"Are we okay, Ara?" Tanong ni Oliver nang sunduin niya ako mula sa gym. He's still in his suit, mukhang galing pa nga sa ospital.
"We are" sagot ko habang patuloy lang sa paglalakad palabas ng gym.
"But you're avoiding me. Look, if this is about the kiss—
"No and I'm not avoiding you."
"Wait, can you stop running away and talk to me?"
I closed my eyes as I try to calm myself down. Inhale. Exhale. This is the time, Ara. Grab it.
Nang mapansin kong nasa labas na kami ng gym at mukhang wala namang tao, I faced him. Kaya ko 'to. This isn't the first time that I'm going to do this.
"Okay, Oli. You're a nice guy" Panimula ko.
"Are you trying to reject me right now?" He asked which sounded like he's getting upset.
I let out a deep sigh before continuing dahil nahihirapan talaga akong kausapin siya. He's one of my friends lalo na sa council. Siya itong madalas kong kasama at kausap kapag nasa meetings kami.
"I'm sorry but I'm not really open to relationships right now" Pagdidiretsa ko.
"I'm willing to wait, Ara" There. That's the line. That stupid line. Alam ko namang hindi ko maiiwasan yan dahil yan din ang madalas na sinasabi sa akin pero hindi na ako magtataka kung bukas-makalawa, they're not into me anymore.
Lahat naman kasi ng nagsasabi niyan, hindi nakakatupad eh. Since Oliver said it, I guess I should be chilling right now because that's a sign.
A sign that he'll give this up eventually.
"I've waited for years already, I'm up for more" Dagdag ni Oli kaya't bigla akong nakaramdam ng kaba.
There's something about the conviction on his words. The way he says it. It really sounds like an oath. Para siyang nanunumpa sa isang tungkulin. And I know Oli as a person. He's very persistent. He's very dedicated. May goal. Laging may gustong makuha and the harder for him to get it, the harder he'll strive.
Fuck. Did I just get myself into trouble?
———————
Maagang natapos ang practice dahil rush hour na sa pagbili ng mga susuotin sa graduation ball, ngayong gabi kasi ang simula. Sila Eli at Gio ang mauuna at bukas na rin ang program and the day after that's going to be our graduation ball.
Kaya nandito ako ngayon sa tapat ng building ng Med dahil dito ako iniwan ni Oli pagkatapos niyang magpaalam na may exam daw siya kaya dito nalang din ako naghintay kay Alex.
Sira kasi ang sasakyan ko at nasa shop pa and I really have to go check my gown for final fitting. Nagkakakain pa naman kami ni Alex nitong mga nakaraang araw.
"A!" I heard a familiar voice. Nasa parking lot na pala ito sa tapat ng building ng Med. I ran towards him and quickly gave him a hug.
"Ano nanamang nangyari sa sasakyan mo?" Tanong niya nang makapasok na kami ng sasakyan.
"Ayaw magstart kanina eh"
"Napacheck mo na?" Tumango ako.
"Nasa shop pa, di ko nga lang natanong kung kailan pwedeng makuha na"
"Sa'n mo nanaman ba pinakita? I'll go see it after we check your gown para may magamit ka na bukas" Napangiti ako bigla sa pagi-initiate niya. Did something good happen? Parang ang ganda ng mood niya eh.
