Ako Na!

“Billiards daw tayo, Col. Naghahamon mga taga kabilang block kanina.” Aya ni Mikha habang naglalakad sila sa quadrangle. It is already their dismissal time at palabas na sila ng gate. 

They sometimes have their hangout after school just to let off some steam from all the academic stress. Their usual hangout place is at a nearby billiard hall. Nakikipagpustahan din sila minsan para mas exciting tapos ang mapapanalunan ay either dinner nila or a drinking session afterwards. 

Sheena beams nang marinig ang sinabi ni Mikha, “Sama ako, muse niyo. Talo kayo last time diba? Baka ako talaga ang swerte niyo.” 

“Sumama ka sa amin last time, Shee. Technically, hindi ikaw ang swerte.” Gwen murmured nonchalantly which successfully burst Sheena’s bubbles and smiles. Kaagad niya itong inirapan. 

“Panira naman ‘to. Kainis.” She uttered while sulking. Nauna pa nga itong maglakad sa kaniya na sinundan naman ni Gwen, siguro ay para suyuin. 

Her friends’ banter fell into deaf ears as Colet has a lot on her mind at the moment. Mainly because of what Jhoanna declared a while ago in front of everyone. 

Yes, it is a date. 

Yes, it is a date. 

Yes, it is a date.  

Mababaliw na ata siya with how this specific phrase continues to replay at the back of her mind. Kahit kanina habang nagdidiscuss ang professor nila ay hindi siya maka-focus. Her gaze constantly diverts to Jhoanna’s back figure whose life seems to continue normally as if she never causes Colet’s to crumble. 

In a good but confusing way. 

After sensing her friend’s unresponsive demeanor, Mikha looks back at Colet for the girl is not walking beside her. She let out a sigh because she is sure that whatever was uttered by them never registered in Colet’s head. 

“Kanina ka pa lutang ah.” pointing out the obvious, she finally pulled Colet out of her trance. 

“Huh?” Honestly, gusto ng manapak ni Mikha. It irritates her when someone makes her repeat her words but since she kind of knows the reason why her friend is acting this way, she tries her very best to keep her patience intact. 

Mikha then repeated her words. Tumango naman si Colet as a sign of finally getting what she is trying to say. But instead of agreeing, her expression suddenly morphed into what seems like she just realized something important. 

Actually it really is. For Colet. 

Naalala niya kasi bigla na Friday pala ngayon and their practice for the Sports Fest will start on Monday so this will be her last day to spend some time with Jhoanna before she gets busy with the event. 

Dawning on her the fact na mangungulila siya for a week, kaagad siyang tumakbo papuntang student council office, the safe haven of her babycakes. 

“Next time nalang, Mikhs! Bebetime muna!” Colet playfully bid Mikha her goodbyes as she ran away, her sly smile never leaving her face. 

Napatingin pa nga sa kaniya ang ibang dumadaan sa lakas ng boses niya. Instead of Colet getting embarrassed, it is Mikha who cowers from the stares they are getting. 

“Pasok.” Colet excitedly opens the door upon hearing Jhoanna’s permission. She even sticks her head first to see if there are any other officers around. She might come off as a little shameless with her antics towards Jhoanna but she actually didn’t want to disrupt their work. 

Pumupunta nga lang siya dito para umupo sa sofa and just be within Jhoanna’s presence while she is in her element as the student council president. When the clock strikes at six o’clock, she will offer the girl a ride which Jhoanna always turns down. Kaya sasamahan niya nalang ito habang naghihintay sa driver nila na sunduin siya. 

This was their dynamics ever since. 

If you will ask Colet if this kind of set-up is okay with her. She would say that it is. 

More than even. 

At least hinahayaan na siyang tumambay dito. Noon kasi ay pinapaalis siya ni Jhoanna.

In all honesty, kuntento na siya with all these moments. She actually just got this chance because she is brave enough to express what she feels. 

Even if that’s not the case and she will just opt to suppress what she feels, Colet will still be gladly admiring Jhoanna from afar. 

After seeing that the coast is clear and it was just the president inside, she invites herself and soon plops down onto the sofa. 

The first thing she did after settling down is to stare at Jhoanna. A genuine smile adorned her face as she slowly tried to memorize every nook and crook of the latter’s face for the nth time. The girl’s hair falls freely on her shoulders as she concentrates with her work. The reddish hues from the setting sun that softly glaze Jhoanna’s features added a touch of magic to this very moment which enamored Colet to the core. 

Oh god. She is so wrong in thinking that she will never fall even more with Jhoanna. 

Mali siya. 

Maling-mali.  

“You want to say something? Kanina ka pa nakatingin.” She was so caught in the moment that she never even realize na nakatingin na pabalik sa kaniya si Jhoanna. 

As if she’s on automatic mode, Colet replied instantly but it doesn’t undermine the sincerity in her voice, “Gustong-gusto na pala kita.” 

There. 

She finally said her realization just now. Colet can sense that her declaration has rendered the president tongue-tied. Hindi naman siya assuming since Jhoanna is truly stunned with what she uttered. Adding to it - no, especially withhow Colet looks at her habang sinasabi ang mga katagang iyon. 

They stared at each other for a while, their gazes full of unspoken words and unknown feelings.  

Colet’s mind gets a little too hazy, as overwhelming thoughts flood it. Just a few seconds of staring at Jhoanna causes all of her resolve to tumble over. 

Bakit parang wrong move na pumunta siya ngayon dito? 

She shouldn’t have stared at her. 

Oo nga. 

Gustong-gusto niya si Jhoanna. 

As much as it clears the blur as to how deep her feelings are for the other girl, it also complicates everything for Colet. 

Because that lone thought scares the hell out of her too. 

What if she gets greedy? 

What if these simple moments with Jhoanna will not anymore suffice the greediness she will harbor eventually? 

What if she will get to a point that liking Jhoanna isn’t enough? 

What if she will ask for more? 

Paano kung sabihin niyang… 

hindi niya pala kayang hindi gustuhin pabalik ni Jhoanna? 

Colet’s breath hitch at that specific selfish thought, causing her to divert her gaze away from the latter, breaking the spell that casts over them. 

Without uttering any words, she abruptly gathers her things and rushes towards the door as the room feels too suffocating for her. 

Jhoanna on the other hand, watches her actions, confusion written all over her face. 

“M-may gagawin pa pala ako. Ingat ka pauwi, Jho.” her stuttering bothers her but she could care less about it as all Colet wants is to get away from Jhoanna’s prying eyes. Baka kung ano pa ang masabi nito ulit sa kaniya. 

After successfully escaping, she then mindlessly sauntered her way to the familiar corridors towards their university’s gate. 

Giatay nani karon. Colet curses under her breath because truth be told, she doesn’t know what to do anymore. 

Ayaw niyang maging selfish when it comes to love. It would be against her principle when liking someone. Colet has always been so sure that when Jhoanna will end up not really liking her back, it will be fine for her. She views it as simple as that back then. If she doesn’t have a chance despite putting in all her efforts then she clearly needs to move on.

Pero kanina, na-realize niya na baka hindi niya kayanin. 

Na hindi pala ganun kadali ang mangyayari kung sakali man na may ibang gusto nga si Jhoanna.

And she never wants to have these thoughts. Colet needs to stop whatever this is that is slowly consuming her. 

Hindi siya ganito. 

Hindi dapat siya ganito. 

Her musings got cut off when her phone rang in her pocket. An unknown number is calling. 

“Hello ma’am, delivery po from WingBoss.” 

Oo nga pala, may inorder nga pala siyang chicken wings upon remembering that Jhoanna is craving it during lunch. 

Since malapit naman na siya sa gate, Colet immediately spotted si kuyang nagdedeliver. 

After getting her order and paying for it, she is yet again in another dilemma.

Paano niya ibibigay ito kay Jhoanna? 

It would probably be a bad idea for Colet to show herself again when she is this disoriented and overwhelmed. 

Colet mentally cursed for the nth time that day, buti nalang at papunta si Jao sa kaniya, the council’s secretary. Sa hindi mabilang na pagtambay niya sa SC room, she also gets close to him. Kahit nga ang ibang members ng student council ay kaibigan na niya. 

“Oh, Col. Papunta kang SC room? Nandoon si pres.” the guy informed her with a teasing smile. Sanay na kasi ito na palagi niyang tinatanong kung nasaan si Jhoanna. This time ay inunahan na niya si Colet. 

He thought he did a good job with that. But it is actually the other way around as what happened a while ago flashes at the back of her mind as if it is happening again at the moment. 

Before she gets sucked in again with her thoughts, “Jao, pwedeng pakibigay kay Jho. May pupuntahan pa pala ako.” 

As soon as she secured the packed food in Jao’s hand. Hindi na niya ito hinintay na magsalita pa, baka kasi ay humindi pa ito. She just smiled at him gratefully before finally getting out of the campus. 

“O-okay?” Naguguluhan man sa nangyari since alam niyang kahit may gawin si Colet, the girl will still make sure na mapuntuhan si Jhoanna. As what she always say, ‘minuto lang naman ang kailangan ko to see your president’.  

Surely, something happened. 

It was confirmed when he gets to the office and what welcomed him is the sight of Jhoanna who’s staring into space. Everyone knows how much she values her time so for her to waste a bit of it doing nothing is a telltale sign that something is out of ordinary. 

“Pres, pinabibigay nga pala ni Colet.”

“The audacity. Ngayon magbibigay siya. Matapos niya akong iwan bigla dito.” he hears the girl mumble under her breath, her brows knitted in clear annoyance. Despite her reluctance ay inabot pa rin ito ni Jhoanna. 

As much as he wants to ask what was going on, he still has a last class to catch. 

Well, he should have asked or he should have stayed. If Jao only did, frontrow sana siya sa chismis involving the two. 

And he might also witness how their usually calm president loses her cool. 

Because of someone she always says she doesn’t have and will not have any feelings for. 

Colet never dreaded for Monday to come as much as she is now. Over the weekend, she mulled over the brewing storm within her. Hindi niya nga lang alam kung lahat ba ng oras na iminumukmok niya to look for answers to her endless questions will prepare her to face Jhoanna today. 

She is still not ready to see her. Pero wala siyang choice dahil paniguradong kurot ang makukuha niya sa mama niya kapag hindi siya pumasok ngayon. 

Wow, parang hindi siya ito ah. Never in her life did she imagined na mas gugustuhin niyang hindi makita si Jhoanna. 

As she enters their classroom, a few minutes before their first class, her eyes automatically darted to Jhoanna’s seat. The girl is already there writing something on her memo pad which she expects since Jhoanna never went to class late. 

Naniniwala na talaga siya sa kasabihan na, ‘Old habits die hard’ kasi what do you mean that it was as if such action is a reflex for her after setting foot in the room. 

What happened on Friday probably is still a big deal to everyone because as soon as they saw that it was her, teasing smiles were plastered on their blockmates’ faces. Some are even whispering na rinig na rinig naman ng lahat. 

“Colet tumira ng tres, si Jhoanna napa-yes… sa date yieee.” Kantyaw ni RJ which earned him a few amused laughs from most of their classmates. The two people involved just ducked their heads for different reasons that they don’t want others to know. 

Kung sa Friday niya sana ito ginawa, siguro ay sasabayan pa siya ni Colet, but now isn’t really the time for her to joke around anything involving Jhoanna. Hence, tumango nalang siya dito with a small smile and soon proceeded to her seat. 

“Bad mood ka ata ate Colet ah.” Sheena pointed out when she plopped down beside the girl. She already knows that this observation might be thrown at her today and she also knows that a lie would be the best cover up. 

“Masakit lang ulo ko.” Without waiting for Sheena to say anything, Colet just lowers her head on her desk and pretends to sleep. 

“Baka farewell date yung nangyari noong Friday tapos binasted na siya.” 

Sana sinigaw mo nalang atecco! May pabulong pa, rinig naman ng lahat. 

Mabuti nalang at wala siya sa mood kung hindi papatulan niya talaga kung sino man ang nagsalita. 

“Imong mama gibasted.” she just murmured the usual ‘imong mama’ clapback from Bisaya people. Colet hears Sheena’s loud laughs afterwards, mga friends niya lang naman or mga Bisaya ang makaka-gets nang sinabi niya kaya for sure narinig siya ni Sheena. 

Anyone can notice the shift in her mood today. By now, she would be blatantly throwing glances on the SC president that's a few tables away from them. 

For some unknown reason to everyone except herself, she suggested switching places with Mikha para lang hindi niya kaharap ang table nila Jhoanna. That alone was enough for her friends and anyone that is paying attention to her like Jhoanna to know that something is wrong with Colet. 

“Anyare, Col? Kanina ka pa walang imik.” After magtulakan ng tatlo niyang kaibigan kung sino ang magsasalita gamit ang mga titig nila, Gwen finally broke the silence. 

“Masakit nga lang ul—” she was going to tell her usual lie when Mikha cut her off. Colet knows that her friends are not buying it anymore. Kung kaninang umaga ay pwede pa, pero ngayon hindi na. 

“Mamatay man si Jhoanna?” 

“Gagi ka.” Kaagad niyang tinapon ang tissue sa tabi niya sa mukha ng kaibigan. She even immediately knocked on the wooden table to shoo away any bad vibes. 

“Joke lang. Sige nga, kaya mo pa bang magsinungaling?” Mikha challenges her. Her other two friends are just watching their exchange, clearly entertained. 

“Oo na, hindi na. Pero sa susunod ko na sasabihin lahat.” That was enough for her friends, alam naman kasi nila that when they feel like confiding to each other, any of them will willingly do so. Hihintayin nalang nila na maging ready si Colet na sabihin sa kanila lahat. 

“Ask away.” she added. Colet knows that her friends are curious as the reason for her current mood and behavior. 

“Okay lang kayo ni ate Jho?” She chuckles amusedly at the first question being thrown at her. Umiikot na ba talaga kay Jhoanna ang mundo niya na kapag wala siya sa mood, it automatically ties up to her? Totoo naman though. 

“Yes. Wala naman akong problema kay Jhoanna.” 

Sa sarili ko oo. 

Technically, she isn’t lying right now but by her friends’ expressions, they are clearly not convinced that nothing is going on. 

Sensing na wala na siyang idadagdag, Mikha decided not to pry anymore, “Let’s eat na. At least kumain ka nang maayos diyan, Col. You still have practice until seven later diba?” 

Oo nga pala. Ngayon ang start ng practice nila. Ang ganda ng timing, may alibi siya kung bakit hindi niya pupuntahan si Jhoanna after dismissal. 

May isang linggo pa siya to think things through. 

After eating her meal, a ridiculous question formed in her mind and she wants to get this thought out of her already. 

“Sa tingin niyo ba may pag-asa ako kay Jhoanna?” sa sinabi niya ay nasamid si Sheena sa kinakain niyang lumpia. Kaagad naman itong inabutan ng tubig ni Gwen. 

“Ano ba ‘yan, ate Colet. Pabigla-bigla ka naman.” Sheena grumbles while slightly glaring at her after recovering from her initial shock. 

“In your perspectives lang naman. Curious lang.” She nonchalantly uttered pero sa totoo ay kinakabahan siya sa kung anong maaaring marinig niya ngayon. 

Her friends gathered their thoughts, weighing their words. Hindi rin kasi biro ang tanong ni Colet.

“Kung ako ang tatanungin feeling ko…” Sheena trailed off, trying to come up with a good succeeding explanation after giving her honest thoughts. 

“Wala.” their youngest softly uttered, trying her best to avoid seeing Colet’s face. Ayaw man niyang saktan ito pero she is just preparing her for the worst. 

Agay. Sakit man diay. (Aray. Masakit pala.) 

“Hindi dahil sa hindi ka niya gusto ha. But most probably because she is not yet ready to be in a relationship.” Sheena explains. 

“We all know that ate Jho is really busy with her studies plus the student council. Habulin naman kasi siya, maraming nagkakagusto and for sure kapag may magustuhan man siya. Malaki ang chance na gustuhin rin siya pabalik. And since wala siyang jowa hanggang ngayon, it is either may jowa ang gusto niya or hindi pa diyan ang focus niya. I think the reason is yung pangalawa talaga.” She added as if she is explaining a really logical analogy. 

“I agree kay Shee.” her red-haired friend supplemented. 

“Sa sobrang busy ni Jhoanna, I don’t think she has the luxury of time na magkagusto. A fact that’s a double-edged sword to those who have feelings for her.” 

Getting Mikha’s point, Gwen ended their collaborative argument with a very fitting line,  “Isipin mo nalang na hindi ka man niya gusto, at least wala siyang gustong iba.”

“But that’s just our opinion, okay? Si ate Jho pa rin makakasagot ng tanong mo na ‘yan. Tsaka as much as possible huwag mo siyang pangunahan ate Colet.” 

She nodded at her friends, understanding their thoughts. 

Pinapangunahan niya ba talaga si Jhoanna? 

Or sadyang sa simula palang alam naman niya talaga na hindi siya magugustuhan nito.

All this time she thought she would be fine with that initial realization. Now that it struck her that she likes her too much to be fine with any outcome… 

Selfish ba siya kung sasabihin niyang sa kaniya nalang sana ito magkagusto? 

From: Manong Ben

Uu Colet. Nahatid ko na p c Mam Jho. 

She let out a relieved sigh after reading the reply from Jhoanna’s family driver. Tinext niya kasi ito kanina pagkatapos ng practice nila kung nakauwi na ba si Jhoanna. 

Getting Manong Ben’s number always come in handy kapag hindi niya ito nasasamahan maghintay, kagaya ngayon. Sa halos araw-araw niyang pagsama kay Jhoanna, it is not a wonder that the two will also be close. 

Colet’s mind might be a mess right now, but caring for the girl easily becomes her second nature. 

Baliktarin man ang mundo, she will always look out for Jhoanna. 

“Sa side pocket, Col.” Mikha coached her habang sinisinta niya kung saan magandang ipasok ang number 2 na ball. 

Medyo maaga natapos ang practice nila kaya nagkayayaan muna sila na mag-billiards. Even if her friends will not say it, Colet knows that they are helping her to forget whatever problem she has with Jhoanna.

After their talk at the cafeteria last Monday, the succeeding two lunch breaks ay panay ang aya nila na sa labas nalang kumain. Kapag tinatanong niya ang mga ito kung bakit kasi mas napapagastos sila kapag lumalabas, trip lang daw nila para maiba naman ang palagi nilang sagot. Even after their dismissal ay hinintay siya ng tatlo na matapos ang kanilang practice para maglaro. 

She may not be vocal with it but she really does appreciate their gestures. Colet needs a good distraction and her friends are doing a good job to help her with it. 

She listens to Mikha and pulls the cue to make a shot. A few groans can be heard when Colet misses it. May kapustahan pa naman sila ngayon. 

Actually, she isn’t thinking about her main problem right now. But her mind is surely drifting towards the same source as she hears the rain continues to pour outside. 

One thought lingers on her mind which steers her whole attention away from the game. 

Nakauwi na kaya si Jhoanna?  

Sakitin kasi ito kaya hindi pwedeng maulanan. Colet looks at her watch as she backs away since si Mikha na rin naman ang next na titira sa kanilang dalawa. 

6:48 PM

Siguro naman ay nakauwi na ito. Usually by 6:00 PM ay nasa gate naman na si Manong Ben kaya for sure naihatid na niya si Jhoanna. 

Her fingers hovers on her phone as she is contemplating if she will send the said driver a text. 

Fuck it. She curses mentally and soon presses the send button. Colet pocketed the device kasi siya na ang maglalaro. 

Another miss. 

From: Manong Ben

Wala pa ako sa school. Trapik masyado sa edsa Colet.

She again curses under her breath. It is evident in her movements that she gets a little antsy after reading the text. Her mind now fully focuses on Jhoanna.

Kung nasa waiting shed man siya, sa lakas ng ulan. For sure may tatalsik pa rin sa kaniya. 

Kapag naman nasa SC room, need niya ng payong kasi sa gate lang pwede ang mga outsiders. 

May payong ba siya? 

Paano kung wala?

Her worrying thoughts get the best out of her, hindi man lang niya namalayan na ilang beses na siyang tinatawag ng mga kaibigan. 

“Col, ikaw na daw.” Kung hindi pa siya tinapik ni Gwen ay for sure madadagdagan pa ang pag-ooverthink niya. 

Finally gathering her resolve, she is now keen to finish the game para mapuntahan niya na si Jhoanna. 

Shoot. 

Shoot.

Shoot. 

8-ball nalang. 

Shoot. 

Now, that is the Colet that they all knew. Her friends immediately celebrated but all she can think of is to get her bag to check if nadala ba niya ang payong niya. 

After seeing that she did bring it, ay nagpaalam muna siya sandali, “Text niyo nalang saan tayo. Susunod ako.” 

Sa kakamadali niya ay late na niyang napagtanto na she didn’t even dare to open the said umbrella or use her car. Buti nalang at hindi malayo ang university nila. Pinagpatuloy niya ang pagtakbo kahit ramdam na niya ang lagkit as the raindrops continue to soak her outfit. 

Colet decided to enter the school grounds after seeing that Jhoanna is nowhere in sight on the usual waiting shed. Maybe the girl is still in the SC office. 

Confirming her thought as she peeks through the window and seeing the president typing away on her laptop. She abruptly puts down the umbrella near the doorstep in order for Jhoanna to clearly see it when she decides to go out. 

After successfully executing her plan, she immediately dashed out baka kasi ay maabutan pa siya nito na nandoon. 

Sabi niya naman sainyo. Huwag na huwag niyo siyang hahamunin sa What are you willing to do? challenge na ‘yan. 

“Oh. Thank you.” she looks at the outstretched familiar umbrella in front of her. Kahit wala namang nakalahad ay alam niya kung sino ang nasa harap niya ngayon. 

Paano nito nalaman na sa akin ito? 

Seeing that there is no point in lying about the umbrella, Colet looks up and for the first time since she tries her best to stay away from Jhoanna for a while, she comes face to face with the said girl. 

Ang ganda pa rin— Shit! Erase erase. Colet shakes her head a little, hoping that such action can help to alleviate her tendency of having down bad thoughts about Jhoanna. 

She tries to read Jhoanna’s expression, just like the usual, Colet cannot still do it. Jhoanna is sporting her usual poker-face expression. 

After a while of staring at each other, the latter finally asked the million-dollar question. 

“Iniiwasan mo ba ako?” 

Gagi. Lord tabaaang T_T 

Pwede naman kasing isauli nalang ang payong. Bakit pa siya nagtatanong? 

Instead of fully blaming Jhoanna because she is asking, Colet proceeds to mentally berate herself. In the first place, hindi naman magkakaroon ng chance si Jhoanna to ask her kung hindi niya ginawa ang ginawa niya kagabi. She should have foreseen this happening. 

“H-hindi ah. Busy lang sa contest.” totoo naman na busy siya pero totoo rin na iniiwasan niya nga si Jhoanna. Now, she just prays that the girl will not see through the facade she is putting up right now. 

“You clearly are.” Sagot nito as she crosses her arms in front of her chest, her sharp gaze not leaving Colet. Medyo naiilang na nga siya kasi hindi niya kayang tingnan si Jhoanna ngayon. 

“But I also clearly know that there is more to it.” she added as if her assumption is a hundred percent true - which is indeed a hundred percent true. 

“You only stutter in front of me kapag kinakabahan ka.” Jhoanna pointed out while taking a few steps towards her. Kaagad naman na napalunok si Colet as she stays rooted at her seat. Bakit ba kasi siya umupo muna edi sana nakatakbo na siya ngayon. 

Kung ano-ano nalang talaga ang pumapasok sa isip niya at kung sino-sino nalang ang pinagbibintangan niya.

Buti nalang at walang ibang tao sa room nila. May activity kasi sila sa PE, bumalik lang  siya sa classroom nila because she forgot her tumbler. 

“And…” Jhoanna mumbles lowly as she leans forward towards her, the latter even puts both of her hands on her desk, successfully cornering Colet. 

Pilit man niyang iiwas ang tingin niya, the SC president assumed control of the situation when she turned Colet’s chin so they could see eye to eye. 

“Umiiwas ka lang ng tingin kapag nagsisinungaling ka.” Colet inhaled sharply at their sudden close proximity. Palakas nang palakas ang tibok ng puso niya and she can even feel how her insides short-circuited when Jhoanna’s breath fanned her face. 

Maboang naman siguro ko ani. (Mababaliw na ata ako) 

“W-wala nga, Jho. Ano ba.” She tries to make her voice come out as stern as possible even though she is now crumbling mentally, emotionally, spiritually - holistically nalang para isahan na. 

Feeling like any time by now ay mapapaamin siya, kaagad siyang tumayo kahit masagi man niya si Jhoanna.

She only has a goal in mind, ang umalis ngayon din. Without a second thought, she strides outside. Doon lamang siya nakahinga nang maluwag noong makabalik na siya sa quadrangle. 

Tinanong pa nga siya ni Sheena kung bakit ang tagal niya at kung bakit namumula siya. She just brushed away her questions but her gaze darted at the figure na kakadating lang rin. 

If in the past few days, Colet is the only one that’s avoiding Jhoanna. Today, she might have caused the girl to do the same. Ever since their encounter kanina ay never na niya itong nakitang tumingin sa gawi niya. 

Maybe this is for the best. 

As soon as the person in-charge for the Ms. and Mr. Sports Fest dismissed them for the day, Colet immediately retrieved her phone inside her backpack. Bawal kasi silang mag-phone when they’re practicing. 

If you will ask her kung okay ba sila ni Taneo? Surprisingly, they are. For the past three practice sessions, the guy didn’t pull any shitty actions towards her yet. He is quiet and obedient which somewhat irks her kahit ‘yon naman talaga ang dapat gawin ni Taneo. Parang it is the calm before the storm.  

Anyways, enough of him since hindi naman siya importante. Colet reroutes her attention to a much more important thing or person. 

To: Manong Ben 

Hi, Manong Ben! Nakauwi na po kayo? 

Few minutes after she hit send, her phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, nakaramdam siya ng kaunting kaba kasi never naman siyang tinawagan ni Manong Ben. She immediately answers the call. 

“Hello, Manong Ben?” 

“May nangyari po ba?” 

“Napatawag po kayo?” 

“Okay lang ba si Jhoanna?” 

She fires continuously, her nervousness getting evident. 

The line went silent for a while, before she heard Jhoanna’s voice. 

“If you are that curious…” 

“Ikaw ang maghatid sa akin bukas.” 

Huh? 

HAAAAA?!!! 

She never even let Colet to respond and immediately ended the call. Muntik pa ngang mabitawan ni Colet ang phone niya as soon as she registers Jhoanna’s words. 

Lord, kabalo man ka nga I am not your strongest soldier diba pag-abot kay Jhoanna? Ngano mani?! (Lord, alam mo naman diba na I am not your stronger soldier pagdating kay Jhoanna? Anong nangyayari?!) 

TBC.