6-Angel

Drake Wayne Mathildo was the embodiment of trouble and recklessness.

Ganyan ang paglalarawan nila sa kanya. After that blind date, deep inside my mind, there was something that disagrees with their opinions about him.

"From the top! One! two! May mga bobo sa likod! Hindi pa nagsisimula! Bukas na natin ito ipe-perform tapos wala kayo sa presence of mind!?" he yelled at his classmates who started dancing earlier than his cue.

"Mga balingag! May nagnakaw ba ng mga utak niyo? Pakibalik naman kung sino ang nagnakaw!" dagdag niya pa.

"Papansin ka masyado Drake! Kasi nandyan si Angel sa kabila!" angal ng kaklase niya.

"Gusto mo bang ihagis ka namin sa ere!? O tumahimik ka nalang!?" depensa ni Drake.

Halatang inis na inis siya sa mga classmates niyang hindi nagseseryoso.

It was a rare sight of Drake Wayne Mathildo, completely determined and motivated to make their performance perfect for tomorrow's event.

It didn't give rise to people's undue judgement towards him.

We had prepared our Cheer dance performance just weeks ago. Maaga naming natapos ang chronological order ng mga steps and formations. Ilang beses ng binago ang schedule kaya palagi itong delay.

Mukhang hindi pa master ng mga Patriotic students ang kanilang mga steps. May hindi pa makasabay sa music at hindi alam ang susunod na formation. Tapos ay umiinit pa ang ulo ng mga leaders nila.

When both sections were given a breaktime, Drake signaled me to check my phone. It was getting dark. Some lampposts were already lightning the Plaza.

Umupo ako sa bench. I turned on the data of my phone and logged in to my FB account and I checked his message.

Drake Wayne Mathildo:

May tubig kang dala?

Me:

I have, Drake. Wala ka bang dala?

My phone beeped again.

Drake Wayne Mathildo:

I just want to check if you have one, pretty. Bumili kasi ako kanina ng extra bottle of water para sayo.

I had no idea if that's only for a show. But I thanked him anyways.

Bumalik agad kami sa practice matapos ang breaktime. Isa ako sa mga flyers. Para maging isang flyer ay kailangang magaan at flexible ang katawan.

I had participated few cheer dance competitions when I was in Junior High School. Ngayong nasa Senior High School na ako ay malabo ng makasali sa mga extra-curricular activities.

"Practice the steps at home and don't forget the formations, props, and your costumes! Ala sais ng umaga ay dapat nasa School na kayo! Maliwanag ba?" Monica, our beautiful classroom President reminded us one more time before we ended the final practice.

"Hindi ka sasabay sa amin, Angel? Madilim na. Nandito na si Manong Diego." saad ni Kirsteen.

Naghihintay at pumapara na ng tricycle ang mga kaklase ko pati ang mga HUMSS Patriotic. Sabay natapos ang dalawang section nang sumapit ang alas seis e medya.

"My Uncle will be here any moment, Kirsteen."

Nanatili ako sa bench.

"Sumabay ka nalang. Ikaw lang mag-isa maiiwan dito. I don't really want you here alone." Bonita Kisses persuaded.

Bonita's driver was waiting at the main gate of the Plaza, to send her off to School and fetch her up after all the classes and activities. Actually, Bonita and Kirsteen came from wealthy families. I didn't feel any different because both of them were really humble.

"May ilan pa namang mga students."

Bonita kissed me on my right cheek. Kirsteen hugged me. And they got off to home.

"Malik, sa akin muna itong cellphone mo!" Drake loudly notified his friend.

"Paladesisyon ang dakog ulo! Ibalik mo nalang ang cellphone ko bukas, kung hindi papatayin kita!" banta ni Malik sa kanya bago umalis ang apat niyang mga kaibigan.

Wala siyang cellphone? He merely nodded and made another message for me. His message popped in my phone.

Drake Wayne Mathildo:

Hindi ka pa ba uuwi?

Me:

Hinihintay ko pa Tito ko.

Drake Wayne Mathildo:

Sasamahan kitang maghintay hanggang dumating siya o di kaya'y ihahatid nalang kita kung hindi parin siya dadating. Kung gusto mo lang naman...

I typed a message:

Papunta na siguro, Drake.

He sent a reply right away.

Drake Wayne Mathildo:

Mamaya na ako uuwi, Angel. I just want to make sure na makauwi ka ng maayos.

Kumaway siya sa kaharap na bench. Ilang pulgada lang ang layo nito sa akin. Pwede naman kaming mag-usap na hindi gamit ang FB messenger.

Drake Wayne Mathildo set your nickname to prettygirl💄

Drake Wayne Mathildo:

Hey, prettygirl.

Me:

Hey, Drake.

I imitated his approach. I sounded friendly to him. We sounded friendly to each other. It was not a bad thing, I guessed.

I glanced at him. He bit his lower lip.

Drake Wayne Mathildo:

May sasabihin ako.

Me:

Ano iyon?

Drake Wayne Mathildo:

Nahihiya ako eh.

Ramdam ko ang kanyang hiya kanina sa blind date booth. Hindi siya halos makatingin sa akin ng deretso. Pero natunaw na ang hiya niya ngayon.

Me:

Sabihin mo na, Drake.

My forehead creased. Bakit mo binibigyan ng dahilan si Drake na makipag-usap sayo, Angel? Sapat naman iyong pag-uusap niyo kanina. I mentally scolded myself.

If he just didn't help me with my assignment. There was no reason to have this closure with him.

Drake Wayne Mathildo:

Ammm...pwede makahingi ng piso?

Kumunot ang noo ko.

Me:

Wala akong piso.

He had both irrational and rational humor. He could be cranky, shy, and absurd.

Drake Wayne Mathildo:

Does being irrational makes me cute? Or I'm actually too cute for you?

He acknowledged it instantly. Does it make him cute, Angel? Cute ba talaga siya?

Tinignan ko ang reaksyon niya at kumurba ang labi niya sa isang ngiti.

He was somewhat adorable. If that made sense, really. Magulo ang buhok niya at mukhang hindi siya hambog tignan. At ang maitim niyang furry handkerchief ay pinapaikot niya sa kanyang kamay.

Me:

Medyo lang.

He leaned back to his seat, holding his chest while laughing out loud.

Kumibot ang labi ko sa pagpipigil na sabayan siya sa pagtawa. I didn't find my comment have an inch of hilariousness. And yet, his reaction made me think it was funny.

I was about to keep my phone back to my bag for it have remaining twenty percent of battery energy, when Drake sent another message.

Drake Wayne Mathildo:

Sandali lang. Galain akoang paminaw ba.

Me:

Tapos?

Uminom siya ng tubig ngunit ang mga mata ay nanatiling nakatingin sa akin. Namalagi ito habang malikot ang mga daliri niyang gumagawa ng mensahe.

Drake Wayne Mathildo:

I think I need hug and care from you and I'll return it to you. What do you think?

Ngumuso siya at pinaikot muli ang kanyang panyo sa isang daliri.

I composed a reply quickly.

Me:

Bili ka nalang ng tender care. Kahit walang hug. May love and care ka naman. Mura na, may sukli ka pa.

Drake Wayne Mathildo:

Nice one. Napatawa mo ako.

I heard his crackling laughter again. I found this cute, exchanging messages in front of each other.

He vaulted from the bench where he was sitting when my uncle arrived. He sent me one last message for the night.

Drake Wayne Mathildo:

Amping.

It was the longest day for me. I won second runner up for the Feb Fest makeup contest. The theme was a simple blind date makeup for girls. I received different kinds of gifts from my 'admirers' if that was the right term for that.

I took them all out from my bag and hide them in a box. Sa totoo lang tuwing Feb Fest ay marami akong natatanggap na mga regalo.

My afternoon was completely unexpected. I had been to the blind date for five times in a row. The last blind date was simply a smooth one.

I was stretching in my bed when my older sister barged in. "Angel, may nakapagsabi sa akin kanina na–"

"Iyong pinag-blind date ba kami ni Drake Mathildo, Ate?" patuloy ko sa tanong niya.

Umupo siya sa stool ng dressing table ko. "Anong pinag-usapan niyo, Angel? Do you find him somehow acceptable, annoying or just plainly attractive?"

"Wala naman siyang masamang sinabi, Ate. Kaswal lang naman ang pag-uusap namin." kalmado kong tugon.

I slightly found him acceptable too... Muntikan ko ng nasabi kay Ate.

I stretched my limps and squeezed my muscles. I split my legs in the bed and folded my lower left leg until my toes reached my upper back.

I followed the butterfly fold and camel pose for each twenty seconds for a better sleep.

"Huwag kang magpapadala sa mga salita ng lalaking iyon. Always put a wide and unreachable distance between you and him." She crossed her arms over her chest.

"I know my priorities, Ate." depensa ko.

It was day two of Feb Fest. Mamayang hapon pa magbabalik ang aming Film Viewing. Busy ang lahat para sa performance namin sa P.E. Abala ako sa pag-aayos ng mga kaklase ko. Tinulungan ako ni Bonita at Monica para madaling matapos. For girls, we just kept it in a cheerful look: with their hair in two high ponytails, peachy eyeshadow, and light lipstick. For boys, we painted a soldier black streak on their faces. Since not all of them would be dancing.

Alas otso e medya magsisimula ang aming pagtatanghal. Pagkatapos ng preparation ay nauna na kami sa Gymnasium.

***

Dalawang sections palang ang nandito sa Gymnasium. Ang mga HUMSS Humanist at Patriotic.

Wala pa ang aming P.E subject teacher at mga judges na kapwa titser din.

Nakaupo kami sa mga monoblock chairs. Nasa second row kami. Si Bonita ay nasa gitna at si Kirsteen katabi niya, na inaayos ang skirt pababa.

Nasa third row naman ang grupo nila Drake. Nilingon ko siya. He was sitting on the last chair of the row. He was already staring at me as though he's observing me the whole time. At mabilis na kumawag ang mga kilay niya sa akin.

"Nahuli kita, Angel." Kirsteen whispered.

I was taken back for a moment before I regain my composure.

"You two - have been staring since yesterday afternoon. Maybe because of the blind date? Kahit ayoko sa lalaking 'yan, bakit ang cute niyong tignan? This is so irritating." Bonita expressed both with disdain and honesty she couldn't keep.

I straightened my body in my seat. "Si Drexter manunuod daw ng performance natin." biro ko.

"The hell I care about that Mathildo." she rolled her eyes.

She was also taken yesterday to the blind date booth with Drexter Louis Mathildo. At first, she was excited to be escorted by the cupids when she heard that someone was waiting for her. Nonetheless, after finding out Drexter Louis Mathildo was her date. She was pissed off.

"Mga base at spotters ng Humanist, extra care naman sa mga flyer niyo! Lalong lalo na kay Soledad!" Drake cautioned out loud.

He was hyperalert out of the blue.

Mabuti nalang grupo nila Monica ang mga bases at spotters ko. She had an excellent power towards the the boys. Kampante akong safe ako.

"Ayan na naman si Drake. Nag-uumpisa na naman." wika ng kaklase niya.

"Hindi ako namimili ng oras, Jeaneth. Willing pa naman akong magdala ng gatorade at towel para sa kanya."

I glanced back at him when everyone wasn't looking.

I signaled him to keep quiet for a second. "Shhh..."

He zipped his mouth like an obedient child. He was cheerful. He had a blissful beam on his face.

Nagkatinginan sina Bonita at Kirsteen. Nakita nila iyon. Umiwas ako ng tingin kay Drake. Wala na akong takas sa mga mata ng mga kaibigan ko.

"Anong problema mo, Atlas? Feb Fest ngayon! Kumusta na kayo ng ka-talking stage mo?" Drake asked his friend.

"Late akong nakapagupdate sa kanya. Hindi ko naman sinasadya." sumbong ni Atlas.

I glimpsed at the back again. Drake was confused when his friend rested his elbows on his thigh and covered his face with his hands, "Anong drama nito, Malik?"

"Hindi siya nakapag-good morning baby sa jowa niya." Malik replied in behalf of Atlas who was half crying now.

May bumungisngis. May pumipigil ng tawa nila. Pero hindi nila kaya ang magpalabas ng malakas na halakhak.

"Angel, eyes on the front." Bonita grunted.

I followed Bonita before she would be angry.

"Tahan na, Atlas..."

"Nakapag-good morning naman ako pero hindi nakapag– good evening, baby, kahapon. Late ko ng nasent sa kanya. Ilang oras kasing nawala ang signal kagabi." humihikbing salaysay ni Atlas.

Hindi na talaga kaya ng mga kaklase niya at tumawa na nang napakalakas.

"Manahimik kayo!" Tumayo ang class president nila. "May problema itong si Atlas pinagtatawanan niyo pa!"

"Ang laki naman ng problema mo..."

Dumating ang tatlong Mathildo. Sina Drexter, Russel, at Jethro. Umupo sila sa mga bakanteng upuan sa aming harapan. Drake transferred to the first row as fast as the wind.

"Ang daming nag-chat sa akin na mga classmates ko kahapon at humihingi ng number ng mga kilala kong babae. Akala siguro nila supplier ako ng mga chicks." Drexter recalled.

"Totoo naman." asik ni Bonita.

He glanced over his shoulder. "Hey, Bonita baby..." He winked at her.

Sumama ang timpla ng mukha ni Bonita. "Ew. Ang panis pakinggan."

Three Junior students stormed at once in front of Drexter.

"Ang galing galing mo sa Math, Drexter! Marunong kang mag-multiply at mag-add ng babae! Mag-divide ng time para sa kanila! Kaya kinabukasan minus kaagad kapag nagsawa kana!" she jabbed Drexter with an accusation.

He didn't even flinch at her.

She was crying now. "Tahan na, Cindy..."

Her friends caressed her shoulder in a consoling manner. She scooted out of the Gymnasium when she realized that many pairs of eyes were watching her. Her friends followed her.

"That's why girls don't settle for less! Don't settle for a chick boy na magpaparamdam lang kung kailangan niya gusto. At parang multo nalang kong mawala. Mag-ingat naman kayo lalo na kapag may nabuo na kayong feelings sa mga lalaking walang plano! Ang gaganda niyong mga nilalang at magsasayang kayo ng luha sa mga lalaking ganyan!" Jethro spoke his thoughts so clear and real.

"Very well said, Jethro." Bonita clapped her hands, praising our friend for his outstanding words.

Natahimik kaming lahat. Drexter sharpened his eyes at his brother.

"Jethro, kulang ka ba sa almusal? Kung ano-ano na lang ang sinasatsat ng bibig mo." Drexter scolded him.

"Ayoko lang talagang niloloko ang mga babae, bro." Jethro answered him. He remained calculated with his words.

"Pakialamero ang gago. Hindi mo naman buhay 'to," Drexter barked at Jethro. He could almost fire him with a large ball of fire.

"Sige mag-away kayo sa harapan namin! Bibili talaga kami ng isang sakong popcorn at papanoorin namin ang wrestling show niyong dalawa!" Drake challenged.

"Drake..." I mumbled his name as a warning.

I bit my lower lip when I shouldn't be meddling. Drake pursed his lips.

"Just keep quiet, brothers. Ang aga-aga pa. Nakakahiya kayo." Russ chided them with a mild tone.

"When to keep your mouth shut: if your words will destroy a brotherhood and a friendship." Kirsteen silenced them.

She knew when to intermediate a heated argument. They all fell into a deafening silence. Both Mathildos calmed down. Hindi ko nakaligtaan ang tusong tingin ni Russel kay Kirsteen na may halong paghanga.

"Hail, my Goddess of Goodness." mahina niyang bulong sa hangin.

ABM 11 students came with their striking yellow cheer dance outfits from hair ties, crop tops, skirts, and socks.

The very famous Fritz with her friends strutted to the next group of mono block chairs that was designated for their section.

I checked my face with my compact mirror. I retouched my face with a few dabs of foundation powder.

"May isa dyan na ganda lang ang ambag sa magiging Cheer Dance performance ng Humanist." parinig niya.

My forehead folded in confusion. Was she referring to me because I'm dapping my face with a foundation powder? Kung hindi naman, lahat ng classmates ko ay magaganda.

"Malaki talaga ang ambag ng kagandahan sa cheer dance. May magandang projection. Isa yan sa mga hinahanap ng mga hurado. Iyong bagyo lang ang ambag sa mundo? Bagyong Fritz daw ang pangalan." Drake ridiculed.

"Ang lakas daw ng bagyong iyan!" Drexter jested.

"Malakas at polluted daw ang hangin ng bagyong ito. Magkaka-dandruff ka talaga." Jethro added.

The three Mathildos erupted into a mocking laughter. I couldn't stop smiling at them.

Drexter and Jethro were not good in terms just a while ago. It was amazing they choose not to prolong their argument.

"I hate you, guys." Fritz pouted teasingly as she stood up, facing sideways to our direction. "Alam kong gusto niyo ako for your brother. Should I invite you again to our family beach?"

"We didn't really say we like you, Fritz." Russel looked at her coldly.

"At saka may dagat kami. Fritz. Kahit magdamag kaming mag-swimming walang problema." Jethro admitted.

She sat down in embarrassment.

"Hello, grade 11! Let's start the cheer dance competition!" our P.E teacher announced.

***

Each classroom Presidents picked a rolled paper to determine our turn to perform.

Number one performer ang ABM. Pansin ng lahat ang exaggerated na facial expressions ni Fritz -to the point nawawala na siya sa formations.

Nang malapit na silang matapos ay nag-stretching kami nila Bonita at Kirsteen. We were the three flyers of Humanist. If we make a slight mistake, the entire formation would topple for sure.

We had the entire control over the stunt. We must use our muscles strategically to help my classmates at the base to lift us into the air.

"Goodluck, pretty girl!" Drake yelled.

Ilang segundo ay nagsimula na ang aming performance. Pinagmasdan niya ako habang sumasayaw sa tamang steps at sigla.

It would not be good to outdo my classmates. We should be performing in harmony. Every time I made solo stunts in front. Drake shook his classmate's pom poms with adorable eagerness.

Nakatali pa ang kanyang buhok in a cute ponytail. I just couldn't help but notice his reactions. He was acting like a very enthusiastic and supportive friend.

At the last minute of our performance, three group bases formed a pyramid and lifted us to the air. While Bonita and Kirsteen performed leg twists gracefully, some of my classmates did the handspring and split. I spread out our department flag for our ending pose with a wide cheerful smile.

"Oh! Angel! I'm your number one fan!" Drake marveled louder than the applauses around.

We landed safely. We bowed down in front of the crowd and Drake gave me two thumps up, beaming at me like a ray of sunshine. Sila na ang susunod. They were given ten minutes to warm-up. They assembled in front and we were amazed by their introduction.

"I'm not a volleyball player, but I can spike by the power of love..." Atlas said without a joyful emotion.

"Oha! Oha!" Patriotic yelled, completely cheering for him.

"Hello, everyone! I'm Scorpio by the way!" He struck a pose. "And I'm not a baseball player, but I can hit the home run for you, my love!"

The crowd thundered with laughter and sharp outcry from girls.

His odd Mohawk hairstyle made him looked like a rooster and it doesn't mean he couldn't captivate people with his charms.

"I'm not a professional basketball player, but I can make three points shot to your heart!" Malik made a finger heart.

"Oha! Oha!" Patriotic boys hooted.

"I'm not a soccer player, but with just one glance at Angel," he winked at me. "One kick, one goal achieved!"

"Oha! Oha!" Patriotic boys hooted again.

Both Bonita and Kirsteen shove their eyes at me.

Russel and Drexter laughed at him. Jethro was snapping pictures of the performers while glaring at Drake.

"Kuyang nakapula pwede ka bang mapasaamin!?" Junior students asked him loudly in unison.

"Paumanhin, mga langga! may nagmamay-ari na sa akin!" Drake glanced at me.

Huh?

I hid my face with my hand for my classmates and batchmates were gazing at me. Marami naman akong kaparehang pangalan sa School!

Their performance was mind-blowing. The music was a remix of hip-hop and traditional folkdance. But all in all, their movements remained basic cheer dance. Drake looked so cool when he did a handspring. He would only appear in the front to either tumbling or wave our department flag.

***

Matapos naming lahat magtanghal ay sinabihan kaming mahintay sandali dahil kinakalkula pa ng mga judges ang bawat ratings ng tatlong sections.

"May chismis akong narinig na si Ma'am Sheryl ang hahawak ng thesis natin sa grade 12." saad ni Cheryl.

"Kapareha mo pa talaga ng pangalan. I rather die. She's a terror." Bonita replied.

"Wala tayong thesis. Practical research meron. Magkaiba ang dalawa." wika ni Monica.

"Piece of cake lang ang thesis. Huwag kayong matakot..." pagmamayabang ni Drake sa likuran namin.

I looked back at him. Bigla-bigla nalang siyang sumusulpot kung saan naroon ako.

"Ganito lang 'yan." He paused and stared at me. "Baby, are you a thesis?"

I was startled by his question and asked back spontaneously. "Huh? Bakit naman?"

"Because Hegel is making me want to resolve you."

"The heck?" Bonita grimaced.

"Yabang ah. Ito sagutin mo... What is existentialism?" Their classroom President challenged him.

"Easy." he smirked. "Existentialism is the philosophical belief that we are each responsible for creating purpose or meaning in our own lives..." Pansin na pansin ko ang guhit ng panga niya.

"Do you believe in existentialism? Give one simple example."

"Yes. I believe in existentialism." Kinindatan niya ako. "Example, I exist solely for her. My purpose in this lifetime is to make her life brighter..." walang pag-aatubili niyang sagot.

Humiyaw ang mga kaibigan niya. Hindi na maipinta ang mukha ni Bonita. Nagkarugtong naman ang kilay ni Kirsteen.

"Aba nag-aral talaga! May kasama pang harot!"

"It is not enough to have a good mind: the main thing is to use it well..." he advised.

"Sino nagsabi niyan aber?"

"Rene Descartes." He toyed his lower lip with his fingers, showing his mischief and humor to me.

"Akala ko talaga wala kang utak..." hindi makapaniwalang sabi ng class president nila.

"Ang totoo talaga ay meron akong utak. Ngayon ko lang naisipang gamitin ng tama."

"Anong nagawa ni Descartes aber?"

I saw him gulped before grinning innocently at me. "Descartes walked into a bar – but I'd rather walk into Angel's life."

"Huh?"

"Manahimik kang unggoy ka!" Jethro inserted in a flash and looped his arm around his brother's neck into a headlock.

Mas mataas si Drake kumpara sa kanya kaya nagmukha siyang unggoy na nakalawit sa kanyang kapatid.

PERIEDOT