Sheena's POV
My friends and I are here at Bloom's. Colet and Maloi are both holding books while reading intently, Mikha's playing COD and I'm here, nakapangalumbaba sa mesa habang tinitingnan ang mga dumadaan. Lecheng mga kaibigan 'to! Akala ko ba bonding? Bakit may naglalaro at bakit may nag-aaral?
Lalagnatin yata ako by just seeing the books.
"Why didn't you attend today's activity in the hospital?" Colet suddenly asked. Nakababa na ang librong hawak niya kanina. She probably noticed that I'm started to get bored.
"I have a fever." I reasoned out.
"Idiot! Edi dapat lang pala na pumunta kang hospital so you can be treated." Mikha butted in and put her hand on my forehead to feel my temperature. "Gago! You're doing just fine naman eh. Normal temp." she added.
"How did you know? Doctor ka ba? Business woman in the making ka, diba?" I told her. Maloi put down her book and went closer to me.
Akala ko she'll put her hand on my forehead too pero nagulat ako at napasigaw when she slap my nape hard. I caressed it softly while closing my eyes. Akala ko ba si Colet ang volleyball player?
"Ouch! What the hell!?" I asked Maloi.
"You're not even sick. Umabsent ka 'no?" she asked while looking at me intently.
I laugh awkwardly kaya mas sinamaan nila ako ng tingin. "Oo na! Eh kasi, I punched Alas in front of Gwen tapos when we talked, I kinda voiced out my feelings. Wala eh, sumabog ako when Alas told Gwen na layuan ako."
Now, I got their attention. Si Colet, nagkunwari pang nanay ko tapos si Maloi and Mikha, parang kapatid ko lang. I hate being the maknae. They're treating me like their child now.
"Uh, are you guys mad because I'm starting to have a crush na? Come on! I do flirt a lot last school year, wala naman kayong nasasabi ah!" I defended myself.
"We all know that you weren't serious. This is the first time you asked for a favor. Naalala mo 'yong binangkal ni Gwen na nagshare ka rin sa mga bata? Seeing you became shy and giddy was something priceless. I'd trade my car collections just to see that again." mahabang litanya ni Colet.
"And why did you punch Alas? Babawi at babawi 'yon sa'yo." Maloi shook her head. My friends knew that I have a bad blood against Alas. His ex girlfriend tried to flirt with me, malay ko bang ang pangit niya kaya mas gusto ako ng ex niya?
"Siniraan niya nga ako kay Gwen. I told you guys, he wanted to separate me to Gwen. Ayaw ko. I hate that idea parang magkakalagnat na talaga ako for real." I explained.
Now, they're showing me their creepy smile. I am not liking this.
"Nagdadalaga ka na nga." Maloi smirked and side hugged me.
"Manliligaw na ba ang bebe Shee namin?" Colet baby talked.
Then, I remembered how my talk with Gweneth went. It wasn't that good. And worst? She wants me to say sorry to Alas.
"Probably. Wait, do you know where can I find Alas?" I asked.
"Huh? Akala namin si Gwen? Bakit hinahanap mo si Alas? Don't tell me tumawid ka na ng ibang landas?" Colet laughs.
"Gago!" I shouted. Good thing medyo maaga pa at kami palang halos ang tao rito sa Bloom's. "Ano ... I-i will say sorry for punching him." I looked away. I hate saying sorry and I hate being the underdog. Ni hindi nga ako nagsosorry sa mga nakakaaway ko before.
But for Gwen, I'll do it.
"Do you have a crush on Alas?" Mikha raised an eyebrow. "Seriously, manlalalake ka na nga lang kay Alas pa?" she added.
"Ayusin mo muna Filipino mo. Nabubulol ka pa eh! And nope, I don't have a crush on him for Pete's sake! Gwen wanted me to say sorry." I told them honestly. What's the use of lying? They'll tease me lang naman over and over.
"Look who's being hopeless romantic here." Colet shook her head.
Even if they're all busy, sinamahan pa rin nila ako na hanapin si Alas. Mikha Lim used her connections to find where the fuck is that piece of shit.
Calm down, Shee. Do this for Gwen. I remind myself.
We went to his usual tambayan and saw him wearing his ugly smirk when he saw the four of us. "Ready for round 2? Nagsama ka pa talaga ng alalay mo, Sheena."
Maloi pushed the sleeves of her shirt upwards, ready to fight. "Pigilan niyo ako, pigilan niyo ako." she said repeatedly.
"Hindi ka namin hawak." I shook my head, she's embarrassing us, obviously.
"Hold this, Mikhs." I handed my phone to her at nakaset up na ang video.
"What is this for?" Mikha asked curiously.
"Take a video of me apologizing to him. I'll show it to Gwen." I said as I walk towards the asshole who's smiling like an idiot. Halos mapunit na ang bibig niya sa lawak ng ngiti niya.
I smirked. He should be thankful. Mauupakan ko sana ulit siya if only Gweneth won't be mad at me again.
"I want you to say sorry." I approached.
"Why would I? Ikaw sumapak sa akin, diba? Ano, nilayuan ka na ba? Seems like you already found your weakness." maangas niyang sagot.
"Nope. Who can resist my charm? I'm Sheena Mae Catacutan, I don't have any weaknesses." I replied, emphasizing my surname. Who know's? Malay mo mas matakot siya.
"Look, I'm doing this because of Gwen." I took a deep breath. "I'm sorry for punching you, okay?" I heard gasps from his friends and I also saw Alas' shook ugly face. Of course, I've never done this before.
I signaled Mikha to cut the video. I looked at the three of them, more like a signal to count 1-5.
"But I'm not gonna say sorry for this." My fist touched his abdomen immediately. I started running towards my friends pero nakatulala pa rin sila. "MGA TANGA! RUN!" I told them and that's when they start running with me.
When we're far from Alas and his group, I sighed in relief. Muntik pang masira plano ko. Akala ko nakuha nila signal ko eh.
"That was fun! Magpahabol ulit tayo!" Maloi clapped her hands while jumping like a child.
"You can't almost keep up to our pacing. Ang iksi ng biyas mo!" Colet teased her. Mikha and I laugh along with Colet. Maloi rolled her eyes and started checking up on us, especially me and my fist.
Mikha handed my phone back as I started viewing the video. I cut it and deleted the part where I punched him again. I made sure na 'yong sorry lang ang nakuha.
-----
I'm waiting for the activity in the hospital to end. Nakailang kwento na si Sir Manong Guard dito tungkol sa mga anak niya pero hindi pa rin lumalabas si Gweneth. I'm starting to get bored.
After 30 more minutes of faking my laugh to Sir Manong Guard's corny jokes, I finally saw Gwen. She approached the guard house and was about to log out but I stopped her.
"Nakalog out ka na. I did it for you already." I told her.
"Thanks." she replied shortly and was about to walk away when I held her hand and pulled her.
"I'll show you something." I said and handed her my phone, showing the cut video of me saying sorry to Alas.
She viewed the video and smile started to creep in her beautiful face. There! I finally saw her smile again. "You know how to say sorry naman pala eh. You shouldn't have punched him the other day." she lectures.
I hummed. "Tara, hatid na kita?" I asked. Thank God because this time, she didn't reject me.
Nilabas ko agad ang payong sa bag ko dahil medyo mainit ngayon. I prepared for this, in case she'll agree if I ask her to walk her home. Luckily, she agreed naman.
"Here." I said.
"No, I love seeing the skies above." she answered.
I looked up and saw a light blue sky. "Why?" I curiously asked.
"It's a blank canvas." she responded.
Anong connect non? I can't help but to ask, "high ka ba?"
She giggled and slap my arm. "Feel ko lang I can write whatever fate I have."
"You can."
She shook her head. "I can't. I tried it, it's set for me."
I shrugged off my shoulders. "Well, you can always change it. Every thing is a variable of the future. If you change a single detail, the future can change." I reasoned out.
"I don't think so, Shee." she sadly said but I saw the corner of her lips rise a little, causing me to smile with my lower lip in between my teeth.
I was about to say something when the car almost bump into her.
"What the fuck!?" I madly shouts.
I saw her slightly flinched but she quickly held my hand. "Hey. Hey." she said trying to calm me down.
I took a deep breath. "Fucking asshole." I whispered.
I looked over her, examing her body with my eyes. "Okay ka lang? Nabangga ka ba?"
She smiled and nodded once. "No, I'm okay."
"These fucking drivers don't know how to fucking drive," I gritted with my teeth.
Gwen laughs, "You sure love the word 'fuck'." she teased. I felt my cheeks reddened, causing her to laugh loudly.
I watched her being just herself. Behind her cold aura, there's a hiding kid in her.
"I-I really like you." I bluntly said.
She stopped laughing at tiningnan ako ng seryoso. She's examining my eyes. I know she's observing if I am sincere.
"Why? Bakit ako?" she suddenly asked. I know she has an idea already dahil kahit hindi niya sabihin o aminin, her friends in the hospital are obviously teasing her. Wala eh, gusto ko talaga siya.
But again, I answered something unexpected. "Bakit hindi? Tumitingin ka ba sa salamin just to see yourself? If yes, dapat alam mo kung bakit ikaw. Gwen, you're everything."
No fun and games. It was the first time I felt my heart speaking. I realized I was in serious trouble at that point. Serious trouble that even the well recognized doctor or my favorite dancer can't fix.