Chapter 10

"Habang nanonood kami ni Yuwi sa performance niyo kanina, grabe 'yong tulo ng laway niya!" Warren chuckled as he pointed Yuwi's direction.

Nang matapos ang performance namin sa P. E., we headed straight to a nearby fast-food chain to eat. We heard that we didn't have a class in one of our subjects so we used that time to replenish our stomachs.

Si Warren at Yuwi naman ay tatlong oras ang vacant period, so they had time to watch our performance earlier. Another thing, partner kasi ni Delancy si Warren that's why he's there. As for Israel, kaklase rin namin siya sa subject after ng P. E., ibig sabihin vacant niya rin.

"Bakit naman tutulo ang laway ko sa kanila? Mga tuod naman kung sumayaw." Balewalang sabi ni Yuwi before he resumed eating.

"Nahihiya lang 'yan kaya naiintindihan ko siya," Julia mumbled while smiling. It was obvious from her smile that she was just poking fun at Yuwi.

Yuwi turn his gaze to Dylan. "Pigilan mo 'yang kapatid mo. Kapag pinatulan ko 'yan, sisiguraduhin kong iiyak 'yan mamaya."

Napatayo si Julia sa inuupuan. "Ang kapal talaga ng pagmumukha mo! Sobrang yabang!"

Almost everyone eating here gazed at our table because of the scene that Julia made. Magkatuwang naming pinaupo ni Delancy si Julia at binulungan na kumalma.

"You shouldn't have told that, Warren." I said as I shook my head.

"Kaya nga, alam n'yo namang pikunin 'tong si Julia." Israel chuckled.

"Ako pa talaga—"

Julia's words were cut short when Dylan put a fried chicken in her mouth. "Just eat, huh? Ang ingay mo, nakakahiya kang kasama." He added.

A brief silence enveloped our table after that scene. Everything would have been peaceful but Israel broke the silence.

"Hindi ko yata nakitang present si Eli kanina?"

"Nasa Thailand si Eli, 'di ba? Bobo ka talaga, bro." Sambit ni Yuwi.

Pft. He was right naman kaya nagtaka ko bigla nang hanapin ni Israel si Eli when in fact, Eli was on Thailand.

"Literal na sobrang layo na pala talaga ni Eli sa 'tin." Natatawang sambit ni Israel.

"Napapaisip nga ko kung posible pa rin kayang maka-bonding natin si Eli sa kabila ng tinatamasa niyang tagumpay ngayon?" Warren asked out of nowhere. "Kasi ang hirap paniwalaan na pwede pa. Ang taas na niya, pakiramdam ko ang layo na niya sa atin. 'Yong pakikipagbiruan niya sa atin, parang malabo nang maulit."

I saw Yuwi punch his arms lightly. "Para namang hindi mo kilala at naging matagal na kaibigan si Eli. Kahit gaano kalayo ang marating niya, alam kong hindi niya tayo tatalikuran."

"Tama nga naman," pagsang-ayon ni Israel. "Hindi dahilan ang pagsikat para magbago ang isang tao, pati ang pakikitungo nito. Hindi ganoong tao si Eli, 'no?"

I'm glad to hear that despite everything, they still trust Eli — that he won't turn his back on them no matter what happens.

Like them, I also hope that despite the accomplishment he achieved, he will not betray me.

"Huwag kayong magsalita ng tapos. Baka kainin niyo rin 'yang mga sinasabi niyo sa dulo." Sambit ni Julia.

"Basher ka talaga ni Eli, 'no? Wala ka bang tiwala sa kanya?" Delancy asked, laughingly.

Julia slowly turned at Delancy wearing her evil stare. "Sa mga ginawa niya kay Magi, bakit ko siya pagkakatiwalaan?" Lumagpas ang tingin niya kay Delancy at ito ay nakarating na sa akin. "Sa panahon ngayon, uso ang mag-tanga-tangahan. Kaya nga c-in-areer mo masyado, 'di ba?"

After saying those words, she stood up and left the fast-food chain. While I was just stunned by what she said. I admit I was hurt by the words she used. I didn't know why on Earth Julia just treated me like that?

I felt Delancy's arms curl around me. "Wala lang siguro sa mood si Julia kaya niya nasabi 'yon. Huwag mo na lang masyadong isipin 'yon, okay?"

"Ikaw kasi, bakit mo pa 'yon in-open?!" Rinig kong paninisi ni Israel kay Warren.

"Ano'ng ako? Ikaw nga 'yon!"

We ignored the argument of those two as we prepared our money to pay the expenses before heading back to the campus.

I admit I didn't feel good after that conversation. Even if Delancy advises me not to think about what Julia said, still, I can't help but think.

I'm anxious about why she's so upset all of a sudden? Maybe I did something she didn't like or something that I shouldn't have done in the first place?

OMG! Hindi ko na alam!

---

While it was still an hour before our class started, I left the classroom to get some fresh air. I feel better now that Julia and I have talked, and the worries I had before are completely gone.

She admitted that she regretted the words she had uttered to me earlier. Out of the warmth of her head because of Yuwi, she heaped her anger towards me. She also said that she's sensitive to issues that involve Eli as she had feelings for him before.

Si Julia 'yong tipo ng kaibigan na sobrang protective sa akin — sa amin ni Delancy. She didn't want us to get hurt and make fools of ourselves to men as she believes the right man wouldn't harm their woman. Harsh man siya kung magbigay ng advice pero kung iyon ang paraan para matuto kami o ang isang tao sa pagkakamali niya ay handa siyang gawin.

Hindi sa lahat ng pagkakataon, you should use flowery words when you advise someone just so you don't hurt them. Sometimes, you have to use sharp words to assist them to learn more about their mistakes and won't ever dare to repeat them once again.

Sa panahon ngayon, you have to bombard someone with unbearable words to learn. Because that's the reality — sobrang mapanakit.

"Wala pa rin bang Prof?" Nasa kalagitnaan ako ng malalim na pag-iisip when someone spoke behind me.

I turned to see who he was. "Ahh, wala pa naman." Sagot ko kay Dylan. "Saan ka galing?"

"Bumili nito," and certainly showed up the ice candy he was holding. "Gusto mo?"

I winced as I shook my head. "Iisa na nga lang, iaalok mo pa sa akin."

"Pwede namang putulin," he said and split the ice candy into two before lending it to me again.

I'm having a second thought to take half of the ice candy but since I saw that it was slowly melting into Dylan's hand, I took it. Nakakahiya naman kung hindi ko kukunin, e pinutol na nga niya para hatian ako.

"Comfort food ko 'to at tinutulungan ako nitong kumalma. Whenever I feel like I'm not in the mood, bibili lang ako nito and then okay na ko ulit." Sambit niya.

"Ang cool naman ng comfort food mo, ice candy." Hindi ko na naitago sa kanya na sabihin 'yon habang natatawa.

"Literal na cool," at sinabayan niya kong tumawa. "Mukhang nakapag-usap na kayo ng kapatid ko kaya ganiyang maayos na ang mood mo."

I stopped snickering as my face returned to be serious. "I pleaded her to talk to me. Hindi ako 'yong tipo ng tao na tatayo na lang nang walang ginagawa para malaman kung bakit bigla-bigla na lang siyang naging gano'n sa akin.

I can't stand Julia for too long. I'm not used if I do not mock her, I'm not used if we don't argue over something nonsense." I suddenly laughed. "Ang weird ko ba?"

He shook his head. "Napakabuti mong kaibigan sa kapatid ko. Thank you," aniya.

"Why are you thanking me?" Naguguluhang tanong ko.

"Thank you for allowing me to know this side of you. Mas lalo kong nakilala ang tunay na ikaw."

Dylan tosses those strange looks at me. I'm not comfortable that he's looking at me that way. Just like the ice candy that I was clutching, I felt like he was slowly melting me.

I averted my gaze. "I have known Julia for almost three years..." I mumbled. "Nang pumasok ako sa university na ito, wala akong idea kung paano makisalamuha sa iba. Just like Delancy, may pagka-introvert din ako. Hindi ako nakikipagkaibigan, unless someone approached me."

"Nagkakilala kaming tatlo dahil naging magka-group kami sa isang teaching demo sa History of Mathematics noong first year... at doon nagsimula ang friendship naming tatlo. Hindi ko inaasahang tatagal 'yon nang ganito katagal at magiging malapit din kami sa DWEIYAH because of Julia."

I don't know what's the reason kung bakit sine-share ko kay Dylan ang tungkol doon... maybe I'm starting to be comfortable with him. Maski ang inis at init ng ulo na nararamdaman when he's around, biglang nawala.

"Thanks to her because I found true friendship and family throughout my college journey. Hindi magiging memorable ang years ko in college if hindi ko sila nakilala..." yumuko ako. "Kung hindi kita nakilala." I whispered... finding the reason why I just told that.

* phone rings *

Nawala ang atensyon ko sa sahig nang tumunog ang phone ko. I took the phone out of my pocket when I heard it ring. I looked at the screen to see who was calling — it's Eli.

I'm having a second thought kung sasagutin ko ba ang tawag niya nang biglang magsalita si Dylan.

"I think it's time para kausapin mo siya, Magi." Aniya. "If you just keep running away from him, the doubts swirling in your mind will not be clarified. Give him a chance to explain his side."

My eyes widen. "May alam ka ba—"

"That day, I know there's something wrong. Your mouth does not speak, but your eyes can express the pain you are suffering. I know you have a problem with which Eli is involved. I didn't know about that but I hope you give him a chance to voice his explanation out."

I averted my eyes from him. I just saw myself walking away from Dylan to answer Eli's call. This time, I had to listen from the other side. Dylan is right, I won't be able to answer my extensive questions if I don't deal with him.

[Finally, you answered my call. How are you, Love? I was worried about you, I thought something bad had happened to you kaya hindi ka sumasagot sa mga tawag ko.] Bakas sa tono ng boses niya ang pag-aalala.

"Busy lang ako dahil sa dami ng ginagawa. Sorry if I didn't answer your calls. Don't worry about me, I'm fine."

[Well, then. Pinag-alala mo ko nang husto.]

I forced a smile. This is my chance to ask him kung bakit babae ang nakausap ko sa kabilang linya no'ng nakaraang tinawagan niya ako.

"Eli—"

[Love, I'll just call you later, huh? Pinababalik na kasi ako sa taping. I love you!] And he immediately dropped the call.

I deliberately put down my phone and glanced at the screen where it redirected to call history.

"Why should I even hope that something will change? I should get used to having a quick call from him in less than 10 seconds." I said, shaking my head.

I circled to walk back in our classroom when I saw Dylan still there at the place where we had met. He looked at me as if he was reading my mind.

"Okay lang ako," I smiled before I surpassed his position.

Even though my body was not that far from where he was standing, he suddenly grabbed my hand.

Nagtataka ko siyang nilingon. "Why?"

He did not answer, but pulled me closer to him and hugged me tightly. "Ako na lang sana, Magi."

I was stunned by what he said. I can't explain why my heart suddenly beats so fast. I seemed to have raced the horse at the sheer speed of its throbbing.

"Okay ka lang ba talaga?"

I came to my senses when Dylan spoke. I thought he hugged me but he didn't. His hand was still holding my hand but his face was streaked with concern.

"Kanina ka pa nakatitig sa akin kaya na-conscious tuloy ako sa sarili ko kung may nakikita ka bang hindi ko nakikita."

I shook violently and pulled my hand back. "Nothing!" Depensa ko. "You're mistaken, Dylan. Guni-guni mo lang 'yon." I immediately turned my back on him and quickly walked away.

Does this mean I was the one who's visualizing things like that? He didn't hug me and those words weren't uttered by him, were they?

OMG! Nakakahiya ka talaga, Margaret!

---

Our classes suddenly postponed that's why we had another two hours break. Nasa classroom lang kami, boring na boring. Soundtrip, naglalaro ng uno, ng Mobile Legends at kung ano-ano pang libangan ang ginagawa namin sa loob habang vacant.

I decided to go outside of the classroom --- layas na kung layas pero hindi niyo talaga ko mapatatagal sa isang classroom nang walang ginagawa. I let my feet wandered to the place where it wants nang mapadpad ako sa may garden area kung saan nandoon ang isang fountain --- namataan ko si Yuwi na nakaupo roon habang nakatingin sa paligid.

Lumapit ako roon at naupo sa tabi niya. Aaminin kong hindi kami ganoong ka-close ni Yuwi at minsan ay naiinis din akong kausap siya kasi may pagka-pilosopo siya. Pero sa kanilang pito, masasabi kong isa si Yuwi sa nakakausap ko nang matino.

"Wala kayong klase?"

"Kung may klase kami, makikita mo ba ko rito?" He replied. Sabi sa inyo, pilosopo 'to, e.

"Sabi ko nga," I hesitantly said.

"Boring ako kausap kaya kung ako sa 'yo, bumalik ka na sa classroom niyo." Dinig kong sabi niya kung kaya't naagaw niya ang atensyon ko. "Kilala mo naman ako, hindi ako 'yong tipo ng tao na madaldal at maraming sinasabi.

Ayokong sinasayang ang laway ko sa walang katuturan na bagay kaya wala kang mapapala sa 'kin, Magi."

"Nagpunta 'ko rito para magpahangin at hindi para kausapin ka." I answered.

"Kaya pala ikaw ang unang kumausap sa 'kin, iyon pala wala kang balak na kausapin ako. Ang galing mo naman, pang-Cumlaude ang sagot mo." Bakas sa boses niya ang pagka-sarcastic.

I rolled my eyes. "Bakit ba kasi minamasama mo na kausapin ka? Bakit ka ba bawal kausapin---"

"Ang daldal mo, ang ingay mo. Ang dami mong sinasabi kaya nagtataka talaga ko kung bakit nagustuhan ka ni Eli, e. Sa tagal kong kilala si Eli, hindi ko alam na mahuhulog lang siya sa isang babae na akala mo, e nakalunok ng microphone." He seriously uttered.

He didn't know he harmed my feelings because of saying that. Nalulungkot ako kasi may mga taong hindi pabor sa relasyon namin ni Eli.

"Just because I'm too nosy, hindi na ko karapat-dapat for Eli?"

He finally throws a glance at me. "Huwag mo nga kong sapawan, pwede? Hindi pa ko tapos sa sinasabi ko, sabat ka ng sabat diyan."

My patience getting shorter. Kung sakaling binigyan ako ng Diyos ng kakayahan na manapak kagaya ni Manny Pacquiao, baka kanina pa may black eye 'tong si Yuwi.

"Nakakainis ka naman talaga minsan, dahil ang ingay at ang daldal mo. Oo, kinukwestyon ko si Eli kung bakit ka niya nagustuhan pero hindi ibig sabihin no'n ay tutol ako sa relasyon niyong dalawa.

Una sa lahat, wala 'kong karapatan na tutulan ang relasyon niyo o diktahan si Eli na huwag ikaw ang mahalin niya dahil kaibigan niya lang ako. Kung sino ang gusto niyang mahalin o kung ano ang gusto niyang gawin, sarili niya dapat ang magdikta no'n at hindi ang ibang tao.

Pangalawa, sa tagal ng relasyon niyo ni Eli ay masasabi kong isa ka sa dahilan ng malaking pagbabago niya. Oo, nagbago si Eli pero sa magandang paraan. At dahil iyon sa 'yo, Magi. Hindi ko man gusto ang ugali mo na pagiging maingay, pero kung anumang ritwal ang ginawa mo para baguhin si Eli ay lubos kong ipinagpapasalamat.

Dahil sa 'yo, natuto siyang humarap at magsalita sa ibang tao na dati ay hindi niya nagagawa. Tinulungan mo siyang maabot ang pangarap niya, kaya walang dahilan para sabihin ko sa 'yong hindi ka karapat-dapat sa kaniya.

Dahil sa totoo lang, sa lahat ng naging girlfriend niya, ikaw ang the best. Sana nakatulong ang sinabi ko para hindi mo na isipin na tinik ka sa pag-abot ni Eli sa pangarap niya. Kung tutuusin, ikaw iyong tubig na nagdilig sa kaniya para mamulaklak siya."

After saying those fruitful advice, he bid a goodbye to me kasi mag-s-start na raw ang klase nila. Hindi man lang ako nakapag-thank you for lending his time na kausapin ako.

There are times that I asked myself kung karapat-dapat ba ko kay Eli? I once asked myself that weird question 'cause sometimes I feel na may ibang babae na mas deserve ng pagmamahal niya --- obviously, that's not me. Eli was too good for me. He's every woman's ideal boyfriend tapos mapupunta lang siya sa akin? I mean, ano'ng ginawa kong kalugod-lugod to receive this huge blessing from heaven.

But because of what Yuwi said, my whereabouts have finally been answered. Little did I know, I've changed Eli for the better. I've changed him a lot.

Yeah, I wasn't the perfect girlfriend for him. Mayroon din akong pagkukulang kaya nagpapasalamat ako kay Eli that despite of that, he choose to stay by my side. Minsan man ay na-mi-miss ko siya 'cause he's too busy in his career, but understanding is the key.

Sa isang relasyon, people have to learn to prolong their understanding for their partners just so they could overcome every trouble they faced.

---

Our Prof was in the middle of the discussion when Delancy spoke. She motioned for Julia and I to come over to her and whispered, "Dala ko 'yong cupcakes na balak kong ibigay kay Dylan."

Julia and I had excitement on our faces because our Delancy finally dared to give it to Dylan. Those are the cupcakes we made when Delancy and I went to see Julia.

Actually, hindi pala ako nakatulong sa paggawa no'n kasi nag-walk-out ako dahil kay Eli. Medyo na-guilty ako sa part na 'yon.

"Buti naman naisipan mo ring ibigay 'yan. Akala ko talaga bubulukin mo na lang sa ref niyo 'yang pinaghirapan nating gawin na cupcakes, e." Sabi ni Julia.

"Kaya nga dinala ko na ngayon. Tapos balak kong ibigay kay Dylan after ng class. Gusto ko sanang tayo-tayo lang ang nandito para hindi ako ganoon mahiya na ibigay 'to sa kaniya."

"Kami nang bahala ni Julia," I said.

After that conversation, we went back to our posture and turned our attention back to our Prof who was teaching in front. Mahirap na, baka mamaya ay mapansin niyang nagdadaldalan kami rito at biglang tawagin para mag-solve sa harap.

Honestly, mixed emotion is what I feel right now. I'm delighted because Delancy entices Dylan to let him know about her feelings towards him. But at the same time, I'm sad as Delancy is now an adult. I'm not used to her doing such a thing for a guy.

Ang dami ng nagbago. Hindi ko maiwasang malungkot kasi baka kagaya ko, mawalan din ng oras si Delancy para sa amin ni Julia. Ang OA ko, 'di ba?

---

"Class dismissed." Our Prof's announcement signaled that the class was over. My classmates grabbed their bags one by one before leaving the classroom.

"Gawin mo na, Magi!" Bulong sa akin ni Julia.

I turned around to talk to Dylan who was behind the chair we were sitting in. I was startled when our faces met. His bag was hanging on the back of my chair and saw that he was putting things there.

Hindi ko naman kasi alam na uupo siya sa upuan ni Eli, e!

"A-Ahh," I stammered. "Huwag ka munang umuwi."

His forehead furrowed. "Bakit?"

"Just don't," I said and immediately turned my back on him.

Thankfully, Dylan didn't leave the classroom. We waited for the students to run out here before Julia and I took action.

Jointly, we pulled Dylan upright in his seat. We prompted Delancy to make her plan.

"Ano bang ginagawa niyo?" Naguguluhang tanong ni Dylan.

"Dylan, ginawa ko 'to para sa iyo." Without hesitation, Delancy handed the small box of cupcakes to Dylan. "Sana magustuhan mo,"

"Ang swerte mo, ginawan ka pa ng cupcake ng Delancy namin!" Ani Julia sabay palo sa kapatid.

"It doesn't have toxins so don't be afraid to taste it." I said as I noticed in his face that he was still skeptical about opening it.

Tiningnan niya ako. "Paano naman ako makakasiguro na wala ngang lason 'to?"

"Bakit ka naman lalasunin ni Delancy? Siraulo ka ba?!" Galit na sambit ni Julia.

"Wala namang kahit ano 'yan. Ano namang dahilan ko para gawin 'yon?" Bakas sa boses ni Delancy ang lungkot.

I unfolded the box and right in front of Dylan, I bit into it. "My mouth didn't spume, did it? Nothing bad happened to me so it's not poisonous."

"Okay," aniya habang tumatango. He took the cupcake I had bitten and chewed it whole. "Masarap nga. Ang sarap ng cupcake na ginawa mo, Delancy."

The three of us were stunned by what Dylan did. A few seconds later, I felt my heart beat faster again.

"Salamat," nahihiyang sabi ni Delancy.

"I like the taste," he said before picking up the box and leaving the classroom.

"I told you, magugustuhan niya!" Julia said cheerfully to Delancy before we led her and walked out of the classroom.

Ngayong araw ay kasabay naming uuwi si Dylan. Actually, Julia will go with Dylan to go to his condo while Delancy and I will separate after getting out of the gate.

"Ewan ko kung guni-guni ko lang," sabi ni Julia out of nowhere. "Nakita kita sa bahay nina Magi no'ng isang araw." Dagdag nito habang nakatingin sa direksyon ni Dylan.

My eyes widened and at the same time, Dylan and I glanced at each other. During these times, I suddenly felt uneasy.

"Ang weird, e. Bakit ka nasa bahay nina Magi? Ano'ng ginagawa mo roon?"