Chapter 2

My heart was still beating so fast like it's going to lose its grip inside my chest. Hindi ko alam na kaya ko ng sabihin sa kanya ang mga salitang iyon. 

What did he think of himself? Porque gwapo siya. Gago pa rin siya! I would never forget that day where he dumped me. It would be forever be vivid in my mind. 

I took a quick bath. Isinalampak ko ang sarili ko sa kama pagkatapos no'n. I tried to sleep, kahit na alam kong hindi na naman ako makakatulog dahil sa kanya. 

I dozed off to sleep right after I closed my eyes. 

I woke up as the rays of sunlight touched my skin. I prepared myself and did my usual routine. Thank God, I only have two classes today. First year was not that yet too stressful. Konting mga activities pa lang, that's why I could manage. 

I only have kuya with me now. Lalo na si Mama nag-abroad. I understood that my mother had to go there for us. Papa on the other hand already left us, bata pa lamang ako. I never had the chance to see him. Sayang nga. Para na namang tinutusok ang puso ko tuwing naalala ko. 

Kaya nga sobrang hands on ni kuya mag-alaga. Lahat ng mga kailangan ko binibigay niya. Hindi na nga nakapag- girlfriend. Pero for sure, may pinopormahan 'yan. Si kuya pa ba? Mahilim nga lang siya. Madalas din na beast mode sa akin. 

Nakita ko si Kuya pababa tapos si Ate Jenny na bestfriend ni kuya na naguusap. I really wanted to be together. Kaso itong si kuya manhid. Hindi kasi makita ni Kuya na babae rin si Ate Jenny dahil sa pananamit nito. Madalas, loose shirt at naka-sumbrero pa lagi. Pati ang galaw ay panlalaki. Kuya could not see her feminine side. Maganda si Ate Jenny, she could even surpass models with her features. 

"Aalis ka na, baby girl?" I glared at Ate Jenny. 

"I'm not a baby girl anymore!" I hissed. They just laughed. 

"Sorry baby g–este, Yna. Ingat ka sa school ha. Baka madaming pumorma sa'yo."

"Wala nga, Ate eh. I-reto mo nga ako sa gwapo mong kaibigan." Kuya glared at me. "Joke lang." Nag-peace sign kaagad ako. 

"Alis na ako. Bye!" I waved at them. Hindi pa rin ako pinapansin ni kuya hanggang ngayon. I heaved a deep sigh.

Don't worry, magpapakabait ako ng slight. I grinned at my thoughts. 

Habang naglalakad papunta ay nakakunot ang aking noo. Paano? Pakiramdam ko kasi may nakasunod sa akin. Hinawakan ko nang mahigpit ang bag ko. Sinadya kong huminto para talagang makumpirmang sumusunod din siya. Sigurado nga ako! Sinusundan niya ako. 

Whoever this person was, makakatikim siya sa akin. What does this person think of me? I knew how to fight. Madalas din akong nag-gy-gym. Akala niya diyan. 

I took a step backward and held my bag. Ipinalo ko ito ng ilang beses sa lalaki. Narinig ko ang impit na d***g nito.

"Aray! Masakit!" Nang humarap ito sa akin, halos malaglag ang panga ko. What the fuck?!

"B-Brent?" 

"Ang sakit nun ah," aniya. Hawak niya ang kanyang ulo habang inaayos ang kanyang polo. 

"What are you doing? Why the hell are you following me? Ano stalker ka na ngay—" 

"Isa-isa lang pwede?" 

I huffed. "Fine, bakit ka nga nandito?"

"Because I want to," he answered. He sounded even so cool like nothing happened before. 

"W-What? Okay ka lang?" 

He beamed. "Yes, I've been fine since the day I was born." 

"Wala kang kwentang kausap!" I turned around. Gosh! Hindi ko na talaga maintindihan ang mga nangyayari. 

I didn't know what's the destiny been up to. And it seemed like the table has turned around. Or maybe this was just part of his game.

Oo, dapat akong matuwa. Kasi, napapansin niya na ako. Pero, hindi pwede, Yna. You need to be firm! You should not be moved by his acts. What if he's not sincere? What if this was just part of his game? To make me fall in love with him deeper and harder and he would just dump me when he saw someone better than me.

Napansin ko namang sinusundan niya pa rin ako. Doon na ako humarap. "Alam mo, Brent hindi talaga kita maintindihan. Ano bang gusto mong iparating huh? Hindi ako manghuhula."

He chuckled. Loko 'to ah! Tinawanan lang ako.

 "May nakakatawa ba ha?"

He moved closer. "Wala lang, I find you so funny, Yna. Ba't 'di ko nakita 'yon sa'yo noon?" I stiffened. I felt uneasy with what he said. 

"Kasi hindi ka naman talaga niya pinapansin." A part of my brain said. 

Well, it's true. Hindi naman kasi niya ako pinapansin kahit dati pa. 

"Go away, Brent! Bakit ka ba sunod ng sunod?" 

"Because..." 

"Yna!" Naputol ang kanyang sasabihin nang makita ko si Asher na papalapit. 

"Hoy, mali-late na tayo. Let's go." He held my wrist. I saw Brent clenching his jaw as he saw Asher holding me. What the hell was that? 

Was he jea–? No. He's not! Why couldn't I keep my compossure whenever he was around? I needed to keep my records straight. 

"O-Okay." Sumunod ako kay Asher. Hindi ko na tiningnan pa si Brent habang papalayo kami. 

"Yna?" Asher snapped his finger.

"Huh?" I looked at him. "Boyfriend mo 'yon?" 

"No!" sagot ko agad. "Hindi ko siya boyfriend." 

"Ah, akala ko boyfriend mo na eh."

"Gago kaya 'yon!" 

"Okay, galit na galit ka ah? Meron ka ba?"

"Wag mo nga akong bwisitin ngayon at baka makatikim ka ng sapak ko." Tumawa naman siya.

"Baliw," sabi niya pagkatapos ay hinatak niya ako papasok sa room. Asher became one of my friends. I saw him one time puffing a cigarrette when we were on our senior year in high school. Naging classmate ko siya sa school na nilipatan ko. Sinabi ko sa kanyang isusumbong ko siya sa principal. He was not afraid. Ang sabi niya, "Go on, I dont care." 

Sinumbong ko siya sa principal. And he met me after to tell me why did I tell it to the principal? Akala ko ba, hindi siya takot. After that day, I saw him the next time with his friend Dwight cutting classes. Then, he told me not to tell it to our teacher. So in return I told him to give me reviewers. Matalino rin kasi siya. Mayaman na, matalino pa at may hitsura pa. Minsan, ang unfair din ni Lord, no? 

We became best buddies. Pareho rin kaming nag-aral nang mabuti para makapasa sa U.P, his dream school. Dahil ako, walang plano sa buhay, sumama na lang ako. We took the same course, too. 

Aside from Maggie and Rashiel, I love being with his company. Loko loko 'yon pero kapag babae ang pinaguusapan. Ayon! Tumitiklop. 

Wala akong naintindihan sa tinututuro ng propesor. Ewan ko ba pero wala akong gana ngayong araw. Maybe because of the fact that Architecture was really not for me. Si Kuya lang naman ang may gusto no'n. 

Ang hirap pala talaga ng gano'n no. Iyong ibang tao ang may gusto ng isang bagay para sa'yo at wala kang ibang magawa kung hindi gustuhin na lang iyon. 

I sighed heavily. I really need to vent out my frustrations. Subukan ko ngang mag gym bukas. Tutal, wala namang pasok. Great idea, Yna. 

I was walking down the hallway when I bumped someone with a strong chest. I moved backward. Sino ba 'to? 

"Magdahan dahan ka naman," anas ko. 

"I'm sorry." 

"Sorry? Pero sa taong naagrabyado tingin mo ayos lang 'yon?" I heard a little laugh. I looked at the person and my eyes widened in shock. 

Was I seeing things now? 

"Bakit ka ba sunod ng sunod huh? And why are you here? Hindi pa nagpapasok ng outsider dito unless you have something to request." 

"Yna, I'm here to make up with you. I even transferred here." 

"W-What? Nababaliw ka ba?" 

"Yes, you can check the records if you want to be sure. Kahapon pa ako pumasok." 

"I really don't know what's going on with your mind. But, if you're just toying with me then you surely won. I really hate you, you know that? Why are you coming back to my life again?" I walked away. 

Hindi ko talaga siya maintindihan. Years ago, he was eager to dump me. And now, he's here trying to make up with me. What did he mean by that? Ang gulo niya! Sipain ko siya diyan! 

Dumiretso na akong canteen at bumili ng sandwich at juice. Sakto nakita ko si Rashiel. 

"Hey." 

"Oh, Hi!" Umupo naman kami. Nakita ko pa rin siyang may hawak na libro. Napaka-grade conscious naman nito! 

"Blooming ka ah," I commented. Kasi, totoo naman. Her face was radiant and glowing. Buti pa ito okay ang love life. 

"H-huh?" 

"Siguro... Nag-a-ano kayo ng jowa mo?"

Her eyes widened. "W-What? N-No! Hindi kami gano'n, we value marriage's sacredness." 

"Okay, sabi mo eh. Pero gano'n naman diba kapag may jowa ka na, natural na 'yon. Imposibleng hindi kayo nag-ga-ganon," sabi ko saka kinagat ko ang sandwich ko matapos sabihin 'yon. 

"Alam mo, Yna not all men are like that. There are still men out there who have patience. If that person really loves you, he knows how to wait at the right time." 

I shrugged. "Maybe, you're right." 

I took a sip of the drink. Nagbago naman agad ang timpla ng mukha ko nang makita si Brent na may kasamang grupo ng kababaihan. Hanggang dito ba naman sinusundan siya ng fangirls. Tss. 

I rolled my eyes and took a bite of sandwich again. Pero, halos mabulunan ako nang makita siyang papalapit sa pwesto namin.

"Ano na namang ginagawa mo rito?" I asked, glaring at him. 

"I just want to eat with you," sagot niya. Doon na ako napatayo. He's really hard to comprehend. 

"Gago ka ba o nakadrugs ka?" 

"Yna, let's talk somewhere else," he replied. His eyes roamed around. I forgot, we were still in the cafeteria. 

"Fine."

Lumabas naman ako at napansing nakasunod pa rin siya. I crossed my arms as I turned around to stare at him.

"Ano ba'ng problema mo? Nakakairita ka na!" 

He breathed. "Masama bang sundan ka? Masama bang gusto uli kitang makausap?" 

"Gago ka talaga! You're really asking to talk to me? After what you've done. Do you think I will let you?" Nakita ko ang pagkuyom ng kamao nito. 

"Yna, look. Can you hear me out first?" Napahawak pa ito sa kanyang sentido.

"No! Sorry, I won't allow you." I passed him by. Get a hold of yourself Yna. 'Wag kang magpapadala sa kanya. 

I decided to go to gym today since I don't have classes today. Tsaka pampalipas na rin ng oras. Hindi pa rin ako pinapansin ni kuya e. Mabuburyo lang ako sa bahay. 

Inilapag ko ang sports bag ko nang makarating ako roon at itinali ang rubber shoes ko. 

"Oh ang tagal mo ng hindi nakakapunta ah." I looked at Kuya Gio, one of my trainors. 

"Oo nga e, busy lang." I was wearing a  sports bra and leggings paired with black sneakers. I gathered my hair in a high ponytail.

Dumiretso na ako sa ring at sinuot ang sparring gloves ko. I really wanted to punch someone! 

"Lakasan mo pa, Yna. You cannot punch me with that energy."

What's wrong with my fist today? Kung kailan gustong gusto ko na makasuntok ngayon hindi naman ako makaasinta. Tinapunan ko ng masamang tingin si Kuya Gio. 'Pag wala talaga ako sa mood, dumidiretso ako rito. 

Ewan ko, pero pakiramdam ko 'pag nasa gym nakakagaan ng pakiramdam. 

"Kuya naman e!" Sinubukan ko siyang suntukin gamit ang kanang kamao ko pero mabilis niya naman iyong nasangga. 

"Yan na lang ba 'yon, Yna? Come on, fight me." 

Kaliwang kamay naman ang ginamit ko sa pagsuntok pero wala pa akong matamaan sa kanya. 

Binigyan ko naman siya ng side kick gamit ang kaliwang paa ko pero nasalag niya rin iyon. Ayoko na! Bakit mas lalo akong nafu-frustrate?

"I'm tired!" Hingal kong saad saka umupo at uminom ng bottled water. 

"What's wrong with you? You're not your usual self." I looked at Kuya Gio. 

"I'm just tired." 

"Well, I know you're not. Wala pa tayong kalahati ng training hindi mo pa ako masuntok." 

"Marami lang iniisip."

Isa na siya roon. Peste siya! Bakit ba lagi niya kong ginugulo?

Umiinit ang ulo ko talaga 'pag iniisip ko siya. O baka magkakaperiod ako kaya ganito. Ewan ko. Walang pasintabi akong lumabas. Kailangan ko lang magpahangin. Narinig ko ang pagtawag ni kuya Gio pero hindi ko iyon pinansin at naglakad palabas. 

Oh Brent, why are you so good at clouding up my thoughts? 

I stopped in awe when a man walked through the door wearing a black sando and shorts. His biceps and muscles were gladly showing. 

Shit! What the hell was he doing here? 

Ano namang nakain nito? The last time I checked he never comes to a gym. Of course, I was once his admirer who busied myself stalking to whatever affairs he did. Lahat talaga, as in. Wala akong pinalampas. Creepy it may seem. Ganoon talaga ako noon. Masyadong tinamaan ni kupido. 

Tapos, siya wala man lang sinukli sa akin.  

But that was before. Ayaw ko ng ulitin ang pagkakamali ko noon. Ilang beses na akong nasampal ng realidad, ayaw ko na! 

He passed by me. What the fuck?! So, assumera lang ako? Sinundan ko siya ng tingin habang nagsusulat siya sa registration. 

Iyong totoo? Coincidence ba talaga? 

Naudlot ang plano kong lumabas at bumalik muli sa ring. 

"Why did you come back?" 

"Wala lang," sagot ko kay Kuya Gino.

"Sige, alis muna ako. May bago raw customer e."

I rolled my eyes. Siya sigurado 'yon. Ang daming gym sa Pilipinas! Dito pa talaga! 

I kept throwing punches to the punching bag. Ilang beses ko rin iyong pinagsisipa. Naiinis ako! 

I stopped when I heard repeated claps. "Tangina!" Nakita ko kasi siya roon na nakatayo sa hamba ng pintuan. 

Lumusot ako sa ring at dali daling lumapit sa kanya. "Why are you here?" 

"The last time I checked this gym is for everyone," he replied, grinning. 

"Niloloko mo ba ako? Ang layo ng gym na 'to para puntahan mo."

Naningkit ang mata nito. I heard him sighing. "Fine, you won. Sinundan kita."

My head boiled up. I turned around as I gathered strength and when I looked at him I punched him right in front of his face.

Sakto pa na natamaan ang kanyang ilong. Napaatras siya habang hawak ang duguan nitong ilong. 

He stood there still shocked. Natural. My fists are strong. 

"Tangina mo, Brent!" 

Kaya pala hindi ako makasuntok kanina. Someone was really deserving to receive my punch today. 

H*******k siya! Go to hell, Brent! I would never allow him to fool me again.

Ako lang naman ang babaeng sinayang niya. Tapos, ngayon naghahabol siya? 

Manigas siya! Tangina niya!