Athena’s P.O.V.
It was no other than Vanessa. She was standing at the door, timidly peeking at us. Malamang, gusto niyang makausap si Cristoff. But what for? Was her caught-in-the-act tryst not enough?
I rolled my eyes. Ang kapal talaga ng mukha niya!
I looked at Cristoff and I saw how his reaction suddenly changed at the presence of her and I just hated it. I just hated it with no apparent reason! May nararamdaman pa kaya siya kay Vanessa?
I didn’t know why I got easily cranky and mad, but that was when I thought of doing something interesting and fun. I knew, I shouldn’t get involved, but this would only be an act.
“Let’s go, Cristoff. Mag-lunch na tayo. Dadaan pa tayo sa clinic kasi kailangan ko pang uminom ng gamot, ‘di ba?” I said in a normal tone, na hindi halatang nagpapanggap lang ako. Hinawakan ko ang kanan niyang kamay pagkatapos ay nginitian ko siya at hinila palabas ng pinto. “Excuse us!” I even smiled at Vanessa, pero kulang na lang ay sabihan ko siya na huwag siyang paharang-harang sa daan. I could sense that she was with her friends who seemed to be hiding somewhere else, pero wala akong pakialam.
Wala naman itong nagawa kung hindi ang tumabi at padaanin kami. Wala rin namang nagawa si Cristoff kung hindi ang magpadarang lang sa akin.
When I was already sure na malayo na kami sa classroom at wala nang iba pang tao na makakakita sa aming dalawa ay saka ko lamang siya padabog na binitiwan, “Malayo na tayo sa kanya, kumain ka na.”
Confusion was evident on his entire face. “So what was that act all about, Helena? Ngayon, pakakainin mo ako nang mag-isa?”
“Bakit? Gusto mo ba siyang kasamang kumain? Go ahead, balikan mo roon sa classroom natin!” I even pointed out the direction of the building where our classroom was located. “Nandoon pa ‘yon, baka hinihintay ka lang na bumalik. Akin na nga ‘yang bag ko!” I tried to grab my bag from him pero iniwas lang niya ito sa’kin.
“Wala akong sinasabing ganyan. Kahit naman wala ka roon, hindi ko pa rin siya kakausapin. We’re already over, Helena… and it has been three months. Ang akin lang… I thought, payag ka nang sabay tayong kumain.” Bakas ang lungkot sa boses niya hanggang sa… “Teka, nagseselos ka ba?” at saka gumuhit ang isang nakakaloko at mapang-asar na ngiti sa mga labi niya.
I then let out a sarcastic chuckle. “Ako, magseselos? And why would I even be jealous? Boyfriend ba kita? Alam mo, kung ayaw mong ibigay ‘yang bag ko… fine! Diyan ka na nga! You’re only wasting my time!” Nagsimula na akong lumakad palayo sa kanya. How many times did I walk out from him? I already lost count. So what if he doesn’t want to give me back my bag? I could still buy the things that I had.
Pero nagulat na lang ako nang hinabol naman niya ako at sa pagkakataong ito ay ako naman ang hinawakan niya sa kanan kong kamay. It wasn’t just a simple touch because he made sure that our fingers were clasped on each other, filling the gaps of one another. I tried so hard na kumawala pero nahirapan lang ako. It looked like hindi niya talaga ako bibitiwan kahit ano pang pagpupumiglas ang gawin ko.
“Ikaw ang gusto kong makasama, Helena. Ikaw ang niyaya kong kumain, ‘di ba? Let’s stop this argument and just have a peaceful lunch together. I’ll let you eat something I’m sure you haven’t yet tasted before!” This time, I found his voice charming and soft.
And in just a blink of an eye, I gave up protesting. I just couldn’t say no to him because at the same time, I really wanted to be with him. I desired to follow my mind, but I ended up listening to my heart.
Pumunta kami sa canteen nang magkahawak pa rin ang mga kamay. Nagbitiw lang kami nang pumila siya para bumili ng pagkain at ako nama’y naghanap ng bakanteng mesa at upuan na mapupuwestuhan namin. I didn’t care anymore how people stared at us. They should mind their own business. As long as we were not violating any school rules and we were not doing anything wrong, we shouldn’t worry.
“I thought, you would let me eat something I haven’t yet tasted before, Cristoff? Eh bakit tayo rito pumunta sa canteen? Halos lahat nang pagkain dito eh natikman ko na, nakakasawa na nga eh!” I told him pero nagulat ako nang dalawang plato lang ng kanin ang dala-dala niya. “Don’t tell me… kanin lang ang kakainin nating dalawa? As in… walang ulam?” My eyeballs would come out of my sockets anytime if he would tell me that the answer was yes.
“Yup, kanin lang… kaya nga first time mong kanin lang ang kakainin.” Nakangiti niyang kinuha ang bag niya at binuksan iyon, pagkatapos ay nilabas niya ang isang tupperware mula roon. “Siyempre, joke lang ‘yon. Kaya nga pinilit talaga kitang makasabay kumain ngayon kasi I’m sure, hindi ka pa nakakakain ng baon ko. Masarap ‘to! Teka, hihiram lang ako ng kutsilyo.”
“Cristoff, wait… c-can I copy your notes yesterday?” habol ko sa kanya bago siya tumayo. Sa halos buong araw naming pagsasama kahapon sa bahay ay hindi man lang ako nakakopya ng notes niya sa Physics.
“Sure, kunin mo na lang diyan sa loob ng bag ko. There are also index cards with complete formulas,” he answered before he went to the counter to borrow a knife.
I opened his bag and while searching for his Physics’ notes, my attention was caught by a different book.