"Akala ko ba swimming ha?"
Faye said as she entered the car and closed its door. Nasa pagitan namin si Mimi. I suddenly had a change of mind dahil naalala kong hindi pa pala ako nakakabili ng mga gagamitin namin sa pasukan. Papunta na kami ngayon sa mall.
"Sorry, Faye. I forgot to tell you guys because I just remembered this morning." paliwanag ko sa kanila. Excited na excited sila sa pag-aakalang mag-swimming kami ngayong araw. May dala na nga silang mga swimsuits at sunblocks para makapagpictorial daw sana sila. They frowned at me when I said the plan has changed. Mabuti na lang at may dala silang damit pang-alis.
"And you, Mimi. She just offered you a human size teddy bear and you agreed immediately," buntong niya naman ng galit kay Mimi. She was surprised with the sudden mention of her name.
"Hello? Who rejects gifts? Isa pa, I love bears kaya," Mimi talked back. Faye just crossed her arms and looked the other way, obviously disappointed.
"Faye, sorry na." I tried to reach her but she's acting mad. "Okay, sige. Here's the deal. I'll treat you guys a meal. And I'll buy anything you guys want."
They both shifted their faces on my direction. I knew it. Gusto niya talaga magpalibre. She smiled at me, obviously happy at what I said. "Don't you even try to take it back or I'll be mad again," bigkas niya, abot tenga na ngayon ang ngiti.
Nang makarating kami sa mall, I told the driver to look around on his own at baka ma-bore sa amin sa kakahintay. I offered him money so he could by anything he want but he refused. Pinilit ko pa rin siya until he accepted it.
Naunahan pa ako nina Faye na makapasok sa mall. Parang kanina lang nagtatampo dahil hindi makaka-swimming pero ngayon excited na pumasok sa mall. But anyways, it's a good thing they agreed. I don't wanna buy things on my own. I'm sure I'll surely be bored if I did that.
Pagkapasok ko pa lang, bumungad na sa akin ang isang book store. We literally ran until we reach its entrance. The smell of books. I just love the feeling inside. "Since binigyan ako ni Lolo ng extrang money, you can choose a book and I'll buy it for you guys. Remember, A BOOK." I emphasized the last two words. They just nodded like innocent puppies.
I looked for educational books first before searching the fictional bookshelves. When I got three science book, I started scanning the fantasy section. They are my thing kase.
"May napili na kami!" They both said in unison while I was busy reading the titles of the books. They were both smiling widely at me, para bang may binabalak na masama.
"What is it?" They hid the books they chose behind their backs. Ano ba kasi ang mga iyon at ayaw nilang ipakita sa akin? When I tried to reach them, they just shake their heads, not wanting me to have a look. "Kapag hindi niyo pinakita, I will not buy it."
Napatakip sila ng mukha atsaka tinutok sa mukha ko ang parehong libro. What the—Fifty Shades Series!?
"Hiyang-hiya naman itong Biology book na hawak ko." I said in a low voice.
"We're just kidding!" Faye defended themselves and returned the books on the shelf. Mimi was laughing at herself too. People were staring at us kaya nakaramdam ako ng konting hiya.
In the end, hindi na sila pumili ng libro. Nakapila na kami sa counter. Faye was pouting, she obviously want to buy the books. Mimi was probably looking around to spot handsome guys. Her hobby whenever we're going out.
"Faye if you want those books badly, then get them na. Kanina ka pa nakanguso riyan. Konti na lang magmumukha ka ng pato."
"Really?" Her eyes sparkled. Tumango ako kaya mabilis niyang binalikan ang mga gusto niyang libro. She's so extra talaga. Hindi ko alam saan nagtatago ang serious at silent side niya right now.
I was looking around when I saw a bundle of the Harry Potter series sa shelf malapit sa counter. When it's our turn to pay, pinaabot ko sa counter lady 'yung bundle, atsaka na binayaran ang iba pang books na binili namin.
"Ngiting tagumpay ah." I teased Faye.
Pinabaggage namin ang mga binili namin para hindi kami mahirapan sa pagbitbit habang naglilibot. Ipapa-cart na lang namin lahat mamaya pag-uwi. We strolled at different outfit shops bago kami dumiretso sa school supplies shop. Actually, 'yung ibang shop dito, nag-sign ng partnership sa company namin, kaya mas gusto kong dito kami bumibili ng mga gamit at accesories.
Nang matapos at mapagod sa paglilibot, kumain kami sa isang sikat na Italian restaurant na madalas kong puntahan. Pumili kami ng table na malapit sa glass wall. We ordered Caprese Salad with Pesto Sauce, pasta, at marami pang iba na hindi ko na mabigkas ang pangalan dahil ang hahaba. Kahit marami ang mga carbs ng mga 'to, go lang. We're not that body conscious, but sometimes, pinagsasabihan ko naman sila sa mga kinakain nila.
We stayed there a little bit more to rest. Wala naman masyadong customer na pumapasok, eh. When we're all ready to go, we went to Time Zone to play a little. I noticed how happy we were today. Napawi na naman siguro ang pagkabagot namin sa bahay.
We returned to the baggage area to get the stuff we bought. Sakto, nakasalubong namin si Manong Driver kaya tinulungan na niya kami sa pagbitbit. When we happened to pass by a donut shop, we went to buy for Lolo.
It was already dark outside when we went out. Dumiretso na kami sa parking para makauwi na. Wala ng nagsalita sa biyahe dahil siguro pagod kaming lahat. Pinadiretso ko na ang sasakyan kina Mimi. They look tired when they went out of the car. Mimi was hugging the big bear tightly. They waved at me as the car started moving.
The soft bed provided comfort to my tired body. I was about to turn off the lights when I receive a message.
From Faye:
Thank you for today, Bea. Mimi was fast asleep but I'm so sure she enjoyed. I did too. Goodnight, baby. See you in class next week. :)
"Have you heard of the news?" I read as I sat on the dining table, now ready for the first day. Napakunot ako ng noo nang matanggap ko ang message na iyon. What does she mean ba? Kumuha ako ng knife bread atsaka ini-spread ang strawberry jam sa tinapay. I took a bite before replying.
To Faye:
What news?
From Faye:
Gian. He's back.
Nalaglag ang tinapay na kagat-kagat ko sa plato. Gian, as in my childhood bestfriend? The kid I had a crush with?
To Faye:
How did you know?
From Faye:
Someone from Mimi's friendlist tagged Gian in a post. It says they're back in the Philippines. And they're entering the same university with us! He's transferring to Crisostomo University!
Because of an unknown reason, my heart started beating fast. Just the thought of meeting him again after all this years made me blush. We lost contact so many years ago, that's why I haven't seen him. How does he look like now? Probably more handsome than ever!
After reading Faye's messages, I started feeling nervous. What if he doesn't recognize me? What will happen if we cross paths?
The driver took me to the university. I missed being in school. I am looking forward to meet new friends and learn new things. And I can't wait to see him.
"Please let me in. Hindi po ako mag-eeffort na magsuot ng uniform ng university kung hindi po ako rito papasok. At hindi po ako outsider. Transferee po ako." I heard someone say as I was about to enter the university's gate.
I eavesdropped so I can hear the whole conversation.
"Sir, readable naman po ang nakapost sa gate 'di ba? No ID, No Entry. Ang pagkakaalam ko po, binigyan ng ID ang mga transferee kahit nu'ng enrollment day pa lang," mukhang inis na paliwanag ng guwardiya habang tinuturo ang signage. May point naman kasi ang guard. May strict rules talaga ang university. Iniingatan talaga ang mga taong nasa loob.
"Pasensya na po, nakalimutan ko lang talaga ang ID ko. Pagbigyan niyo na ako tutal, first day pa lang naman po," He was so desperate to be let in.
Nang tignan ko ang lalaki, napansin ko ang particular features niya. Matangkad siya at matangos ang ilong. Kayumanggi ang balat, konti na lang ay kasing kulay na ng akin. He has looks too at hindi pamilyar sa akin ang itsura niya.
Hindi ko na natiis ang pagtatalo nila kaya linapitan ko na sila at sinubukang tumulong. "Siguro po ako, Manong, kilala niyo na. Ako na po ang bahala sa kaniya. I'll bring him to the principal's office to make sure he's saying the truth."
"Pero Ma'am—"
I smiled at him at sinenyasan siya sa mata. Hindi na siya nagsalita atsaka na binukas ang gate. Pabalik-balik ang tingin sa akin ng lalaki at sa guard. Nang makapasok kami sa loob, I heard him sigh. "Thank you."
Napatingin ako sa kaniya. He's so fine, gosh, or I'd say handsome. "No problem. Next time, bring your ID with you. Strict kase ang rules dito sa University. You probably don't know that. I heard you're a transferee." I started wondering if he's Gian. Hindi ko kasi mamukhaan sa kaniya ang batang Gian.
"Yeah, sure. By the way, I'm Troye." He offered his hand. I was hesistant at first to accept it, but still I did.
"I'm still not sure about you. We need to go to the principal's office." I said and he just nodded. He smiled at me afterwards.
I don't know how to start the conversation that's why I remained silent on the way to the principal's office. He did the same. When we arrived there someone was talking with the principal. We waited until they're finish.
"Oh, Mr. Montefalco! What are you doing here? Your first class will start ten minutes from now."
Did I heard that right? The principal called him, Mr. Montefalco?
"Oh, yeah. I'm with a . . . friend. I had a little problem with the guard as well. Nakalimutan ko po kase ang identification card ko kaya ayaw akong papasukin," he said and started acting embarassed while scratching the back of his head. Cute.
"You're with Miss Matthias?" Napatingin ako sa principal when my last name was mentioned.
"Um, yeah, I think. She helped me." Tumingin sa akin si Troye atsaka ngumiti. I started feeling awkward and nervous.
"Doing your responsibilities again, Miss Matthias? This is why students trust you," sabi niya. I wasn't expecting she'll say that. I started feeling butterflies inside my stomach. "She's the university's president last year. Good thing you met her. I'm sure she'll win the election again for this school year."
"Great," he just replied.
"I think you guys should go now, or else strict teachers will punish you for being late," sabi sa amin ng principal. Pareho kaming tumango sa kaniya atsaka na nagpaalam. They seem to be close. Siguro they met before dahil nga transferee siya.
"Hey, can I ask something?" tanong ko habang hawak ang strap ng bag ko. I don't know why I'm feeling shy right now?
"What is it?"
"Anong full name mo?" He stopped walking and looked at me.
"Bakit? Are you interested in me now?" He said and chuckled a little.
"Wow, ang kapal ah," sabi ko na para bang he's already a close friend. Kinabahan tuloy ako nang mapagtanto iyon. Dahil do'n, bahagya kong binilisan ang lakad ko.
"Gian Troye Montefalco, that's my full name."