Parallel Intersection

Chapter 9

"You're blushing." Natatawang puna sa akin ni Joe.

Mabilis kong ibinaba ang notebook niya at saka inabala ang sarili sa pagtingin sa mga nasagutan niya na.

I tried to hid how surprised I am. Ang bilis niya namang sumagot. I wonder if he answered it correctly.

"Siguraduhin mong tama yan ha." Pagbabanta ko sa kanya.

"And if all of these were correct, you need to pay me." I quickly grabbed the sheet on his hand.

Kung may bayad din naman pala, hindi na lang! Papasok na lang ako ng maaga at saka makikikopya sa kahit sinong kaklase ko.

Negosyante rin 'tong loko na 'to e. Ano bang akala niya sa akin? Mayaman?

"Jam, chill." He wiped away few tears on his eyes.

Paano ba naman kasi ay malakas akong tinawanan ni Joe. Naku! Mas lalo lang akong kukulitin ni Mama at ipipilit na boyfriend ko nga 'to.

Ma! How I wish!

"Kapos na kapos kami, okay? Sana sinabi mo na may bayad pala 'to! Kaya ko naman kumopya na lang sa kaklase ko!" I hissed while looking at his answers.

Siguro kung ako ang sumagot dito ay tiyak na ang kalat na ng papel na 'to. But, it's Joe. Mas maganda pa ang kanyang sulat-kamay kaysa sa future ko!

He unbelievably looked at me. "What?  You think, I'll ask for some money?"

I arched my eyebrows. "Bakit? Hindi ba?"

He pressed his lips in a thin line. "I have enough money with me. Why do you even think that I'll ask for a cent from you?"

Oo na! Halata naman na anak-mayaman 'to. I mean, lahat naman ata sila ay anak-mayaman.

I rolled my eyes at him. "Duh! Syempre kasi ganon 'yon. Tinutulungan mo ko, babayaran kita."

Tumikhim ito. For one second, I saw irritation in Joe's eyes. Wait, did I insulted him or something?

"Are you mad at me? I was just telling you na that's how it works here." I said using a small voice.

Pinakawalan niya ang isang malalim na hininga. "I only want a picture with you." Mataman niya akong tiningnan.

Hindi ko alam kung anong itsura ko na ba ngayon. Tanging alam ko lang ay halos umakyat ang lahat ng aking dugo.

I know I am fucking blushing right now. Nararamdaman ko rin kasi ang tuluyang pag-init ng aking mukha.

It never crossed my mind. Alam ko na para akong tanga rito ngunit hindi iyon kailanman pumasok sa aking isipan.

I was contented with the fact that we were seeing each other right after his every game. But for us to have a picture together is kind of too much.

Aalis din naman siya e. Bakit kailangan pa ng ganoon? It's not as if I  am that special.

"You'll have a perfect score on this one. Just promise me...we'll take our picture together." My lips parted as I nod my head.

Maybe, a souvenir isn't that bad? Wala namang mawawala sa akin kung magkakaroon nga kami ng larawang dalawa.

Nakuha niya na rin naman ang kalahati sa aking puso. I can consider myself as a fan after this one week romance.

Iisipin ko na lang na isa ako sa mga swerteng fans niya. Hey, I'll get to have a picture with Joe Gomez De Liaño!

That would be epic! But I know, it isn't. First, I am not his fan. I am more than it. Second, why do I love non-label relationships?