"Okay lang ba sa 'yo rito?" 

Nauna na 'kong umupo sa may wooden chair at nilapag ang sling bag ko sa table. Umupo rin si Sevi sa harapan ko at nilapag ang backpack niya sa tabi niya. May lumapit na babae at naglapag ng dalawang maliit na menu sa table. 

We were in a Korean restaurant. It looked fine. Hindi naman masyadong mainit kahit puno. Maliit lang din siya at kaunti lang ang tables. A Korean music show was playing on the television. Matagal akong nakatingin doon, pinapanuod ang grupo ng kababaihang sumasayaw. 

"Ano'ng gusto mo?" Sevi asked. 

Napatingin tuloy ako sa kaniya. Nang magtama ang mata namin, binaba ko na ang tingin ko sa menu para makaiwas. Hindi maalis sa 'kin 'yong sinabi niya kanina! My gosh! Crush niya raw ako? Siguro? What kind of answer was that? Oo o hindi lang dapat, ah! 

"I'll just have ramen and one set of this one," I pointed at the menu. 

"Ang dami." He smiled. "Gutom ka?" 

"No, takeout 'yong kimbap," I told him. 

It was for Kuya Roel. It must be hard waiting. I was so sure magugutom siya. 

"Banana milk!" I pointed again like a kid. 

Nakita kong napangiti siya sa sinabi ko bago tinawag ang babae para mag-order na. Lumingon muna ako sa malaking board sa gilid namin, sa may pader. Maraming sulat doon and pictures of some Korean idols. Sumingkit ang mata ko nang may mabasa sa post-it-note board. 

I love you, Sevi! #GoTigers 

Naghanap pa 'ko sa iba. There were so many! Hindi ko alam kung bakit luminaw bigla ang mga mata ko at natanaw lahat ng sulat sa kaniya! 

Sebastian Vincent Camero, crush kita. <3

Sa captain ng growling tigers, pwede bang manligaw? :) 

"Sebastian, baka naman pwede kitang i-hire sa future para gumawa ng bahay nating dalawa?" pagbabasa ko.

"Huh?" Napalingon si Sevi sa 'kin, tapos na mag-order. 

Kinuha ko ang post-it-note na 'yon at pinakita sa kaniya. His eyes quickly surveyed what was written and laughed at it. 

"So many! Look!" Tinuro ko pa ang iba sa kaniya.

"Alam ko." He just laughed at me.

Nagpangalumbaba siya, pinapanuod akong basahin pa ang ibang naroroon. I would pick out some notes and show them to him. Mukhang hindi naman bago sa kaniya'yon. He was just smiling all the time, watching me read those little loveletters 

"You're happy?" I raised a brow at him. 

"Hindi." Binawi niya ang ngiti niya at umayos ng upo. 

"Why not?" tanong ko ulit habang binabalik na ang notes sa may board. 

"Puro sila salita eh. Hindi naman nila 'ko china-chat." He laughed again. 

Hindi ako natawa sa sinabi niya. 

Mas sumingkit lang ang mga mata ko at tinitigan siya nang matagal. He raised his brows at me, smiling at my reaction. Naputol ang titig ko sa kaniya nang ilapag na ng babae ang tubig, mga baso, at ang banana milk ko. He was just saved by the woman!

"So you want them to message you?" I asked again. 

"Pwede rin naman..." He shrugged. "Sayang eh. Last year ko na sa UST, wala pa 'kong girlfriend." 

"So you want a Thomasian girlfriend?" I arched a brow. 

Kinuha niya ang banana milk ko at siya na ang naglagay ng straw doon. Then, he smoothly slid the milk across the table so it could reach me. Umirap ako at kinuha 'yon.

"Pwede ring Lasallian." He smiled at me. 

I choked on my milk. 

Nawala ang ngiti ni Sevi nang umubo-ubo ako at humawak sa leeg ko dahil sa pagkasamid. He poured water for me but I shook my head. 

"I don't..." I coughed. "...like service water." 

Hindi siya makapaniwalang bumuntong-hininga sa sinabi ko at natawa pa. Kinuha niya ang bag niya at nilabas ang maliit na water container, saka inabot sa 'kin. Binuksan ko 'yon at ininuman hanggang sa mapawi ang kati sa lalamunan ko. 

"Kahit mamamatay ka na, maarte ka pa rin, 'no?" He tilted his head a little to the side. 

"And so?" Padabog kong binalik sa kaniya ang container. 

"Huwag kang mag-alala, hindi ko 'yan ininuman. Extra lang 'yan" Kinuha niya ang water container at binalik sa bag niya. 

"Good. I'm LC kasi eh." I rolled my eyes.

"LC?" Napakurap siya.

"Laway conscious, duh." 

Natawa siya sa sinabi ko at napailing, hindi na sumagot sa 'kin. Dumating na rin ang food namin, pati ang pina-takeout ko. He ordered a rice bowl and ramen sa 'kin. I shouldn't be eating instant ramen right now, pero nasa harapan ko na eh! 

While I was waiting for the ramen to cool down a bit, I scrolled on my social media accounts. Nakita kong nakatingin siya sa phone ko kaya tiningnan ko siya pabalik. 

"What?" masungit na tanong ko. He looked like he wanted to say something.

"Wala. Ayokong nagpo-phone kapag kumakain." He shrugged. 

Really? And why should I care about that? Etiquette, I guess? Eh, anong gagawin ko?! Ang init pa ng ramen kaya hindi ko makain. What? Magtititigan kami? Hihipan ba niya ang ramen for me?

"I-follow mo na 'ko sa Instagram," sabi niya bigla. 

"Why would I have any interest in seeing your posts?" I argued, being defensive. 

"Talaga? Kaya pala nakikita kong bini-view mo story ko kahit hindi mo 'ko pina-follow." He laughed more, teasing me. 

Napakurap ako nang ma-realize na na-view ko nga ang story niya last time! Hindi ko lang na-like ang picture niya, na-view ko pa ang story! Oh my god! 

"That's Ida," palusot ko ulit.

Sorry, Ida. You need to take one for the team. 

"Sige, sabihin mo kay Ida, i-follow niya na 'ko." Tumango siya, sumasakay sa palusot ko.

"And why would she do that?!" 

Nagulat siya sa biglaang sigaw ko at napatigil sa pagkain. He dramatically held his chest and looked around to check if I caught anyone's attention because of my loud voice. Some people probably glanced at us because he awkwardly smiled at them before looking at me again.

Nakasimangot lang ako at masama ang tingin sa kaniya.

"Sige, hindi na. Huwag ka na sumigaw," he whispered, leaning over the table. 

I made a face and just ate my ramen, hindi na siya pinansin. It was my first time eating instant ramen with egg and it tasted okay pala. Napatigil lang ako sa pagkain nang makitang mag-ring ang phone ni Sevi na nakapatong sa table. Kinuha niya kaagad 'yon at sinagot. 

"Oy, bakit?" he gently answered.

He turned a little to the side so I wouldn't be offended by him, answering a call. Nakatakip pa nang bahagya ang isang kamay malapit sa bibig. 

"Nasa Noval ako, kumakain. Bakit?" Naririnig ko pa rin naman siya. "Sabihin mo kay Luna, idadaan ko sa kaniya mamaya. Sa condo niya na kami magkita." 

Kumunot ang noo ko at sinubukang ipagpatuloy ang pagkain, kahit nakyu-curious na 'ko sa pinag-uusapan nila. Sino ba 'yong kausap niya? 

"Kailangan na niya? Amp, sige. Pagkatapos ko kuma-"

"I don't like it when people use their phones while eating," I mocked him. 

"Mamaya na, Ke. Text ko na lang siya. Bye," mabilis na sabi niya at pinatay na ang tawag. 

He gave me an apologetic smile but I just rolled my eyes at him. Siya ang nagsabi noon, ah! I continued eating, hindi na siya pinapansin. Napansin kong binibilisan niya ang kain niya kaya binabagalan ko ang akin. 

"May ibibigay lang ako," paalam niya.

"Wait for me," I calmly said.

"Uh, okay..." Umayos siya ng upo, hindi na mapakali.

I smirked and ate slower just to torture him. Tinitingnan niya ang relo niya, nag-aalala na sa oras. 

"Ano b'ang ibibigay mo? Is that important?" I raised a brow, playing with my chopsticks. I didn't want to eat fast. That would affect my digestion! 

"Papers lang," kalmadong sagot niya kahit halatang nagmamadali na. 

Fine! Naawa na 'ko sa kaniya kaya binilisan ko na ang pagkain ko. Bahala na! Nang matapos, tumayo na 'ko at sinuot ang bag ko. Kinuha ko rin ang banana milk at nagpasyang ubusin na lang 'yon habang naglalakad. Inabot din sa 'kin ni Sevi ang take-out ko para kay Kuya Roel. 

I followed him again until he stopped walking in the middle of the busy street. Tinanggal niya ang I.D. niya at pinasuot ulit sa 'kin. I looked at it again, nagtataka na kung bakit. 

"Malayo ang Lacson," he reasoned out again.

"And?" 

"Doon 'yong gate ng hospital. Doon lang nagpapapasok ng outsiders," he explained. 

Hindi na 'ko nagsalita at sumunod na lang ulit sa kaniya sa likuran. He would always look back to check if nakasunod pa 'ko because I was so far from him. Paano, ang haba ng legs niya tapos maliit lang ako! 

"Halika nga..." 

Nang makalapit, nilagay niya ang kaniyang kamay sa balikat ko at tinangay ako sa paglalakad. I was shocked. Naamoy ko tuloy ang pabango niya sa sobrang lapit niya sa 'kin. 

He gestured a 'stop' for the approaching car before crossing the street, dragging me with him. Hindi nakatingin ang guards kaya nakapasok kaming dalawa. After that, I stopped walking, and he was forced to stop.

Tinanggal ko ang I.D. at binigay sa kaniya. Baka makalimutan na naman eh! 

"Thanks," he said and continued walking. 

Lumiko kami at naglakad malapit sa field nila. There were benches and gazebos on the sidewalk. We stopped in front of the building, where I could see a large "ARKI" sign. 

"Sev!" Napalingon kami sa babaeng naglalakad palapit.

It was Luna. She was still in a messy bun, wearing her Archi uniform. She looked fresh with her rosy cheeks and pink lips. She smiled wider when she saw me. 

"Hi," she greeted me. 

I just gave her a nod and a small smile, not showing my teeth. Humarap na siya kay Sevi at sinuntok ito sa braso bigla. Sevi did not budge.

"Nasaan na?" reklamo niya. 

"Teka, pucha," sagot naman ni Sevi habang naghahalungkat sa bag. 

May nilabas siyang folder at inabot kay Luna. She opened it and flipped through the pages to check. May nakita akong sketches doon ng rooms and buildings. 

"Thanks, p're! You're the best!" Luna smiled and gave Sevi a thumbs up. 

"May bayad 'yan," nakangising sagot ni Sevi.

"May bayad pa, delayed na nga! Dapat nga ikaw na ang magbayad. You're now liable for damages." Luna laughed.

"Sige nga, kanino mo natutuhan 'yan?" Sevi raised a brow.

Sumeryoso bigla ang mukha ni Luna at sinuntok ulit si Sevi sa braso. 

"Oo na, break na nga eh, 'di ba?!" Luna sarcastically said. 

So, what now? Ano pa ang ginagawa ko rito? 

Napairap ako sa inip at tumalikod na sa kanilang dalawa para maglakad paalis. Mukhang matagal pa sila mag-uusap, eh. Kuya Roel was already waiting for me. 

"Elyse!" I heard Sevi calling me. 

I tried walking faster but he had longer legs than me kaya naabutan niya 'ko kaagad. Humarang siya sa dinaraaanan ko kaya napahinto ako at tumingin sa kaniya. 

"What?" I raised a brow. 

"Bakit umaalis ka agad?" Nagtaka pa siya. 

"Kuya Roel's waiting for me sa car park." I crossed my arms.

"Alam mo ba kung saan ang car park?" Siya ngayon ang nagtaas ng kilay sa 'kin.

Right! Hindi tuloy ako nakasagot doon dahil hindi ko nga alam ang daan pabalik. He nodded and gestured for me to follow him. Kahit ayoko, kailangan ko pa rin sumunod sa kaniya dahil siya ang nakakaalam ng daan! Nakakainis naman! 

"Okay na ko rito. Go." We stopped in front of the car park's entrance. "I don't want Kuya Roel to see you."

"Sige." Tumango siya. "Ingat ka." 

Tinalikuran ko na siya at naglakad na paakyat. Kuya Roel was on his phone when I arrived. Inabot ko sa kaniya ang pagkain at sinabing kumain muna siya pero sabi niya pag-uwi na lang daw. 

"I'm home," sabi ko pagkapasok ng bahay. 

Isang sapatos pa lang ang natatanggal ko ay natigilan na 'ko dahil nakita ko si Kuya na nagmamadaling bumaba ng hagdan, galit at namumula ang kanang pisngi. I heard my Dad calling him in a stern voice but he continued walking fast. 

"Kuya-" 

Nilagpasan niya 'ko at tuloy-tuloy lang lumabas. 

Nagmadali akong umakyat sa study room ni Daddy at nakita siyang minamasahe ang sentido niya. Nagkalat ang papeles sa sahig kaya lumuhod ako para ligpitin 'yon. I was so confused. 

"Just leave it there, Elyse." My dad stopped me. 

"Did you hurt him?" I asked, hoping he would say no. 

"Don't worry about it," he dismissed my question immediately. 

"Why would you do that?" Hindi-makapaniwalang tanong ko. 

"Just stay out of this mess, Eli. This is none of your concern." His voice was stern.

Hindi na 'ko nagsalita at lumabas na lang ng study room para bumalik sa kwarto ko. Nakita ko si Mommy sa hallway, may dalang tray ng kape. She gave me a small smile to assure me that everything was okay. 

I sighed and went inside my room. Kinuha ko agad ang phone ko at sinubukang tawagan si Kuya pero ini-ignore niya ang tawag ko. Napabuntong-hininga ako ulit at binagsak ang sarili sa kama. 

I checked my phone again when it beeped. 

From: Kuya 

I'm fine. Don't worry about me. 

I pouted and typed my reply. 

To: Kuya

Put ice sa cheek mo hmp

From: Kuya

Hahaha okay. I'm driving. Wag ka na magreply. 

Hindi na nga ako nag-reply. I really wished someone was taking care of him. Mag-isa lang kasi siya sa condo at malayo na siya kila Ate Ericka dahil lumipat siya. Wala rin ang bestfriend niyang si Hiro kaya wala na siyang kasama. For sure, marami siyang friends but kaunti lang naman ang nakakaalam ng problems niya. Si Hiro lang. 

I should message him! 

Binuksan ko kaagad ang Instagram ko para mag-send ng message sa kaniya. Tiningnan ko ang oras. It was already morning there. Hindi ko lang alam kung gising na siya. 

elydezma: Hello are u awake 

He was online agad. Nagta-type na rin siya. 

akihiro: Yes 

akihiro: Why? :) 

elydezma: Can you check on my brother I think his problems are piling up. He would probably talk to you. I don't want to make him feel na nangingialam ako huhu 

akihiro: Why? Did something happen? 

elydezma: Wala I think he fought with my dad

akihiro: I'll call him when he gets home. 

elydezma: Thank you. Take care :) 

I was smiling by myself. He was just so nice! Kaya ko siya naging crush eh! Simula pa lang noong nagkakilala kami, gusto ko na siya, but he never saw me as a woman. Ang tingin niya sa 'kin ay kapatid lang ng bestfriend niya. How sad. 

I became so busy with my training dahil next month na ang cheerdance. Nagsimula na rin ang second round ng UAAP Men's Basketball kaya palagi na kaming nasa arena para suportahan ang athletes namin. 

I was wearing our cheerdance costume, naka-braid ang buhok at nakatayo sa steps ng Arena. I was nervous because UST ang kalaban ngayon. For the past few weeks, hindi kami nag-usap or nagkita man lang ni Sevi. We were both busy and wala namang rason para magkita or mag-usap so okay lang.

"Eli, ha? You know our cheer. Hindi Go USTe," Ate Raya reminded me, laughing. 

"I know!" I pouted. "Why would I cheer for UST?!" 

"Bakit nga ba?" Ate Mae smirked. "Oh my gosh, andyan na sila Camero! Hoy, ang gwapo, oh." 

Napatingin agad ako sa harapan. I saw Sevi walking with his teammates, and a duffle bag was hanging on his shoulder. Nakasuot na siya ng jersey nila at naka-itim ulit na knee support. 

Oh, he had a haircut. He looked more fresh. Mas malinis na lalo siyang tingnan ngayon. He looked like he smelled good.

He laughed when his teammate whispered something to him at hinampas pa niya ng towel. May lumapit sa kaniyang isa pang teammate habang may kinukuha siya sa duffle bag niya. May binulong sa kaniya ang lalaki at nagulat ako nang biglang magtama ang tingin namin. 

I looked away in an instant. Nakita ko pa rin sa peripheral vision ko na nakatingin siya kaya inabala ko kunwari ang aking sarili sa pakikipag-usap kay Jon, isa sa ka-squad ko. 

When the game started, bumalik na ulit ako sa pwesto ko para mag-cheer. La Salle started so great! Lamang agad ang points nila sa UST. Sevi looked a little off kaya hindi na 'ko nagulat nang tinawag siya ng coach nila after the first quarter. 

Someone replaced him on the second quarter. Humahabol na ang UST pero lamang pa rin ang La Salle. I was screaming my lungs out for the cheer. Mas malakas pa kapag nakaka-shoot ang team namin. It was so fun, but I did not feel any happiness. 

"L-A-S-A-L-L-E!" we yelled. 

Sevi came back for the third quarter. I was more focused on the game. He was doing better now! Puro three points kaya nahabol agad. Nakalamang sila sa amin! I pouted and became more competitive! 

"Green, White, Figh- Oh my god!" I covered my mouth when Sevi fell to the floor. 

Nanlaki ang mata ko at bumaba nang isang baitang para makita nang maayos! I did not see what happened! Next thing I knew, he was already on the floor, holding his leg in pain! His teammates ran towards him to check his condition. 

"Oh my god," I whispered again. 

He was pulled out from the game and went with the medics. Hindi na 'ko nakapag-focus nang maayos sa laro. Our team celebrated when we won the game. I just smiled and went with Ate Raya, papunta sa players namin. 

"Good job, guys!" They congratulated them. 

"What happened with Camero?" I asked Kuya Terrence. 

"He was running, but Sean blocked to get the ball from him. Lakas ng impact ng bungguan nila kaya bumagsak sa sahig. I think he twisted his ankle," pagpapaliwanag niya. 

"Oh," mahinang sabi ko. "Is he okay?"

"Aba. malay ko, Eli!" He laughed. 

Why was I even asking?!

Wala na si Sevi sa court kaya umalis na lang din kami. Pagkabalik sa La Salle, walang training so maaga akong nakauwi. I just showered and changed my clothes before laying down on my bed with my pajamas. 

Kinuha ko ang phone ko at nag-chat sa kaniya. I didn't know why! Why would I even check on him?! 

elydezma: U ok?

He replied immediately. 

sevirous: hmm, ano sa tingin mo? 

What the hell?! Nagawa pang magbiro! Nainis tuloy ako!

elydezma: Just answer wtf are you in the hospital? 

sevirous: kung oo, pupuntahan mo ba 'ko? 

elydezma: Why can't you just answer properly? Hindi kaya brain mo 'yong natamaan?

sevirous: bawal na raw ako mag basketball kahit kailan. kakaopera ko lang.

elydezma: WHAT? ARE YOU SERIOUS WHAT HAPPENED ANG BILIS NAMAN

sevirous: oo nga e mamamatay na raw ako bukas 

Napairap agad ako sa inis. He was playing with me!

sevirous: dejk nakauwi na 'ko. pinauwi na 'ko ng doktor. 

elydezma: Why? Bakit pinauwi ka kaagad? 

sevirous: pagkapasok ko sa clinic niya tinanong niya 'ko kung kumusta ako sabi ko okay lang po ayun pinauwi na niya 'ko 

Can't he just fucking answer properly?! Nakakainis! Mahal ang oras ko, 'no! Buti nga kinumusta ko pa siya eh. I made an effort to send a message! 

elydezma: Ang pangit mong kausap

sevirous: laro tayo 

Ano ba 'yan? Maglalaro pa! I didn't have time for games!

elydezma: What now? 

sevirous: mind game 'to. think of the last digit of your mobile number.

elydezma: Okay, and then? 

sevirous: add 4. tandaan mo yung number na yan, ah. 

elydezma: Then 

sevirous: then think of the second to the last digit. add 5. tandaan mo ulit. 

elydezma: Then? 

sevirous: eliminate mo yung first two digits ng number mo, tapos palitan mo yung last two digits nung sinabi ko kanina. tapos na? 

elydezma: And then

sevirous: yung mga natitirang number, times mo sa 2. ano nang nakuha mo ngayon? 

Tinype ko ang nakuha kong number. 

elydezma: O nasaan yung mind game 

I almost jumped on my bed when my phone rang. 

It was an unknown number. Matagal kong tiningnan 'yon at pinag-isipan kung sasagutin ko ba o hindi. Baka scam eh! Or baka mag-offer ng Wi-Fi or something! I often got calls like that. 

Whatever. I'll answer na nga. 

"Hello?" Maingat na sagot ko. 

[Hi.] 

My lips parted when I heard Sevi's voice! What the fuck! Did he just... trick me?! At nagpauto naman ako! 

"You scam!" Tumayo ako at tumuro sa kawalan. "Inuto mo 'ko!"

[Mind game nga eh. Dapat ginamitan mo ng utak para hindi ka nauto.] He laughed. 

I bit my lower lip and sat down on my bed. His voice sounded lower on the phone. It was a bit husky too. 

"Bakit ka tumawag, huh?" 

[Wala lang. Ayaw mo ba?] He carefully asked.

"How's your leg?" I asked out of curiosity. It wasn't like I didn't want him to call...

[Okay na. Ipapahinga ko lang kaya hindi ako makakapaglaro sa susunod na game.] I can almost hear him smiling. [Pakisabi sa player n'yo, sorry. Nagkabungguan kami.]

"It was his fault. Why are you saying sorry?" Kumunot ang noo ko. 

[Hindi ko rin naman siya napansin.] I heard him laugh from the other line.

We talked about the game over the phone for a few more minutes while I was on my bed until my mom called me for dinner. 

"Uhm... I have to go. My mom's calling me for dinner," I told him while staring at the ceiling and holding the phone in my ear with my hand. 

[Ah, sige lang. Pakabusog ka.] He laughed na naman. Lagi na lang siyang tumatawa. 

"You're not going to eat yet?" I didn't know why I asked that! 

[Ito na, kakain na rin. Sabayan na kita.] His tone was teasing. 

"Okay, bye." Napairap ako kahit hindi naman niya nakikita.

[Bye...] 

I looked at the screen and saw that he wasn't ending the call. I put the phone to my ear again and listened to silence. 

"Why are you not ending the call?" reklamo ko.

[Ikaw na magbaba.] He was probably smiling kahit hindi ko nakikita.

"Whatever!"

Pinatay ko ang tawag at bumaba na para kumain. After that, I did my skincare and went back to bed. 

It was another busy week. I would attend classes in the morning and noon and then training after. I was strict on my diet now dahil flyer ako. Mahihirapan ako kapag bumigat ako lalo. 

Nasa klase ako, nagtse-check ng phone. I already followed Sevi yesterday kaya lumalabas na ang story niya sa timeline ko. Samantha Vera was following him kaya nagtaka ako but... Oh well, Sam knew everyone. 

I stopped swiping the stories of my friends when his story showed up. Kumunot agad ang noo ko nang makita ang picture niya kasama ang tatlong babaeng naka Archi uniform. May bandage siya sa ankle niya at nakaupo sa bench habang ang tatlong babae ay nakapalibot sa kaniya at nakaturo sa kaniyang paa, tuwang-tuwa. He looked bored.

Sa susunod na story niya ay selfie nila ni Luna. His brows were furrowed, and Luna squeezed his cheeks with one hand, forcing him to look at the camera. 

Napairap ako at pinatay na ang phone para gumawa ng activity. I was with Ida after school, kumakain ng fruits habang naghihintay ng training. 

"How's it going with Camero?" Siniko niya 'ko, nakangisi. 

"What do you mean? There's nothing going on," naguguluhang sabi ko. 

"Really, huh? Palagi ka ngang nakaabang sa phone mo!" 

"I am not!" I shook my head. 

She was not convinced with my answer but she did not question me further. Thank God! Kahit ano naman atang sabihin ko, hindi siya mako-convince. Natakot na tuloy ako. Ganoon din ba tingin ng ibang tao? 

My gosh, ang issue. Fine, iiwasan ko na nga siya. Baka makarating pa kay Kuya or kay Daddy! Hindi ko na rin naman kayang magsinungaling kay Kuya Roel! Kawawa naman siya. 

And also, I think... may gusto siyang iba! 

The next day was a Sunday, so I went to the gym like usual. I wasn't expecting Sevi to be there dahil sa ankle niya, so I was shocked when I saw him enter while I was doing squats. He was with Arkin once again! 

"Nagsalita ang friendzoned," rinig kong sabi ni Sevi kay Arkin pagkapasok, tumatawa pa. 

"Wow, nagsalita," Arkin fired back. 

"Tapos na 'ko roon. Ikaw, nandiyan ka pa rin," pang-aasar lalo ni Sevi. 

"Uy, Eli!" Arkin waved at me when he saw me. 

I just smiled at him and continued doing my exercise. Sevi looked at me for a minute before placing his bag on the bench. Hindi ko sila pinansin at nagsuot na lang ng airpods para hindi sila marinig. 

I did some burpees, push-ups, and russian twists. Paminsan-minsan, nagtatama ang tingin namin ni Sevi. I would look away immediately, not wanting to converse with him. Kausap niya rin naman si Arkin eh. 

After planking, nag-cool down na 'ko. Tinanggal ko ang airpods ko at binalik sa bag. Kinuha ko rin ang towel ko para magpunas ng pawis. 

"The hell," inis na sabi ko nang makitang ubos na ang tubig ko. 

"Oh." Napalingon ako kay Sevi nang abutan niya 'ko ng bottled water. 

He was standing so close to me! Agad akong humakbang pagilid para makalayo nang kaunti. Napakunot ang noo niya sa inakto ko. 

"No, thanks." I ignored his offer kahit uhaw na uhaw na 'ko. 

Bumuntong-hininga siya at binaba na ang kamay. Umiwas ako ng tingin at nagkunwaring abala sa pagpupunas ng pawis. 

"Galit ka ba sa 'kin?" He gently asked. Mahina pa 'yon na parang ayaw niyang may ibang makarinig.

Napalingon ako kaagad sa kaniya, gulat. Why would he ask me that? Did I look mad? I was just avoiding him! 

"No," maikling sagot ko. 

"Bakit mo 'ko nilalayuan?" He looked confused. 

"Hindi, ah!" I faked a laugh. 

He stepped forward, so I automatically stepped backward. He stopped and pursed his lips, looking serious now. His dark eyes stared at me for a moment, which made me nervous. 

"Okay," he whispered before turning his back against me. 

Binalik ko ang tingin ko sa bag ko at kinuha na lang ang towel para makapag-shower na. I was still nervous inside the shower. Bakit ba? Like I did something bad, right?! Bakit nga ba ako guilty ngayon? 

Nagpalit na 'ko ng black high-waisted shorts and red tank top. Pagkalabas ko, nakaupo na si Sevi sa bench at nasa harapan niya si Arkin. They were talking seriously about something. Napalingon si Arkin sa 'kin nang makita ako at nginitian lang ako. 

I contemplated what to do next while fixing my things. I felt guilty for suddenly... avoiding him! I mean, we were kind of friends, right? Kahit hindi naman namin napagkasunduan? 

Fine, I'll talk to him! 

Tumalikod ako kaagad para maglakad papunta sa kaniya pero napahinto rin nang makita siya sa harapan ko. He was about to say something but stopped! 

"H-hey..." I was out of breath. 

"Ano?" masungit na tanong niya.

"Anong ano? You... went to me," I pointed that out. 

He sighed heavily. Arkin was just seated on the bench, looking at the other direction so he could give us privacy, pero kitang-kita ko ang mapang-asar na ngiti niya. 

"Uhm..." I bit my lower lip. It was awkward.

He looked at me and raised a brow, waiting for me to talk. Huminga ako nang malalim bago siya tiningala. 

"Breakfast?" aya ko.

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:)