Halos ilang metro na ang layo ko sa court ay naririnig ko pa rin ang ingay mula roon. I am annoyed because tears keeps on forming in my eyes. I don't even know why I am crying now.
So what if that asshole denied that he knows me. I don't know him either. He's so annoying. Patuloy lang ako sa paglalakad. Medyo madilim ang na ang daan dahil hindi na rin naman ganoon kaliwanag ang mga street light na nandito. Tinatahak ko muli ang daan pabalik ng subdivision. Maybe Mom has already calm down.
“Ahhh!-”
I screamed when someone pulled me back. Nanlaki ang mata ko ng takluban niya ng kamay niya ang bibig ko. My heart is beating so loud right now. Tinaas ko ang isang kamay para sana sampalin kung sino man yun ng bigla siyang magsalita.
“Wag kang sumigaw”
Naitikom ko ang labi ko at maaninag ang nakangiwi niyang mukha dahil sa liwanag.
I slap his hand away then glare at him. Mas lalo akong nainis ng makita ang pag silay ng ngiti sa labi niya.
“What?” asik ko sa kaniya, masama pa rin ang tingin.
He sigh then fix his bag because it was already falling from his shoulders.
“Anong ginagawa mo dito?” he asked.
Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay.
“Why are you talking to me?” mataray na tanong ko.
Nakita ko ang bahagyang pag awang ng labi niya.
“Bawal ba?” nakatiim ang bagang niyang tanong.
“Yeah, hindi mo ako kilala diba? Bakit mo ako kinakausap?” I said then rolled my eyes at him.
Tinalikuran ko siya at nagpatuloy ako sa paglalakad. Ang kapal ng mukha niya.
“Ranzell, ano ba?” naiinis na sabi ko ng pigilan niya na naman ako.
Masama ang tingin na iginawad ko sa kaniya. I pulled my arms back from his hold. Mas lalo akong nainis ng marinig ko siyang tumawa.
“What? What's so funny?” naiinis na tanong ko sa kaniya.
He shook his head before walking closer to me. I stand on my place, still glaring at him.
I was shock when he pulled my arms again. Nahigit ko ang hininga dahil sobrang lapit na namin sa isa't isa. Nagugulat akong nag angat ng tingin sa kaniya.
He has this amuse expression on his face as he stare intently on me. I was about to step backwards when he hold my waist in place. Napahawak ang kamay ko sa braso niya.
“Galit ka ba?” malumanay na tanong niya.
I glared at him.
“Should I be happy?” I asked sarcastically.
He bit his lips trying to hide his smile. He pursed his lips then look away.
“Nagbibiro lang naman ako-”
“A joke was suppose to be funny, not hurtful” malakas na sabi ko.
Nag iwas ako ng tingin at naiinis na pinunas ang tumulong luha mula sa mata ko. I felt him staring at me but I didn't look back.
“Sorry” mahinang sabi niya.
I look back at him only to see his pouting face. Nang aamo ang mukha niya pati ang mga mata. I rolled my eyes at him.
“Hindi ko na uulitin” he said as he holds my chin and make me look at him.
“I'm sorry, sweetheart.” he said then smiled apologetically.
Umawang ang labi ko at agad na nag iwas ng tingin ng mag init ang aking mukha. Gosh. Sweetheart sounds so corny but.....why the hell is it making me blush?
“Nakalimutan ko lang yung pangalan mo, sobrang ganda mo kasi eh” natatawang sabi niya.
Inis ko siyang nilingon.
“Moron. If I am beautiful, your suppose to remember my name.” I said.
Saglit siyang natigilan.
“Ganoon ba yun?” nagtatakang tanong niya.
“Yeah” I said. “Ganoon sa iba-”
“Kung ganoon ang sa kanila, iba ang akin. Tutal iba ka naman sa kanila eh.” nakangising sabi niya.
Saglit akong natigilan bago kagat ang labing nag iwas ng tingin. I don't want to him to see me smiling. Natahimik kaming dalawa pag katapos noon.
We are standing in front of the street light, he is holding my waist while my hands are on his arms.
“Uuwi ka na?” tanong niya maya maya.
I looked at him then nodded my head.
“Yeah”
Saglit pa kaming nagtitigan bago niya binitawan ang bewang ko. Bumaba ang kamay niya sa kamay ko atsaka yun pinagsiklop.
Nagugulat akong nagbaba ng tingin aa kamay naming dalawa. I looked at him, only to see him staring in front. I pursed my lips.
Sabay kaming naglalakad habang hawak niya ang kamay ko. Tahimik lang kami gaya ng gabi. It feels so weird. I feel really comfortable in holding his hand.
“Bakit ka nga pala nandoon kanina?” he asked.
Saglit akong natigilan. I sighed, remembering the reason why I left the house.
“I just need...to breath” mahinang sabi ko.
Nilingon niya ako.
“Breath? Bakit wala bang oxygen sa bahay niyo?” he asked jokingly.
I chuckled then rolled my eyes.
“Shut up Ranzell”
We stop in front of our house. I looked at him then smile.
“Thank you” I said.
Tumango siya atsaka kinamot ang likod ng tenga.
“Basta ikaw. Goodnight.” he said then let go of my hand.
Napanguso ako. It suddenly feel cold.
“Goodnight. Take care.” I said then turn my back at him.
Humarap ulit ako sa kaniya ng tawagin niya ako.
“Sa susunod wag kang lalabas ng mag isa okay? Pag may problema ka tawagan mo lang ako, sweetheart.”
I bit my lip then nodding my head. I smiled and waved my hand before going inside.
Napabuntunghininga ako ng makapasok sa loob ng bahay. Bumalik na naman yung mabigat na pakiramdam na nawala habang kasama ko si Ranzell kanina.
I looked down on my hands as I remember the warmth it brought me when he holds it.
I can't be crushing on him, right?  No it can't be.
“Ano ba naman yan May? Kulang pa ba yung sibuyas at bawang na pati yang daliri mo hinihiwa mo?” naiiling na tanong ni Carlo habang ginagamot yung sugat ko sa daliri.
Nag peperform kami kanina nang bigla nahiwa yung kamay ko. I admit that I am a bit distracted. Blood keeps on coming out of the wound.
“I'm sorry okay?” nakangusong sabi ko.
“Sandali lang, hawakan mo muna itong cotton. Bibili lang ako ng band aid.” sabi niya atsaka tumayo.
“Wait....” I said and get my wallet to give him money to buy the band aid.
“Wag na, anong akala mo sa akin? Dukha?” he said jokingly.
Natawa ako atsaka tumango.
“Thank you” nakangiting sabi ko.
I stared on my wound and pursed my lips. I have been distracted these past few days. I keep on thinking about my feelings these past few days. It's been three days since that night and it has been bothering me, big time.
Nothing really change between us. He keeps on annoying me and all. Except for the fact that my heart won't stay still every time that he is around. I can't stare directly into his eyes because I always feel like he will see through me.
I sigh and looked at the canteen's door when it opened. Ranzell and Syndy went inside. Ranzell's eyes and I instantly met. I pursed my lips when he smiled at me. His stare travel from my face down to my hand, which is placed on the table.
His brows furrowed and he walked towards my way. Here it is again, those unknown loud beatings of my heart and nervousness I always feel.
“Anong nangyari?” tanong niya atsaka inangat ang kamay ko.
Kunot ang noo niya habang tinitingnan iyon. I bit my lip while looking at him.
“Nahiwa ko kanina...pero okay lang naman. It's not that severe.” I said.
Kunot ang noo niya ng mag angat ng tingin atsaka tumango.
“Ginamot mo na ba?” he asked still holding my hand.
I bit my lip and glance on my hand that he is holding before nodding my head.
“Yeah, Carlo already-”
“Carlo?” he asked.
Nagtataka at kunot ang noo na tanong niya.
“Yeah, he's my partner in the activity....” naiilang na sabi ko.
Nakakailang kasi yung paraan ng pagtitig niya.
“May, ito na yung band aid”
I looked into my side when Carlo came. He threw me a teasing look. I rolled my eyes at him.
“Hoy Rands, ano na? Tara na?”
Bahagya akong napasilip sa likuran niya ng marinig na tinatawag siya ni Syndy. Nang mag angat ako ng tingin sa kaniya ay seryoso siyang nakatingin sa akin.
Nakagat ko ang labi atsaka unti-unting binawi ang kamay ko sa kaniya. Nagbaba siya ng tingin doon.
“Ahhm, you should go...you still have a class, right?” I said.
Naiilang ako nag iwas ng tingin ng hindi siya sumagot at tumitig lang sa akin.
“Ako na ang bahala sa kaniya, bro.” sabi naman ni Carlo.
Nilingon siya ni Ranzell tsaka tinanguan. Muli siyang bumaling sa akin atsaka nagpakawala ng isang buntunghininga. Tumango ako atsaka ngumiti.
“May sundo ka ba mamaya?” he asked.
Saglit akong natigilan. Why is he asking?
“I..am not sure. Kung kay Xavier or kay Ryken ako sasabay pauwi mamaya. Pero if ever na hindi, itetext ko si kuya Jude.”
“Wag mo na siyang itext” sabi niya.
Saglit akong natigilan.
“H-huh?”
“Ako na maghahatid sayo mamaya.” he said.
He even pinch my cheek then smiled. Natulala lang ako dahil sa ginawa niya.
“See you later, sweetheart” nakangiting sabi niya bago naglakad papunta sa gawi ni Syndy.
Muli pa siyang lumingon sa gawi namin atsaka kumaway. I pursed my lips then looked away, trying to hide my blushing face.
“Kilig na kilig?” nakangiwing sabi ni Carlo.
I totally forgot about him.
“Kaya ka nahihiwa. Imbes na isipin yung sibuyas, si Ranzell Dylan Dizon pala ang laman ng utak mo.” naiiling na sabi niya atsaka ibinigay sa akin ang band aid.
I glared at him.
“Shut up”
When I went out of the room, Ranzell is already leaning on the wall. Nang makita ako ay umayos siya ng tayo. I bit my lip as I walk towards him. Hindi pa naman talaga totally uwian. Hindi pa kami nag aatendance.
“Hi, tapos na?” he said.
He was about to take my books in my hand when I stop him.
“It's fine... I..I can carry it.” naiilang na sabi ko.
He pursed his lips and still took my things out of my hands. Wala na akong nagawa kundi ang hayaan siya.
“Mabigat. Baka lalo kang hindi lumaki.” nakangising sabi niya.
Sumama ang mukha ko atsaka siya kinurot sa braso.
“Aray naman sweetheart.” reklamo niya.
“You are so annoying” asik ko sa kaniya.
“May, sasabay ka ba sa amin?”
Napatingin ako likuran ko ng marinig si France. She has this look on her face as her eye travel back to me and Ranzell. She walk closer towards us and greeted Ranzell.
“Hi Ranzell, napadaan ka?” she said smiling.
I glared at her but she just ignored me. Natawa naman si Ranzell.
“May hinihintay lang” sagot nito.
Dahan dahan namang tumango si France atsaka nakangising lumingon sa akin. Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin.
“Ikaw, May? Sabay ka ba sa amin?”
“N-no. I...am..” nakangusong sabi ko atsaka sinulyapan si Ranzell na mukhang nawiwiling pinapanood ako.
“Next time na lang” sabi ko kay France bilang sagot.
Nang aasar siyang ngumiti atsaka tinapik ang balikat ko.
“Okay, you can go ahead na. Ako na ang bahala sa attendance mo tutal pinapasaya mo ako ng sobra” nakangising sabi niya bago kami tinalikuran.
Nakanguso kong nilingon si Ranzell.
“Tara na?” tanong niya.
Walang imik akong tumango atsaka naglakad kasabay niya.
Tahimik lang kaming dalawa habang nasa loob ng tricycle. I keep blowing my cheek because of the awkward silence. Hindi ko alam kung awkward ba talaga o ako lang?
“Kamusta yung daliri mo?” he asked.
I looked at him before looking down to my finger.
“It's fine now. Though we didn't get to finish the activity. I feel sorry for Carlo.” I said.
Tumango siya.
“Ano bang dish ang niluluto niyo?”
“It is a two dish. A chicken curry and a fish fillet.” I answered.
“Uy, sarap. Kagutom naman” natatawang sabi niya.
I smiled then looked at him.
“What's your favorite dish?” I asked curiosly.
“Kahit ano naman kinakain ko..” natatawang sabi niya. “Pero depende kung ano ang lulutuin mo para sa akin” nakangiting sabi niya atsaka ako nilingon.
Umawang ang labi at natigilan.
“W-what do you mean?”
“Kung ano ang dish na lulutuin mo para sa akin, yun ang paborito ko.” nakangiting sabi niya.
Nakagat ko ang labi atsaka agad na nagiwas ng tingin. Pasimple kong hinawakan ang dibdib ko, pilit iyong pinapakalma dahil baka marinig niya.
Pabagsak kong inihiga ang sarili sa kama. I stared on the ceiling blankly. Kararating ko lang ng bahay. Umakyat agad ako ng kwarto para magbihis.
I frustratedly massage my head. I'm so confused. I do have crushes and exes before but I never felt this things in any of them. This is so annoying.
Why does Ranzell makes my heart race? How can I be nervous whenever he is around? I don't want to be with him, but why does my eyes always look for him? I don't like him before, I hate him. Before. But I don't think I still do right now though.
I took my phone and type a message to Ricca.
To Ricca,
      How do you know if your falling?
Ipagpapatuloy..........