Chapter 12 #smashedsrs

"Rivi, sorry talaga..."

I took the time opening my eyes then found the source of the apologetic voice by the lower deck where I was. Kumapit si Rhea sa braso ko, alalang-alala. Para tuloy akong binibista sa hospital nito. I giggled and softly slapped her hand.

"Ano ka ba— Achoo! This is not your fau— Achoo!"

"Sus, totoo, Rivi! Hinawaan ka niyan ni Rhea!" asar ni Patrice habang nakatayo sa malapit at namamalantsa ng buhok.

"Ibibili kita ng meds," Rhea attempted to resolve it. "Ano ba'ng meds mo kapag may sakit ka? Hiyang ka ba kay John Lloyd Cruz?"

I shook my head while rubbing my nose harshly because it was getting too itchy for my endurance. Hindi na ako magugulat kung si Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer ang makikita ko kapag nanalamin ako. My lips puckered on their own at the thought.

"H'wag na, Rhea. I have my medicine kit here."

Napanguso si Rhea, biglang nawalan ng pag-asa. It made my pout from the previous thought linger too. How am I going to stray her away from blaming herself for this?

She's the one who had the flu these past days. It was because the other day, she had no choice but to jog her way to the dorm under the drizzle since she had no umbrella. Kahapon lang siya gumaling at kanina, nagising ako na bumabahing. Sinisisi niya tuloy ang sarili. She thinks I caught her flu. Pero hindi ko naman kasi siya sinisisi, eh.

"Eh 'di ano na lang magagawa ko for you? Please, Rivi, makabawi lang!"

"Uubo siya tapos langhapin mo. Bawiin mo 'yung virus ta's ikaw ulit magpagaling," natatawang singit ni Jenica.

She's all dressed already, lying on her bed, scrolling through her iPad as she and Rhea wait for Patrice to finish curling her hair for today's class. Si Rhea nga, ito at abala na aluin ako rito sa may bed ko.

"Dugyot mo, Jen," Patrice commented, to which Jenica burst out laughing more.

"E, lagot si Rhea niyan kay Zorca. Hinawaan ang girlfriend nang malapit na ang Valentine's. Paano sila magde-date?"

"Hindi—" I sneezed, "ko boyf—" I sneezed, "boyfriend—" I sneezed again, what the fuck?

"Sis, wala kaming maintindihan. Ipahinga mo na lang 'yan," naawa na sabi ni Patrice. "Para makapag-date kayo ng boyfriend mo sa 14."

Patrice set down the hair iron and unplugged it. Jenica witnessed that, earning a moan of rejoice from her throat. Nangingiting umiling naman ako.

"Sa wakas, tapos na rin siyang mag-ayos for a freaking party in the... classroom!" sarkastikong bulalas ni Jenica nang ilapag na ang iPad at tumayo na.

Hininaan nila ang air con bago ko sila hinatid ng tingin palabas ng kuwarto namin. I took time staring at the closed door, deciding if I should let my body glued to bed the entire day... o gumawa rin ako ng assignments.

Nagtalukbong na ulit ako ng kumot nang takip hanggang ulo. Ah, screw the assignments! I excuse myself because I'm sick!

I already felt my eyelids turning heavy when soft knocks were heard along by the silent noise of the air con. My forehead creased under the blanket. May naiwan ba ang roommates ko? Pero may susi naman sila, so why is there a need to knock?

Nagtataka ako nang bumangon at bumaba sa kama ko. I flinched upon my soles having contact with the cold tiles of the floor. Sinuot ko agad ang fluffy slippers ko at yakap ang sarili nang tahakin ang pinto at buksan ito.

Pabahing ako nang saktong bubuksan ang pinto kaya ipinaling ko sa gilid ang ulo ko. After sneezing, I checked who was the visitor and I was welcomed by Uno's worried gaze.

"Uno? Uno!"

"I was waiting for you downstairs. Mga roommate mo lang ang bumaba at sinabi nila na may sakit ka. How are you feeling?"

Bigla ay walang preno siyang humakbang papasok at idinampi ang likod ng palad sa noo ko. My head almost spun at the way my eyes enlarged in shock. Napansin agad ni Uno kaya nahaluan din ng gulat ang pag-aalala.

"I'm..." He cleared his throat. "I'm sorry." Ibinaba niya ang kamay at umatras ulit palabas ng hamba.

Binaba ko ang tingin sa mga paa niyang bumalik nga ulit sa labas. Pagtaas ko muli ng tingin, mahinang napatawa na ako. Uno shyly brushed the back of his neck while his other hand was kept in the pocket of his pants.

"Ano ka ba, come in!"

"You sure that it's okay?"

Nauna na ako sa kanya kaya nakatalikod ako nang narinig iyon. I flumped back on my bed then I looked up at him, narrowing my eyes.

"Pa'no ka naman nakapasok? Bawal ang male visitors sa 'min, ah."

Pinapasadahan niya ng tingin ang buong kuwarto namin bago siya tumigil sa harapan ko at tiningnan ako. He's really tall, huh? Mananakit yata mga batok namin, magkatinginan lang. It didn't really help that I was sitting and he absolutely towered over me.

"Befriended your lady guard," sagot niya. "Pero kasi, nag-promise ako na hindi ako aabot ng isang oras..."

Namamangha na nagtaas ako ng isang kilay. "Naka-close mo... with that limited amount of time?"

Kumibit balikat si Uno. "May background na. Kilala na rin talaga kaming tatlo kasi si Stance, madalas din magawi rito."

Nangulubot bigla ang noo niya nang tingnan ang paligid ko. I scanned my surrounding in curiosity and then I giggled weakly. Isa na namang bahing ang pumutol sa bungisngis ko.

"Thought you already knew, boyfriend?" tukso ko at idiniin ang huling salita.

I was still wearing my pink pajamas when I pulled my legs up to sit cross-legged, then I grabbed my blanket with the Strawberry Shortcake cartoon as its design to cover them.

Napangiti tuloy si Uno at taas-noo na sumagot. "Of course, alam ko. My strawberry girl."

Napabahing muna ako bago napabungisngis muli habang inilibot ng tingin ang kuwarto namin, specifically sa puwesto ko. It's a cakewalk to determine which are my stuff because mostly are pink or with strawberry ornaments.

Natakam tuloy ako nang makita ang glass jar ko ng strawberry jam. It's from Baguio that Kuya Rivo got me when he went there. Paubos na nga, e... 'Kalungkot naman.

"Nag-breakfast ka na?" tanong ko nang tumayo upang tumungo sa may pantry area namin. May nakita rin kasi akong loaf bread.

"Oh, shoot," I heard him mumble. "'Di ako nakapagdala ng food mo."

I glanced at him. "Huh? No worries! Tara rito. Ito na lang. Kumain ka na ba?"

Saka ko lang napagtanto na hindi pa nga ako kumain ng agahan. Being sick or burdening physical pain really equates to my laziness. Lalo na kapag period cramps, huminga na lang siguro ang kaya kong ikilos.

"Actually." His voice loudened, maybe because he was nearing me. "Inaabangan ka naming tatlo tapos sabay uli tayo mag-silog sa kinakainan namin. But I told them to go first."

"Uhuh. Hindi ka pa ba mali-late sa class mo?" I asked when I took a hold of the bread knife.

I was about to uncap the jar of the spread when Uno gently held my wrist, stopping me. "Let me," aniya nang tingnan ko.

"Uno, sipon lang naman 'to. Kaya ko—"

But he didn't listen and gently took the stuff from my also gentle grip. Hinayaan ko na lang siya dahil mukhang desidido siya na gawing madali ang lahat sa buhay ko ngayon. I watched him with my pouty lips.

I badly wanted to reunite with the soft mattress of my bed, but I hate eating on it and imagining the crumbs of my food falling onto areas. Tiniis ko na lang ang matigas na upuan sa dining at tinabihan agad ako ni Uno.

I almost thought that the main course for breakfast was the silence. Sabay lang kaming kumain ni Uno kasi sinabi kong handaan niya rin ang sarili niya. I would just beam at him every time our eyes would meet but was always cut by my sneezes.

Oddly, it was a silence that didn't bother me even a tad bit. Naisip ko lang kasi na awkward ang ganoong situwasyon kaso hindi naging ganoon ang dating. Uno was comfort personified, I concluded upon finishing my bread.

I took a medicine with Uno making sure that I would before he tucked me back into bed. Napapangiti pa siya sa sarili niya habang tinitingnan ang kumot kong pink na pink tapos papasadahan din ng tingin ang iba kong gamit.

"Thank you, Uno," saad ko. I mean kasi... hindi niya naman 'to kailangan gawin. Such a really nice friend I got here, huh?

From my things, his eyes darted to me and he smiled brightly. "Ikaw pa."

Ngumiti rin ako at nagkatinginan lang kami. Maybe it was after three seconds when he stepped back a little then headed to the doorway. Kumaway pa siya isang beses sa akin bago tuluyang lumabas.

Ako naman, manghang-mangha dahil halos mauntog na siya sa itaas na bahagi ng door frame. Napakatangkad talaga. I'm not really height deprived but I just really admire the tallness of Uno and his friends. Ewan, nakakaguwapo lang kasi sa kanila.

I puffed out a sigh as I pulled my blanket over my head. Ipinikit ko na lang ang mga mata ko kaso... bigla na lang lumitaw sa isip ko lahat ng nangyari nitong nakaraang mga minuto lang.

Uno really came here and did all that, wow, he was so nice.

I got better immediately. Kinabukasan lang ay halos ayos na ako. I still had colds but it wasn't stuffed that I almost couldn't breathe. Maluwag naman na akong nakahihinga. Iyon at maluwag na ring nakahihinga si Rhea.

"Yehey, makakapag-date kayo ni Zorca!" my roommates rejoiced and I jokingly rolled my eyes at them.

It was February 14 already. Pinipilit talaga nilang tatlo na kami raw ni Uno tapos tanggi naman ako nang tanggi. I'm not against having Uno as a boyfriend but then of course, it's not true!

Nasa campus na kami ay talagang tinatanong nila kung ano raw ang plans namin ni Uno. I disclaimed their assumptions over and over but they really wouldn't just let it go. Buti nga nagkaiba na kami ng mga dadaanan, eh.

Kasi wala kaming plans, but sure naman akong may plans si Uno ngayon. Because as an attentive fake girlfriend, ex-fake girlfriend rather, my fake boyfriend's birthdate retained in my memory. February 14.

Medyo panicky nga ako kasi wala man lang akong regalo. Since with how he was so far, he deserved a present from one of the receivers of his kindness. Siguro... cake na lang?

Fine, actually, I already placed an order on one of the Instagram online shops serving customized cakes last, last night which would be delivered today.

The panicky side of me was just caused by my lack of material gift. Pero sa tingin ko, hindi naman materialistic si Uno. Napahinga na lang ako nang malalim, sumusuko, at inaasa na lang sa cake ang lahat. It should suffice.

I had to wait for the delivery rider outside the school. Pagkatapos, sakto na vacant ni Uno nang ayain ko siyang magkita kami sa plaza. Pagkarating ko nga, nagulat ako na nandoon din sina Stance at Ulrich.

"Hey," bati ko.

I claimed the spot beside Uno because it was the one free. His friends were in front, maliciously eyeing us. Nakahalumbaba sila at may nakalolokong ngisi. Hindi naman ako stupid na hindi makakaintindi.

Seriously, what is wrong with the people around us?! Magsama-sama nga sila nina Rhea, Patrice, at Jenica!

I brushed them aside by handing my gift to Uno. "Happy birthday, Juno Jupiter!" I said animatedly. Some of the schoolmates passing by even tossed me a glance.

I grinned sheepishly but that was just for a fleeting moment. Mas natuon na ako sa reaksyon ni Uno sa ibinigay ko. His lips were pulled apart, widening my grin. I was so elated that it indeed surprised him.

"T-Thanks, Vi," he muttered, still under the state of shock. Nakatungo siya at tinitingnan iyon bago ako inangatan ng tingin. His eyes were sparkling, highlighting his undeniable charm.

And then a smile appeared. OMG, ang Prince Charming ng dating!

Pinigilan ko nga lang ang umirap nang nanunuksong humiyaw ang dalawa sa background. It didn't end there because they still opened their mouths which was very, very unnecessary.

"'By' raw, brad, o?!" si Ulrich na exaggerated, as usual.

"Baby," kutya ni Stance at nangisi nang maliit.

Sumimangot ako, medyo naiinis na rin. "It's 'Vi' from my name, 'Rivi'. Bingi n'yo, ha."

"Denial, asus!"

"Acer," I deadpanned.

Napahagalpak si Ulrich na lumakas kada segundo kahit wala namang sumuporta sa kaniya. Pangisi-ngisi lang si Stance na tandem niya dapat.

"Tawang-tawa?!" I snapped, finding his laughter unbelievable.

"Stop it, Jones," saway na ni Uno. He was attempting to uncover what was my gift and as he did so, he eyed me softly. "Ano 'to, Vi, cake?"

Napakagat ako sa ibabang labi ko at tumango. His smile widened as he finally revealed the customized top layer of the cake. It was minimal white and a minimal black text.

happy valentine's, bente uno.

"Aba, two in one," komento ni Stance nang makita rin. "Birthday at Valentine's."

"Uy, brad, happy birthday ulit!" Ulrich stood and he encircled his arm around Uno's broad shoulders. He sounded hoarse from the extreme laughter. "Ang wish ko sa'yo... uhm... sana mabuhay ka nang matagal, hangga't kailan mo gusto, kahit hanggang ikaw na lang matira sa mundo."

Nauwi na naman sa simangot ang itsura ko. His forehead had trenches, a sign of deep thinking. I thought he was serious! Si Uno rin ay banas na inalis ang braso ni Ulrich na nagpaubaya naman.

"Ang wish ko sa'yo, sana makapasa ako sa Taxation," ani Stance.

"That's for you," puna ni Uno, seryosong minata si Stance.

"Oo nga. E, sa 'yon wish ko, walang pakialamanan."

Kaagad na sumabog ang tawa ni Ulrich tapos sabay kaming napasimangot ni Uno. Ano ba naman 'tong mga friends niya, ang sarap na lang itakwil.

"Hey," agaw atensyon ko na lang. "I wish that whatever you wish for, it will come true. Kasi thankful ako na nabago mo ang special date na maaalala ko every February 14. Birthday mo na."

Saka ko lang napagtanto kung ano ang nasabi ko nang natahimik silang tatlo. Lahat ng mga mata nila ay nakatuon sa akin, nag-aabang na punan ko ang kakulangan.

"Ah. Anniversary namin ng ex ko..." I glanced at Uno because he somewhat had an idea about it. "Ni Lizeo? Anniversary namin ang February 14." I laughed a little.

Stance jerked his chin at Uno. "Double kill, brad."

"Pangit birthday mo at Valentine's," Ulrich seconded, teasingly just as Stance.

Nagkasalubong ang mga kilay ni Uno na katabi ko. I noticed that one of his hands was clenched near the cake, same as his jawline displayed in front of me.

"Ayaw ko na mag-birthday. Papapalitan ko kay Mommy 'yung sa birth certificate ko," aniya, mahina ngunit may riin.

Napansin kong nagkatinginan si Stance at Ulrich tila may ikinabigla. Para bang may natanggap silang hindi inaasahan. Ako, nabigla rin sa kay Uno. Come again?!