(Available Under Tuebl)Once Again Book II: Forgetting Last Summer [Finished]

Chapter 26 (crislyn)

Once Again [Book 2]

-Ian Joseph Barcelon.

Chapter Twenty-six

crisyln

                I stopped my cat near Caitlyn’s house, my English research paper partner slash irregular student in our section. She’s an Educ student. Isa siya sa mga geeky-good-girl na may pagka-weird. Well, hindi ko naman talag ginustong maging partner siya, but do I have a choice? If I’m going to choose Karylle or Amanda over her, where would that leave me? Us? They’re both lazy. Plus, this research paper’s due on Monday. Good thing that this Caitlyn girl was beside me that time—and not Karylle nor Amanda.

            “Is it really okay?” Hinawakan ko ang manipis niyang braso na isang hawakan ko lang, parang masisira na.

            Bahagyang bumagsak ang suot niyang big rounded glass na nagpapalaki ng mga mata niya, na akala mo nakasuot siya ng magnifying glass. She nodded, bringing back her glasses into its position, her thick black hair going through her pimpled face. “I—I’ll do it.”

            “Just update me once na matapos ka, okay?”

            She nodded for the last time before going out my car. Jeez. Muntikan na ‘kong maubusan ng excuses sa kanya. Mabuti na lang at scaredy-cat siya, hindi na ‘ko masyadong nahirapang palambutin siya ‘til pumayag siyang siya na ang gagawa ng research paper namin. Kung tutulungan ko naman siya, like, hell? May maitutulong ba ‘ko. Isa pa, I don’t like to go inside her house and be with her inside her room. Siguradong boring dahil puro libro lang ang makikita ko.

            Damn that Professor Hilda. That old hag woman na wala nang pinagawa kundi paper works. Hindi ba siya nagsasawang tumanggap nang makakapal na papel?

            I started my car again and drove away.

            Habang nagda-drive, nag-beep ang cell phone ko.

            Amanda: So how did it went?

            I texted her, What do you think? He’s still into me.

            Kahapon, after ng game nila Jacob, nag-aabang ako dala ang tubig. Once it ended (they won against Sto. Margo University) I called his name to get his attention. When he saw me, I knew he didn’t believe his eyes. Me, calling him. Alam kong nagda-doubt siyang lapitan ako so I forced a smile which I think nakatulong dahil lumapit siya sa ‘kin, sweat over his face and body.

 

            “Hi,” I say, beaming at him. “Good game.”

 

            “Thank you,” he says. “What’s up?”

 

            Phew. Thought he’s not going to talk. “Can I talk to you for a minute?” I peer at his shoulder, looking at his team mates that were now looking at us.

 

            “We’re talking.”

 

He sounded like he wants to end the conversation right away so I quickly added, “In private. Please?”

 

Pinauna ko siyang maglakad, hanggang sa makarating kami sa locker room nila sa ninth floor. He wore off his shirt, his back at me.

 

“Spill it,” he says.

 

I know he’s still pissed at me, pero sigurado akong kapag nalaman niya ang sasabihin ko sa kanya, it’s going to change.

 

            “We broke up.” Huminga ako nang malalim, at idinagdag na, “last week.”

Erick and I broke up two weeks ago. He said he’s done with me because he find out na ginagamit ko lang siya and I’m still into Jacob, and just like that, we’re officially ‘off’. Mabuti na rin 'yon dahil nagsasawa na rin akong magsayang ng oras para makipag-text sa kanya. Ayoko na rin ng lalaking palaging nakabuntot sa ‘kin, so I’m glad he’s the one to finish our relationshit.

 

            He stopped for a moment, and I thought he’s going to say something,  pero nagpatuloy lang siya sa pagpupunas ng pawis niya at kumuha ng shirt sa locker niya.

            Sa sandaling 'yon, pakiramdam ko ang hirap lumunok. Pakiramdam ko—tama bang ginawa ko pa ‘to? I mean, he don’t give a shit. I and Erick broke up, and what’s that to do with him? He had his girlfriend now. I’m not the girl in his life anymore.

            Nanatili akong tahimik, pagkuha niya lang ng damit sa locker ang ingay. Ano ba’ng inaasahan ko? Na babalikan niya ‘ko? Right away?

 

            Few seconds passed and I realized that this is so shitty. I shouldn’t be doing this. Pero ano ba ang gusto ko? Na bumalik si Jacob di ba? But—come on! This is full of drama. Kailangan ko nang umalis dito.

 

            “That’s all, bye.”

 

            Naglakad ako papunta sa pinto, sandaling huminto, at lumingon. Nakita kong nakatingin siya sa ‘kin, pero binawi niya rin 'yon pagkatapos. That’s when I knew he still cares.

           

            Amanda: Oh my God, Crissy! Kakaiba talaga ang epekto mo kay Jacob. I want to know the full story now. Come over. Let’s have a beer party. In-invite ko na sila Karylle and the whole group. See you. ;)

            Okay.

            Inihagis ko ang cell phone ko sa dashboard, lumiko pakaliwa, and drove as fast as I can.

***

Hmm . . . so alam na natin ang pinag-usapan nila Jacob at Crislyn? At kung ano'ng nangyari kay Crislyn at Erick? Nafo-foresee niyo na ba ang mangyayari? :)

PS. Second update for this day! Sept.21/14