His Other Side (on hold)

40

40: T-Shirt

"YOU guys aren't showy," puna ni Addison nang minsan na nasa cafeteria kami during lunch.

It's been two weeks since the camp. And after that, medyo naging busy na sina Dale at Theo sa practice ng basketball since nalalapit na yung Sports Fest at inter-school competition. Kaya't si Addison lang ang lagi kong nakakasama tuwing lunch. Kahit nga sa pag-uwi dahil minsan ko na lang din nakakasabay 'yung dalawa sa uwian.

Bumalik naman ang atensyon ko sa sinabi ni Addison. Kumunot ang noo ko sa kanya. "What are you talking about?"

Inikot niya ang mata sa akin saka binaba iyong hawak na kubyertos. "Kayo ni Dale," sagot niya. "Here at school, you guys don't look like a couple."

Napasimangot naman ako. Talaga ba? But then, I also thought is there a need for us to look like one?

"Kailangan ba maging showy kami para magmukhang couple?" balik kong tanong.

Addison shrugged. "Hindi naman," sagot niya. "I just observed it, don't get me wrong," pahabol niya pa saka napabuntong-hininga. "Okay, ikukwento ko na nga."

Napakunot ang noo ko sa ginawa niya. What's with her sudden outburst?

"Kanina kasi sa CR, I overheard some juniors were talking about Dale. How they are planning to catch Dale's attention sa School Formal."

Nanliit ang mga mata ko. "But that would be on November pa," sagot ko.

Kada taon, may nagaganap kasing ball dito sa McGregor. Well, before isa lang which is yung JS prom, but ever since nagkaroon ng K-12, nadagdag na rin yung School Formal. Every February ginaganap yung JS Prom which was for Grade 9 and 10 students, tapos yung School Formal or sometimes what we call the November Ball ay tuwing November nga ginaganap. At yung huli ay para naman sa senior high students.

"I know," sagot niya. "And August pa lang ngayon, for goodness' sake, pero ganun ka-desperate yung mga girls. Nakakaloka. And I just feel bad knowing na may girlfriend na si Dale and that is you, my dear bestfriend, pero dami-dami pa ring girls na umaaligid sa kanya."

She breathed deeply. "And I don't know. Maybe gusto ko lang isampal sa mga babaeng yun yung relationship niyo ni Dale para magisitigil na sila. Get me?"

Tumango naman ako kay Addison at ngumiti sa kanya. I appreciate that, really. Kung gaano siya ka-concern sa akin. But I also thought that we can not help it, yung mga babaeng hanggang ngayon ay umaasa pa rin sa boyfriend ko. But she was right though, I can end that by letting them know about our relationship.

But the thing is, ayoko naman na biglang mag-iba kami ni Dale just for that. I mean, yung maging showy kami bigla para lang ipangalandakan sa iba kung anong meron sa amin. I just want it to happen naturally.

At iyon ang sinabi ko kay Addison. "Don't worry. Soon, malalaman din nila."

She laughed at me as she nodded. "I love that smile. But yeah, I can't wait for that to happen. But wait, have you guys already celebrated your monthsary? Hindi ba't nung eight?"

I bit my lip as I remembered how we celebrated it last week. It was simple. Dinner lang kasama 'yung family ni Dale at ni Theo then Tita Marielle bought us tickets for a movie date na pinuntahan namin nung weekend after their team practice. Si Mommy ay sa phone lang bumati. Hindi pa siya nakakauwi since tinatapos niya pa 'yung paghahanap sa mga magmamanage sa mga branches. Which she told Theo and me na malapit na raw dahil may mga napipisil na siyang magtetake-over.

Tumango ako kay Addison. "Yes, nung eight nga. Pero nung Saturday na lang naming medyo nacelebrate since doon lang kami nakapagsolo."

Binigyan niya naman ako ng nakakalokong tingin na parang tahimik na tinatanong kung anong ginawa namin.