Date?
“Gagi ka, Col. Alam naman namin na you are so down bad kay Jhoanna pero we never expected you to go to such lengths.” Mikha teased as soon as she arrived at their table looking so lifeless. Pati na rin sila Gwen at Sheena ay hindi maiwasang matawa nang malakas. Colet can even see Sheena tapping the table furiously as she laughs, a clear indication that what they witnessed on their last period has overjoyed the hell out of her.
“Ako na!” at ginaya pa nga siya ni Sheena. Agad naman niya itong kinurot sa tagiliran. Huminto nga siya pero panay pa rin ang tawa nito.
Colet cannot help but to just pout as she continues to play with her food, she’s really not in the mood to eat. Iniisip niya palang na rarampa siya in front of everyone, parang gusto niya nalang tumalon sa building.
Bakit kasi hindi ako nag-iisip?! She degrades herself after fully realizing the predicament she is currently in.
Kung nag-iisip ka, edi si Jhoanna na ang kapartner ni Taneo. The other part of her brain countered, which has a point.
Hindi niya hahayaan si Jhoanna na makasama palagi ang lalaki na ‘yon.
Taneo.
The guy that Colet despised the most.
May gusto kay Jhoanna, pero hindi niya manliligaw. She finds herself stressing that one fact. Maraming may gusto kay Jhoanna pero siya lang ang manliligaw nito. Colet hates herself when she is bragging pero it’s a fact that Jhoanna only allows her to court her after much pestering of course - that she cannot deny. For all she knows, baka nga pinayagan lang siya ni Jhoanna para tigilan na niya ang pangungulit dito.
At least she still achieved her goal without resorting to any underhanded tactics unlike someone whom she mentioned a while ago.
Kung patigasan lang kasi ng bungo, for sure isa si Taneo sa pwede mag-champion. Paano ba naman may paghawak ito sa kamay ni Jhoanna without her permission. Buti nalang talaga at napigilan siya nila Mikha, kung hindi ay makakatikim talaga ito ng kutos mula sa kaniya. Tapos panay pilit pa nito kay Jhoanna kung pwede ba siya nitong ihatid kahit sinabi na nga na ayaw ng babycakes niya.
Although she is a strong runner-up pero at least hindi niya pinipilit si Jhoanna. If sinabi niya na ayaw niya… ng pangatlong beses ay titigil naman si Colet. The girl knows of that made up rule of hers.
So far so bad nga lang.
“Saturday bukas babycakes, baka pwede naman kitang maka-date hehe.” she informed playfully while smiling brightly upon sitting across from Jhoanna on one of the library's study tables.
“Busy ako bukas.” the latter replied while still not breaking her gaze on the book she’s reading.
Expected na niya so Colet isn't surprised anymore, mas masusuprise pa ata siya kapag pumayag si Jhoanna sa kaniya. With such thoughts, agad siyang ngumuso but it soon turned into another smile. Walang pasok bukas, kaya maaga pa para sumuko. She tries to cheer herself up.
Thinking that being beside the girl while trying to convince her will do the work, she immediately did so. Colet even scoots her chair closer to Jhoanna while clasping both her hands atop the table to make her stance more convincing, “Sige na, Jho. Libre ko pramis! Kahit saan mo gustong pumunta.”
Sa wakas ay tinignan na siya ni Jhoanna pero imbes na maging masaya ay bigla siyang kinabahan. Paano ba naman ang ganda nito. Awa nalang sa bading.
Nasabi na ba ni Colet na gustong-gusto niya ang mga mata ng dalaga? Kung hindi pa, everyone should know it. Gusto man niyang igatekeep ang mga mata nito pero this specific pair deserves to be displayed in a museum. Kung si Colet lang ang masusunod, she will really do so. Jhoanna’s doe eyes never fail to leave her in awe. It glistens and when such lands on your own, it feels like seeing the universe in those orbs.
“ No. ” her trail of thoughts got cut off when she heard Jhoanna flatly uttered her first ‘No’ for today. The latter’s voice is devoid of any emotions. Kung ang iba ay takot dito, pwes ibahin niyo si Colet. Sa sobrang sanay niya sa rejection from their president, hindi na siya tinatablan kapag ganito si Jhoanna magsalita.
Seeing Jhoanna steers her attention back to studying, she pouted again.
After realizing na meron pa siyang dalawang cha—
“ No and no . Tatlo na diba?”
“Bye. I still need to study.” Gathering her things fast, the latter soon headed to the library’s exit. Leaving a dumbfounded Colet behind.
Colet now questions her decision.
Hindi! Not about courting Jhoanna. She is firm on that and she will never regret it.
Ang iniisip niya, sana pala ginawa niyang lima or sampu na ‘No or Ayaw’ bago niya hayaan si Jho. She thought she was already clever back then but it seems like Jhoanna is on a higher level than her. Syempre si Jhoanna na ‘yan. The top of their batch, student council president and a performers’ guild member. See? Siguro hindi niyo naman masisi si Colet kung bakit gustong-gusto niya ito.
Jhoanna is everyone’s dream girl. Kaya kahit may pagka-possessive siya at ayaw niyang may umaaligid dito, aside sa wala siyang karapatan, gets na gets niya lahat nang may gusto sa kaniya. Just like them though, olats rin siya.
A few scenarios like that on her succeeding attempts continue to happen.
“Hatid na kita, Jho?”
“Ayoko, ayoko at ayoko.”
-
“Sunduin na kita after ng night out niyo.”
“I’ll go with Stacey, Col.”
“Sabi ni Mikhs, siya na daw susundo sa kaniya.”
“Kaya nga sa kanila ako sasabay.”
“Si Mikha nga pinapayagan ni Stacey. I am a decent driver, I promise.” she bargained again when she should have not.
“Mikha is Stacey’s girlfriend. Of course she will pick her up…” the younger one trails off and sa tingin pa lang ni Jhoanna sa kaniya, alam na niyang hindi niya magugustuhan ang susunod na sasabihin nito.
“As for you, hindi mo ako girlfriend.” and she is right with her intuition.
Well, that kinda hurts, Colet’s smile and hopeful eyes disappeared the moment Jhoanna put out their situation like that.
May point naman kasi si Jhoanna, to be honest. It is true na hindi niya ito girlfriend. That is why she cannot refute anything.
The girl might have sensed her discouragement and the implication of her choice of words, “I’ll update you nalang kapag nakauwi na ako. Ingat ka.”
A clear ‘consolation’.
Wala naman siyang ibang magagawa but to wait for Jhoanna to open her heart towards her. Hindi niya mapipilit ang nararamdaman niya kay Jhoanna as much as hindi niya rin mapipigilan ang sarili niyang gustuhin ito kahit paulit-ulit pa siya nitong i-reject.
She guesses that their situation embodies ‘the heart wants what it wants’ in all its truest forms.
Colet may not know how things will end up between the two of them. Pwedeng after everything, hindi pa rin siya magugustuhan ni Jhoanna or maybe they will go back to just being classmates or she will never move on from the girl.
But if there is one thing that Colet is sure of - winning Jhoanna’s heart is worth it.
Mamamatay rin naman tayong lahat, itodo na dapat ang pagka-martyr! At the end of the day, she knows that she will not be the person who will bear any regret kasi nagawa at ginagawa niya na ang lahat for the girl.
“Hindi ko rin inakala na darating ako sa puntong ‘to.” She replied to Mikha mindlessly.
“Sabi mo astig lang dapat tayo. Anyare ngayon?” Gwen snickered while sporting a playful smile.
“Alangan naman na pumayag ako na maka-partner ni Jhoanna ang mokong na ‘yon. Gipatay nalang unta ko ninyo.” Her friends looked at her amusedly as they heard a series of bisaya words getting mixed up.
“Malala nga ito, nagbisaya na eh.” Sheena pointed out. It is a known fact in their friend group na nagbibisaya lang si Colet if she feels too overwhelmed. Yung tipong she will not even bother to translate her thoughts to Tagalog kasi nangingibabaw talaga ang nararamdaman niya at the moment.
“Pero Col, seryoso ka talaga? You can back out pa naman siguro.” After a few minutes of them just munching on their food, Mikha finally decided to open up the main topic that they should talk about.
“Oo nga, remind lang kita ha. We all know that it is not really a super serious event pero parang pageant pa rin ang sasalihan mo. Mas lalake ka pa nga maglakad sa ibang contestant eh.” Sheena has a point. For Sports Day lang naman ang event, as much as she wants to gaslight herself with that thought, rarampa pa rin siya in front of all the students.
“Tama ka naman, Shee. Kahit ayaw ko, wala akong choice unless I’ll let Taneo to be with Jhoanna. Tapos may practice pa ‘yan. Baka kung anong gawin ng mokong na ‘yon.” Colet’s jaw tightened at the thought of the guy pulling some borderline cheesy antics towards Jhoanna. Ang tsansing pa naman nito.
They were warned beforehand na every after dismissal ang practice until 7PM. That solidifies Colet’s resolve to get Jhoanna away from this event. The girl is already bombarded with work sa papalapit na Sport’s Fest and other school events. Kung idadagdag pa ang practice, there will be too much on Jhoanna’s plate. Hindi naman niya hahayaan na mapagod nang malala ang babycakes niya.
“And besides, ayaw ni Jho sa mga ganiyan.” she added which made her friends to all sport a teasing smile.
“Alam na alam talaga. Patingin ka na kaya, bro.” A series of ‘yieee’ can be heard on their table as they continue to make jokes about how head over heels Colet is for their student council president.
“Ang green flag mo nga.” Sheena ended her teasing with that line, even slowly clapping her hands as if she is proud of her ate Colet.
Mapapangiti na sana siya kung hindi lang ito dinagdagan ni Sheena.
“Kaya lang, color blind si ate Jho.” This time, instead of ‘yieee’ ay malalakas na tawa ng tatlong kaibigan niya ang maririnig. Colet can only sigh on the side lines, while thinking really hard on what she should do in this situation she willingly (she has no choice) put herself in.
She was on the verge of losing her mind when an idea popped on the brilliant brain of hers. Colet abruptly looks at her friends sheepishly one by one while letting out her infamous puppy eyes.
Gwen shivered at the sudden display of her weird behavior, “Parang hindi ko gusto ang tumatakbo sa isip mo ngayon ah.”
Pero hindi siya nagpatinag, “Hehe…”
“Huwag mo nga kaming tignan ng ganiyan!” a napkin soon landed on her face. Colet is supposed to be glaring at Mikha by the time her face emerges from the slightly damp thing that’s thrown her way but she still keeps her bright smile, too bright for her three friends’ liking na ngayon ay nag-iisip na kung ano ang gagawin para takasan si Colet.
“Pakinggan niyo nga kasi muna ako.” she started as she gathered their attention, she even put her arm on Sheena’s shoulder and the other on Gwen to make it look like they’re planning for their winning shot in a basketball game with her being the coach.
“May naisip na ako para hindi ako at si Jhoanna ang sasali. Ang talino ko talaga.” Sa sinabi niya, kaagad naman na-curious ang tatlo. Kahit pa lagi nilang inaasar si Colet about Jhoanna, they’re actually supportive of her. Jhoanna is their friend too despite not being that close kasi magkaiba sila ng circle of friends. They know that Colet will never do anything that will hurt Jhoanna. Hence, she is obviously the better choice than Taneo. Sana lang talaga ay ma-crushback na itong friend nila.
“Mangyayari lang iyan kapag may nag-volunteer instead of us.” she whispered seriously. Colet then looks at her friends expectantly, with that look the other three already knew where this situation will head.
That is why…
Gwen immediately settled the strap of her bag on one of her shoulders while standing up, “May klase pa pala ako. See you later!” With that, she dashed off towards the cafeteria’s exit.
The one asking the favor gaze hopefully on her next possible tribute.
Please Shee, alam ko naman na hindi mo bibiguin ang ate Colet mo dib—
“May dance practice pa nga pala kami. Ngayon ko lang naalala. Alis na rin ako.”
“Hoy! Hindi ka pa nga nakapag-try out sa dance club!” her reasoning fell in deaf ears as the girl was too busy dragging her feet away from their table.
Colet then looks at her last ray of hope who is somehow calmly finishing her food.
Payag ka na Mikhs please.
“Mikhs—” before she can even convince the girl properly, her words got cut off.
“Tigilan mo ako, Colet. I’ll willingly support you if I can. Kaya lang I really can’t. I’m not going to save your ass and let mine be embarrassed instead.” At pinagdiinan pa nga ni Mikha na hindi niya kaya. Gets naman ni Colet kasi kahit siya ay aayaw. If hindi lang talaga niya iniisip si Jhoanna, she will never even think of volunteering.
With a grim smile that’s telling Colet that if papalag siya ay makakatikim siya kay Mikha, she can only slump her body on her seat for the nth time since she agreed to volunteer in the event.
She kicks her feet under the table na parang batang nagdadabog. Colet just mindlessly roamed her eyes around the cafeteria kasi baka may pwede siyang gawing pamalit. Her eyes then landed on Jhoanna’s. The girl is with her friend group on their usual table.
Ekis! Bawal! Hindi pwede!
She is on the verge of giving up again when a bright idea comes to her mind after diverting her gaze on the girl beside her babycakes.
“Oo nga pala, si Stacey! Mikhs, baka pwedeng si Stacey nalang please. Diba nakasali na siya dati. Pwede pa naman sig—”
But her hope went down the drain immediately as Mikha shot her a glare, clearly not liking her proposed idea.
“Suntok gusto mo? As much as ayaw mo na nalalapit si Taneo kay Jhoanna, ganun rin ako sa girlfriend ko, Col. I don’t really trust that guy with pretty girls.”
Gets.
Alam niya ang takbo ng utak ng lalakeng ‘yun. He is the typical jock who’s self-centered, can really be annoying and has an emotional intelligence that’s far from being fully developed. Sikat lang sa school kasi magaling sa isang sport.
“Touche.” Colet uttered lowly, finally accepting her doom for it seems like she really doesn’t have a choice anymore.
Para kay Jhoanna.
Tabangi ko Lord bi T_T (Tulongan mo ako Lord T_T)
“Bakit mo ginawa ‘yon?” That familiar voice. Kahit ilang libong tao pa ang nakapaligid kay Colet, she would instantly recognize that voice.
She looked up from her notes as the girl’s presence could be felt when she neared her seat. When finally Colet comes face to face with the person who can lift up her mood any instant despite her features being the clear opposite of her effect to Colet, the older one automatically lets out a wide smile. As usual, Jhoanna is sporting her infamous poker face, devoid of any emotion as she stares back at Colet seriously.
Hindi maitago ang nakakalokong ngiti sa mukha ni Colet upon realizing that Jhoanna willingly takes the seat beside her. If she can recall correctly, this is actually the first time na ito ang unang lumapit sa kaniya. It is always her who takes the initiative to get close to the latter.
So for her to finally experience this, Colet now thinks that volunteering to be the tribute for the event isn’t that bad.
“Ano?” she acted dumb at first. Colet knows that the student council president usually gets worked up with this kind of behavior from people. Her furrowed eyebrows and a slight glare directed towards her is the second thing (of course the first would be the smiling face of the latter) that Colet looks forward to seeing every day. Kaya nga paminsan-minsan (always actually, ayaw niya lang aminin) ay nagpapapansin siya kay Jhoanna dahil alam niyang maiinis ito. Serious Jhoanna is truly a sight to behold. She gets ten times more attractive kapag pinapagalitan niya si Colet. She makes sure that she doesn’t overdo her teasing though. Takot niya lang na baka sa sobrang inis ni Jhoanna ay mabasted siya nito bigla.
Speaking of her second favorite look, the irritated expression of the girl flashed in an instant in front of her eyes since she never explained herself. But it couldn’t bother her even an inch, in fact as what Colet has just confessed, she likes this side of Jhoanna.
“Hindi ka talaga titigil sa as if hindi mo alam ang tinutukoy ko, Maria Nicolette?”
Oh.
At the mention of her full name, Colet knows that Jhoanna is indeed serious. Her smile did drop but her playful eyes can still be seen.
“Wala lang, gusto ko lang.” she replied simply.
Ang totoo, ayaw niya talaga. Kung pwede lang bawiin ay ginawa na niya pero she also knows na once she will bare the truth kay Jhoanna, the girl wouldn’t let her do it. Jhoanna may act cold pero she doesn’t want to be a bother to anyone.
Colet knows that.
Kaya pag nalaman niyang ginagawa ito ni Colet dahil sa kaniya, sigurado siya na si Jhoanna ang sasali.
Hence, lying is her best option this time.
Well not really a total lie, since what she utters next, is a half truth, “Besides… magpapatalo ba ako kay Taneo? Remember that I am also winning your heart Ms. Robles.” Colet added bravely while leaning close to the girl who is clearly taken aback at their sudden proximity.
Jhoanna’s gaze remained towards Colet. Despite the sudden surge of unexplainable feelings within her, she is not the one who will back down that easily. If she is dumbfounded, Jhoanna never lets Colet to see it clearly.
For a few seconds, both of them were engaged in a staring contest. Jhoanna tries to see past through the playful facade the Colet is pulling, seeking the truth in her eyes.
On the other hand, the latter is just enjoying every bit of it.
She really is enjoying.
No doubt about that.
Well, not until her gaze landed on Jhoanna’s slightly parted lips, her mind immediately went haywire and all she could think of at the moment was how Jhoanna’s lips would feel against her own.
Siguro ang lambot nito.
Lord, tabaaang nasad huhu (Lord, tulungan mo ulit ako huhu)
Masuko ba ka kung ipadayon nako akoang pagka-bayot? Gwapa man gud kaayo ni imong gibuhat. (Magagalit ka ba kapag ipagpapatuloy ko ang kabadingan ko? Ang ganda naman kasi nang gawa mo.)
Before she would fully lose her control and will do something that will cross Jhoanna’s boundaries - which she promised herself that she will not do. Colet abruptly averted her gaze and soon gathered her things.
“Nga pala, Jho. It is a shame na hindi kita mahahati— I mean hindi ako makakapag-offer na ihatid ka for a week.” Colet finds the need to correct herself because Jhoanna never lets her drive her home despite her unending offers.
Basta hindi niya rin pinapayagan si Taneo or kung sino pa man, okay lang sa kaniya. If pantay lang ang lahat then she shouldn’t worry about it.
“Pwede bang itext mo ako kapag nakauwi ka na?” Colet bargained for the last time kahit parang suntok sa buwan.
She never waited for the girl’s reply before exiting the room. Colet knows that the younger one will just refuse her kaya mas mabuti na lumabas siya nang maangas.
[6:42 PM] One message received
From: Babycakes <3
Nakauwi na ako.
Ang advance naman magpakilig ng baby ko na ‘to.
Ang ibig niya kasing sabihin kanina ay sa practice time na nila mag-iinform si Jhoanna since baka hindi niya makamusta ito constantly since magiging busy na siya with the pageant.
Sino ba naman siya para tumanggi sa grasya diba?
Colet cannot help the wide smile to break out of her face. She even rolled excitedly on her bed. Alam niyang para siyang timang ngayon and that she should keep her cool pero wala siyang pake. Si Jhoanna na ‘to oh.
Anong astig astig? Bading kay Jhoanna through and true hays <3
Kahit ang nonchalant nang pagkakasabi, Colet never knew that a three-word phrase could bring her so much joy, not until that moment.
Realizing that this is a great chance na maging textmate sila finally ni Jhoanna. Kaagad niyang kinuha ulit ang phone niya na nasa sahig na pala. Nahulog siguro kanina habang nagsasaya siya. Mabuti nalang at walang gasgas.
To: Babycakes <3
That’s good. Sleep well, Jho. Good night!
Dream of me hehe joke lang :P
From: Babycakes <3
Hindi na dream. Bangungot na kung ikaw hahahaha
To: Babycakes <3
Aray ko naman. Ang sakit Jho. Legit :(
Dahil diyan, libre kita ng lunch tomorrow.
From: Babycakes <3
Para-paraan mo talaga, Colet -_-
She was going to type her reply but her hands stopped midair as another message came in. Impossible na atang mawala ang ngiti sa mga labi niya ngayon.
I’ll sleep na. Good night.
Good night daw asdfghjkl
Don’t worry, Jho. Talagang makakatulog nang mahimbing ang bading na ito tonight.
Colet was on her way to meet her friends at the cafeteria, usually sabay sila but this time may iniutos kasi ang last period professor nila in the morning kaya nahuli siya.
Panay text na nga nila Mikha sa gc nila kaya hindi niya napansin na Jhoanna has been calling her.
After a few tries, the school president shouted, “Colet!” successfully getting pulled from her reverie, Colet halted her steps and immediately diverted her gaze to the source of the voice. Kaagad siyang napalunok nang tumambad sa kaniya ang badtrip na mukha ni Jhoanna.
“Sorry, tinatawag mo ba ako? Pinagmamadali na kasi ako nila Mikhs eh, nagugutom na raw sila.” she even scratched the back of her head, slightly getting embarrassed.
Sino ba namang hindi? Jhoanna is standing in front of her with her arms crossed on her chest. Mas matangkad pa ito sa kaniya kaya parang pinapagalitan siya nito.
Colet might have mentioned that she likes this side of the girl, pero kasi lunch time ngayon kaya pinagtitinginan sila.
“Ahh so sasabay ka sa kanila?”
Naguguluhan man ay tumango siya since always naman niya talagang kasabay mag-lunch ang mga kaibigan niya. So she doesn’t get why Jhoanna is asking her an obvious question.
“Sayang, akala ko pa naman libre mo ngayon.” The girl uttered before turning her back towards Colet. Jhoanna smirks inwardly upon hearing Colet let out a gasp after realizing what she meant by her words. Hindi sumagi sa isip ni Colet na seseryosohin ni Jhoanna ang sinabi nito kagabi. To say that she is dumbfounded right now, would be an understatement.
“H-hindi ah! Sinong sasabay sa kanila?” Pagmaang-maangan nito as she tries to keep up with Jhoanna’s pace. Gusto man na tumawa ni Jhoanna pero pinigilan niya. She is actually enjoying a clear display of a flustered Colet.
“Sabi ko nga ililibre kita.”
“Saan mo ba gustong kumain?” Sunod-sunod na tanong nito.
“Sure ka ba dito?” Colet genuinely asked Jhoanna as she placed both of their orders at the table. She is a little bit skeptical. Hindi naman sa ayaw niya dito, it is actually her favorite fast food chain. Pero kasi, gusto niya na i-treat si Jhoanna to something more special since this is their first date. Consider her delulu but she could care less about it. Baka kasi hindi na ito masundan.
Steak, pasta or salad combination would have been their first perfect meal together.
“Yup!” With an excited smile, Jhoanna dug in her first bite of the chickenjoy.
“I am actually craving for some chicken. Unli wings sana kaso ang tagal mong lumabas ng faculty. Sayang lang bayad if ever.” After hearing her words, Colet mentally facepalmed. Bakit ba kasi ngayon pa naisipan ni Ms. Santos na ipa-retrieve sa kaniya ang mga files nito sa laptop niya.
“Sa susunod nalang. Unli wings tayo. May alam ako kung saan masarap.” The failed longer date might have been over her head, kasi as she uttered such a proposition with a smile, she is unconsciously getting rid of the gravy and chicken crumbs beside Jhoanna’s lips, leaving the girl to stare at her wide-eyed.
Sensing the silent, doon lang napagtanto ni Colet kung anong ginagawa niya. She abruptly cleared her throat out of shyness before she retreats her hand.
“S-sorry.” never wanting to step on the latter’s boundaries, she apologizes while avoiding the younger’s gaze.
“It’s fine. Kumain ka na diyan.” Jhoanna simply reassures her, she too is not looking directly at Colet.
They then went back to eating afterwards. Despite their awkward beginning, the two soon fell into a comfortable casual conversation. Syempre hindi hahayaan ni Colet na kainin siya ng hiya. Baka nga kasi hindi na masundan ang lunch na ito as what she keeps in her mind kanina pa. That is why, she tries her very best to keep their conversation going kahit ang random na nang pinagsasabi niya.
“Bading ka, kaya pala hindi ka sumabay sa amin kumain kasi may date kayo ni pres!” Bungad ni Sheena sa kaniya pagkapasok niya sa classroom nila. Buti nalang at dumiretso si Jhoanna sa student council room to get something.
“Pinagsasabi mo.” she tries to feign ignorance kasi alam niyang ayaw ni Jhoanna na pinag-uusapan siya. Her friends teasing might get her uncomfortable kaya sinadiya niyang hindi sabihin sa mga ito kung saan siya pupunta kanina. Basta she just texted them na hindi siya makakasabay mag-lunch.
Too much for hiding it, malalaman din pala nila.
Sino kayang nagchismis? Makukutusan ko talaga grrrrr
“Don’t even try to deny it. May picture oh.” Mikha intervened as she held out her phone. Colet squinted her eyes to see it clearly and totoo nga, it was a picture of Jhoanna and her as she wipes her lips. Her face heats up again upon remembering this particular moment.
Ipapa-air drop ko 'to kay Mikha later. Ang perfect ng kuha eh.
Sensing that she’s been cornered and there is no point in denying it since the evidence is glaring right in front of her, she sighs in defeat, “Oo na.” she started, her three friends even leaned closer towards her, clearly curious as to the real deal.
“Pero it is not a date. Nilibre ko lang siya since may kasalanan ako sa kaniya.” it is actually the other way around. Si Jhoanna ang may kasalanan pero alam nang lahat that there is no way that the latter will treat Colet to lunch.
This is the only logical reason she can think of.
“Ano ba ‘yan! Ang slowburn naman nag love story niyo.” maktol ni Sheena, frustration evident on her voice.
“Wow! Ikaw nga diyan hindi mo maamin kay Gw—” her sentence get muffled as the youngest immediately covered her mouth. She is even glaring at her since the person she is referring to is just beside them.
“Oo na, magiging kayo din ni ate Jho.” Sheena coaxed her while smiling at her fakely, she is even massaging Colet’s shoulders pero habang tumatagal ay padiin nang padiin ang hagod nito.
“Aray naman. Shut off na nga ako oh. Manhid naman ‘yan.”
“Ano bang pinag-uusapan niyo?”
See? She let out a loud laugh at Gwen’s confused self. The truth is just in front of her, hindi niya pa ma-gets.
Napahinga naman nang maluwag si Sheena, wala pa kasi itong balak na mag-confess.
While Mikha is now facepalming herself.
“Ewan ko sa inyong tatlo. Ang sakit niyo sa utak.” she muttered and soon went to the other side of the room where Stacey is. Magpapa-baby na naman siguro.
After a few moments ay pumasok si Jhoanna, malapit na rin kasi ang next period nila. Nginitian siya ni Colet pero diretso lang ito sa upuan niya as if hindi ito tumatawa sa jokes niya kanina.
Ang bilis naman maging nonchalant ni babycakes.
“Jho, hindi naman totoo na nag-date kayo ni Colet diba?” Kakaupo palang ni Jhoanna ay lumapit kaagad ang mokong para itanong ito. Her irritation bubbling up due to his tone, ang dating kasi ay as if napaka-impossible na mag-date sila ni Jhoanna.
Impossible naman talaga, pero mas impossible kapag silang dalawa! Colet argues on her mind.
With all eyes on the two and knowing that what she dreads is now unfolding in front of her, Colet was on her way to say that it is not a date when Jhoanna’s voice cut through the silence.
“My dating life is not something that any of you should meddle with. Sana alam mo ‘yan.”
Gagi.
She was never this scared kay Jhoanna. Ngayon lang. Kung siya nga ay natatakot, paano pa kaya si Taneo. Though, ang masasabi lang ni Colet ay, ‘Deserve!’. Pwede naman kasing manahimik nalang, nakikisawsaw pa sa love story nilang dalawa.
Ano ka ngayon?
“Pero to answer your question…”
It’s not a date. Colet supplemented mentally. Alam naman niya—
“Yes, it is a date.” Jhoanna added and as soon as those words came out of her mouth, a few gasps reverberated through the room. Kaagad din na umingay ang paligid pero nanatiling nakatunganga si Colet.
“Hindi pala date ah.” Sheena murmured beside her pero hindi niya ito pinansin kasi ang lakas nang tibok ng puso niya.
Wala na. Panguli namong tanan! (Wala na. Umuwi na kayong lahat!)
Lord, unsaon ko man ning imong anak? Basin ug pakasalan ra ko ni ug kalit. Badlonga pa ra gud ni. (Lord, anong gagawin ko sa anak mo na ‘to? Baka pakasalan ko ito kaagad. Pakisaway nga po.)
TBC.