"Jayden Waylen Lennon," my friend Zion called my full name. What's his problem huh?
"Why?" I responded.
"What's with that smile? I bet, that's because of a girl." with his teasing voice.
"Whatever," I smirked.
"Seriously, what happened?" he asked again.
"Yeah, remember what I told you. About the girl in café, this last sunday?" I started.
"Woah, lakas ng tama mo sa babaeng yon ah. Then?" he give me a teasing smile.
Zion is kinda playboy, in the other hand he's a good friend of mine. Well, I'm different compare to him, I'm serious when it comes to love and my studies ofcourse. And that girl, that girl caught all my attention. I want to know her better.
"I saw her a while ago, sa field papuntang restroom," I said.
"Really? So, she's studying here? Woah school mates huh, what's your plan?" zion respond and give me a smirk.
"I'm not sure, she's in wearing a civilian when I see her. In fact, nag kabungguan kami. Or should I say binunggo ko sya? Yet, she still didn't recognize me. I'm pretty sure if she recognize me, she will be really annoy." I chuckled.
"Perhaps, she have a friend studying here. If that's the case," he casually said.
"Yeah."
"Then, who? And tell me how pretty she is, when you saw her a while ago," Zion.
Please remind me that he's my friend.
"Shut up, but she's not pretty. She's stunning," I answered.
"Malala ka na." 'tsaka tinapik ang balikat ko.
Shayrie Anloa Phatian, it's her full name on what I remembered. I try to search it on social media but, that name doesn't exist. I don't know if I could see her again. I wouldn't still give up, I know she's just a shy girl, cute and should I add, that she's really annoys when I'm around. I don't know but there's something in mind that telling me to pursue her. There's an electric that gives me energy whenever I see her. Well, I just saw her twice.
"Hey, c'mon let's go," pag yaya ni Zion.
"Pass, I'll rather read and study our upcoming lesson than to go at that arcade. Next time when I'm already with her, let's have double date." I chuckled.
"Ah talaga ba? Bilis na may i-memeet tayo. Yung cute na girl sa kabilang section, na soon magiging girlfriend ko. Pag hindi ka sumama. I won't pay the 6,500, I borrowed last night." 'tsaka sya bumungisngis.
"Wtf? Really, let's break this friendship," overacting kong saad.
"'Di bagay sayo Jay, matuturn off yung crush mo," pang aasar nya.
"Ayoko pa rin, it's just money. Gagawin mo lang akong third wheel," I seriously said.
"Well, may kasama daw si Xylie. For sure cute din yon, friendly date lang. C'mon," pamimilit nya.
"Si Xylie pala tinutukoy mo, yung matagal mo nang crush pero takot ka sa kuya niya. Kawawa ka naman, wala kasing tiwala sayo. Napaka babaero mo," pang aasar ko.
"Stop, I'm not play boy anymore. Seriously bro, I want to court her," he said. I could feel he's sincere.
"Woah, is that you Zion Herklie Cercal?" I mocked. "I'm just kidding, go court her. Xylie is kind person, smart , she's just a little madaldal. You got my support," i added.
"Kaya tulungan mo akong mag palakas, sumama ka na." pamimilit nya ulit.
"No, I'm loyal," I seriously said.
"You didn't even know her name, then your loyal. I'm impress, that's my Jay," he said. As if he's really proud.
"Correction I know her name, but I won't tell to you." sabay tapik sa braso nya.
"Parang hindi kaibigan, ano nga? Malay mo kilala ko 'di ba?" with matching winked pa nya.
"Shayrie," I answered. Wtf? Did I just tell?
"A-are you s-sure? Really?" parang hindi maka-paniwalang tanong nya.
"Did you know her?" tanong ko pabalik. He just smile suspiciously.
"Just come with me in the mall, I'll promise mag e-enjoy ka," Zion. Hindi ko alam bakit ang kulit nya, kahit pa ulit-ulit kong sabihin na ayaw ko. Ito pa rin sya.
"But, your treat? And. You'll pay the 6,500 huh, either I'll just punch you." I just gave up and decided to go with him.
"Bingo, sure my treat." he winked.
Since we're minor and we still can't get license for driving, we have our own driver. Pina uwi na lang ni Zion ang driver at sasakyan nya, dahil sa'kin na lang daw sya sasakay. It's about an hour a way from our school to the mall, I just decided to play some music. May sariling mundo din naman si Zion, he's busy on his phone.
I chuckled, "cute." I saw Shayrie's photo I took, when she's at our café last sunday. I make this as my home screen, para safe. Delikado kapag lock screen, who ever will hold my phone could probably see that.
"My new favourite subject," I whispered. While still thinking of her.
We're now at the mall, and I hate it. People are so loud, what more at the arcade.
"Bro, smile," zion said.
"Mind your own business," pambabara ko. He just give me a smirked.
We also both decided na pumunta muna sa restroom. I'm now facing the mirror, and fixing myself even though I'm handsome enough. I'm wearing a black casual pants and white long sleeves, hinubad ko lang yung black casual blazer na uniform din namin. Ofcourse, a black shoes too.
"Where are they?" I asked zion.
"Nasa arcade na nga daw, medyo saglit lang tayo don. Gutom na din daw kasi sila, I know you too," zion explained.
"Yeah," tipid kong sagot.
Finally we're now at the arcade.
"Prepare yourself," he give me a stringe smile.
"Huh?" I confusesly responded.
Wait? What? Do I'm dreaming? Is this...
"Hey, Xylie!" tawag ni zion at hudyat na nandito na kami. I can't move my feet, sh*t!
"You?" mahing natanong nung babaeng kasama ni Xylie, habang nakaka titig sa'kin.
I heard Zion chuckled, and I don't know what to do or even say right now. I'm shocked that I want to kill Zion. No, I'm just kidding.
"Did you know eachother?" tanong ni Xylie sa'min.
"Ha? No, may kamukha lang sya," sagot ni Shayrie. Is she just lie? Or she can't just remember me? It's impossible. Honestly, I hate liars. I'm a bit disappointed. Maybe, I'm just little hurt when she deny, that he know me. Or I'm just over thinking?
"Joke, yeah I met him at the café. Nung sunday," she said and chuckled a little. Wait my heart, she caught again. I thought she will lie.
"Okay, shall we go? Laro na tayo, kanina pa kami dito sa claw machine pero hindi kami makakuha." pag yaya ni Xylie. Naging dahilan upang mabasag ang ka-awkwardan sa pagitan namin ni Shayrie.
"I got you baby," pag yayabang ni Zion.
"Baby? Ay may kayo ba?" tanong ni Shayrie na may kasamang pang aasar. We all laughed dahil napa hiya si Zion. Deserve, just kidding.
Honestly, my heart right now is trembling. Parang napa aga yung double arcade date na sina-sabi ko kay Zion. Lol, then I, and Zion is wearing same clothes style. As well as Shayrie and Xylie. Is this really meant to be? C'mon it's giving me more excitement.
"Anong I got you baby? More than 10 try ka na, hindi ka pa rin nakakahuka kahit isa," pag tataray ni Xylie kay Zion. We all laughed again, when Zion still can't get the stuff toy.
I want to talk to Shayrie but I don't know how to start the conversation without annoying her. We're just watching Xylie and Zion arguing and playing. Napaka tahimik nya talaga, or hindi lang talaga comfortable sa'min? Well, ganon din naman ako most of the time.
"Jayden, right?" shayrie started.
"You remember?" I calmly ask but my inner me is already shouting.
"Yes," tipid nyang sagot.
"I'm sorry about, what happened last time. I didn't mean to—" hindi ko na, naituloy pa ang aking sasabihin.
"No, no worries. It's okay," she sweetly said. The heck? Nakaka wala ng angas 'to ah.
"Kanina pa ata sila nag lalaro sa claw machine," I said. To break the silence that starting to build again.
"Go, try mo. Baka mag bugbugin ng best friend ko, ang best friend mo pag hindi sya nakakuha ng stuff toy," shayrie said to me and chuckled.
Help, she's too cute.
I winked, "just watch." I didn't get any word response from her just a smile. And it's enough for me to be motivated.
"Woah, galing look," pag cheer nya nung nasa taas na ng claw yung stuff toy. I could see how happy see is. She's like a little girl, who get a price.
"Here." sabay abot ko ng cute bear, stuff toy sa kanya na kakakuha ko lang sa claw machine.
"Sa'kin? Kay Xy—" naputol ang sasabihin nya nung sumigaw si Xylie at Zion.
"I told you!" Zion.
"Yehey!" Xylie.
Naka kuha rin yung gustong gusto na stuff toy ni Xylie.
"Meron na si Xylie, it's for you." I smiled.
"T-thank you," nauutal na pag papasalamat nya. Maybe she's shy?
"Babe!" tawag ni Xylie kay Shayrie.
"Yes, babe?" sagot ni Shayrie.
"Look, ang cute." 'tsaka pinaka ang stuff toy na hawak nya.
"Oo nga, ito din." itinaas nya yung stuff toy na binigay ko. It put smile on my face.
"Literal na double date," pang aasar ni Zion. I just stare at him and make a big eyes. Kahit kailan napaka daldal nya.
"Huh?" naguguluhang tanong ni Shayrie.
"Nothing, pero ano bakit babe tawagan nyo?" tanong ni Zion. Xylie and Shayrie stare at eachother for a while and then, they laugh together.
"What's funny?" tanong ulit ni Zion. Even me is confused but I just stayed quiet.
"Nothing din," sagot ni Xylie.
"Sabihin mo na babe, baka lalo pa syang masaktan," Shayrie said in teasing way. Meron din palang tinatago na kakulitan 'to si Shayrie, I thought she's just always serious. That's my first impression.
"Kasi mahal namin isa't isa," sagot ni xylie.
"Sira ka talaga, pero true." Shayrie said and both of them chuckled. What's with this girls huh?
"Shayrie, umayos ka akin lang si Xylie," parang bata na usal ni Zion.
"Ah, gusto ko ba?" kunwaring inosenteng tugon ni Shayrie.
"Oo," Zion.
"Soon," Xylie.
Sobrang mag kasabay na sagot nilang dalawa.
"Edi kayo na," pag mamaktol ni Shayrie 'tsaka ngumuso.
"Stop that guys, let's just play," pag putol ko sa usapan. Konti na lang mag seselos na din ako kay Xylie at Shayrie, just kidding.
"Oo nga, tama na kaka harot," Shayrie. We all laugh, maybe she have period right now? Joke.
"Saan tayo mag lalaro? I mean anong game?" Xylie asked.
"Sa basketball! I and Xylie are team and Shayrie, jay are team. So, 2 vs 2. Paramihan ng masho-shoot with in three minutes. Game?" zion explained and I could see how excited he is. As if naman na matatalo nya ako when it comes to basketball.
"Makaka tangi pa ba kami, naplano mo na nga." pag tataray ni Xylie. "Joke lang, game. Next boys vs girls hah. Kung sino matatalo mang lilibre ng ice cream," she added. While Shayrie is just quiet at the side. Parang biglang lumalim yung iniisip nya.
"Let's go?" pag yaya ko kay Shayrie sa basketball area here in arcade.
"Hmm," she nodded and smile.
"Are you okay?" I asked. I'm really worried, maybe she's not feeling well.
"Ah, I j-just felt little dizzy. But—" she said. Hindi nya natuloy ang sasabihin nung idampi ko ang likod ang palad ko sa noo nya.
"Sorry, did I shocked you? Or make you feel awkward, I didn't mean to," I explained. Dahil parang natulala sya sa ginawa ko. Jayden, what's this just I do? I should ask her first. That's why I hate, when my emotions take me.
"No, i-it's just my first time boy touch my forehead beside of my dad." She answered and smile awkwardly. I don't know what should I feel, be relief, feel sorry, or what?
"Aw i see, I'm really sorry I didn't ask permission," I sincerely said.
"It's okay, thank you for your concern," she replied.
"I think you have a fever, medyo mainit ang noo mo. You should drink medicine and take a rest later, okay?" I added. She just nodded.
"Ano guys, mag lalaro ba tayo or mag lalaro. Kala ko ba tama na harutan," pag singit ni Zion. Kanina kasi nandoon sila sa may dance area kasama si Xylie. Parang sira naman sumayaw ni Zion, kala nya kina dagdag points nya yon kay Xylie.
"Shut up, kumain na tayo. Let's just play some other time. Medyo masama ang pakiramdam ni Shayrie," i said seriously. Even I still want to play with them. Specially with Shayrie, I'll rather do my best to make her feel better. That is, she should rest.
"Babe, okay ka lang ba? Sabi ko sayo kumain muna na tayo eh, tapos h-hoyyy umamin ka! Wala kang tulog noh." sunod sunod na sermon ni Xylie kay Shayrie. But I know she's really worried too.
"Kulang lang 'to sa ice cream," Shayrie said and laugh. Kanina ko pa naririnig yung ice cream na yon, maybe favorite nila?
"Tara na Zion, tama na kakasayaw," pag saway ko. I also wided my eyes at him, so he will agree. Kapag nag reklamo talaga sya, mag lalakad sya pauwi.
We're now going to restaurant. Kanina mag ka-hawak kamay si Xylie and Shayrie sa pag lalakad but Zion disturb their peacefulness. Kahit kailan talaga si Zion, ayaw sa tahimik na buhay. Ngayon hinahabol ni Xylie si Zion na kamaripas ng takbo dahil masasakal na talaga sya ni Xylie. And me? I'm here at Shayrie's back secretly guarding her. Specially that she's not feeling well.
—♡ Whatever you're going through, remember that. There will be someone who cares for you and appreciate your existence. So keep moving forward, I know you can.