoong nararamdaman ko.

Dahil sa mundong ating ginagalawan marami ang mapagsamantala. At kung hahayaan mo lang sila, kawawa ka.

She stiffened as I leaned closer and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and slowly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. It made me smile. Hindi ko akalain na marunong rin pala siyang makaramdam ng pagka-tense.

Mas lalo na ng ilapit ko ang labi ko sa kaniyang tainga. As I moved my hands down the smooth skin of her shoulder and continued down the curves of her waist. I whispered in her ear, "Sorry, I'm too busy. Maybe some other time." I kissed her on the cheek and left her dumbfounded.

Heck! Ano bang mayroon at dalawa na silang nag-aya sa akin ng date?! I would rather date myself.

I pulled my phone out of my pocket. I was busy texting Darryl asking where he is.

"Alexis!" Muntik ko nang mabitawan ang cellphone kong hawak sa pagkagulat.

"Could you lower your voice?" Sabi ko rito habang ibinabalik ang aking cellphone sa bulsa ng pantalon pantalon ko.

 "Ops! Sorry." Natatawang hingi ng paumanhin sa akin ni Caitlyn. Mukha itong excited sa kung saan. 

Lumipad ang tingin ko sa bandang likuran nito at doon ko nakitang kasama pala ni Caitlyn ang boyfriend niton si Flynn. Ngumiti ito sa akin bilang pagbati kaya sinuklian ko rin ng isang matipid na tango.