Tulay [Short Story]

T.6

Mabilis ko lang natapos ang aming quiz. This is also my last subject for today at tuwing biyernes ay hanggang alas tres lang kami.

We still have 25 minutes more before dismissal at kasalukuyan kaming nagchecheck ng mga papel namin. Tiningnan ko ang katabi kong si Bright. Ngumiti ito sakin kaya ngumiti rin ako pabalik.

Bright is literally a bright girl. She's beautiful even with those thick glasses on. Kulot din ang kanyang buhok na medyo kulay brown. She got big eyes and chubby cheeks. Sa classroom ay siya lang ang pinapansin ko.

"Ari, close pala kayo nila Caleb?" She asked. Namula siya nang sabihin ang pangalan ni Caleb.

"Ah, not really. Pero medyo kilala ko ang kambal niya." Tumango siya and she unconsciously bit her lips.

"Si Jacob ba? I heard kaibigan din siya nila--" Hindi na natuloy ang sinasabi niya dahil pinapasa na ang mga papel. I get what she was saying. Kaibigan din siya ng mga kaibigan ko.

I sighed heavily. Bright put her hand on my back.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to." I smiled to assure her it's okay. It's been three years, huh. Miss na miss ko na sila.

"And the highest for today's quiz.." Nabalik ako sa wisyo nang marinig ko ang boses ng aming teacher.

"Oh wow! It's you, Miss Enrile. Good job! You got a perfect score!" Hindi ko mapigilan ang mapangiti. This is probably because of what Alcreza and I talked about.

Dinismiss na kami pagkatapos. Sabay na kami ni Bright na lumabas at naglakad palabas ng campus. Madadaanan namin ang classroom nila because that's the closest gate sa wing namin.

"Paano mo nagagawa 'yun, Ari? Tulog ka palagi pero nakakaperfect ka!" Pumalakpak pa siya kaya naman medyo natawa ako.

"Ano ka ba! Haha. Hindi ko nga rin alam eh." Hinigit niya ang kamay ko at tiningnan ang tinitingnan nya.

"Alcreza."

"Miss."

Tumango ako sa kanya. Nakipagapir sa akin si Jacob. Tumango lang din ang dalawa.

"Hey, Bright. What's up?" Tanong ni Caleb. Hmm. I smell something sweet between this two, huh?

"I'm okay. Been busy with acads as usual. Ikaw ba?" Caleb just shrugged his shoulders.

"Yeah, same." I smiled while looking at them. They would really look good together.

"How's your quiz?" Nagulat ako kay Alcreza. He's too close. Hindi ko napansin na nakalapit na pala siya sa akin.

"It's good." I faced him. This is what I'm used to do. Looking at people directly in their eyes while talking to them. His eyes are really beautiful. Ugh what am I thinking?

"I see, mahirap ba?" I shrugged my shoulders.

"Nakaperfect siya, Clyde!" Proud na sabi ni Bright.

"Oh wow. So you've been a good girl. That's good. Congratulations." Pabulong niyang sinabi ang congratulations kaya medyo kinilabutan ako.

"Hmm. Thanks. San prize ko?"

"Mamaya." I rolled my eyes. He's just playing with me. Of course, why would he give me such? Tumango na lang ako at nagsimulang maglakad.

I heard some footsteps following me. Must be one of those three.

"Ari, wait. Uhm. Hindi na kasi ako makakasabay." She looked at me before looking at Caleb. Ah, so they're a thing? I don't really care. Good for them.

"Yeah, all good. Ingat kayo. Stay protected." Napangisi si Jacob dahil sa sinabi ko. Napakasupportive na kambal nga naman.

"Miss, I didn't know you're a lil impatient. Mamaya ibibigay ko, okay?" Tumango na lang ako at naglakad ulit. I'm feeling sleepy. Humikab ako habang naglalakad.