rock, paper, scissors scissors scissors

Sab's

"You coming or what?" Tanong ko with a hint of inis.

She ran away from me kanina and guess what where I found her, ang bakletang ito is flirting with that guy..Wayne ba 'yun? sa canteen. Ipakain ko sa kaniya yung nabubulok niyang ice cream sa bahay eh.

Now we're just standing sa hallway.

During our first period that afternoon, I saw her being pushed by.... someone who kinda looks like that Wayne Guy? Guni-guni ko lang ba? no, that guy was a mesomorph, the other one is leaner, so I concluded that one's different.

I followed her with my eyes as she awkwardly walk inside. huh? Topnotcher?

We'll see about that.

Speaking of topnotcher. Our results from entrance exam was out the other day. And the thing is there are no names, only ID numbers. Yes, during the enrollment we were handed our ID's pagkatapos.

And I'm only second.

So, could it be that she's, the Number 1?

Huh. As if. What're the chances? But what if the right question is,

What're the odds?

I mean yes, she's smart but probably not that smart. But what if she is THAT smart?

I could be wrong. Right?

Yeah, right.

I said to myself.

More like, comforting my self.

Maybe this is the thing about being the only child, I got used to always being the number 1. Second place is not a place for me, I hate suffering from silver medal syndrome.

I was frustrated about the result, I even checked my ID number multiple times, but I decided to let it go this time and I'm gonna have a big comeback, and I don't want to be dragged down by this girl. So...

"So we don't have a choice, but do this."

"the question is how?"

"Don't you have any idea, miss topnotcher?"

"Why do you keep calling me names but never my actual name?"

"because I want to."

"Fine, kahit ano pala edi I'll call you Julius"

I gave her a look of disapproval. I was about to answer her when Shiloh called

"Hey, you can go without me I still have something to do..."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, yes I'm gonna call mom nalang later to pick me up."

"Okay, take care, call me when you get home!"

"okay, okay ingat ka din."

I hanged up and I saw her staring at me

"What?"

"Nothing." She answered blandly.

"So what are we gonna do?"

"I don't know, get to know each other? And for your information, I gave you my full name so maybe it's your turn narin to do your part ano?"

I rolled my eyes at her

"I'm Liana Sabrina Audrey Sevilla, happy?"

"Oh, so that's your name, I thought Masu.."

"Anong masu?"

"Masu...ngit."

Pinandilatan ko siya ng mata "eh kung masu-hin ko yang pagmumukha mo?" Gigil kong sambit while giving her a devilish smile

"Oo na, pikon." She looked at her watch "it's already 3 pm we gotta pass our reports by 4, so let's just grab something sa canteen and I guess we could...talk?"

"Fine. Let's go."

Nang dumating kami sa canteen, I suddenly felt gutom kaya naman I ordered a slice of pepperoni pizza and a can of coke.

She was..not ordering anything? Just tailing on me.

"Hey.." I scanned the place, I point at the left side corner "dun tayo umupo, go sit there para hindi tayo maunahan." I said to her, trying not to sound too demanding

"Yes po boss." She responded and by that I guess I didn't sound too casual as well.

After I payed, sumunod ako sa kaniya, and when I reached our table I put two separate plates of pepperoni pizza and two cans of coke

"You didn't have to-"

"Huwag ka ngang maarte." I tried to dismiss her, like hello alangan naman kumain akong mag isa dito when in fact siya yung naka-isip na dito pumunta. "I didn't know what you like kaya I just bought you the same as mine.." and if she wouldn't like it edi ako nalang kakain

"Thanks..." She shyly said

I just nodded, pabebe nito

"So what now?" I asked

Why is this so awkward? Like I could talk to a hundred of School mates I haven't even met before pero bakit parang umuurong yung dila ko pagdating sa kaniya?

"Well, maybe we could play rock-paper- scissors and the winner would ask questions na she'd like to know?" She suggested, well I think it's not a bad idea

"Why not?"

We then tapped our hands together and after counting to three we've finally thrown our choices

Mine: Scissors

Hers: paper

"Argh, pahamak na gunting 'yan" reklamo niya

"Oh really? I think I'm liking scissors now" I smiled smugly that made her roll her eyes

But the sweet taste of victory didn't last when I realized na hindi ko alam kung anong itatanong ko, I was so overwhelmed with questions in my head

It's like wanting to know everything, and at the same time, wanting to know nothing at all.

...

I can see her tapping her fingers, patiently waiting.

shit. What should I ask?

"Wala ka pa bang tanong?"

"Stop pressuring me nga!"

"Malapit nang mag alas kuwatro Sabrina, alangan naman hayaan ko lang na bukas ka pa mag tanong diba?" she sarcastically said

"Huwag mo nga akong tawagin niyan, we're not close no, and I already have a question, okay? Why didn't you order anything?"

"Black..teka ano?"

"Anong black, benge ka ba? Sabi ko, why didn't you order anything?"

"eh kasi usually favorite color yung unang tanong eh, malay ko bang you're built different in asking questions " she rolled her eyes, which I find a bit ....amusing?

"Sagotin mo na nga lang, why didn't you order anything?"

"Para ma-libre mo."

"What?"

"Sabing favorite color nalang eh"

"Umayos ka nga!"

"I don't know...."

"It's a basic question Rambotan Girl."

"I don't know..I was just, anxious."

"Anxious?" I asked again wondering if I heard it right

"No follow ups, and It's my turn to ask.."

"No, remember the deal, you gotta win first."

I'm so determined to win the second time, so I did. Your girl want it, your girl got it.

"So why are you anxious Miss Rambotan Girl?.. Anxious in ordering something? Are you kidding me?"

she was quiet for a bit too long, it feels like whatever she feels is contagious, para akong nahahawaan

"I was just.... shy"

"You? Shy?" I laughed, but I felt regret rushing through me when I saw her

Head down, fidgeting and tapping her fingers.

It took her a bit longer before answering

I was about to say something but she got ahead of me

"It's getting late, let's just text each other, here's my number."

I was too stunned to speak when she gave me a small piece of paper and a bill

"and here's for the pizza, yes I'm shy, shy to the point na ayaw kung magkautang, kaya thank you" she smiled sarcastically and left me there, all alone

"H-Hey!"

Did she just left me here?! How dare she?!

I attempted to go after her, afford na afford 'tong babaeng to magpahabol ah, nakakarami na siya!

Nang tuloyan na akong nakalabas I saw her with someone, she was putting helmet into her, making sure it's secure. They were smiling and acting a little too sweet in my eyes "argh"

I saw the girl she's with gave me glance, her hair was shoulder length, she's got a small face at may balingkinitang katawan, I hate to admit it but her physical appearance and height all together screams a very high sexual appeal.

But the girl's face seems familiar...ah yes! Wayne! She looks like Wayne! Is she the sister he was blabbing about sa 7/11?

In this school, hindi basura ang nagkalat kung hindi lahi ng lalaking iyon!

After a minute I saw Joan back riding sa scooter niya, she was looking on the other side while riding because she's wearing a skirt kaya she didn't see me, the other girl gave me her last glance, eyes squinting- scrutinizing every inch of me.

After that I sighed in defeat.

I went back sa canteen, and stayed there for a couple of minutes, but my appetite didn't just like how she was gone, so it's just me and these two soggy slices of pizza.

I decided to call Mom nalang to pick me up.

And when we got home, agad akong dumeritso sa kwarto, throwing my body at my bed ng biglaan kong maalala ang papel na binigay niya kanina.

And just like she said, it's her cellphone number.

"Ako pa talaga pinag-first move niya?! Ang kapal! I'd never!"

0993*******

Hoy, ang kapal mong iwan ako!

Never not message her. shit.

aba it's been almost 5 minutes ng nag text ako sa kaniya, is she leaving me on read?

Pinalagpas ko na nga lang na we're so damn late sa report namin eh!

I was exasperated that I just closed my eyes nang bigla nag ring ang phone na ikinagulat ko.

It's her.

It's her number eh.

I know it's really her.

But why does my hands are shaking.

And then I suddenly felt...uneasy?

I cleared my throat before answering "ehem"

"Yes?" I said trying to sound unbothered

"hey, it's Joan. I'm sorry I had to leave earlier, I had to deal with something "

"Whatever, the damage has been done, let's just hope na walang points deduction rambotan girl, kung meron man, ikaw sisingilin ko" deal with something? something like mag stroll kasama yung babaeng parang sungkit?!

I checked the clock, it's already 4:30

"yeah, I understand..anyway, can we stick to the basic? hear me out, let's just alternately throw questions."

"suggest ka ng suggest hindi ka naman naninindigan" pagrereklamo ko, when I suddenly heard someone talking sa background

( jo did you drink your meds? naiwan mo na naman kasi, alam mo namang-)

naputol 'yun, I know she muted it

habang hinihintay na bumalik siya sa linya, I wondered, medicine? Is she sick? She doesn't look like she has cold earlier, but she was fidgety, wasn't it because of my question that made her uncomfortable?

I erased my thoughts about her. Bakit ba ako nacu-curious? Sino ba siya? Baka gamot lang sa jebs or whatever

"Hey, you there? Pasensya na my mom suddenly barged in...about what I said earlier scratch those, I realized na it's better if we avoid questions.."

"What are you trying to say? Ano na naman bang plano mo? This is taking unnecessary longer." Irita kong sabi

"I know I know I'm sorry, pero why don't we give each other a single subject to talk about for a week and then 'dun tayo sa conversation natin mag extract of what we think about each other, we doesn't necessarily need to know ang isa't-isa agad diba? I mean we've been talking for only an hour for f's sake.." she chuckled before continuing "and this is gonna work believe me, questions are boring and, you know, forceful."

"Hm. So how do we start THE conversation, aber?"

"I have just the right app for that" she said with full of excitement "I have the roleta app..." I heard her tiny squeals like she was so full of enthusiasm

It made me smile.

A little.

A little to none.

None at all.

As if naman.

I would never.

"So, ano na?"

"I'll start spinning it na po"

"Stop right there, how can I know if you're not messing with me?"

"don't you trust -"

"Trust is a big word for only how many hours of talking, miss. Remember?" I cut her off

"Fine, so what video call? tapos I'll share my screen.."

I was taken aback by her suggestion, it's too early for trust but isn't it too early for video calls too? I mean, I don't even call my friends often, video call pa? I facepalm myself, ba't ba kasi nagduda pa ako? argh

"Tsk. Just spin it."

"Are you sure or-"

"Just do it."

"Oh okay...wait..erm, malapit na, it stopped sa..druuum roooll....movies"

"So, movies for a week?"

"Yes" she said shortly

"So, what do you watch ba? Any genres you specifically like?" I initiated to ask since hindi naman ako dumbbell na pabigat lang, she did her part, now I'm doing mine.

"Erm, I just watch anything that catches my attention.."

"Like what? Couldn't you be more specific?"

"I'm sorry, I do like watching films that are coming-of-age, slice of life..."

"Uh huh, so, what was the last movie you've watched in the cinema?"

"Oh, I've watched....actually, I don't remember, it's been..years?" She laughed dryly

"Years? chinacharot mo ba ako? nakatira ka ba sa kweba?"

Tumawa siya bago paman sumagot "Kinda..."

"So you haven't been to cinema for years?"

Now I'm kinda interested, it just came out naturally, maybe this method would really work

"Oo kasi I don't go to cinemas..."

"What?!" I uttered in surprise "are you serious?"

"Oo nga hahaha, I mean, I remembered going once, but realized na it wasn't really for me.."

"Why? Did the movie suck or your mind just runs wild and can't sit for 3 hours of watching masterpieces like MCU?

"Hoy, I love MCU kaya, what I don't love is the cinema itself, hahaha it's just, I hate the dark..and you know, gustohin ko mang ma-upo sa iisang lugar for 3 hours gaping at a screen......I just can't, the funny part is that I'm too old to be scared of the dark, might be the reason why my old friends didn't like hanging out with me, I was too much for them" she laughed humorlessly "oy over sharing hahaha"

"gaga" that's all I can say.

It was like listening to a very short story but disclosing it's lengthy part. As if it was long enough for me to understand, that this conversation wasn't all about a 3 hour movie, but rather, most of her life.

"I guess I've had enough, I can write reports na with this topic in mind. It's your turn to ask" Pagpapatuloy ko

"sabi ko sayo eh, this is way more efficient. oy oy, just say it, ang galing galing ko.."

"no way.." I didn't realize I was biting my lip to stop myself from smiling

"c'mon just admit it sabrina"

"You wish!"

"Ito naman ang killjoy!"

"Fine, your idea was great but we're past the deadline-"

"About that, I've sent Ma'am a message kanina, she said it's 4pm onwards daw, not 4pm sharp"

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko

"really?!"

I heard her chuckle on the other line

"Yes, really. So finally it's my turn to ask! what was the last movie you watched?"

ano nga ba?

"erm, I've rewatch pitch perfect 1.."

....

that conversation was supposed to last for only minutes, but without realizing medyo humaba ang pag-uusap namin so we had to stop or else, we won't be able to pass our reports na talaga.

We've talked about Anna Kendrick and Brittany Snow and the atmosphere around them, I admit it was nice talking with her that night, not until the next morning when I went to our departmental office.

"Sabrina, you're gonna be against Joan for running as the new President of the student council." Anya ni Ma'am Augustine

{ to be continued '⎚⩊⎚' -✧ }