Chapter 4

"Slaine, tigil-tigilan mo na nga ang paglapit-lapit mo kay Rafus."

Napabaling ako kay Crezst, naglalakad kami ngayon papunta sa Movie World. "Crush lang naman Crezst."

Matalim niya akong tinignan. "It doesn't look like one to me! Parang kang fan ng mga sikat na grupo, artista, singers, etcetera kung makaasta, na pati Mama nila ay tatawagin mo ring Mama!"

"Grabe ka talaga Crezst, sarap mong sabunutan as in!" Napairap ako at pinagkrus ang mga braso. "Mapanakit, sobra!"

"I'm just stating the fact!"

"Gusto rin kitang Fact-Fact-kin niyang heels mo!" Inirapan ko siya, sometimes her mouth doesn't have any filter!

Nanood kami ng sine pero ang magjowa lang naman ang nag-enjoy. Magkatabi kami ni Crezst ng upuan pero ang inuupuan naman nila Helen ay may tatlong pagitan mula sa amin. Not that I don't have a trust on Ethan, but I think it isn't appropriate. He should remind himself that his girlfriend's friends are here. He should know his limitations as long as we're here.

Well maybe, it was Helen's idea.

After two hours of watching, we exited the cinema. Crezst's with me while we Helen's hand intertwined with Ethan.

"Sana pala isinama ko si Dan!" Reklamo ni Crezst habang nakatingin pa rin sa magjowa.

"Inggit ka 'no? Ayan, two-time pa!"

"Damn, Slaine. Zipper your mouth, someone might hear you."

Mahina akong natawa, "Grabe, ang OA mo Crezst. Wala namang tainga si Dan sa paligid, ikaw naman oh!"

Tumingin ako sa paligid. Helen and Ethan are nowhere to be found. Saan na naman kaya nagsusuot ang mga iyon?

"We shouldn't ruin their date, Slaine. Let them do what they want, they're old enough."

Matama akong tumingin kay Crezst. Sigurado ba’ng okay lang talaga sa kaniya 'to?

"I'm not trying to ruin their date, Crezst. I'm just worried of Helen."

"Opo, nay. Itetext ko na si Helen kung nasaan siya," ani Crezst sa nanunudyong tono kaya tinampal ko ang braso niya.

Bumaba kami sa first floor ng Robinson's. Wala namang plano si Crezst kaya panigurado sasama siya sa akin.

"Helen said we'll just meet her in Dalipi at four thirty in the afternoon."

Napabuntong hininga ako sa sinabi ni Crezst. Kahit alam kong kaya na ni Helen ang sarili niya, hindi parin ako kampante. Three of us were friends since we were in Grade Seven, they're my bosom friends, maybe it's normal to be this worried?

"Don't worry too much about Hernaez, Aranza." Crezst held my hand. "She's safe. She's with Ethan so shake off that vibes in you."

Nag-angat ako ng tingin at ngitian si Crezst. "Okay."

"Good! Now, I'll help you with your groceries!" Tinulak niya ako papasok sa grocery store. I take the small cart while Crezst gets the large one.

"May bibilhin ka?"

Pagak na natawa si Crezst sa akin. "Duh, Slaine! Obviously! Alangan namang trip ko lang itulak itong cart, hindi ba?"

"I'm sure, stock mo lang 'yan para sa kwarto mo."

"Wow, you're so smart!"

Pinandilatan ko siya. "Matagal na akong matalino, valedictorian ata eto noong elementary!"

"E, ngayong senior high?"

"Crezst, ang importante ay mahalaga. Isa pa may ranking ba ngayong senior high, ha? Hindi ba wala? With honors hanggang with highest honors lang!"

"Sana lahat biniyayaan ng utak!"

"Ano sa tingin mo ang diyan? Tae?" Turo ko sa ulo niya.

"Hangag ka girl?" Pang-uyam ko pero sinigurado ko namang hindi siya mao-offend.

Bumusangot ang mukha ni Crezst at napahalukipkip. "Ang ibig kong sabihin, matalino! Literal mo mag-isip, Chuckie!"

"Nakakasakit ka doon sa parte na tinawag mo 'kong Chuckie! Hindi ba pwedeng si Annabelle lang?"

"Annabelle Rama?" Humagalpak sa katatawa si Crezst at nahawa narin ako kinalaunan. Pinagtitinginan narin kami ng mga tao dahil sa ingay pero balat kalabaw kami.

Natigilan ako ng mahagip ng paningin ko dalawang pamilyar na bulto, pasimple silang na naghahawakan ng kamay na ikinakunot ng noo ko.

"Slaine tara na! Kukupad-kupad!" Sigaw ni Crezst.

Napatingin uli ako pero wala na doon ang pamilyar bulto. Napakurap kurap ako. Hindi kaya namamalikmata lang ako na si Jangkit ang nakita ko?

"Grabe ang kilig ko!" Tili ni Helen nang makaupo kami sa tambayan, recess namin ngayon.

"Halatang halata naman kahit hindi mo sabihin, Helen." Crezst said boringly then sipped from her coke.

"KJ mo Crezst!" Bumusangot si Helen at tumingin sa akin. "Salamat sa pagsama niyo sa akin noong Sabado! Kahit na nakasabayan natin ang mga ex mo sa bus, Slaine!"

Napangiwi ako. "Hindi mo na kailangang banggitin ang parteng iyan, Helen."

"Speaking of your exes, Slaine..." Natigil si Crezst sa kaiinom at napangisi sa akin. "Gumagwapo ata ang mga iniwan mo."

"So? Ang ibig mong sabihin ay?"

"Baka baklitad daw iyong sa'yo Slaine," bulong ni Helen at bahagya pang napahagikgik.

Napatayo ako at pabirong dinuro silang dalawa na galit. "Hoy! Kahit iniwan ko sila, hindi nababawasan ang ganda ko! I'm confidently beautiful with or without them!"

"Shala! Pwede ka ng sumali sa Binibining Pilipinas!" Pumalakpak si Crezst habang nagpipigil sa tawa si Helen.

"Gaga! May upcoming finals pa tayo baka nakakalimutan niyo!"

"Tang orange! Bakit pinaalala mo pa Slaine?" Reklamo ni Crezst at napasabunot sa sarili.

"Ehem, may PowerPoint pa palang ipapasa. Clock is ticking, deadline is coming." Dagdag ko at ineenjoy ang pagbukas ng fudgee bar, binabalewala ang talim ng tingin nila.

"Sarap mong balibagin, Slaine."

Nagtulungan pa silang dalawa sa pagpapaulan ng salita sa akin pero wala doon ang atensyon ko kung hindi na kay Rafus na naglalakad sa corridor. Ewan ko ba pero nakikisigan ako sa paraan ng paglalakad niya. From his biceps beneath his uniform to his firm thighs that's inviting me to sit on his lap.

I travelled my eyes to his face. Nahiya ata ilong ko sa kanya kaya tumaob! Ang tangos ng ilong niya at mahaba pa ang pilikmata! His thick eyebrows and perfect portion lips made me feel this sudden thirst.

"Tulo laway mo Slaine."

Wala ako sa huwisyong napahawak sa labi ko habang nakatingin parin sa naglalakad na si Rafus. Nang wala akong mahawakang basa ay ay agad akong napalingon kila Crezst.

"Bawas bawasan ang pagtingin kay Rafus, sis. Nagmumukha kang gutom na gutom."

"Napaka-exagge mo naman Crezst! Hindi ba pwedeng gutom lang?" si Helen.

"I won't deny it. It's true anyway," ngumisi ako ng bonggang bongga. "Aray!"

Napahawak ako sa ulo ko dahil sa pagbatok nilang dalawa.

"Sakaling maalog iyang utak mo at marealize na ikaw ang mukhang naghahabol!" Si Crezst.

"Okay lang maghabol kung siya naman ang naghihintay sa finish line!"

Nakatikim uli ako ng pagbatok, nakadalawa na sila. "Para mahimasmasan ka na sa katangahan mo!" Sabi naman ni Helen.

"Tanga na kung tanga pero mahal ko siya! Sa kaniya ako sasaya—Araguy!"

Sinipat ko silang dalawa na halos maiiyak dahil sa pagkurot nila sa pisngi ko. Hindi ko namalayan na may ilang butil ng luha na kumawala sa mata ko. Tumayo sila para lapitan ako. "Hala, sorry Slaine!" Halos sabay pa sila sa pagsabi.

"Wow grabe! Ang caring niyo!" Reklamo ko dahil sa marahas nilang paghagod sa pisngi ko. Imbes na mawala ay mas lalo pa ngang nadagdagan ang sakit!

"Kailangan mo talagang masaktan para matuto," ani Crezst at umupo na ulit sa bench.

"Makapagsalita kayo sa akin akala niyo naman ina-apply niyo rin sa sarili niyo! Mga bano!" Padabog akong umupo sa pagitan nila at busangot ang mukha habang ngumunguya ng fudgee bar.

Tumawa silang pareho at nagbukas ng panibagong usapan. Hindi ako nakisali dahil tungkol iyon sa boyfriend nila. Tapos na recess namin at naglalakad na kami pabalik ng building.

"Silip muna tayo," aya ko at kumunot ang noo nila dahil sa pagtataka. "Ibig kong sabihin, tingnan muna natin ang crush ko para sumigla ako sa klase later."

"You're unbelievable!" Crezst sighed and shook her head.

"You're totally whipped, aren't you?" Helen came closer towards me.

"Yes, I am," I smiled playfully. "So watch me whip, watch me nae nae," I sang while dancing. We're still at the corridor and I don't mind if many students will look at me, confused and some of them might think I should be confined in mental institute.

"Shit, Helen! Nakasinghot basi tana kang tanglad amo nga naboang!" Crezst exclaimed in horror.

"Dinalaw ata ng saltik niya, Crezst! Paayuni basi magmaoy!" Helen said and can't manage to stop her laughs.

Abot tainga ang ngiti ko habang naglalakad papalapit sa classroom nila Rafus. We didn't mean any distraction, I just wanna watch him while listening all ears on the teacher.

I blushed. Seeing him like that felt surreal, he's so handsome even with glasses on. I've notice some changes in him physically but for me, he's still the Rafus I like since grade nine.

His brows furrowed when our gaze met. I smiled but the expression of his face remain stoic. He averted his eyes on the teacher in front, it made me feel light. At least, our eyes met! That's what matters.

"Ayos ka na?" Crezst boringly asked. "We're seven minutes late to our next class, luckily our teacher hasn't arrived yet."

"Sige, tara na." I smiled then nodded in jubilee.

They both sighed. Helen shook her head before looking at me. "Is that the effect of not having a boyfriend these past few months, Slaine?"

"No. I don't need boyfriend right now. Rafus alone is enough. I have to put all of my attention on him, he's getting more handsome as days passed by. Mahirap na baka may umagaw, mas mabuting mabakuran ko na."

"Grabe, Slaine! Ikaw na talaga ang baligtad ang ulo! Dapat ikaw ang bakuran hindi 'yong ikaw ang magbabakod," Crezst whined.

"Time will come, he'll be head over heels in love with me."

"That will be thirty years from now, Slaine." Helen teased that made me frowned.

"Tuyo na ako no'n, Helen! Malyag kaw nga malaon ko?" I sarcastically said. They burst out of laughter.

"Laon ka na lang."

I threw a sharp glare to Crezst. "Not gonna happen."

We continue walking until we reached our classroom. The first thing that got my attention the moment I stepped inside is Jangkit. He's sitting between Dom and Lowell which is very unsual.

Is he turning to be straight? Does he found his true self now?

"Magbebenta ka bukas ng graham balls, Slaine?" asked Dani as we already found comfort in our seats.

"MWF ang schedule ng pagbebenta ko Dani, eh. If you want, then order the whole tupperware. Masarap na nga ang graham balls, irresistible pa ang nagbebenta."

Dani acted like vomiting after I said those. She coughed, choked by her own saliva. "Your description is too exaggerated, try to lessen it a bit," she suggested after recovering. "Scratch the last sentence."

"Hey, that's legit!" I insisted.

"Nakita niya si Rafus kanina Dani kaya hindi mo masisira mood niyan," Helen inserted in the middle of our conversation.

The next following days, we became very busy in our PowerPoint plus the preparation for our finals. It's very stressful for us because our teacher's returning it back and found mistakes in every detail we've putted.

It's my third attempt yet she returned it to me again. I have no time in flirting Rafus, my grades are shaking and on the brink of failing so I need to stay focus.

I'm on my way to the library, carrying the netbook I've borrowed from the computer room. Library is the last card where I can have my piece of mind. I picked a book from the shelves before finding myself a place to sit. It's slightly shady so I need to open the lamp on the side of the table to read better.

I felt a presence beside me but I'm too preoccupied to lift my head up. I'm not done revising my work and I have to find some more articles on the book, maybe I lack in those.

"This part is wrong," a baritone voice filled my ear that made me stopped from what I'm doing.

His delicate finger is pointing at the first part of my tenth slide. I tilted my head and my heart skipped a beat as I saw his handsome face! His lips were in grim line but it made my cheeks burning red so easily. I looked away, just enough to hide the thrill I'm feeling.

"Wala akong baong pick up line sa'yo. Bukas ka nalang magpakita, sure ball nakapraktis na ako ng script ko para mawindang ka sa'kin."

"You're talking nonsense," he utter in cold voice before returning his attention to the book he's reading.

I sighed. I badly want to focus but my damn flirty side is dominating my body even my sanity. I crossed my legs and my arm's placed at the table where my face rested on my palm. I smiled sweetly, "What are you reading?"

"A book, obviously."

"Alam ko namang libro iyan," I said with a grimaced face. He stopped then glanced at me with same expression, still stoic.

"What are you reading is different from what book are you reading," he corrected me in a monotone voice.

"I'm sorry genius."

"Be spefic next time. Words came from your mouth might have a reciprocated meaning than what you mean."

"Fine, fine. My bad. I'm sorry," I sighed then raised both of my hands like giving up. "Let me revise my question. What book are you reading?"

He continue reading, playing deaf to my question. I've waited for few seconds but I still didn't get a respond. "You don't need to know, it's not your cup of tea..."

"You only said that," I mouthed then made face. "What's that all about anyway?"

He sighed deeply. "It's Science, specifically the endocrine system."

"Then what hormone is responsible for enhancing the libido of a person?"

I saw how his jaw clenched, he then cleared his throat, and didn't glanced at me. "Inaral mo 'yan noong Grade Ten. I know you know the answer to that question."

"Makakalimutin ako sa mga bagay bagay..." I bit my lips, I felt my cheeks burning. "... pero pagdating sa'yo, hindi ako nakakalimot."

"Testosterone," he said, not even shaken.

"Huh?"

"That's the most influential hormone when it comes to sexual desire."

Napabusangot ako. Hindi man lang ba siya nayanig sa sinabi ko? Siya ang hindi ko makakalimutan sa mga bagay bagay na hindi ko na maalala pero tarantando, malamig na boses ang ginamit niya sa pakikipag-usap sa akin!

"Baby, wait..." Hinawakan ko ang kamay niya para pigilan siya nang tumayo ito.

"I'm not your baby."

Umiling ako. "Oo, ngayon hindi pero soon baby na kita at baby mo din ako."

I saw him sighed in disbelief.

Tumikhim ako bago sumeryoso. "I'm so stressed lately because of my PowerPoint, can you check it and point out some mistakes?"

Mataman niya akong tinignan, tila hindi kumbinsido sa sinabi ko.

"Please Rafus? If I won't do my PowerPoint well, it'll have a great impact on my acads. Payag ka ba na babagsak ang mapapangasawa mo?"

Umangat ang sulok ng labi niya at inayos ang suot na salamin. "I'll do this once," umupo uli siya sa tabi ko.

He started dictating words while I was the one encoding it on the netbook. My PowerPoint have fifteen slides and Rafus helped me to revise it from the top 'till the last slide.

"Nakita ko si Mama..."

He paused to look at me with curious eyes.

"Ang ibig kong sabihin, si Mama mo pala..." Hilaw akong natawa, nadulas ako sa sasabihin ko! "... na magiging Mama ko na rin kapag naging boyfriend na kita."

"I think, you just lack of sleep—"

"I lack of sleep because everytime I close my eyes, you're the one that always enters my mind. It makes me wide awake and dream while looking at the stars in the night sky."

I feel like intoxicated to his stares as our eyes met. My heart throbbed and I had to place my hands on my thighs to pour all the thrills I felt at this moment.

His eyes were mysterious. The way he looks at me feels like his diving until he could reach the deepest part of my emotions.

He averted his eyes to the netbook. "It's done," he said with finality. He stood up then stormed out of the library while carrying the book.

The next day feels like the seventh heaven for me! My echoserang teacher just accepted my PowerPoint presentation!

Thanks to my baby for helping me yesterday!

"I'm quite impress, Miss Aranza," he said when he finished sliding all the fifteen slides.

Sir, it's Mrs. Cattaneo not Ms. Aranza! I wanna correct him but I don't want to look like goddamn crazy over Rafus. I smiled at my teacher before heading out of the office. While walking at the corridor, my eyes are searching for Shey in the waves of people.

Kumunot ang noo ko at umarko ang kilay nang makita kong may kasama silang lalaki sa grupo nila. Sa pagkakaalam ko ay puro babae silang magkakaibigan. Kay Shey pa mismo nakatabi ang lalaki.

"Ate!"

Bumalik ako sa huwisyo dahil sa sigaw ni Shey. Ngumiti ako ng pilit habang hinihintay siyang tuluyan na makalapit sa akin. "Bakit ka nandito? Class hours ngayon ah?" Usisa ko.

"Papunta po kami sa Science Lab, Ate." Ngumiti siya pero hindi ko sinuklian. Mataman ko siyang tinignan, mukhang nagsasabi naman siya ng totoo. Siguro ay praning lang ako.

Dumukot ako ng pera sa bulsa ko at inabot sa kaniya. "Baon mo," malambot kong sabi. "Umalis ka na baka mahuli ka sa pasok niyo."

"Sige po. Salamat dito, Ate," pinakita niya sa akin ang pera. Tumango ako at tumalikod na siya sa akin para bumalik sa mga kaibigan niya.

Umakyat ako sa hagdanan papuntang classroom. May biglang pumasok na ideya sa isip ko, hindi ko maiwasang napangiti. Nasa tapat palang ako ng classroom, umiyak ako para props at mas kapanipaniwala. I entered the room with full confidence because our teacher's not around. I can feel the stares of my classmates.

Unang lumapit sa akin ay si Crezst na nagtataka at may bahid ng pag-aalala ang mukha. "Hoy Slaine, anong nangyari sa'yo? Ayos ka lang ba?"

Imbes na sumagot ay mas lalo lamang akong napahikbi at ipinakita sa kaniya ang mga mata ko na punong puno ng luha.

"Gaga ka talaga, Slaine! Sagutin mo 'ko hindi iyong iyak ka nang iyak diyan! Masisipa talaga kita pabalik sa sinapupunan ng Mama mo!"

Nagdadalawang isip pa ako kung sasabihin ko ba o mamaya pa. Baka kasi mahalata ni Crezst na nagbibiro lang ako, batok at sipa aabutin ko.

"Crezst, hinay hinay lang! Talsik laway mo uy!" Sigaw ni Helen habang lumalapit sa akin at dinaluhan ako. "Bakit ka umiiyak, Slaine? May masakit ba sa'yo?"

Tumutulo parin ang luha kong tumango sa kaniya. Hinampas ko ang dibdib ko para kapanipaniwala. Inawat nila akong dalawa. "Ano ka ba Slaine?!" singhal ni Crezst.

"Si Rafus..." nanghihina kong sabi. "Si... Rafus, may baby na... ang sakit! Sobra. Ang sakit ng puso ko..." tuluyan akong napasalampak sa sahig.

Narining ko ang pagbuntong hininga nila. "Iyan na nga ba ang sinasabi ko Slaine! Huwag ka ng umasa doon sa Rafus na 'yon! Sa kapwa niya nerd siya pumapatol!" Pangaral ni Crezst.

"Ano Slaine? Aakitin na ba namin ang baby niya para sa'yo mapunta si Rafus?" Alok ni Lowell. Hindi ko inakala na narinig niya pala iyon.

"Magmove-on ka na lang, Slaine! Tutal andami mo pang listahan ng mga crush," si Jangkit na pinapagaan ang loob ko.

"Huwag ka ng malungkot diyan, Slaine. Oorder na akong tatlong tupperware ng graham balls. Tahan na, mukha ka kasi tanga kapag umiiyak." Si Dom.

Nanatili akong nakatingin sa sahig. "Sino ba 'yang baby ni Rafus, Slaine?" Doon lang ako napaangat ng tingin sa tanong ni Helen. Pansin kong pati si Dom, Dani at Jangkit ay nakatingin at naghihintay sa sagot ko.

"Bakit ako umiiyak? Dahil ito sa tuwa. Sumasakit ang puso ko dahil sa sobrang saya..." Sinubukan kong palungkutin ang boses ko pero makalipas ilang segundo ay dahan dahan akong tumayo. Pinagpagan ko ang sarili ko at nagpunas ng luha gamit ang kamay.

"Anong ibig mong sabihin?" Sabay tanong ni Jangkit at Dani. Kunot noo rin sina Lowell at Dom na nakatingin sa akin.

"Rafus' baby is no other than... me, Slaine Amaris Aranza-Cattaneo." I proudly uttered with a nice poise and showed them my sweetest smile.