7-Drake

"The winner will be given four thousand pesos and one thousand pesos for the consolation prizes." Our P.E teacher announced.

Sa tantiya ko ay mga walong case ng beer din ang mabibili ng apat na libo. Subalit kung mananalo naman kami. Hindi naman nila ibibili ng alak ang mapapanalunan namin.

He opened the white envelope. "And the winner is..."

A drumroll background music blasted throughout the Gymnasium as everyone were tensely waiting...

"HUMSS Patriotic!"

We jumped, throwing hand fists, high-fives, and shouted our victory.

There were some ABM students who's obviously not satisfied with the result. Particularly, Fritz. But who cares?

"Congrats sa inyo," bati ng mga kaibigan ni Angel.

"Salamat, Bonita at Kirsteen."

"Time for pictorial! Don't forget to clean the Gymnasium!" he instructed.

Jethro motioned at us to gather on the stage. He snapped pictures all of us in HUMSS Patriotic with the judges. And he also took group pictures of HUMSS Humanist and ABM. He needed to the photos for he was one of the school's best photojournalists.

Sumali sa random group picture taking si Angel matapos niyang uminom ng tubig.

"Pasali." Drexter and Russel boogied.

Ang gulo ng mga classmates ko. Ngunit hindi ko nakaligtaan ang tumabi kay Angel kahit magulong nakikipagtulakan na ang ilan sa aming likuran. Si Drexter ay nasa gilid ni Bonita na hindi man lang siya ginawaran ng tingin. She even rolled her eyes to the side. Si Russel ay palihim na nakatayo sa kanang gilid ni Kirsteen.

I was in the midst of putting one arm to Angel's shoulder when Jethro noticed it immediately.

"Just smile to the camera brother, baka uuwi kang may putol na braso..." The veins in his forehead protruded.

Biglaan nalang niyang binaba ang camera nang muntikan ko nang akbayan si Angel.

"Drake! Ang laki laki ng ulo mo! Sa tabi ka ni Malik! Ikaw Russ sa tabi ka ni Scorpio sa likuran! Lalong-lalo ka na Drexter umurong ka sa tabi ni Vlad!"

Hindi niya kami gustong makatabi ang mga kaibigan niya.

"Bro, huwag na natin guluhin ang position. Take pictures already!" I complained.

"Nagsasayang lang tayo ng oras, bro. Take pictures already!" Russel impatiently told him.

That was so strange of him. He wasn't like that.

"Ang ganda na nga ng posisyon namin ginugulo mo pa. Take pictures already." wika ni Drexter na may galawgaw na ngiti.

"Just take pictures already, Jethro. Para matapos na kayo! We have to clean the Gymnasium after this!" Our P.E teacher affirmed.

Jethro scoffed and raised his middle finger at us, while clicking the camera.

***

It was the third week of February where I got closer to her.

Tuesday noon break was supposed to be a normal hour to smoke at the back of the school with my friends. Kahit ay pinagbawalan ako nila Papa. Ngunit wala naman sila sa School. Paano nila malalaman?

But that completely change. Spending my noon break with Angel was way extraordinary than jeopardizing my lungs.

Kaya pinili kong isalba ang baga ko.

Nasa library kaming dalawa ngayon kaharap ang maraming yellow scratch papers. Naglalaman ng mga solving examples — na sinagutan ko para maintindihan niya ng maayos ang isang topic sa GenMath.

"Remember the four steps in solving the rational equation: one, factor each expression in the denominator: two, find the restriction: three, find the LCD: lastly, multiply each expression by the LCD."

She was propping her chin in the palm of her right hand.

I was honestly having a hard time concentrating, which wasn't a good thing. Kinakailangan ko pang e-review ulit ang lesson about solving rational equation para turuan si Angel. And the thought when she was near me like this —breathing the same air with me was beyond my imagination.

She was my energy booster. Her presence helped me restart and concentrate again. Yet, it turned out the other way.

"Are you listening, pretty?"

"Nakikinig ako, Drake..." ani niya.

Alam kong hindi niya gusto ang Math. But why she was looking at me like that? Like she was daydreaming?

"Bakit ganyan ang itsura mo?"

"Haggard ba ang mukha ko?"

She rummaged her things in her bag and searched for a compact mirror.

"No. Never..."

Haggard pa siya sa lagay na iyan?

Walang duda na maraming naiinggit sa kagandahan niya.

"Hmm..." She checked herself in the compact mirror and dabbed her cheeks with powder.

"So, may naintindihan ka ba?"

I didn't mean to intrude her girly time. It was actually therapeutic watching her.

"Oo. Madali kong maintindihan ang Math kapag ikaw ang nagtuturo. Is it normal?" She puffed an air and then broke into a smile that really killed me on the spot. "May tanong ako, Drake."

Hindi pa ako nakabawi sa sinabi niya ay may balak na naman siyang ilagay sa peligro itong dibdib ko.

Tumango ako sa kanya bilang hudyat.

"Bakit mahalaga ang Math?"

"Napakaimportante ng Math sa buhay natin. Especially in calculating bills, doing exercise, making measurements in terms of cooking, handling money, simply making countdowns and many more."

I didn't miss the appreciative look she showed to me. I thought my heart was going to pound out of my chest.

"That's why it's easy to learn math with you." she nodded her head. "Kapag ako lang nagre-review parang nakatingin ako sa maliliit na Hieroglyphs. Parang mas complicated pa sa sistema ng utak ng mga lalaki."

"Kabaligtaran. According to studies, men have been known to peg women as complicated species, claiming that women are hard to comprehend." I enunciated.

"Is that true? But boys seemed to be way more complicated to me."

She didn't try to start a usual altercation. I doubted if she was capable of making one.

I narrowed my eyes in reverse to her bemusement. "For me, there's only two types of men: those you can count on; and those who can't. So, stick with me, pretty. Co's you can count on me,"

She nodded in reverence. Whenever she was looking at me intently. I felt like a present she had always wanted to unwrap.

"It feels like you're not the Drake they used to talk before." she surmised as if she was trying to venture my world.

"You can say that. I don't know if one meteor passed through that night that made me like this." I couldn't hold my mushy moron self from coming out when I'm talking to her.

She held my wrist gently. "Drake, be real to me. Hindi ka natamaan ng meteor. Kung natamaan ka naman, hindi lang bukol sa ulo ang aabutin mo."

Pareho kaming natawa.

I never imagined her to have a realistic sense of humor. I really thought she was plainly talented, sightly, and stilly. But I was wrong. She had more things to show.

"Hindi na kailangang matamaan ng meteor. Malaki na ang ulo ko. Kaya tinawag nila akong dakog ulo."

Nanginginig ang kanyang balikat dahil sa tindi ng kanyang pagtawa. This girl... Oh, God... Her funny side was now my favorite thing.

"Kahit may malaki kang ulo, gwapo naman..." bulong niya.

"Now, can we focus?" Mariin ang hawak ko sa libro.

Binalewala ko ang sinabi niya. Baka tuluyan na akong maging halaya at maging kuskus-balungos sa mga salita ko.

"Okay." Narinig ko ang pagbuntong-hininga niya. "Dapat malaki ang score ko sa quiz dahil tinuruan mo ako."

This moment made me believe that I have still a potential to be better. It reminded me that things I hated before were actually the things that worth my time. She really forbore my pint-sized patience from coming out.

***

Friday night, Jethro appeared in the kitchen when I was preparing for our dinner. He sat across the seat and plucked one ripe banana.

He started biting it as well as spitting out his annoying words that usually came out from his blabbering mouth, "Just try to imagine, bro, Angel likes one Mathildo except kay Papa and to our older brothers, of course. Then, they have been texting the whole time knowing he have an idea that you're so damn smitten to her."

"Saan nakalagay ang utak mo, Jethro?"

"Sagutin mo nalang."

"I bet, it's me." sagot ko.

He stopped chewing and swallowed down the banana in his mouth, "She doesn't even stare at you longer than twenty seconds."

"Correction, we have stared at each other longer than twenty seconds. At the library, — at the hallway, at the blind date booth, and we both stared at each other in my dreams longer than a lifetime." I answered with a calm conviction as I washed the courgette, squash, and eggplant in the sink.

"You don't have her contact number."

"At least we've been texting in Facebook messenger using your phone. At least I didn't force her to give me her phone number." I said as a matter of fact.

"Hindi na kita pahihiramin ng cellphone ko."

"Okay lang. Sa laptop nalang ako maglolog-in."

He should put an end to this absurd conversation he started.

I placed the vegetables in the table. I peeled and sliced them before I would peel someone's face with my bare hands.

"You couldn't even start a sensible conversation with her. She didn't share deep and personal information's to you. You don't know what her life inside their house. You don't know her fears. Sinong Mathildo kaya? si Drexter kaya iyon? Or si Russel? Pwede ring si Khalid. Kaya ito ang mga rason para mag-overthink ka."

I wish I could crack his head and shove the remaining banana down his throat.

"Walang rason para mag-overthink. Kahit kailan huwag mong pag-isipan ng masama ang mga kapatid mo, Jethro." I warded off his nonsense assumptions.

"Imagine lang naman, bro.

He was testing me.

"Maghintay ka lang. She would eventually share her sentiments, fears, and dreams with me. And I'm going to raise my middle finger at you."

Natahimik siya at umalis sa kusina. My damn ass was lucky that things turned out well with Angel. Jethro was making up stories to heighten my thoughts. It didn't give me a single dose of hope.

***

Sa hindi inaasahan ay binalik ni Papa ang phone ko habang kumakain kami. I could call her anytime of the day. It means I was doing something good!

"Anong gusto mo ngayong darating mong kaarawan? Your Adviser have reported to me that you're doing good in School. It will be nice to celebrate it anywhere in the locality." pang-iiba ni Papa nang nasa sala kami pagkatapos ng hapunan.

Malapit na ang kaarawan ko. On the twenty second of the month. That didn't seem to bother me.

"Lamtew?" Khalid suggested.

"La Caridad?" Drexter followed.

I heard they would have to wait three months afore they change the water of their swimming pool. Baka magka-rashes pa si Anghel. Mas okay kung ako lang ang magkarashes, huwag lang siya.

"Casa D'Vans?" Jethro loved the panoramic view of that place.

"Chuckies Peak or Puerte Verde?" Russel gave me two choices.

Their suggestion were possible spots to celebrate my birthday. But I just wanted to stay at home with them, my friends, and with her. I loved the atmosphere in this house with the sea in front of it.

"Gusto ko ng party dito lang sa bahay. But there is one girl I want to invite. Pero baka hindi siya payagan."

"Sino? Ako ang kakausap sa mga magulang niya." My Father offered.

"Si Angel Faye Soledad."

"Napakalabong mangyari 'yan!" Jethro never missed to rile me up.

All set of eyes directed on me. My brothers wore the same disconcerted expression.

I smacked my hands down hard the table. "It's for my Birthday! That's all I need for my birthday!"

"Huwag kang bastos, Drake! Nasa harapan ka ni Papa!" Kuya Ranger chided at me angrily.

Kuya Gunner was slightly punching his one fist to his other palm while looking at me like a hawk.

I walked out, pretending to be sullen before my face would be a punching bag.

"Young man, you don't have to act like that!" malakas na wika ni Papa.

Napakahirap maging rebelde. Piste! Kailangan mong bayaran lahat ng kahihinatnan ng mga ginawa mo.

***

It was late in the morning when my phone lit up while I'm brushing my perfect teeth. I checked it. The sender was pretty obvious.

Unknown Number:

8am at Charangani. We need to talk to you. If you don't show up, it means you're just playing our best friend.

May message ulit na dumating.

Unknown Number:

I'm warning you, fucker! Hurry up!

Si Bonita talaga ito. Wala na akong ibang maisip na pangalan kundi si Bonita lang. Siya lang naman ang babaeng kaibigan ni Angel na gustong-gusto akong ipasunog sa impyerno. Mga kilay at mata palang niya ay parang tinatawanag na niya si Satanas para kunin ako.

Saan kaya niya nakuha ang phone number ko? Binigay kaya ni Jethro?

Hindi ako nagsayang ng oras at pumunta sa lugar na sinaad niya sa text gamit ang motorsiklo ni Russel.

Dalawang babae ang naghihintay sa loob ng Milk Tea House. Umupo ako sa katapat nilang silyang uway. Pinaghandaan talaga nila itong pagkikita namin at bakit parang wala man lang akong natanggap na malugod na pagbati galing sa kanila. Although, Kirsteen had that kind smile.

"Pansin naming napapalapit na si Anghel sayo...Hindi na kami magpaligoy-ligoy pa. Anong intensyon mo sa kaibigan namin?" umpisa agad ni Bonita.

"Genuine intentions only, Bonita." determinado kong sagot at tinignan siya sa mga mata.

"Hindi ako naniniwala. Walay katuohan sa imoha." she shook her head in suspicion.

"Huwag kang maniwala, Bonita." nangangalit kong kinayas ang mga ngipin ko. Aangal pa sana ulit siya pero dinugtungan ko agad. "Let me show to you, that I have genuine intentions towards her. If you find any red flag signs from me, then I think you should take actions—"

"No, you should be the one to take actions. Stay away already." she inserted.

"Just let me prove myself first..."

Begging never been my forte. But I would do anything to convince them that I'm worthy to be in Angel's world.

"Gawin natin ito ng klaro." She folded her arms over her chest and lifted her brow. "Kapag nalaman naming hindi na maganda ang pakikitungo mo kay Anghel ay ihihiwalay namin siya sayo. Ano deal?"

Bonita was cunning. Kirsteen was unsure if it's the right thing to do.

This was better although it scares me. What if I would make a mistake? I'm not perfect and there were eyes waiting for me to make one.

Nevertheless, being able to see and talk to Angel was like living in Paradise. That was all that matters.

"Deal." I nodded in agreement.

"Hindi dapat natin ito ginagawa, Bonita. Hayaan nating magdesisyon si Angel." Kirsteen persuaded Bonita.

"Hindi ko kayang umaaligid ang taong ito sa kaibigan natin. Lalo na't ang perfect ni Anghel para sa kanya." mapaklang lumiit ang boses ni Bonita at dinilatan ako ng pahapyaw.

Tumayo na ako. "Aalis na ako kung may pamimintas ka pang sasabihin sa akin."

"You can go now. Just take note. We have eagled-eyes, Mathildo."

Umalis ako ng Milk Tea House at pumunta sa bahay nila Anghel. Naabutan ko silang nagtatanim ng mga bulaklak sa kanilang hardin kasama ang Mama niya.

She was wearing a pretty sundress. God, she bloomed like a flower under the sun — while me —rays like bad influence that Mothers fear to be with their daughters.

Angel was like a picture that could restore your faith in being able to be back on the right track of life.

Ngayon lang ata dumaan ang takot sa akin na baka makagawa muli ako ng hindi maganda na magpapalayo ng loob niya sa akin.

Wala naman akong kinakatakutan dati pa. Kahit pamilya ko kaya kong labagin, pero nakakangatal isipin na baka mapinsala ko itong koneksyon na mayroon kami.

Angel was too perfect and part of being perfect is to have a clean room. That was my goal that day.

I cleaned my room and work on my assignments and activities that needed to be done. I took videos of me doing all of that.

It seemed to be a routine for me to update Angel what I have done throughout the day. Though she wasn't asking for it.

"Tapos ka na sa mga activities and assignments na gagawin?" tanong ko sa kanya nang sinagot niya ang videocall ko.

"Oo. Ikaw?"

"Sayang naman. Baka may nakaligtaan kang assignment na hindi mo pa nagawa. Tara gawin na natin..."

Kinuha niya ang kanyang sticky note.

She scanned her eyes on the piece of paper. Probably making sure that she already put them all check on her list.

"Dinoble check ko na, Drake. Tapos na talaga."

"What about oral communication?"

"Ginawa ko na pagkatapos namin magtanim ni Mama sa Hardin."

She wasn't lying. Her sincere eyes were so pure to even lie.

"Earth Life Science?"

"Done."

"Introduction to Philosophy?"

Tinignan niyang muli ang hawak niyang sticky note. "Medyo nahirapan ako pero natapos ko naman ng maayos."

"Good."

Binalik niyang muli ang sticky note at nilinis ang kanyang study table. Doon na muli nabaling ang atensyon niya.

"Sibika at Kultura?"

Binalik niya ang atensyon niya sa akin. "Huh? Wala tayong subject na Sibika at Kultura."

"Joke."

Her eyes crinkled as she giggled.

Gustong-gusto kong marinig ang boses niya kahit kailan ko gusto.

Kahit labag sa prinsipyo ko ay kailangan kong gumawa ng paraan para makuha ang number niya.

"When I text you good-night later, what phone number should I use?"

Kinain ko rin ang sinabi ko kay Jethro. It was for her own sake too.

"Drake, pwede ka naman dito mag-goodnight." She seemed to be surprised.

"Paano kung bigla nalang mawala ang signal ng Wi-Fi namin? How would I send a good morning text? How would I know if you're okay or not? What if something bad will happen to you and I'm the only one can be available for you? Mas magandang matatawagan mo agad ako kung may emergency o kahit gusto mo lang ng makausap. I'm just one call away, Angel."

There was an awkward moment of silence. She blinked several times between seconds of her breathing.

"Alam mo, Drake, hindi naman sa pagiging judgmental, pero ang exaggerated mo minsan."

Humalakhak ako. She's not just pretty, she's also transparent. Dang it.

"God, I love you—"

"Huh?" she quipped in haze.

"Your honesty..." I coughed when realization panged me. "I love your honesty, pretty." I clarified directly.

She gave me her phone number eventually. I called her immediately. I couldn't help but feel like I'm surfing on a wave of bliss.

"Angel, answer me honestly. What if you witness another side of me? Will you still want to talk to me or not?" I asked her randomly during the call.

"Another side? What another side are you talking about?"

"Let's just say...iba ako magalit? Masyado akong atat sa mga bagay-bagay? Paano nalang kong makita mo akong bigla naging iritable? What if I raise my voice at you suddenly? What if–"

"I will still talk to you, Drake. Your another side will not intimidate me..."

I could get a heart attack right at this precise moment of time.

PERIEDOT