Eliana
One week. A week has passed since that unanticipated incident with Trail. The project he was talking about was already done before I could even redo mine. Alaric gave me something the next day when he asked me to meet him in front of their building.
We had lunch together and he handed me a cardboard. Pareho sa laki ng inabot sa akin ni Trail noong isang araw.
“What’s this?”
He shrugged, “Project. I made it a week ago. It was a draft I decided to finish last night.”
Tinignan kong mabuti ang inabot niya sa ‘kin. It was neat and detailed. It doesn’t look like a draft at all even if the colors aren’t splashed on it. His penmanship was also satisfying and manly written, huge and legible.
“Parang hindi naman draft.”
He chuckled at what I said, “Syempre tinapos ko nga kagabi.” He handed me his tumbler na hindi ko pa rin binabalik sa kanya kasi binigay niya rin naman sa ‘kin kanina para inuman ko.
“Drink water…” I nodded as I obeyed. “Draft ko ‘yan na hindi natuloy kasi hindi ko nagustuhan ang idea. Tinuloy ko kagabi para ibigay sa ‘yo.”
“Hmm? So, it was your initial idea, ito ba dapat ang ipapasa mo?”
“Yep.”
“It’s so pretty! The message it conveys is so pretty bakit hindi mo tinuloy?” I traced the lines and I immediately felt how rough the surface was. Parang binigyan talaga ng atensyon dahil detalyado. “Marriage… but she wasn’t wearing any dress. The shadow behind her wears one instead. And the guy, he was tied and muted with cloth on his mouth…”
What’s that supposed to mean? Iyon ang unang tanong ko sa isip. But as I stared with the artwork I realized it was a forced marriage. The guy didn’t really want to be married to the girl who wasn't wearing any wedding dress, he was tied up because he had nothing to do.
I also noticed how the shadow of the girl has her heart highlighted with bright red along with cracks that might indicate the wounds in her heart.
“It’s so pretty, paano mo naisip ito?”
“I guess I have a wide imagination,” he smirked at me, parang nagyayabang pa ata.
Saglit na nangunot ang noo ko at nagpakita ng nandidiring ekspresyon ang aking mukha bago sinabayan ang pagtawa niya.
“Thank you, Al. Wala naman na sigurong masasabi ang Religion teacher namin nito,” I giggled.
He didn’t answer. Nang mag-angat ako ng tingin sa kanya ay nakatitig lamang siya sa akin. I frowned, a questioning smile appeared on my lips.
“Ano ‘yun?” I tried asking.
“Nothing, I think you should go.”
“Should we… uh have lunch nalang together? Since lunch na rin naman na,” I suggested.
Tumango lang siya sa akin at hindi na sumagot. That’s how my lunch went on Tuesday last week. Kasalukuyan akong nagliligpit ng gamit ko nang maalala ko iyon.
Isang ngiti ang sumilay sa labi ko. Kinagat ko agad ang ibabang labi para pigilan ang pagngiti. Baka sabihin ng iba nasisiraan na ako ng bait.
“Hindi ka ba sasabay sa amin ngayon?” Tanong sa akin ni Enrico.
Umiling lamang ako sa kanya. “Kay Tina ako sasabay ng lunch ngayon,” I said.
“Nasasanay ka na sa kanila Tina, ah?”
That’s what I did magmula noong Miyerkules. Hindi na naulit iyong lunch namin ni Alaric dahil sumasabay na rin siya sa ilang basketball team mates niya.
Kay Tina madalas ako sumabay. Lalo na sa hapon siya ang lagi kong kasabay na umuwi kasama ng pinsan niyang si ate Maya. Diretso kasi siya sa school ng ate ko; sa TAPS. Kaya lagi akong sumasabay sa kanilang dalawa pauwi.
Usually they are with Alaric after dismissal kasi halos magkakalapit lang din naman sila ng bahay. Actually madadaanan nga nila ‘yung bahay namin. Pero ni minsan hindi pa sumasabay sa amin si Alaric.
Noon, oo. Noong hindi ako masyadong sumasabay sa kanila.
Usually, I eat lunch with Enrico and Nathaniel. Umuuwi kasi sila Cess, Mikhaille, and Sean. Sometimes Cess would join us, umuuwi lang naman ata siya ng tanghali kapag nandoon ang mama niya. Medyo malayo rin ang bahay nila kaya minsan lang siya umuwi. But Sean and Mikhaille are the ones who really eat lunch at home.
"Bukas, sa inyo ako sasabay," I assured them. "Sigurado 'yan!"
Nagmamadali akong lumabas dahil baka hinihintay na ako nina Tina. She told me she'll wait outside. Naabutan ko siyang nakasandal sa railings at kausap si ate Maya.
Nahagip ng mga mata ko ang papalapit na si Alaric, hands are in his pockets as usual. Nanatili ang mga mata ko doon, sa kamay niyang nasa bulsa.
They were fisted. Nang ibalik ko naman ang tingin sa mukha niya ay nakatingin na ito sa akin, kunot ang noo at diretsong linya ang labi.
My eyes remained on the spot where his figure faded as he walk. Nakalapit na siya sa kanila habang ako sinusubukan iproseso sa isip na nasa harap ko siyang muli. Now I suddenly forgot how to talk to him.
Kasama niya ang isang kaibigan na basketball player din. Nang lumapit ako sa kanila ay agad akong hinawakan ni Tina sa braso, she pulled me to her and started walking.
“Tara na! Kumpleto na tayo,” she said, almost hopping as she walk. “Ang tagal mo?”
“I fixed my things…” halos pabulong na ani ko. Naalala kong muli ‘ang nangyari noong Martes. “Tska nagpaalam na rin ako sa mga kaibigan ko.”
“Bakit ba kailangan mo pang magpaalam?”
I shrugged, “Sila kasi madalas kong kasabay.”
The talk was interrupted with a chuckle from behind. Pamilyar iyon. Low and full, it was him.
Akmang lilingunin ko na sila nang maramdaman ko ang paghila sa akin ni Tina palikod.
“Elisa! Oh my go—! One wrong step and you’ll—”
“Fuck.”
Naramdaman ko ang isa pang kamay na hawak na ngayon ang braso ko. Nang lingunin ang nasa likod nakita ko si ate Maya na kunot ang noo sa akin.
“I-I’m fine. Nakikita ko naman ang daan, Tina,” sabi ko kahit na alam kong muntik na nga rin akong mapa-subsob sa hagdan.
“Careful. Watch your steps, will you?” I heard him say, Alaric was not frowning nor glaring at me. It was just plain before he went back to their interrupted conversation.
Crestina was blabbering about things that could have happened if she didn’t see me almost missing a step. Saying I might have stumbled on the stairs and hurt myself.
Halos hindi ko na rin naman na maintindihan ang mga sinasabi niya. My mind was occupied with Alaric’s reaction to that incident. His brows were as calm as usual but his expression was plain and boring.
Hindi ko mapigilan ang mapa-kunot noo sa mga iniisip. I don’t understand why I’m feeling upset for an unknown reason my mind refuses to tell me.
Nang ipikit ko ang mga mata, I can still see Alaric's blank face staring at me before the fall. It was cold but concern was seen in his eyes. Sigurado ako doon! Nakagat ko ang labi nang bigla na lamang pumasok sa isip ko ang nangyari noong Martes.
Maikli lang ‘yung oras na magkasama kami noon dahil kailangan ko ring umalis agad, pagkatapos na pagkatapos kong kumain. But I had a great time. I love how his eyes smile when he laugh, I love how he shake his head as he play his tongue against the inside of his cheek, and the way he scratches his brows as his habit.
"Hoy hala! Lutang ka, girl? Ano bang kakainin mo para isabay ko na sa ‘kin. Humanap ka nalang uli ng mauupuan.” Tina ringed my ears. “Adobo sa akin.”
Tumango ako, wala nang gana pa para mamili. “Ganun na lang din.”
I tried my best to stay focused in finding us a chair. Nasa labas pa rin sina ate Maya at si Alaric kasama ‘yung kaibigan niya. They were ordering for themselves as well.
Nagdesisyon kaming lahat na sa isang malapit na kainan na lang kumain kasi Lunes na naman, marami ang estudyante sa Jollibee.
“Move there,” halos mapatalon ako sa kamay na pumatong sa balikat ko. “Tatabi ako, come on.”
Nagulat ako nang hilain niya ang dalawang upuan na nasa ilalim ng lamesa at pinagtabi iyon. He held both my shoulders and made me sit on one of it, kung saan nasa dulo at katabi ng pader. Umupo naman siya sa katabing upuan pagkatapos.
“Where’s ate Maya?” I asked him. Dumako naman ang mga mata ko sa papalapit na kaibigan niya. “Hi…” I smiled at him as I nodded a bit.
“Eliana, right?” Tumango ako sa kanya at inabot ang kamay na nakalahad, “I’m Paulino, Al’s friend.”
“Nice to meet you,” I smiled back.
I heard a scoff as we shook our tied hands.
“I don’t think that’s even necessary. We don't do that anymore these days. Handshake?” Alaric mocked our shaking hands and waved his hands through the air.
Nangunot naman ang noo ko sa inasta nito at binalingan na lamang si Paulino na umupo sa harapan ko. He just nodded at me and motioned Alaric after with a shrug.
“Basic knowledge naman na siguro na we must do the hand shake when we meet someone new?” I whispered to myself.
“It’s not unless you're somewhere formal. What are you, an old woman meeting another old aged woman who endures her self-diagnosed diseases?” he sarcastically smiled at me, “Hello, dear! Nice to meet you. How are you? I’m fine, thank you.”
“Oh Lord…”
“See? It’s annoying” He raised a brow at me.
“It’s not even a big deal! You are annoying!”
He just clicked his tongue against his teeth at me and shrugged me off by facing his back at me. Umirap lang ako at hinarap nalang si Paulino, na aliw sa nakikita.
Nang madako ang tingin niya sa ‘kin ay binigyan ko na lamang siya ng isang maliit na ngiti. He chuckled with the gesture which made my smile wider.
“Naglalaro ka rin ba? Any sports?” he opened a topic.
Umiling ako, "I'm more on academics. I can play, but not that well."
“Oh? What game do you play?”
“Our family plays chess often. It’s our hobby lalo na sport ‘yun ng kapatid kong lalaki.”
“His older brother, kuya Cai,” Alaric had to interrupt.
Hindi ko siya pinansin at nagpatuloy sa pakikipag-usap kay Paulino. Ilang saglit lang bago pa kami makapagsalitang muli ay dumating na si ate Maya at Tina. May kasunod silang babae na may hawak na tray.
May mga maliliit na cups sa ibabaw nong tray. Nilapag ito sa mesa namin isa-isa. Lahat kami meron non. I leaned in to sniff and I frowned when its steam met my face.
“Sabaw ‘yan hindi naman lason,”
I rolled my eyes at what he said, “Alam ko.”
“Kung makakunot kasi ng noo akala mo naman…”
“Alaric, please shut up,” Tina cuts him off.
Napangiti naman ako. I stuck my tongue out at him and smirked a bit before bringing my focus back on the small cup.
Hindi ako sigurado kung gusto ko bang higupin itong sabaw o ihalo sa kakainin ko. Bihira akong kumain sa mga ganitong karinderya pero alam ko naman na sabaw itong una nilang sine-serve at libre ito.
Hindi ko lang talaga hinihigop minsan kasi may possibility na kung ano ‘ang natira sa kabilang table ay pwedeng binalik uli nila para muling ihain sa ibang kakain. They might think that it’ll be put into waste if they throw it away. Also the fact that I don’t know what kind of water they used with this.
But sometimes instead of leaving it the same way they served it, I mixed it with some of the sauce from my meal or something I can put in the cup to refrain them from reusing the soup. Kawawa naman iyong ibang customer na reused soup nalang ang mahihigop.
I sometimes hate this trait of mine but I’m just being sure for my health. Who knows, right?
“Sumali ka na ba ng mga beauty contests?” nagulat ako nang may magsalita sa gitna nang pagtitig ko sa sabaw.
When I lifted my head to look at who asked, I saw two different kinds of expressions looking at me. One was frowning while one was eager to know my answer. And the former was Alaric, the one who asked was Paulino.
“Huh?”
“Nasabaw na rin ata siya sa pagtitig niya sa sabaw niya,” Tina replied with a soft laugh.
“Sumali ka na raw ba ng mga beauty pageant.”
Tinignan ko si Alaric, then shifted to Paulino to answer. “Hindi pa. Wala talaga akong interes sa mga ganon. I’m more on academics.”
I heard a small click of tongue again. “She’s more on quiz bees, spelling bees, journalism, story retelling…” Alaric turned to look at me, leaning in with his elbow placed on the table. “What else is there to say? I think you’ve joined almost everything.”
I licked my lower lip as I stared right into his eyes. A brow was raised and the side of his lips arose. He lifted his elbow that was placed on the table and traveled his hand on the side of my seat, now placing his palm there making him lean more.
Nakita ko ang isa niyang kamay na umangat, slowly nearing my face. I blinked a couple of times waiting for something to happen. Things are going so fast but as he nears me more it gets slower.
“Excuse me po, ano pong drinks gusto ninyo?”
Halos mapatalon ako sa gulat nang may magsalita at isa-isang naglapag ng mga plato. Nang lingunin ko ang side nina Tina ay nakayuko lamang sila, si ate Maya ay nakatingin sa babae na nags-serve.
Alaric removed his palm on my chair and placed his elbow back on the table, now both. His hands are clasped together.
“Do you have iced tea?” I tried asking the woman.
“Po?”
“Eliana will have water. Dalawang bote po ng tubig." Alaric interrupted the woman. "Kayo?"
Tina nodded, “Tubig na rin sa amin ni ate.”
“Gatorade. Blue.” Paulino said after.
Nang tingnan ko si Alaric ay nakatingin na siya sa akin. Umiling lamang siya bago bumulong.
“They don’t even have iced tea here, why would you ask for that?”
I sneered, “Alam ko ba? ‘Yung pinuntahan namin na karinderya noon meron naman.”
He chuckled a bit with what I said. “Anong iced tea ‘yon? In a can or in a bottle?” His tone was obviously sarcastic again.
“It’s in a bottle. Pero hindi masyadong lasang iced tea…”
He nodded, convinced. “So it’s much better to have a bottle of water, Eliana.”
Hindi nalang ako umimik at hinayaan siya sa gusto niyang isipin. We were quiet as we start eating. From time to time, Alaric’s elbow hits mine. I would look at him sideways to see what’s his reaction would be but I would always get nothing.
I sighed a bit when I finished my food. Tina shifted her attention to me from her meal.
“Are you done?” Tumango ako. “Nagustuhan mo ba iyong adobo nila? You still have a few left…”
“You wanna have it? It’s too salty anyway,” ani ko. Medyo ngumiwi pa.
Nakaramdam ako ng tapik sa balikat. Binalingan ko si Alaric na tahimik na ngumunguya habang binubuksan ang bote ng tubig na hawak.
Nangunot naman ang noo ko nang iabot niya iyon sa akin. Slightly nodding to me, inaabot ang maiinom sa akin.
"Thanks," I said with a small smile.
“You should join beauty pageants, you know? Is your hair color natural?” Paulino suggested as we finished our food.
“I uh…”
I tried glancing at my friend, Tina, she was already looking at me when our eyes met. She gave me an inquiring twitch of a brow before motioning Paulino beside her with her lips.
I fiddled with my fingers. Hindi ko talaga makita ang sarili ko na kasali sa mga beauty pageant. At hindi ko alam kung bakit naisip ni Paulino na minsan na akong sumali. My hair color is something near the color of a ginger, though it’s still a paint of dark brown.
Thinking about answering the question in a nice way, I was interrupted with a single scoff. Nang lingunin ko ang katabi isang ngisi ang nakita ko sa kanyang mga labi. I frowned a bit when he tilted his head a bit to my side, running his eyes on mine for a while.
“You’re making her uncomfortable, Paul. I think we should go. Tapos na ba lahat?” He was first to stand.
Tumango lamang ako at tumayong muli. Pero sinubukan ko pa ring tignan ang kaibigan ni Alaric. He was still looking at me, actually scanning my hair.
“It’s natural if that answers your question. Hindi ko pa napapagalaw ng kahit anong pampakulay ang buhok ko,” I whispered to him as I lean in to reach for my water. “Pero hindi pa ako sumasali ng mga pageant and I have no plans on joining one.” I smiled at him, finishing the conversation as I follow Alaric’s steps.
Nauna na siyang lumabas sa karinderya hawak ang bote ng tubig sa isang kamay. Mabagal ang lakad nito. I saw him opening the bottle as he walk and drinking on it until its very last drop.
I thought he was going to continue looking for a trash bin he could throw the bottle into when he turned to walk back to us—to me.
“Your water?”
I lifted my hand, “Here.”
Tumango lamang siya sa akin, para pang natuwa na meron pa iyong tubig ko. ”Tina? Tara na! Tapos na ba kayo?”
We decided to make our way to the nearest bookstore. I plan to buy a few things kasi meron na naman kaming pending project that I forgot to do last week. Deadline nito sa Friday, Lunes ngayon. And guess what? Religion teacher na naman namin ito.
My sophomore year is already pressing my patience with all these projects and group works I have to get done. May quiz pa ata kami this week, tatlo iyon, puro major subjects. Daig pa ata namin ang mga senior high school students sa school, God… Halos mahimatay ako iniisip ko palang lahat ng kailangan naming gawin.
“Ano pang bibilhin mo?” Tina asked me as I approach the store. “Mauna na raw sina Alaric at Paulino, si ate naman may kailangan kitain na kaibigan malapit dito kaya hindi rin sasama,” tumango lamang ako.
I tried roaming my eyes to look for them but their presence slowly evaporated as it was replaced with different faces around me. Nauna na nga sila.
Mahigpit kong hinawakan ang water bottle na may konti pang tubig. Ininuman ko iyon saglit bago tinapon sa basurahan na nasa labas ng Pandayan.
“Bibili lang ako ng ilang materials para sa pinapagawa ni ma’am sa Rel… meron na naman kasi,” I left my bag sa baggage counter. “May bibilhin ka rin ba?”
Umiling lang siya. “No. Samahan nalang kita.”
Tahimik naming sinuyod ang Pandayan para bumili ng kakailanganin ko. Tina was just following me behind, I’m close to thinking that she’s bored with what we’re doing now so I tried my best looking for everything as quickly as I can.
May iba na hindi ko na alam kung nasaan ba kaya hindi ko nalang sinubukan pang hanapin dahil mauubusan na rin naman kami ng oras. I swear I still have a lot to buy but I was worried we might be late—
“Hala…”
I halted the moment I heard Tina speak. She was busy scrolling through her phone, her fingers gripped on it a bit tight based on how the tips of her finger were painted red.
“What happened? Maka-hala ka naman, wagas!”
“I don’t know what’s with Alaric’s message but he said…” she showed me her phone, facing it straight. I frowned as I read it. “He’s asking me to ask you… to call him…?”
alaric garlic:
Hey, Tina.
Are you still with her?
Eliana.
Kung kasama mo pa siya, can you ask her to call me? ASAP.
I had the strongest urge to laugh at the contact name she saved with his number. Nakagat ko ang labi habang binabasa ang mensahe niya kay Tina. He mentioned me. Asked her if I could call him. And that ‘ASAP’ made it really look like something was wrong.
And so I frowned upon reading that sentence. Did something happen?
“May number ka ba niya?” Tina pulled her phone back to her and started scrolling again.
“Meron. Just saved it a week ago,” I said, stopping her.
I saw how her frowned brows loosened, making them raise as her eyes circled as it shake along with shock. Napairap ako sa nakuhang reaksyon mula sa kanya. Was it a big deal ba? Jusko!
“Kinuha mo numero niya? Pinilit mo siya?”
Now it was my turn to be shocked, later on laced with defensive gestures. “Huh?! Bakit ko naman hihingin? He gave it to me! Sinulat niya sa palad ko last week lang, duh…” I reach out my hand to her.
“He never gave it that easily, though…” she pouted at me a bit. “May load ka ba? Ikaw ang tumawag sa kanya. Bukod sa wala akong load, iyon naman kasi ang sabi niya.”
“May load ako. Don’t worry I’ll call him. Can you pay for these as I do so?” I handed her the things I have in hand. She swiftly collected them in her hands. “Thank you, I’ll get back to you after the call!”
“Pera ay? Paano ako magbabayad hoy!”
I laughed with her panicked face. Inabot ko sa kanya ang hawak na pera. Ngumiti lamang siya bago tinanggap iyon at tinungo ang counter para bayaran ang mga gamit ko.
As I fish for my phone inside my skirt’s pocket, I felt the sudden excitement in me. I started to play with my tongue and licked my lips back and forth while looking for his number through my contacts.
Hindi rin nagtagal ay nahanap ko rin ang numero niya. I saved it as Annoying Al. He won’t know that naman hehe.
I dialed the number, a few rings welcomed my ear as I wait for him to answer. He won’t recognize my number but I hope he recognizes my voice. Hindi ko naman itatago na medyo nag-aalala ako dahil sa natanggap ni Tina na mensahe mula sa kanya.
That ASAP had me wondering what could have happened to make him ask me to call him that sudden. I guess this is what he means when he said I can call him only when it’s important? What could have been so important that he asked me to call him ASAP?
“Hello?”
“O-Oh—” nataranta ako nang marinig ang boses niya.
“Is this you, Eliana? Hey…”
Mabilis ang naging pag tango ko, “Yes. You uhm… asked me to call you? Is there something wrong? May nangyari ba?”
I heard a soft laugh across the line. It lasted for some seconds before I felt his breathing fanned against the speaker. It didn’t hurt my ears, it was like he was really there, breathing through my ear so close his lips brushed on it.
“Thanks for the call.”
“So what exactly happened that made you ask me to call you?” I frowned, irritated because I still haven’t got the answer to my question.
“Silly you, brat. Nothing happened. I just need you to call me so I can save your number on my phone. Can that answer your question? That’s an emergency, right?”
“No, it’s not! You—what… I’m ending the call. This is useless—”
I heard a scoff. “It’s not useless. Nakuha ko ang numero mo.”
My toenails crumbled, reflecting the irritation that slowly grew stronger as he spoke.
“I’m ending the call.”
“Okay—”