Chapter 11 #smashedsrs

"Oh," I heard Uno's silent reaction. "Dadating ba ang parents mo? They will bring you food?" usisa niya, halatang hindi napigilan.

Hindi ko ipinahalata na bumuga ako ng hininga. My guilt stopped me from letting him receive a downright rejection. Uno don't deserve such things.

In all honesty, I didn't even get why was I doing this too.

Napapikit ako nang mariin at nagpakawala muli ng hangin, wala nang pakialam kung mahalata ni Uno ngayon. Siya agad ang hinanap ng mga mata ko nang dumilat.

"Know what? Never mind. Sure, expect me later. Restroom lang ako," I stated and left him clueless of my baffling behavior and went straight to the restroom.

Fuck Lizeo Acerbo. Nakausap ko na nga pala ang sarili ko tungkol doon. I shouldn't give a fuck about him anymore.

I'm having guy friends? Be it.

I washed my hands and dried it thinking that I shouldn't let other people, let alone people from my past to affect my future occurrences. They were characters from the past for a reason. It is meant to happen in His book of purposes.

In my case, sobrang obvious naman kung bakit tinanggal si Zeo sa buhay ko.

I doubled my pace when I headed back to our classroom, but my feet eased off upon seeing Uno standing beside the door with his back against the wall. Nakatitig lang siya sa sahig at parang nakakunot pa ang noo. Para bang may iniisip siyang malalim.

"Uno?" tawag ko.

Hindi pa naman siguro siya nabibingi sa iniisip kaya nagawa niya akong marinig agad. He turned his head and looked at my direction. His forehead eventually flattened but I could still sense that he wasn't settled inside.

May problema ba siya? Kailangan ng kausap? Bakit hinintay niya pa yata akong makabalik? I mean, we're friends and I couldn't help but feel a little worried.

"Vi," he uttered like it was on default.

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Vi... Wait, is that a nickname? You made a nickname for me?" hindi ko napigilan na mapatawa.

Bahagyang nanlaki ang mga mata ni Uno. My lips pulled apart realizing that he was taken aback by himself too. Seriously? Nagpakawala ulit ako ng amused na tawa.

"It..." he started his explanation. "It kinda slipped off my tongue." Napakutkot pa siya sa kurba ng isa niyang kilay.

"Hey. No big deal," I dismissed because I felt like he was getting tad shy about it. "Cute naman, e. I like it," I said, grinning at the end.

The smile he sported looked reserve. Napasilip na rin ako sa glass ng pinto at naalalang on-going ang klase ko. Napansin yata ni Uno kaya humakbang siya para bigyan ako ng espasyo sa pagpasok ko.

"Ba't ka nga pala naghihintay dito?" I shot him the question while I walked towards the door. I glanced at him as well.

He shrugged his shoulders. "Tumanggi ka kasi si dinner—"

"At first. But in conclusion, I agreed."

"Yeah. Pero inalala ko last dinner natin. Naisip ko lang baka may nagawa kami nina Stance na 'di mo nagustuhan?"

"Hala, wala, ano ka ba!" Hininaan ko ang boses ko dahil tahimik sa hallway. My hand almost flew to slap his arm, another action that I guess would prove a point.

"'Yun nga, akala ko lang. But you came back and talked to me nicely so..." he trailed off. "I think we have no problem."

"Oo naman, wala..."

He wetted his lower lip then he frantically looked at my discussing Professor. Binalik niya ang tingin sa akin. "Wait, sorry. I know may klase ka pero baka 'di kasi ako makapag-focus sa klase ko... also sina Stance kapag nabanggit ko. Why reject at first?"

Natulala ako noong una sa kaniya. Halos hindi ko naintindihan 'yong sinabi niya sa medyo mabilis niyang pagsasalita! Maybe it was because of my on-going class.

"'Wag ka naman mag-rap," I jested. Medyo napanguso naman siya roon.

Ang totoo niyan ay ngiti ako nang ngiti para mapagaan ko naman ang loob ni Uno. I got him troubled with how I acted earlier and I wanted to make it up to him.

"Wala lang..." aniko sa mahinang boses dahil nag-aalangan magsinungaling. "Plan ko kasi talaga kumain sa dorm habang gumagawa nung... nung coursework ko! But I thought mas okay nga na may kasama."

Uno believed me.

Pagkatapos ng mga klase ko ay agad akong nagpalit ng training outfit. Pinuno ko rin muna iyong flask ko sa water fountain bago lumabas ng building namin.

"Oy, brader!"

I'm definitely not a male to be called that way but it was my instinct that ordered me to turn my head before I continue walking away from our building. Magkasama si Ulrich at si Stance na kalalabas lang din sa building at palapit sa akin.

"Hintayin mo na si Uno, Rivi, nagbibihis pa sa loob." Napatunayan ng sinabi ni Stance na ako nga ang tinawag nila.

"Oh, uh... okay," I answered, still slightly surprised.

"He doesn't know, ah? Abangan mo sa exit."

"Yeah, sure. Saang restroom ba siya?"

"D'yan lang sa lobby."

"Okay, salamat..."

Itinaas ko ang kamay ko para makipag-apir kay Ulrich dahil bigla na lang siyang naglahad ng palad. May maliit pa siyang ngisi na lumaki nang magtama ang mga palad namin.

"Dinner maya, ah?" he reminded.

"Yeah, nabanggit na ni Uno kanina."

"Figured," may kumpyansang tugon nito, nagtaas baba pa ang mga kilay, at tuluyan na silang umalis.

I downed from my flask as I walked back to the building. Umupo ako sa upuan sa may entrance at hinintay si Uno gaya ng pakiusap nina Stance. Hindi naman nagtagal ang paghihintay ko. I immediately saw him striding his way while raking his hair upwards, though his hair went down as soon as he brought down his hand. 

Napanguso ako. 'Pakaguwapo naman!

I was grinning when I approached him. "Sabay na tayo sa court?"

Halatang-halata ang pagkagulat ni Uno na dumaan ang ilang segundo na nakatitig lang siya sa akin. "Did you just see me or..."

"Ulrich told me about you being in the restroom. Nag-suggest sila na hintayin na lang kita and I saw no harm in that so here I am."

He slightly snorted. "Right. Mga 'yon talaga..." Napakutkot ulit siya sa kurba ng isang kilay. "Sorry."

"Luh, ano ka ba! Okay lang naman! Parang 'di friends!" giit ko at nagsimula nang maglakad kaya sumunod na rin siya.

Hindi naman kami nahuli ng dating sa court. Our co-players were still idling when we arrived at the indoor court and some were playing. Nagpaalam sa akin si Uno bago siya dumiretso sa side nilang mga male players.

Nakita ko naman sina Jenica at sila ang tinabihan ko. They were noisy so I didn't get bored even for a second. Pagkarating ni Coach Quimpo ay nagsimula na agad kami sa warm up na tumuloy na rin sa drills.

Pagkagat ng dilim, inasahan ko nang kami-kami na lang din ang natirang tao sa school. Inasahan ko na rin ang mga bulto nina Stance at Ulrich malapit sa gate na nag-aabang sa amin ni Uno.

Uno and I left the court together when my roommates bid farewell to me, an indication that they had other plans. Nag-invite naman sila na sumama ako kaso nauna na akong pumayag dito sa tatlong tore.

We filled each other with promises of next time, though. Kasi kahit na nasa iisang kuwarto kami, halos bihira ko lang talaga silang makasama. Our schedules wouldn't just match even on a regular basis. I rarely catch any of them three in our room.

"It's you again?" reaksyon ko nang malaman na si Ulrich ulit ang manlilibre ng hapunan. Palagi na lang kasi siya ang nanlilibre sa napansin ko.

Ulrich brushed the back of his head then he sheepishly nodded his head at me. Maagap din na kumunot ang mga kilay nito. "'Wag ka ngang insulto d'yan, Rivithymia!"

My eyes widened a fraction at how he dropped my full first name. Although it stunned me, I didn't delve on where he discovered that. "Huh? 'Di naman kita ininsulto, ah."

Mahinang humalakhak si Uno sa tabi ko. I turned my head to look at him.

"Talo kasi siya lagi sa Uno cards kaya siya lagi ang taya. Hope that supplied you?" he said then arched an eyebrow at me.

"Ulrich bobo sa Uno," singit ni Stance at ngumiti.

Ulrich immediately cursed and reached for Stance's head to knock harshly on it. "Ikaw ang bobo! 'Di naman kailangan ng utak do'n. Man, it's all about luck on those shitty cards!"

"Then dapat kasali ako sa laro n'yo since lagi akong nasasali sa libre?" sabi ko kay Uno. Kaming dalawa ang magkasabay maglakad dahil hinahabol ni Ulrich si Stance.

"I play for two. Kargo kita, alam na nila 'yon..." he answered seriously. "But do you wanna?"

"Of course, gusto kong maglaro!" I snapped with a tone like it should be a general knowledge. "Tuwing kailan ba kayo naglalaro?"

Nanulis bigla ang nguso ni Uno. "Uhuh, conflict."

"Huh?"

He bit his lower lip momentarily before he eyed me. "We play inside our room."

I puckered up and released a sound that seemed like a loud fart. Pinagtawanan iyon ni Uno bago siya naglatag ng solusyon.

"Hey, no worries, we'll adjust for you."

Kasama ko silang kumain noong gabing iyon at ramdam ko na talagang sanay na ako sa presensya ng tatlong tore.

It must be safe to say that we are not just acquaintances nor casual friends. If Uno offered me a ride home for the weekend, does that make him or them my close friends?

I thought so.

"What?" I snapped in attempt to break Kuya Rivo's stare filled with suspiscion.

Nanatiling nakahalukipkip si Kuya malapit sa gate ng bahay at naningkit pa nga ang mga mata. Kaaalis lang ng sasakyan ni Uno.

"Hindi ba si Zorca 'yon?"

"Siya nga," sagot ko at sinarado na ang gate.

"The owner of what you rui—"

"You don't have to remind me, Kuya!" pigil ko, nangunguso. I don't want to talk about it because the guilt is still here!

Kuya Rivo seemed taken aback from my soft outburst but he just heaved a sigh in the end. "So... Hinatid ka? O Grab driver din ba siya? Part-time?"

Kunot ang noo kong napatitig sa kanya. Kinunutan niya rin ako ng noo. Hanggang sa sumabog na ang mga tawa ko kasi seryoso pala siya sa binanggit na hula.

"Hinatid ako! Anong Grab driver ka naman..." tumatawa kong sabi habang sabay kaming pumapasok sa bahay.

"Why? Although he's clearly from a well-off family, that's the only reason I see," Kuya defended his innocent, genuine hunch. "Unless... Hm. So bakit ka naman ihahatid? Kayo ba?"

Napasinghap ako sabay ng pagbaling ng tingin sa kapatid. Mas malakas akong tumawa ngayon kumpara sa kanina. "Seriously, Kuya, there's something wrong with your mind right now."

"Asus," he huffed.

"Acer," sabi ko.

Kuya Rivo scowled, quickly grasping my corny retort. Lumala lang naman ang mga tawa ko. Sure ako na baliw na ang tingin sa akin ni Kuya kasi umiiling-iling na siya habang nakatingin!

"Boyfriend mo na 'yun, 'no?"

"Hindi nga, Kuya!" I argued, my laughter intensifying every second.

"Aminin mo na. Okay lang naman, e." Umangat ang sulok ng mga labi niya sa isang ngiti. I didn't know if it was just me but his smile appeared like a tease. "Based on first impressions only. I like him."

"Yay, thanks! My close friend is okay with you!" sabi ko at tumakbo na sa hagdanan bilang takas sa mga hindi makatotohanan niyang theories.

"If he's courting, you have my blessing! Say yes!" sigaw ni Kuya mula sa baba, hindi sumunod sa akin sa taas.

Hindi na ako sumagot at dumiretso na lang sa kuwarto ko. Pinipilig-pilig ko pa ang ulo habang binababa ang bag hanggang sa hinahanap ang remote ng air con. Malinis ko namang iniwan ang kuwarto ko last week kaya ganoon pa rin iyon sa pagdating ko. I just took a quick rest before I started doing my school requirements.

"Oh. Happy Chinese New Year raw sabi ni Zorca." Naunang mabasa ni Kuya Rivo sa screen ko ang dumating na text ni Uno habang nasa sala kami.

Suminghap ako. "Kuya naman, eh."

Humalakhak lang ang sira-ulo.

I spent the weekend in our home with Kuya Rivo's tease from time to time. It was already bothering me in an irksome kind. Binalaan ko nga siyang hindi bibigyan ng in-order kong strawberry cheesecake. But then he doesn't really like strawberry so he continued pressing a malicious thing between me and Uno! 'Kakainis!

Thankful tuloy ako nang nakabalik na ulit sa dorm. Siya ang naghatid sa akin at bago ako bumaba ng sasakyan, panunukso pa rin sa amin ni Uno ang narinig ko.

In the middle of that week, my roommates and I finally scheduled a hangout that all of us agreed to consider long overdue. Actually, wala namang ilangan sa amin sa kuwarto pero kulang talaga kami sa hangout.

Kaya sina Jenica, Patrice, at Rhea ang kasama ko sa lunch sa isang chicken wings house malapit lang sa school. As far as I could remember, I'd already been here with the three towers.

"Honestly, akala ko masungit ka, Patrice. Kasi... ano, may resting bitch face ka," I confessed as a contribution to our topic about first impressions.

Humagalpak si Patrice sa tawa. Hawak niya pa sa ere ang mapayat na buto ng pakpak ng manok na kinakain. "I get that a lot, Rivi! Wala, e, natural na resting bitch face ko!"

"Si Rivi naman, mukhang inosente tingnan. Parang soft baby girl na gusto mo na lang ilayo sa maruming mundo," singit naman ni Rhea. "Literal na soft skin din! Inggit ako!"

My eyes widened. "Grabe naman, nakaka-overwhelm sinabi mo! But hey, I'm not that innocent. It might not be obvious but... err... I know things!"

"Uy, totoo. Nagulat nga 'ko na ang galing nitong mag-smash sa training. I mean, Rivi, don't get me wrong. Hindi lang halata sa soft mong awra!" Jenica chimed in.

"You like my smash?" tanong ko, ginanahan at halos manlaki ang mga mata sa tuwa.

May giit ang tango ni Jenica. "Idol ko smash mo. Sa lalaki, 'yung kay Zorca ang gusto ko."

"Ah, oo, si Uno—" I was cut off when my cellphone resting on my lap stole my attention by vibrating. "Oh, wait. Speaking of," sambit ko nang makita ang pangalan ng caller. Uno.

"Ay, ang clingy naman ng boyfriend mo," sabi ni Jenica, nakadungaw rin sa screen ko dahil magkatabi kami.

My forehead creased as I eyed her who didn't retrieve her words. Napagod na ako kay Kuya Rivo kaya sinagot ko na lang si Uno gamit ang kaliwang kamay dahil may glove ang kanan.

"Hello?" bungad ko.

"Hi. Malapit na training, ah. Maaga ngayon kasi wala sina Coach mamayang hapon, alam mo?"

"Ah, yes. Kumain lang ako with my roommates. I guess, sabay na kami ni Jenica."

"Ah..." Natagalan bago siya may idugtong. "Sige, Vi. I just reminded you about the practice."

"Alright. Thanks about that," I said, sounding like one with a cheeky smile.

Hindi ko alam pero parang narinig ko rin ang ngiti ni Uno. "Bye..."

"Bye!"

Ibinaba ko na ulit ang cellphone ko sa lap ko. I was about to intake the last of my meal when Jenica spoke.

"Ba't narinig ko name ko at na sa'kin ka sasabay? Naku, Rivi! Sa boyfriend mo ka na sumabay at baka mainis pa sa'kin si Zorca!"

I smiled awkwardly. "Hindi... ko boyfriend si Uno."

Both of her eyebrows jerked up in shock but there was still a remnant of disbelief in her face. "Hindi... pa," aniya, tunog nangtatama.

Napatitig ako sa kanya at bumuga na lang ng hininga. Really, there's something wrong with the people around me.