Chapter 9

New Beginnings

Katatapos lang ng huling klase nila kaya gusto munang magpahinga sana ni Rigo sa classroom dahil wala namang gagamit na kasunod nila. But Jachin had other plans. He wanted to play billiards sa may tambayan malapit sa kanila. It was a hiden gem that they had discovered and kept from other students para hindi dumami ang tao tuwing sila ang pupunta.

“Tara?” aya ni Jachin. Nakatayo na ito at nakasukbit na ang bag sa balikat. He didn’t look tired at all even after staying up late last night and having to wake up for a 7 am class today.

Samantalang si Rigo ay halos hindi na makatayo sa upuan niya sa sobrang antok, and it’s only Monday.

“Si Abe na lang ayain mo,” Rigo clasped his hands together and pleaded. He really was tired. Mamaya ay papasok pa siya sa talyer dahil kailangan din siya ng ama niya roon. Rigo wished a huge ass salonpas would be invented soon para sakto sa likod niya.

“Busy ‘yon. Baka nasa klase pa,” Jachin reminded him and then turned to Amara, who still hadn't left the classroom either. “Ams, sama ka? Malapit lang ‘yon.”

Ngumiti ito bago isinara ang bag. “Sure. Kung sasama si Rigo.”

Her short bob cut moved with the slight wind that caught it as she approached their spot at the back of the classroom. Nasa bandang harap kasi ito nakaupo kanina. Dala nito ang puting sweater na nakatali sa dibdib niya kanina, hiding her chest a little because her sundress exposed a good amount of skin.

Napalingon si Rigo sa kanya at bahagyang ngumiti nang makita na hinihintay nito ang desisyon niya. Amara had her arms crossed on her chest and her lips tilted in a teasing smile. “Ayaw mo bang makitang matalo kita?” she asked him, not breaking eye contact.

Rigo let out a heavy sigh and stood up, not wanting to back down on a challenge. He took a step forward in her direction and bent his head a little so that he could whisper near her ear. “Asa.”

Narinig niya ang tawa ni Jachin sa gilid niya. “Si yabang naman ‘to.”

Nagkibit balikat si Rigo at pinulot ang bag niyang nasa lapag para isukbit ito sa balikat niya. “Tara na. Kulit n’yo ‘no? ‘Di kayo mapirmi para magpahinga.”

“Minsan na nga lang tayo tumambay do’n.”

In the end, Jachin was so pushy that Rigo found himself catching the cue stick from him. Kasama nila si Amara na maglalaro rin. She wanted to go against Rigo and he just couldn’t deny her a challenge.

Meanwhile, she decided to order something to eat so they could munch on something while playing.

“Kapag nanalo ako, ibig sabihin makaka-graduate ako,” Jachin placed himself to take the first shot.

Umiling si Rigo at ngumisi sa kaibigan niya. “Maghanda ka na ng pang-retake mo next sem.”

“Napakayabang talaga ni gago, oh.”

Rigo turned his back on the table after successfully shooting multiple balls inside the pocket, to approach where Amara was seated. Nanonood lang muna ito sa kanila. “May fries na?”

“Yup,” Amara replied and pulled the plate of fries closer to the end of the table so it would be easier for him to eat. “You want?”

Rigo placed the cue stick next to the table, against the wall para nakatayo pa rin ito, but before he could even answer, Amara had already forked a couple of fries at nakaabang na ang kamay nito.

Napatigil si Rigo saglit dahil hindi naman niya hiningi na subuan siya nito. But she was already waving the fork. “Ito na. Para hindi na madumihan kamay mo.”

Rigo couldn’t help but feel a little embarrassed as he bent down to level his eyes with hers and take the fries in one mouthful. For a moment, Amara couldn’t look at him, and Rigo thought about teasing her about it, but as soon as his eyes left hers, it collided with Fatima’s who was just coming in with Abe.

Nabuga ni Rigo ang fries na nginunguya niya, coughing so hard that he had to cover his mouth. Agad siya inabutan ni Amara ng tissue para pahiran ang bibig niya.

Fatima’s hair was in a messy bun on top of her head and a slight scowl evident on her forehead. Hindi naman bago kay Rigo na minsan ay wala ito sa mood, but he couldn’t help but think that she saw that little moment between him and Amara.

Diretsong lumakad si Fatima at nilagpasan siya para umupo sa bakanteng upuan sa likod ng table nila ni Amara. Abe trailed behind her, still wearing his all white uniform. Lumingon ito sa kanya at tumango.

Rigo grabbed his arm. “Ba’t kayo nandito?”

“Ah—”

Before Abe could answer, Fatima pulled the chair hard enough to scratch the floor. “Pinasunod kami ni Jachin.”

Jachin inserted himself between Rigo and Abe to steal a drink from the table. He took a sip before turning to Rigo. “Sabi ko kung wala silang ginagawa sumunod na lang dito.”

“Don’t worry, uuwi rin ako mamaya,” Fatima grumbled. She didn’t know why her mood suddenly soured when she was a little excited to come here and hangout with her friends just a few minutes ago.

Ipinakilala sila ni Jachin kay Amara na ka-klase pala nila ni Rigo at kasama nila sa major project nila for finals. The girl was pretty and nice, a permanent smile painted on her lips as she greeted them. Makinis at maputi ito at singkit ang mata, probably of foreign descent. She exuded warmth that even Fatima could feel why the boys were drawn to her. She was comfortable and pleasant to be around with.

Fatima felt a slight twinge in her stomach at the thought of being the exact opposite of Amara. Even before she got pregnant, she was already moody and irritable, and now it was like a hundred times worse. Hindi niya nga alam kung paano siya natagalan ng mga kaibigan niya.

Nang maiwan silang dalawa ni Amara sa lamesa dahil maglalaro na sina Jachin ay napatingin ito sa librong dala dala ni Fatima. She bought a couple of books about early pregnancy stages to help her cope and learn. Alam niya na marami pa siyang kailangang matutunan and most of them aren’t going to come from books, but it wouldn’t hurt to also read.

“Kung ano mang naririnig mo, it’s true,” Fatima confirmed, her eyes never leaving the pages. If she was going to be a normal occurrence in their group, then might as well tell her and confirm what everyone was asking of her. Hindi naman niya maitatago nang matagal ang pagbubuntis niya.

Amara put her fork down and slowly wiped hand. “I wasn’t really going to ask. I know it’s personal.” She smiled warmly at her before pushing the food closer to Fatima’s plate.

Tumango lang si Fatima at bumalik sa pagbabasa. She didn’t have much to say to her just yet.

“You know, Rigo talks about you a lot,” she chuckles. Fatima’s attention immediately went to her. And then Amara made a big gesture using her hands. “Like a lot.”

“Well, he shouldn’t.”

Kumunot ang noo nito. “Why? You’re his friend.”

Except, I’m not just his friend, Fatima wanted to tell her. She never was going to be just his friend, especially after everything. When they crossed that line, there was no going back.

When Rigo grasped her jaw to kiss her deeply. When she caved into the pleasure of his kiss and tugged his neck to savor the feeling. They both knew then that they could never go back to the old Fatima and Rigo.

Fatima flipped the page of the book before her eyes rose once again to meet Amara’s curious ones. “Because people might think differently. Baka isipin nila na girlfriend niya ako, and ayokong mangyari ‘yon.”

“Can I ask why?”

Fatima contemplated whether she was ready to tell her, but then decided otherwise. She didn’t think she was ready to tell her, and it would just feed her the wrong notion. “I just don’t want it.”

In truth, it’s because she didn’t want to hinder him in finding his own person. She wanted Rigo to be happy and find someone he can burn his time with. She wanted him to find someone who won’t shy away from his love.

And that wasn’t her. It shouldn’t be.

☂

After over an hour of playing, Fatima stood up and started to pack her bags. She had to prepare for her work tomorrow and try to sleep as early as she can tonight.

Lumapit sa kanya si Rigo, and even without turning to look at him, his presence alone made Fatima want to lean on him for comfort. “Aalis ka na?”

“Yeah. May trabaho ako bukas.”

“You got it?” Rigo blinked in surprise. “Congrats, Fats.” Akmang aakbay ito sa kanya para yumakap, but Fatima was quick to turn away from him.

She gave him a tight smile. “Thank you. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Teka lang—” Rigo caught her wrist to stop her from walking away. Kunot-noo nitong sinalubong ang mga mata niya, searching and finding none. “Galit ka ba? If tungkol sa pagdala namin kay Amara dito sa tambayan—”

“I’m not. Bakit naman ako magagalit?”

“Mukha lang galit ka sa ‘kin, e.” Rigo scratched the back of his head. “May nagawa ba akong mali? Pinapansin mo naman sina Abe.”

Fatima sighed. It was going to be difficult to stop herself from admiring the way Rigo would soften the edge of his voice when he’s pouting and making a fuss; the way he would try to convince her to do something just by the wrinkling of the corner of his eyes.

“Hindi nga ako galit. Ang OA mo minsan. Aalis na ako. Ingat kayo pauwi mamaya.”

“Hindi ka man lang magpapahatid sa ‘kin?” Rigo leaned his hips on the table next to them. “May problema talaga. Galit ka talaga sa ‘kin.”

Fatima shushed him. “Ang ingay mo. Kaya ko namang umuwi mag-isa.”

“Fatima. . .” he whined. “‘Di ba driver mo nga ako? Ayan ka na naman sa pag-iwan sa sarili mong driver.”

“You’re so whiny! Tigilan mo ‘yan.” Fatima glared at him before pushing his body away from her para makaalis na. “Aalis na ako.”

Rigo sighed, massaging the bridge of his nose. “At least text me ‘pag nakarating na.”

Tuloy tuloy lang naglakad si Fatima at kumaway lang kay Rigo bilang sagot.

☂

Rigo didn’t think he’d have to go through this again, but here he was, dropping off a lady. But this time, it’s different because they didn’t arrive here after a date or after a one-time hookup that they both mutually agreed to end once the night is over.

He was simply dropping off Amara so he knows she got home safe. Responsibilidad niya pa ring siguraduhin na makauwi ito kahit ‘di naman siya ang nag-aya para lumabas.

“Thank you,” Amara swallowed hard, urging her mouth to move and speak. “Thank you for today. First time n’yo akong ayain na sumama sa inyo.”

Bumaling sa kanya si Rigo at ngumiti. “‘Di ko alam na magaling ka pala magbilyar. Sa’n ka natuto?”

Bahagyang natawa si Amara. She angled her body so she could turn to face Rigo, and tilted her head a little. “Secret. Impressed?”

Agad na dumapo ang tingin ni Rigo sa labi niya. It was painted with a soft cherry color that made her lingering gaze very difficult to avoid.

“Medyo,” Rigo reached for the steering wheel and gripped it hard. “Unexpected din. Pero maganda ‘yon para may isa pa kaming kalaro.”

Amara smiled and caught her bottom lip between her teeth. It was now or never. “Rigo. . .  after our project, will you do something with me?”

“Hmm?” Rigo turned his eyes back to her. “Ano ‘yon?”

Amara licked her lips and tried to regulate her voice so it wouldn't be as shaky as she felt. “Will you go out with me?”

Rigo’s eyes widened and he blinked a couple of times, trying to digest what he just heard. And it wasn’t even because he wasn’t aware that Amara liked him. He felt it too whenever it would just be the two of them while Jachin was off somewhere. He felt it in the way her gaze would zero on him, giving him her full attention whenever he was speaking. He felt it in the way she would lean closer whenever they’d walk side by side.

But that was just it. He just felt it and it never once crossed his mind to act on it.

Yet here she was asking him.

When Rigo didn’t answer, Amara let out a thin laugh, equal parts embarrassed and confused as to why she would even ask him that when it was obvious that he wasn’t interested. “You know what, I’m sorry I asked. It’s–it’s okay if you don’t want to.”

She turned to pull the door but Rigo’s voice stopped her.

“I didn’t say that.” Rigo slowly smiled. He didn’t know what came to him, but he couldn’t stop those words from slipping out of his mouth even if he tried.

Amara felt herself blush underneath his stare. It might be a small thing for all the women before her, but to her, this was something. A beginning of sorts. A petal of hope.

She quickly unclipped her seatbelt and stretched to reach for Rigo on the other side of the console. Hinawakan niya ang mukha nito at mabilis na pinatakan ng halik ang labi nito. It was a soft and gentle kiss, her lips only parting a little at the sigh of relief she felt. And the time in between them seemed to stop for a moment to allow them both to feel the soft tingles on their fingertips.

At that moment, Rigo decided that he can’t be the only one to be stuck in the past anymore.

#smdysnwp