Chapter III

We became text mates the next few days. Reading his messages became a morning routine. And, his good night as well makes the whole night complete.

He wasn't a dull texter and I love having conversations with him. It was the first time I let my guards down.

Katulad pa rin noong nakaraan, susunduin niya ako saka kami sabayna sasakay ng bus papuntang university.

"Give me your bag," aniya. I frowned at him.

"Why?"

"Just because." He replied.

"Huh?"

Hindi na niya ako nabigyan ng pagkakataon na magsalita pa nangkinuha niya ang bag ko mula sa akin.

"Dwight!" I scoffed but he gave me his mischievous grin. There's really something in him that makes me slave with his words. I feel bothered when I go against him.

"Let's go." Ngumuso ako. Sinundan ko lang siya sa paglalakad.

When we reached our school, I noticed that there were many who for sure wondering why I am with Dwight. I didn't know Dwight's reputation actually. Lately ko lang din nalaman na isa pala siyangvarsity player ng school. That explains why a lot of women are ogling at him.

I stared at him in fascination. He's also a head turner. His chinkybrown eyes, white complexion, pointed nose and pinkish lips were enough to pay him attention he deserves. He also looks ravishing with his uniform on.  Anyone can be smitten by his charms.

"Quit staring. Alam kong gwapo ako." He flashed a wicked smile.

"Hindi kaya." Kontra ko pa.

"You'd still deny that. Noong nakaraan ka pa." Natatawa niyangsambit. I rolled my eyes.

"Akin na bag ko." Turo ko sa bag kong nasa balikat niya. Nasa tapatna kami ng classroom. 

"Oops. Sorry." Nag-peace sign pa siya. I couldn't help but to smile with his gesture.

"See you, Jez." He played with his lips using his fingers. I thought he'd go but he stayed there for a while. I noticed that he was uneasy. Nakahawak pa siya sa buhok niya. It looked like he was contemplating about something.

"May sasabihin ka pa ba?"

"Uhh..." he hesitated. "Sabay tayo uli mamaya. And… Uhm… W-Will you..."

"Okay." I cut him off and laughed. "I'll go with you. Tomorrow will do." I added.

"You will?" Namamangha niyang tanong. Hindi siya makapaniwalana narinig niya iyon mula sa kanya.

I laughed. "Yes, Dwight. Sige na, baka magbago ang isip ko."

Nagpaalam naman siya kaya pumasok na ako sa classroom ko. Nakita ko kaagad ang mukha ni Kiana na panigurado'y bobombahinako ng tanong.

"What was that?"

"Huh?" I felt like I was cornered in a hot seat.

Tinusok niya ang tagiliran ko. "Ikaw ha. Bakit kasama mo siDwight? Si Dwight pa 'yun ha." Usisa niya.

"Nagkasabay lang." 

Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay. "Deny ka pa, Jez. Binuhat pa nga bag mo. Sana all may tagabuhat ng bag." Natawa naman ako sa sinabiniya.

"Sige na nga." I conceded. "Ano kasi ganito.... Naging text-mates kami, tapos ayun gusto niya sabay kami pumasok."

"So, nanliligaw nga sa'yo?" My forehead creased, thinking if he was courting me. I mean, it looked like he was but there was no validation coming from him. Mahirap mag-assume.

"Hindi pa girl?" Napansin niya naman reaksyon ng mukha ko.

"Ay naku, dapat sinasabi niya kung liligawan ka niya o hindi. Sabiko na nga e, 'yung mga ganoong lalaki. Naku, baka paasahan ka lang niyan. Hindi ka pa naman nagkaka-boyfriend." Umismid ako sasinabi niya. Paano kung ganoon nga?

"Saka dapat, Jez tintingnan mo kung malinis ba ang intensyon ng lalaki sa'yo." Dagdag niya.

Nakapangalumbaba ako sa mesa ng arm chair ko, waiting for the last professor before dismissal.

I squirmed on my seat when I felt my phone beeped. Kaagad ko 'yung kinuha mula sa bag ko.

Dwight:

Hey, wala kaming prof. Wbu?

Ako:

Wala pa rin. Baka maaga rin kami umuwi.

Dwight:

Oh, really? Then, good. Sunduin kita mamaya.

Ako:

Okay.

Binalik ko ang phone ko sa bag. Bumaling sa akin si Kiana. "Ikaw, girl ah. Pangiti-ngiti ka na. Ngayon lang kita nakitang ganyan." kumento niya.

"Huh?"

"Wala. Nevermind. Basta, I'll always support you," aniya. Napangitiako at lumapit sa kanya.

Ginawaran ko siya ng yakap. "Thank you, Ki for everything."

Hindi na pumasok pa ang professor namin para sa last subject. Akala ko'y nasa labas na si Dwight. Nagtaka naman ako nang hindiko siya naabutan.

I halted on my tracks when I saw Terrence coming near to me. I huffed.  "Terrence. Why are you here again?"

"I told you, I'll never give up on you," aniya.

"Can you atleast respect my decision, Terrence? I thought you're better than this. Stop, coming near to me anymore. I appreciate whatever you did to me before but I'm sorry I couldn't love you back. I hope you'd understand that." Naka-ilang hakbang pa lang ako nang hinatak niya ang braso ko.

"If ever that asshole hurt you. Please come to me."

Hindi ko na siya nagawang sagutin pa. I took my phone and asked about his whereabouts.

Inangat ko ang ulo ko nang may tumawag sa pangalan ko. Ngumitiako nang magtama ang tingin namin.

He went closer to me. "I'm sorry… I went to get something..." he mumbled. He took out something from his back. Inabot niya sa akin ang isang maliit na bouquet. Napangiti ako sa pagiging thoughtful niya.

Dwight scratched the back of his head, avoiding my gaze. "When I bought it, I immediately thought of you. You are like that. You bloom like a beautiful flower."

I pressed my lips together. "Thank you." I gave him a warm smile.

Ayaw niya pa na sumakay kami ng jeep pero ipinagpilitan ko. I told him that I'm used to riding jeepney.

Magkatabi kami habang ang bag ko naman ay nasa unahan ko. He was silent beside me. I wondered why.

"Kanina pa ako nagtitimpi sa'yong gago ka." Gigil niyang sambit salalaking nasa harapan ko. Nagsinghapan ang mga pasahero sa loob. Lumapit siya rito. Matalim niyang tiningnan ito.

"Gago ka. 'Wag mong tinitingnan ng mahalay 'yung girlfriend ko." He spat before he returned to his seat. I held his hand to calm him. He looked so pissed. He was still clenching his jaw and released a frustrated sigh.

Nang makauwi kami ay hindi pa rin siya nagsasalita.

"Dwight." Untag ko. Nilingon naman niya ako.

"Do men always look at you like that as if they're always ready to devour you? Fucking sick bastards!" He hissed.

I clamped my mouth. I don't know what to say.

"Simula ngayon gusto kong lagi mo akong kasama. Ayaw ko ng binabastos ka ng iba, Jezrel." Malalim at buo ang kanyang boses. I nodded my head in response. I wanted to ask him why he said I was his girlfriend when in fact we aren't but he's not in a good mood so I brushed it off away.

Sumilip ako sa bahay. Usually, mommy's not there at this hour so I invited him to come inside.

"You sure?" Pagkukumpirma niya.

"Yes." 

"I think I'll come here next time," aniya.

"Baka magalit si Mommy sa'yo kung ganoon." Turan ko.

"Paano ako magpapaalam manligaw niyan?" My eyes widened with what he asked.

"Why? Isn't it obvious? I am courting you, Jez." He flashed me a charming smile that it rendered me loss for words. My cheeks heated up.

Iginiya ko siya papasok sa loob. Nakaupo naman siya sa white cream colored na sofa namin. He sat there and checked his phone.

I put the juice on the center table. Itinabi naman niya kaagad ang phone niya nang lumapit ako.

"Where's your parents?" He asked.

"My mommy's probably busy at work. My daddy is with his mistress. We have actually a broken family." my voice almost broke.

"Shit, I'm sorry about that."

Umiling ako. "No, you don't have to be. There are things that are bound to happen. I actually wished for them to annul so they'd stop hurting each other." I muttered under my breath. It hurts seeing them in pain together. Might as well, separate. Kasi bakit ka pa ba mag-i-stay sa relasyong alam mong sirang sira na?

"So, why did you choose accounting? Was there a reason behind?" He inquired, shifting the topic. Good thing, he didn't bring up it anymore.

"I love math. I love the thrill whenever I analyze word problems," sagot ko.

"Ohh..,"

"Ikaw. You're an engineering, right?"

"Yeah. Like you, I also love Math. Diba, destiny talaga tayo!" Natawa naman ako sa sinabi niya.

"Do you believe in destiny?" It was my turn to ask him.

He nodded. "Yes."

"For a guy, you're quite romantic, Dwight." I commented. 

He snorted. "Because I truly believe that destiny nudges people sometimes."

"But, destiny's cruel too. You know there are people whom we meet but not to keep."

"That's deep!"

"Well, because you've been aching to end up together then destiny fucked up. Boom! May plot twist pala!" I even exclaimed.

His face turned grim. "But I don't want us to be that way, Jez." He breathed. We stared at each other for quite a long time before I moved my head away and avoided his gaze. He cleared his throat.

"So, how do you see yourself few years from now?" he shifted the topic again.

"Dami mong baon, ah?"

He chuckled. "Answer it, please."

"Oo na, eto na. Of course, after I graduated, I'd do all the way to become a CPA then apply in a company."

He glanced at me. "Ako, 'di mo tatanungin?"

"Ano'ng sa'yo kung ganoon?"

"Ako kasi nakikita ko na future natin."

Sandali akong natahimik. Hindi ako nakasagot. Hindi ko rin siyamagawang matingnan.

"Advance ako mag-isip, Jez." He playfully said. I laughed.

We talked random things after. He's one year ahead of me. He told me that he wanted to become a Civil Engineer to make his parents proud. And plans to build houses, infrastructures, and so on. He has as a younger sister who resides in abroad with her grandparents.

"Asher?" tanong ko. He also told me that he has been his friend for a long time. That he will always be his favorite person in the world. He told me that their bond is thicker than the blood itself. 

"Yes, you've met him before. Sa mall, naalala mo?"

Tumango ako nang maalala ko. "He looked so intimidating."

"That's just he is but when it comes to his girl, he's sweet."

"Sweet? I couldn't imagine him being like that."

"Akala mo lang. But he's too crazy when he falls in love. Unfortunately, the last time he got rejected. Na-i-inlove kasi sa mgamay sabit."

"Ohh…"

"And do not underestimate him, he's studying Architecture at UP Diliman." Nalaglag ang panga ko.

"Seryoso? Oh my, he's so smart!"

"Yes. Matalino nga pero bobo naman sa pag-ibig."

We both laughed.

Nasa harap naman ako ng vanity mirror. Hindi ako ganoonnaghanda. I don't want him to see that I prepared for this date. Date ba ang tawag? Isang simpleng white tank top lang ang suot ko napinatungan ko ng cardigan ko. Naka-denim skirt ako at sneakers. I gathered my hair in a bun and applied a liptint.

Napahinto naman ako nang may kumatok sa pintuan ng kwarto ko. Bumungad sa akin si Mommy.

"May tao sa baba. Was he the guy last time?" I nodded my head. I heard him sighed.

"I told you, never trust man. Why won't you listen to me?"

"Mommy, he's not like that. Just because you were hurt, doesn't mean you'll hurt me too." Nabigla siya sa sinabi ko. Kahit ako. I was overwhelmed with my emotion. I bowed my head. "I'm sorry, Mmy.." I whispered. Being an only child was too difficult. Kaakibatnito ang pagka-inggit ko sa mga pinsan. Surely, I am blessed to have live this life. I'd rather count it as blessing than ponder on the things I don't have.

Dwight's dashing look welcomed my sight when I descended the stairs.

"Hey…" he greeted me with a smile.

"Hi, Dwight." Bati ko.

Napansin naming bumaba si Mommy kaya nagawi ang atensyonnamin doon.

"Jezrel has a curfew. Please return before 6." She reminded.

"Yes po, Tita. I'm Dwight po." Magalang pagpapakilala niya. Tinanguan lang siya ni Mommy.

"Be safe." she said before she walked to the bedroom.

"Thank you, Mommy!" I rejoiced.

He brought his car with him. He opened the door for me. I reached for the seatbelt and put it on.

He turned on the speaker. I chewed my lips when I recognized what the song was. Passenger's seat.

Napangiti naman ako nang magsimula siyang kumanta. He laughed when he heard my voice when I sang the next part.

"I'm tone deaf." I disgustedly look at him.

"Okay, bawi ka naman sa akin." He winked.

He never failed to make me laugh.

We watched movie together and we ate in his favorite restaurant. We talked the whole time. I got to know him more. He's really fun to be with. Ikinuwento niya pa kung gaano siya maloko pati mga tropaniya.

"Yun nga, mga tropa namin. 'Pag hindi papasok ang isa, edi hindi rinkami papasok." pagkukuwento niya.

"Hala, ang kukulit ninyo,” sabi ko.

"Yes, pero may isa talaga sa aming nuknukan ng kalokohan. Kupal, e. Sa isang subject namin, naalala ko may solving no'n tapos 'yungprof namin tatawag 'yon para mag-solve sa harap. Kapag hindi mosiya na-solve, palalabasin ka."

"Then what happened?"

"Itong si loko, tinawag ng prof namin. Pagkatayo niya binibit gamit. Siya na raw kusang lalabas. Siraulo." Tawa siya nang tawa. Nahawatuloy ako. The whole conversation was filled with laughter. There was no dull moment with him.

Palabas na kami ng mall nang may tumawag sa kanya. 

"Saan ka? Dito? Sinabi ko sa'yo pare wala kang mahihita doon. Ba'tka ba kasi na-i-inlove sa may sabit? Kasama ko si Jez. Bobo! Hindi pa. Sige hintayin ka namin." I heard him talked over the phone.

"Sino 'yon?"

"Si Asher. Okay lang ba sasabay sa atin? Broken hearted, e."

"Oh, sure. No problem." 

Malayo pa lang pero natatanaw ko na si Asher. Dwight waved at him. He ran towards us.

"Hey.” Bati niya kay Dwight. His gaze turned to me and he greeted me too with a smile. I still find him uncomfortable.

"Ano na? Bakit kasi kay Yna ka pa, pare? Naku. Mamili nga ng walang sambit." Rinig kong sabi ni Dwight.

"Date niyo ba? Sorry. Naka-istorbo ako," Asher said looking hopeless. I wondered what was it that they were talking about.

"Hindi, ah? Ito naman. Parang hindi tropa." Tumingin ako kay Dwight sa sinabi niya.

"Now, let's go." Naunang maglakad si Dwight.

I was left with Asher. I stopped walking when he looked at me.

"Do you have something to say?" I asked.

His forehead creased as he examined me from head to toe. "Now I get it why Dwight's crazy about you. He is my friend. No scratch that. He is more like a brother. I don't want to see him hurt. If you'd ever try to, I can be your nightmare. Bear this in mind."