Chapter 5: Silhouettes of Him

YEAR 2015

“I’m sure you’ve heard of Izo, Juana. Gwapo ‘yon! Senior natin. Hindi mo ba type?” I laughed at the idea, interesting.

“Well, he’s handsome. I’d give him that.” Tinapik tapik naman ako ni Rowena na para bang kilig na kilig.

“Ano ba, Juana! Napaka-in denial mo naman oh. Alam naman nating lahat na hindi lang gwapo ‘yon! Matalino, masipag, mayaman, yung maginoong medyo bastos ang charisma!” Patili nitong kantyaw.

“Sus. Huwag kang mag alala, Rowena! In the future, ako na ang titilian mo. ‘Di man ako kasing gwapo at kasing yaman ni Izo ngayon, sigurado akong magiging type mo rin ako.” Sabat ni Stephen na sinuklian ng irap ni Rowena.

“Pero what’s the deal nga, Juana? Nung umattend tayo sa grand ceremony nila, you seem good friends with his family. He’s an only child, marami kang kaagaw but you have an advantage, you know.” Sabay kindat ni Rowena.

“Fine. I liked him before, Rowi. We were basically playmates because Tita Micunda always visits our mansion before, she’s good friends with my Lolo. Hindi ko rin naman nagustuhan si Izo as a child, he did nothing but tease me dahil iyakin daw ako.” I rolled my eyes, I remember that one time…

***

“Shit, Izo! I want to pee.” I said, almost begging him to untie me. Naiihi na ako! Kung hindi lang sana ako natalo riyan sa dare na ‘yan, hindi ako nakatali rito ngayon sa puno.

“C’mon, Helena. Wala pa ngang limang minuto, huwag mo sabihing iiyak ka nanaman?” He teased me.

Umirap ako sa kaniya. Talagang naiihi na ako, at kung hindi niya ako papakawalan, talagang iiyak ako! My eyes landed on my foot as I felt itchy down there. What’s that?

A red ant.

“An ant! Izo, there’s an ant on my foot! Hurry up, Izo! Remove it, fuck!” Kumunot ang noo niya at ngumisi. “Hold on, child. Kanina pa kita napapansing nag-mumura. Are your parents aware of their child’s unpleasant habit?” Hindi ko na naiintindihan ang sinasabi niya dahil mahapdi na ang paa ko.

“Izo, naiihi na ako! Alisin mo ‘yan, please! Hurry up, Izo! Hurry!” Namumulang tumawa si Izo sa itsura ko, I probably look so miserable right now and I can’t even give a single fuck! Oh my gosh.

Huminto ang tawa ni Izo nang bumagsak ang tingin niya sa lupa. I closed my eyes. Shit… There, I cried. I cried out loud. “Mommy! Daddy!” I shouted, as I felt liquid dripping on my legs.

I peed on my shorts!

***

I giggled as I narrated that story to Stephen and Rowena. “Kahit pala mayayaman, nakaka-ihi sa shorts nila.” Asar ni Tope. Tumawa naman kaming dalawa ni Rowi.

“You’re harsh! Kaya hindi ka pinapatulan ni Rowena eh.” Huminto naman ang tawa niya at sumimangot.

“Speaking of the devil, Juana. Look!” Tinuro ni Rowena ang left side ng field kung saan mag kakasama ang mga seniors.

It’s their Physical Education. Hinanap agad ng mata ko ang tinuturo ni Rowena, of course, it’s him. Izo.

Him in his white, body-fitting uniform and loose jogger pants. It defined his body, his toned biceps and undeniably seducing build.

“Ana, laway mo… Papunta na kay Izo.” Asar ni Tope. Sabay naman nila akong tinawanan.

Damn you, Izo. I’ll have you down on your knees.

Strawberry scented perfume, my usual hair bow and liptint on. Nilakad ko ang pasilyo papunta sa building ng 3rd years. “Excuse me, Miss Escarzega. Hindi ito ang 1st year building, doon kayo sa kabila. Anong sadya mo rito?” Puna ni Diane.

Yes, I know her. She’s that typical senior na feeling crush ng freshmen dahil lang marami siyang mga alepores.

“I’m here for Izo.” I straightforwardly answered, para bang na-offend pa ito sa sagot ko. “Izo? Why? Are you close with him?” Taas kilay nitong tanong. I giggled softly, bahagya siyang kinalabit ng kasama niyang babae at may binulong.

“Oh, kaya pala. Well, hindi pa vacant ni Izo ngayon kaya bumalik ka na lang mamaya.” Pag-taboy niya. Nu-uh, I won’t come back. I handed out a lunchbox to her with a sticky note attached.

“No, thanks. Ikaw na lang ang mag bigay nito sa kaniya. Tell him it’s from me, or not… mukha namang alam na niya na ako ang nag bigay kahit hindi mo sabihin.” I said, all while smiling sweetly.

Umalis ako roon at umattend sa mga susunod kong klase. Pag daan ko sa open field, kapansin-pansin ang bulungan and they seem to talk about me. Oh, I have a hunch.

Ngumiti ako at imbis na pumunta sa Cafeteria para mag lunch, pinili kong mag stay rito.

“Ayun oh! Grabe naman pala. Take care, my lovely Izo! Xoxo!” Rinig kong sigaw mula sa malayo. There he is, him and his friends.

Papunta sila rito, malayo pa lang ay rinig ko na ang mga asaran na tiyak naka-sentro kay Izo, na ngayon ay hawak ang pink na lunchbox na pinadala ko.

“Matinik talaga ‘tong si Izo, miski-unica ija ng Escarzega, nadali niya!” Sabay halakhak ng mga kaibigan niya. Urgh, so disgusting. As much as I hate this, I have to put up with it.

Patience, Juana! Patience! Kaunti pa.

I mustered up my courage and ran towards him with all smiles. “Hey, Izo. How’s practice? Natanggap mo na pala ang pina-abot ko kay Diane.” I confidently said. Ngisi ni Izo ang sumagot sa tanong ko, wow!

He’s that cocky, huh? I’ll make sure to make you regret, darling. Don’t get carried away too much.

Ang kaninang maingay na kantyawan ay mas lumakas nang hilain ako ni Izo palayo. We stopped under the shadow of one of the campus’ trees. “What’s the catch, baby?” Sabi na nga ba, hindi siya tanga para agad-agad mauto.

“What do you mean, Izo? I’m genuinely concerned.” He laughed at me as if he’s mocking my poor acting skills.

“I know you, Helena. You’re not an Escarzega heir simply to be this desperate. We both know you have some plans in mind. Huwag kang mag-alala, I’m very considerate of children with uncontrollable wicked schemes.” He mockingly said.

Hindi na napigilan ng kilay ko at tumaas na ito, hinahamon ang kayabangan ng lalaking nasa harap ko.

“Then we’ll see how good of a babysitter you are, Mr. Izo. Test me, will you?” I challenged him. He gave me a mocking look, as if he’s accepting my threat.

“My pleasure, love.” Then he handed me my pink lunchbox. All cleaned.

“Nice taste, by the way.” He chuckled then left me there standing. What the hell?