"What?"
Van was looking at me as if he wanted to say something.
"Nothing."
He said while smiling.
"Parang sira."
"Wala ba talaga sinasabi sa'yo si Thirdy?"
Now, he got our group's attention.
"Wala naman."
"Di naman kasi makwento yun pero..."
"Ano?"
"Kilala ko yun eh."
I did not bother to find out what really it is.
"But do you guys talk?"
Deanna asked.
"Ha? We all do diba."
"The two of you. Pinag-uusapan niyo kung anong meron kayo?"
Van could not really let go of the topic.
"There's nothing between the 2 of us naman kasi."
"E ano ngang mga pinag-uusapan niyo 'pag kayo lang?"
"Anything. The usual."
"Pero nagtetext kayo?"
"Hmm yes."
Van smiled as if really trying to imply something.
----------------------
Ferdinand
My dear...
Yes, my dear?
Hmm nothing.
Para kang sira.
Wala lang.
WYD?
Hmm texting lang.
Sino katext mo?
Deanna just sent something kanina.
Wala ng iba?
You na lang.
OK.
---------------------
Days passed by like that, spent with the group but Thirdy and I were side by side most of the time. Be it in classroom, cafes, friends' cribs.
He also texts me even if he does not have anything to say naman. And, he is the only person who borrows my phone and knows how to unlock it.
I GUESS I am STARTING to LIKE him. Yes, emphasis on those three words because I'm still unsure. All I know is I DO NOT LOVE him (yet), that is what I'm sure of. The difference between like and love.
-------------------
"Finally, we're done!"
Tricia rejoiced.
"And this sem's already 'bout to end."
Deanna added with excitement.
We just finished performing the cheerdance that we practiced for how many weeks.
"Galing mo talaga, baby!"
"You din kaya, mommy Billie."
"Pero nagtatampo ko sa'yo ah."
"Enlighten me, please."
"Alam mo namang crush ko si Thirdy eh. But it's OKay."
"Haha, ewan ko sa'yo."
----------------
"So where are we heading to today?"
Therese inquired.
"Gusto ko kina Bea.
Sa inyo naman, boys haven't been there."
Thirdy answered right away.
I saw that, Jolo and Van glanced at each other with a little playful smile on their faces.
"OKay, sakto walang tao at our home so let's go guys."
Going there, the group was having a fun time. Chika dito, chika doon. Jolo and I were also exchanging kwentos.
As soon as we arrived, they all made themselves comfortable in the living room. Kanya-kanya silang pwesto and Thirdy? There, nakadapa sa sofa.
I excused myself so that I could change my clothes. When I got back, asked them what they wanted to eat. Everyone gave their suggestion then back to kwentuhan. Except for Thirdy who's still in the same position, face buried in pillow so I went near him.
"Hey!"
He didn't answer but I don't think this guy is sleeping.
"Ferdinand."
"What?"
"Ginagawa mo?"
"Masakit ulo ko."
"Ha?"
"Sige na, makipagkwentuhan ka na sa kanila."
"You heard me naman, right? I was asking what you guys want to eat."
"I'm not hungry."
"C'mon! Di ka magmemerienda?"
"Di nga, asikasuhin mo na sila."
"Seriously, what's your prob?"
"Wala nga."
"Then why are you like that?"
"Told you, my head's aching."
"You're OKay naman kanina."
"Kulit."
"Bakit nga?"
"Kung anong iniisip mo, 'yun na yun."
And I paused momentarily.
"Get up na, let's buy food."
"Yoko."
"Samahan mo na ko."
"Pasama ka kay Jolo."
"Tara na."
"Don't wanna go out."
"There's a convenience store nearby."
"Fine, ang kulit mo."
"Yan."
"Guys, we'll just buy food."
"Where?"
It was Deanna.
"Sa malapit lang."
And again, those looks of my friends didn't escape my eyes.
While Thirdy and I were on our way...
"So what was that?"
"Which one?"
"Anong pag-iinarte 'yun, Ferdinand?"
"Wala lang 'yun."
"Di nga, e bakit ka ganon kanina?"
I'm a little extra today. We went to my place ng maayos so I don't want anyone to kill that vibe. Fine, just don't want Thirdy to have that mood. Whatever it is.
"Basta kung ano nga 'yung iniisip mo, 'yun na 'yun."
I just looked at him but recovered right away and we just enjoyed that mini grocery moment.
