Sheena's POV
Around 5am, my parents woke me up kaya napa-aga ako dito sa hospital. Mom packed snacks for me and she reminded me to give it sa unang makikilala ko. Nakakainis! Pagtatawanan ako ni Colet if she finds out that I'm grounded and I'm working as a staff here at their hospital as a punishment.
Hindi rin pwedeng malaman ni Mikhs at Maloi kasi babatukan nila ako. In their eyes, I am still their baby and their responsibility. There was a time when I punched my classmate because he was making fun of my drawing. The three of them immediately cover up my mess and they made stories para hindi ipatawag parents ko. According to them, lying is not a big deal when it comes to me. Pero pakiramdam ko minsan napapagod na sila sa kakasuway at kapapa-alala sa akin na magtino.
But I don't have a reason yet.
I just enjoyed my drink and I scanned my eyes at the venue where we will conduct the program. My jaw literally dropped when a girl sat beside me. Parang naririnig ko sila Colet telling me, "Dude, sara mo 'yan. You're drooling." Oh God! Her face was so small and pretty. She has this intimidating aura. Short-haired with bangs. She's slim. I wonder if she's also a staff here or grounded din siya like me.
"Hi." I said and waved my hand in front of her face. She just looked at me and rolled her eyes. Attitude naman nito!
"What's your name?" Pangungulit ko sa kanya.
"None of your business." Wow, nonchalant. I like this. Challenging.
Mukhang hindi naman magiging boring ang stay ko rito sa hospital nila Colet.
"Annoying." She replied and turned her back on me.
"Miss, Sheena ang pangalan ko. S-H-E-E-N-A. Not Annoying. Who the fuck is annoying? Hindi ko rin kilala 'yan eh." I smirked.
"Can you please leave me alone? Can't you see I'm having a good day here until you came and decided to ruin it?" she said.
This is all very new to me, I've never been this interested talking to a girl. Instead of letting her have her own peace, I decided to have more conversation with her.
"You're cold. Hindi ka pa nga nagpapakilala sa akin eh." I cutely told her.
"I'm Gweneth Apuli, happy ka na?" she sarcastically replied.
"Oh, Gweneth. I thought you're my future eh." I winked at her, hoping it'll affect her even just a little bit.
But I failed. "Well, you're wrong. Will you stop your crazy little antics? It's not funny at all." she responded.
But before I could answer, someone shouted my name. Sa sobrang lakas, nag-echo pa siya sa buong venue. When I looked at the person who called me, I saw Maloi who's cutely waving her hands and behind her was Mikha and Colet.
"Tangina, panira naman ng diskarte." I whispered. Nilingon ko ang katabi ko pero wala na si Gweneth. She's now interacting with some of the patients. Nakakapagtaka lang, matagal na ba siyang volunteer or staff dito? Mukha siyang close na close sa ibang pasyente eh. Maybe I should ask my brother about her.
When the three stupid creatures finally approached me, they all smiled sheepishly. No, scratch that. Si Maloi lang pala because Colet and Mikha are just forcing their smiles.
"Crush niyo talaga ako 'no? Why are you guys here? Namiss niyo naman agad ako." I told them.
"Hindi tayo talo." Colet shook her head.
"We heard the news from tita eh. As much as we wanted to make fun of you, naisip namin na you're still our youngest. So, we decided to volunteer too." Maloi hugged me. "Are you okay?" she added.
"I am okay. Huwag kayong masyadong dumikit, nakakahiya baka isipin nila baby niyo ako." I protested. Matatanggalan ako ng angas nito kay Gweneth eh.
Pero ano nga namang aasahan ko sa mga kaibigan ko? They all looked at each other, exchanging knowing looks. Maloi hugged me tight while Colet started patting my head. "Aww, our bebe Shee is so cute. You missed your ates? You called us pa tapos you were crying kasi miss na miss mo kami." Mikha purposely said those words out loud, gaining the attention of everyone including Gweneth.
What the hell?
"Get off me! Mga gago talaga kayo." Sinamaan ko lang sila ng tingin habang halos mamatay na katatawa 'yong tatlo. "Ano nga, why are you guys here?" I asked again.
"We saw you talking to a pretty girl. How was it naman?" Colet asked.
My aura suddenly changed. I felt it. It's like from being in a bad mood because of them, it suddenly changed into dreamy and goofy mood.
"What's with that reaction, Shee?" Mikha said while slightly laughing.
"She's annoying." I answered.
"Eh? You were hitting on her kaya earlier. Iba ka na!" Maloi teased.
"I told her kasi na she might be my future tapos tinarayan niya ako. Nonchalant like Colet and Mikhs." I explained, para akong batang nagsusumbong sa mga ate niya.
"Oh, your moves aren't effective anymore, Shee. You gotta change those corny pickup lines na." Mikha butted in.
"Corny ka rin naman ah! Hindi mo pa nga kilala 'yong Stella ba 'yon? I was just joking about the future thing! I wasn't even serious. You know me naman." I reminded them.
"It's Stacey. Lindtsey Stacey Aubrey Sevilleja soon to be Ricalde." Maloi replied.
"Share mo lang? Basta! I was just curious with the girl but that doesn't mean I'm interested." I explained again.
"Sure." they all said at iniwan ako. The three of them started catching up with the patients while I stood here, watching Gweneth passionately talking to some staffs.
Curious lang talaga ako. Like, curious na curious.
But then, observing her, I immediately felt a pang in my chest. Not because I am heartbroken or something but for the first time in my 16 years of existence, I felt something new.
For the first time in my 16 years of existence, someone came along in my chaotic life. And for some reason, she's making me believe and trust in love. For some reason, I don't wanna close my door and build my guards high.
Am I developing a crush on Gweneth? I don't know. Wala akong ideya ng crush o maski ng love. Hirap din ako magseryoso. Hindi ako napipirmi sa isang bagay na alam kong impossible but observing her, mukhang araw-araw akong magiging interesado sa isang bagay na alam kong impossible kong makuha.
I love challenges. I'm down for it. At kung sakali mang impossible talaga, I'll keep on trying. Sheena Mae yata 'to!
I was taken back to reality when the emcee of the program started talking. Hindi ko namalayan na nasa tabi ko na ulit itong tatlo. Like the usual thing, speech and welcome remarks and then, something unexpected happened.
"Okay, before we start our activities, as requested by Ms. Colet Vergara, may we all welcome Ms. Sheena Mae Catacutan for a special dance number. Around of applause please." the emcee said while looking at me. Tiningnan ko ang lahat ng andito and they are looking at me too. They're clapping their hands and cheering for me.
She's looking at me intently. Parang hinuhusgahan buong pagkatao ko. Siguro iniisip na niya na baka magmukha akong tanga kapag sumayaw ako.
"Iba talaga connections mo, Col." Maloi whispered at my back.
"Shut up. The emcee called me 'Miss'." Colet whispered back.
"Yeah. But at least Sheena will be able to like make pasikat to her puppy crush." Mikha butted in.
"Didn't you guys realize na I was in front of you lang, ATES?" I irritatedly asked them but the three of them smirked at pinagtulungan akong hilain sa tabi ng emcee.
When I finished the dance number, hindi ako pumunta kila Colet. I went to Gwen with a proud smile. She's just looking at me, wearing her poker face.
"Did you enjoy watching my special number? That was impromptu, btw." I started as I approached her.
"No, I wasn't watching. Yabang mo naman." she whispered.
"Aww. No compliments from my crush?" I teased.
"Compliments? Sige, you're surprisingly good. You're cool too. Okay ka na?" she sarcastically asked again.
"If I'm mayabang, ikaw liar! You said you didn't watch me dance ah?" I smirked.
"Paano ako hindi mapapatingin eh tili nang tili 'yong ibang nurse? Nakakarindi kaya!" she reasoned out.
Sige na nga, okay na ako doon.
"Tigilan mo ako." she harshly said.
"Okay, but if ever we'll cross paths again, hindi na kita titigilan. Malay mo tomorrow magkita ulit tayo." I told her and smirked, emphasizing these two deep dimples of mine. Naglakad ako papalayo sa kanya, leaving my cap beside her.
Good bye for now, Miss Nonchalant. I will make sure to see you again.