❝ HEARD IT, FOR SURE  ❞

"Putangina, Monday nanaman."

Pagod at reklamong sabi ng iba mong mga kaklase, and some are sleeping inside the classroom bago pa magsimula ang first subject. Mostly ang mga kaklase mo ngayon ay wala pa sa energy dahil gumala nung weekend.

Ikaw naman ay natutulog sa upuan mo habang sina Hakkai ay natutulog sa sahig, tapos ang ginawa nilang unan ay mga bags nila. Gano'n din ang iba, at iilan nalang ang gising.

"Uy uy! Kwento mo naman 'yung nangyari sa Revel nu'ng isang araw." Bulong ni Rindou sa likod ng upuan nina Koko at Kakucho.

"Hoy, Rindou, 'di ba taga kabilang section ka? Ginagawa mo rito?!" Bungad naman ni Makoto.

"Do'n ka na nga. Dami mong ineebas. Saglit lang 'to." Sagot naman ni Rindou. "'Di nga kita sinumbong nung sinira mo pangkilay ni ma'am nung grade ten, e." 

"Anong kwento?" Pagtataas naman ng kilay ni Kakucho.

"'Yung sa Revel nga, 'yung sa club, 'yung kasama natin sina Helian."

"O ano naman kekwento ko ro'n?"

"Asus putangina mo kunwari ka pa. Ang wild mo nga nu'ng gabing 'yon, e. Tanginang mga sagot 'yan sa fast talk, tsaka nawala kaya kayo nang matagal nina Helian pagtapos no'n. Ano ginawa niyo, ha? Nangyari ba ulit 'yung sa Xylo? Part two?" Sabi ni Rindou.

"What the fuck..." Kakucho just sighed as he rubbed his forehead in distress. "It's fucking Monday." 

"Okay, confirmed. 'Ge alis na 'ko. Chismis lang naman habol ko rito. Boring sa classroom namin, e. Bye!" Sabi ni Rindou at gumapang paalis ng classroom nila dahil baka may teacher na makakita.

Nagising ka naman nang biglaan dahil sa ingay ng mga kaklase mo. You yawned as you looked around, at mukhang wala pa ang teacher. Mukhang bad mood ang pagka-gising mo dahil sinungitan mo lang sina Makoto nang dumaan sila sa harapan mo.

Babalik ka na sana nang tulog hanggang sa lumingon ka ulit at nakita mo si Kakucho na nakikipagkwentuhan kina Koko. Nasa may likuran siyang seat habang ikaw ay nasa front seat.

Agad ka namang nagpanic dahil naalala mo ang nangyari nu'ng isang gabi. After that occurrence, you and Kakucho never interacted again.

Humarap ka ulit sa desk mo, ngunit hindi mo maiwasan na lumingon muli, at ngayon naman, ay naka-tingin na rin si Kakucho sa direksyon mo.

Nanlaki ang mga mata mo at agad kang humarap sa board.

You really don't know how to face Kakucho after that!

"Antok parin ako."

Komento nina Emma habang nasa canteen kayo dahil lunch time niyo. Ikaw naman ay may dala-dalang portable fan na pink sa magkabilaang kamay.

"Gusto ko nang umuwi. Takteng 'yan may quiz pa." Sabi naman ni Hakkai.

"Oo nga. Palaging may pinapasagutan pero 'di naman nagd-discuss." Sagot naman nina Ashanti. "Ehem ehem, si sir ano." 

"Ew, why does it taste like this?" You said, almost gagging at the salad you bought in the canteen.

"Imagine, 'yung pang-sawsaw na nilagay nila is 'yung panghugas ng mga plato." Komento ni Hakkai.

"YUCK!" You gasped.

"'De joke lang. Edi mag-order ka ulit! Maka-react naman 'to."

"The pila is so long. Lunch time is almost over." Sambit mo naman.

"Ay, ayun o, sina Kakucho naka-pila rin! Maki-singit ka nalang. Hehe." Sabi nina Emma.

"What? Hell no." You grumbled.

"E ikaw bahala. Gugutomin ko mamaya. Sayang naman o, malapit na matapos sa pila sina Kakucho." Sabi ni Hakkai.

"E, okay fine. Come with me. Samahan niyo ako." You said.

"Luh! Ikaw nalang! Nando'n naman sina Kakucho, e."

Ayaw mo direktang sabihin kina Hakkai kung bakit iniiwasan mo si Kakucho.

"Bitch," you muttered as you rolled your eyes. "K fine."

Naglakad ka papunta sa pila, at halos kabahan ka dahil papalapit ka na kay Kakucho. Nagdalawang isip ka pa kung pipila ka nalang sa pinaka-likuran, kaso mukhang aabot ka nang ilang oras dahil sa sobrang haba at paparating na rin ang next subject niyo.

Buti nalang ay kasama ni Kakucho si Koko, kaya't siya nalang muna ang nilapitan mo.

"Hi, Koko, can I cut sa line?" You asked, at lumingon naman sina Kakucho at Koko sa'yo.

"Oh, yeah sure." Koko replied and left a space in front of him at do'n ka na pumila.

"Oy oy! Ang daya! Nakiki-singit sa pila, o!" Komento naman ng mga estudyante.

Si Kakucho, na nasa harapan nila ay lumingon and gave them a death stare. Bad trip din ang umaga nito at ingay talaga ang pinaka-ayaw niya. 

"Eto na tatahimik na nga." Bulong ng mga junior students. May pagka takot din kasi ang mga juniors sa seniors.

Buti nalang nasa gitna niyong dalawa ni Kakucho si Koko, kaya't hindi kayo magkatabi sa line.

Mabilis lang naka-order ang nasa harapan niyo, kaya't ikaw na ang sunod. Inabot mo naman ang bayad mo.

"Ay nako, hija, wala pa kaming panukli sa isang libo." Sabi ng tindera.

"Oh," you blinked. Whatever, naghanap ka nalang ng mga fifty at barya sa isa mong wallet, ngunit hirap kang magbilang! Ramdam mo rin ang tingin sa'yo ng tindera. Alam niyo 'yung feeling na nagmamadali kang ilagay 'yung sukli sa wallet kasi may mga naka-pila pa sa likod?

"Oh my gosh!" Pagpapanic mo. Feeling mo tuloy ilang oras kang nagbibilang ng pera rito. Ito rin ang isa sa weakness mo! Hindi mo rin alam kung bakit ka nag STEM.

"Bayad po para sa kanya." Sabi ng isang boses at tumingin ka naman sa likod mo to see Kakucho standing behind you habang nag-aabot ng bayad sa tindera.

"Huh?" Nagtaka ka naman dahil binigay na sa'yo ng tindera ang order mo, at na-realize mo na si Kakucho na pala ang nagbayad sa in-order mo!

Your eyes widened for a bit, pero umalis ka na rin ng pila at magpapasalamat ka na sana kay Kakucho, ngunit agad na siyang naglakad paalis kasama si Koko.

Bumalik ka nalang din sa table sa table niyo nina Hakkai, at nagtaasan naman sila ng kilay dahil sa bago mong ekspresyon.

"Wow, anong blush mo? Nagretouch ka sa banyo, 'noh? Naneto 'kala ko ba pipila ka lang." Tanong sa'yo ni Hakkai. 

Nagtaka ka naman at tumingin sa compact mirror mo, then looked at Hakkai.

"I'm not wearing any blush?"

Uwian niyo na at kakatapos lang ng school niyo kaya't dumiretso ka na pauwi pagtapos bumili sa canteen dahil wala naman nang gagawin na project o overtime.

Halos ilang minuto ka nang naghihintay sa may kanto para mag-abang ng pasada. You're in the same spot kung saan kasabay mo si Kakucho magcommute, at kung saan kayo bumili ng street food. Lumingon ka naman to see the same food stand, at kumaway ang tindera sa'yo.

"Bili ka ulit, ganda? May bago kami rito." Pag-aalok ng tindera.

"Ah, it's fine. Okay lang po..." Sagot mo naman dahil kakakain mo lang bago lumabas ng school.

Bumalik ka naman ng tingin, ngunit pansin mong may nakatayo sa gilid mo, kaya't tumingin ka at nando'n din si Kakucho, nag-aabang ng pasada. Mukhang hindi pa rin nababalik ang kotse niya, at Monday nga pala ngayon, kaya't coding ang isang kotse niya.

Kakucho is just wearing his hoodie at naka-lagay ang dalawa niyang kamay sa may bulsa nito. He looks bored, at mukhang hindi rin niya napapansin na naka-tingin sa sakniya.

"What are you looking at?" He mutters.

Nanlaki naman ang mga mata mo at agad kang lumingon sa ibang direksyon.

Ilang minuto ang nakalipas, at hindi parin kayo kumikibo. No one is initiating the conversation! Napabugtong hininga ka nalang and decided to wait for another minute, at kung wala pa talaga, mapipilitan ka nalang na mag-grab o kaya angkas.

Sakto pa talaga na nararamdaman mong umaambon. You just hoped na hindi lumakas ang ulan, lalo't nang wala ka pa naman dalang payong. Malakas din ang hangin, kaya't malamig.

"Putanginang 'yan. Natatae na nga 'ko tas ang lamig pa." Komento ng mga ibang tao na naghihintay din ng pasada sa likod niyo. Nagpigil ka naman ng tawa at lumingon ka kay Kakucho, na gano'n din ang ginagawa.

Palamig na nang palamig, kaya't you just rubbed your arms and blew through your mouth and nose.

Hindi mo namalayan na kanina ka pa napapansin ni Kakucho. He just sighed and took his hoodie off.

You looked at Kakucho dahil mukhang may binibigay sa'yo.

He's handing you his hoodie, at nang hindi mo pa kinukuha nang ilang minuto, sinabit nalang niya ito sa balikat mo, then he looked away, acting all nonchalant just after giving you his hoodie.

"Oh," you blinked, and slowly grabbed the hoodie, but since you're a very clueless person, you just stood there and stared at the hoodie.

Palakas na rin ang ulan, at hindi na ambon, kaya't nagsitakbuhan na ang mga tao para may masilungan.

Kakucho sighed then grabbed the hoodie, at siya na mismo ang nagsuot nito sa'yo.

"Oh, thank you." Bulong mo naman, just standing there awkwardly beside him while wearing his hoodie, at pati halos buong ulo mo ay naka-cover na dahil sa hood, at dahil oversized din ito sa'yo.

Kakucho noticed his oversized hoodie on you, observing you for a few seconds, then he looked away when you turned your head at him. You noticed the subtle smile on his lips as he's looking away.

At sa wakas, may dumating na rin na jeep! Syempre, nag-unahan ang mga tao. Minura mo nalang sila sa isip mo. Dikit-dikit pa tapos umuulan.

Pinauna ka na ni Kakucho, and he's just behind you.

Nang nakasakay na kayo sa loob ng jeep, you just rolled your eyes and rested for a while. Magkatabi rin kayo ni Kakucho sa loob.

"Aray," bulong ng isang sakay, at rinig niyong may nauntog sa jeep. Halos bumulwak na ang tawa mo ngunit piniligan mo. Yumuko ka nalang dahil baka mahalata pa ng mga sakay.

Tumingin ka naman kay Kakucho, who's looking at you weirdly. Wala na, feeling mo tuloy ikaw 'yung pinaka-masamang tao sa mundo dahil pinagtawanan mo 'tong nauntog sa jeep! Bakit, bawal ba?

Ilang minuto ang nakalipas, at nararamdaman mo na ang antok mo dahil na rin umuulan. Rainy days really make you feel sleepy.

You heard Kakucho coughing and you just remembered na hindi siya nakapagsilong kanina, not wearing any hoodie, o kaya naka-payong.

"Uhh, you okay?" You asked, at medyo guilty ka rin dahil suot mo ang hoodie niya.

Kakucho just nodded. Tumango ka nalang din at naghintay. Ilang minuto ang nakalipas at bumaba na rin kayo ng jeep. You looked around to see na kaunti nalang ang ibang pasada, lalo't na ang trycicle, dahil usually, ang pangalawa mong sakay ay trycicle since malapit nalang ang condo mo.

"Where do you live?" Tanong mo kay Kakucho.

"Eastwood," he said between his coughs.

"I also live there! Where banda?" You asked.

Hindi na ito sumagot at patuloy lang ang pag-ubo. Pansin mo rin na namumutla ito.

"Are you sure you're okay? You can have your hoodie back–" You said and were about to take your hoodie off, but he just refused.

"Are you sure you can still commute? Is your house kind of far from here? You can stay at my condo for a while." You offered.

Kakucho turned his head at you and raised a brow. "You're trusting a man that easily?"

"Uh? I mean it's you, tho'? I already know you?" You shrugged.

"Next time, don't just let someone enter your house." Kakucho muttered, then walked away.

"Wha–? I'm doing good deeds na ah! I'm offering you a stay. I mean, look, it's still raining blablabla. Plus there might be floods and electricity will be cut off. I mean it's up to you–" You said, but was cut off.

"Oo na, oo na. Ang dami mo pang sinasabi." Sabi ni Kakucho at nilagay and hood sa may ulo mo after walking past you.

"I can't see," bulong mo dahil mukhang napa-sobra si Kakucho sa pagbalot ang ulo mo.

Ilang minuto pa ang nakalipas at nakarating na rin kayo sa condo niyo. Hindi ka muna umuwi to your dad's mansion simply because your stepmother is there. It's better here in your condo. Mag-isa ka lang, tahimik, and you can invite any of your friends.

"Wait, I can't find my keycard." You muttered habang kinakalkal ang bag mo para hanapin ang keycard.

Kakucho sighed at you and shook his head. "You know? You're really luring yourself into danger."

"Like what?" You raised a brow.

"You should already take your keycard out when you're still in the elevator. You never know, someone might be following you. Tapos mag-isa ka pang naka-tira?" He advised.

"Oh wait, that makes sense," you purse your lips. "Well okay, noted."

"I mean, I can defend myself. Plus I don't just let strangers in, 'noh!" Dagdag mo pa.

"What defense?"

"See this?" You said, at tinutok sa kanya ang maliit mong taser at pepper spray na nakasabit sa bag mo, at talagang pink pa ang mga 'to!

Kakucho furrowed his brows and inspected your tools. He scoffed and shook his head. "These?"

"Yes, why?"

"These look cheap. Do you think these would even work?" Kakucho asked.

"Well, I don't know. I just bought them from Shopee. Just go inside! You're getting sick!" You shouted, pushing him.

"Yeah, whatever. Just don't let a man in, except–" He said, but was cut off by your sudden reply.

Napatingin ka naman sa kanya. "Except...?"

"Except me," he said, then walks inside, leaving you there with a confused yet flustered face.

Nang pagkapasok mo sa condo, agad ka namang naligo while Kakucho waits on the couch. Halos magpanic ka rin sa loob ng banyo and squealed while jumping around. Hindi mo alam kung kinakabahan ka o kung ano na. Plus it's your first time to bring a man home!

Agad ka ring natapos maligo at nagbihis na sa loob. Lumabas ka na rin ng kwarto to check on Kakucho, ngunit naabutan mo siyang tulog na.

You noticed him being cold, and you touched his forehead at pansin mong mainit ito.

"You should've just worn your hoodie." You sighed. Pumunta ka naman ng banyo to get a basin and a towel.

After that, you sat beside him on the couch para hilamusan niya. You wiped his face first and placed a cold towel on top of his forehead habang sinandal mo ang ulo niya sa may headrest ng couch.

"Aw hell nah," bulong mo dahil kailangan mo rin pala siyang bihisan.

Nagsearch ka pa sa Google ng: "How to take care of a sick person without changing their clothes?"

"Well whatever," you groaned dahil walang lumabas sa sinearch mo. Nagsuot ka nalang ng panda sleep mask para matakpan mga mata mo. Kahit pikit kasi naiilang ka parin e.

"Hello, I'll just unbutton your shirt." Pagpapaalam mo pa habang pinupunasan ang dibdib niya with a wet towel.

Nagising naman si Kakucho rito, at halos magulat sa'yo dahil sa suot mong eye mask.

Kakucho just looked at you weirdly at hindi mo na namamalayan na mukha niya na pala ang napupunasan mo.

Nagulat ka nalang dahil may humila at nagtanggal ng sleep mask mo, and si Kakucho ang bumungad sa'yo.

You just sat there clueless habang hawak ang towel sa dibdib niya. Nang na-realize mo naman ito after a few second, nanlaki ang mga mata mo at agad na tumayo ng couch para dumiretso sa kusina and cleared your throat to ease the awkward tension.

Kakucho observed you and his surroundings, with towels, a basin, and extra clothes. He just hid his smirk as he lowered his head.

Ramdam niya parin ang sakit at bigat ng ulo niya. He also touched his forehead and neck, noticing that he really has a fever. He just sighed, dahil saktong Monday pa. Dahil ito siguro sa ulan at sa pag-inom nang sobrang alak nung nagclub kayo just last weekend.

"Anyway, you can lay on the couch if you want. I'm just cooking." You said from the kitchen.

"By the way, Helian." He called, and you just hummed in response while preparing some things in the kitchen.

"I'm sorry for the past few days." He said, and you raised a brow as you looked behind.

"What?"

"You don't need to pay for my car. I already paid for your car's repair. We can get our cars by next week." Kakucho said.

"Oh? What's the sorry for?" You asked. Alam mo naman na ang sagot, but you just want to hear it directly from him.

Kakucho grunted and rolled his eyes. "I know you already know."

"Huh?! No ah! I don't have an idea."

"Whatever," Kakucho mumbled, then went back to sleep.

"Sad naman. You can't even say sorry. Is that how high your pride is? Can't crush your ego?" Pagbibiro mo.

"It's not about ego. It's about how you'll think my apology is genuine." He replied.

You paused for a minute, but then continued cooking. "Well whatever."

Kakucho called you after a prolonged silence. "Helian."

Kunwaring hindi mo ito naririnig at patuloy lang sa pagluluto.

"Helian," muli pa nitong tawag.

"Helian."

"Helian."

Hindi mo parin ito pinapansin dahil alam mong paulit-ulit lang ang sasabihin nito. Kakucho raised a brow at your stubbornness as he raised his head on the couch.

"(Y/N)."

Nanlaki naman ang mga mata sa pangalang tinawag niya sa'yo. Hindi mo alam kung naninibago ka, ngunit alam mong dapat magagalit ka kapag may tumawag sa'yo ng '(Y/N)', o ibang pangalan maliban sa Helian. Surprisingly, you felt your heart seize, your name ringing in your ears.

"I apologize when I shamed you in front of many students on the first day, and in front of Ran, your crush. I apologize for constantly bullying you in any way, and being harsh towards you. I'm sorry for hurling those words at you, knowing that I know nothing about you. I'm sorry, (Y/N). I know a sorry might not be enough, but what else can I do to atone?" Kakucho said, his tone sounding genuine.

After a few seconds, pansin ni Kakucho na hindi ka pa sumasagot, and he sat up from the couch, watching you across the kitchen as he observed your reaction.

"(Y/N)?"

He said that name again. You know you should feel that familiar anger lurk in your chest again. You hate it when someone calls you by that name. You despise the name '(Y/N)'.

"But why when he said it, I felt tranquility rather than anger?"