Chapter 18
Nagdaan pa ang ilang buwan ng paminsan-minsan naming pagkikita ni Jairus. Hindi kami nagkakausap man lang kahit minnsan. Whenever we see each other, I always act like I don't know him and pass by him without looking back.
Nagtataka na nga ako kung bakit paminsan-minsan ko siyang nakikita dito. Paano na kaya yung trabaho niyang naiwan sa Davao?
I have been so busy with acads and sports. Pasali-sali rin kami ng teammates ko sa mga sports competition. My schedule is now so hectic because I am now a graduating student. It's hard to manage my time but I am doing my best.
Jarrick is still staying in my condo. I can't afford to be alone, too. I might always eat processed food and have UTI when Jarrick will leave me. So hinayaan ko na lang din siyang mag stay.
Wala akong naging kaibigan talaga sa bago kong school. These days, I am so not into socializing. I am contented with the friends that I have. Hindi ko feel magpapasok ng mga bagong tao sa buhay ko. I feel like building my walls up.
"So paaabutin mo talaga ng isang taon tong iwasan moment niyo ni Jairus? I can feel that he's just waiting until you're ready." Sabi ni Jarrick habang tumatambay kami sa isang cafe malapit sa school.
"You think so?"
"Yes. Kung iba pa iyan, nagpumilit na iyang makausap ka araw-araw. Siya, parang hinihintay ka lang kung kailan ka handang makipag-usap."
"Nah. Maybe he doesn't want to talk to me, too, that's why he's not reaching out."
"Ay ewan ko sa'yo! Alam kong nasaktan ka niya at di ko siya gusto, pero nababasa ko talagang binibigyan ka lang niya ng space at lagi siyang nakahanda lang kung saan kapag gusto mo nang magkalinawan kayo. I mean..who would leave his company just to stay with someone?"
"Baka may tinatrabaho lang dito."
"Duh! Ilang months siya may tatrabahuin dito? Baka gusto mo iangat pa niya ang building niya papunta dito? Bahala ka diyan. I am just stating my observations. You're stressing me out."
He sipped on his frappe and rolled his eyes at me. Yumuko ako para makainom sa frappe sa harapan ko. My hands are both under my face. Ngayon lang ako nagka free time at saktong nasa malapit lang nagte-train sila Jarrick kaya pinuntahan niya ako.
Tomorrow, I will still need to pass some projects and research because the semestral break is fast approaching.
Kagaya sa Davao, gabi-gabi rin ang training namin dito dahil biglaan ang mga invitations for sports competitions kaya dapat lagi kaming handa.
"We registered in a competition organized by PTTF so work hard in the training. Mahirap makakalaban natin dito kahit pa na ka level niyo lang ng edad." Coach Monti said.
Kada uwi ko sa condo, nakakatulog ako kaagad dahil sa pagod.
"Caia!"
Inikot ko ang paningin ko para hanapin kung sino ang tumawag sa akin. I saw Clint with a big smile walking towards me. Yes, he's studying in the same school as mine. Lumipat din siya sa ngayong academic year na 'to dito sa Manila.
Kamalas-malasang may training si Jarrick ngayon. He always pulls me out of Clint's company. Clint is my childhood friend but I really feel uncomfortable around him. Not to be judgmental, but I really think that he always had hidden agendas when he's around me.
"May kasabay ka ba mamayang lunch?" Tanong niya habang sumasabay na sa akin sa paglalakad.
"Yes. My groupmates. We'll be having a working lunch." Kahit wala naman talaga. I hate lying but I really feel so uneasy when I am with him. Lagi akong naghahanap ng rason para makaiwas sa kanya.
