Sheena's POV
"Shee, I'm sleepy. Why did you drag us into this ba?" Mikha asked, irritated. Sumandal pa siya kay Maloi pero 'yong isa, tinapik lang 'yong ulo.
"In love kasi kaya ganto na naman. Malala pa 'to when you dragged us to your house just to see you dance eh." Maloi butted in while shooking her head.
Colet on the other hand, is busy solving our assignment in Math. Hati-hati kasi ng subjects kapag may assignment kami. Mikha was assigned in English and ITC, Maloi was assigned in Science and Philosophy, tapos minsan, sila na rin gumagawa ng iba pang subjects. While me, the great Sheena Mae Catacutan, was assigned for recess. Oo, ako namimili kung saan kami kumakain. Maliban lang sa ilang pagkakataon na gustong makita ni Maloi 'yong crush niyang si Stacey.
"Will you stop complaining? Parating na sila." I informed them, I'm still holding my phone, talking to Gweneth. The four of us are still inside our classroom. Actually, hindi lang kami. May mga nahila pa akong ibang classmates using my charm at kaunting pananakot.
We waited for a few more minutes until the door of our classroom opened, revealing Gwen with Stacey and Jhoanna. Narinig ko pang napamura 'yong tatlo and when I looked at them, they were bumping each other's elbows secretly. Maloi's face suddenly turned red upon looking at Stacey while Colet and Mikha looked away. Sabay-sabay silang umayos ng upo.
"Hi, Shee. I'm sorry we're a bit late, nagplan pa kasi kami on how we will conduct the research eh." Gwen said and smiled.
"Uhm, okay lang. Hindi naman nagmamadali 'tong mga kasama ko." I told her and looked at my classmates with a sharp look, as if I am threatening their lives. Kapag hindi umayos 'tong mga 'to, malilintikan sila sa akin bukas.
"Alright, we will start na para maka-uwi na rin kayo." Gweneth announced and fixed their forms.
Yesterday, Gwen told me about their research at nahihirapan silang maghanap ng respondents. Being the relevant suitor that I am, I volunteered. Hindi ko nga lang sinabi sa mga friends ko. I smiled sheepishly when I remembered their faces when I told them na hindi muna sila makakauwi agad kahit wala silang mga training ngayon.
But Gweneth failed to mention that her groupmates are Stacey and this girl named Jhoanna. I know about Stacey kasi bukambibig na siya ni Maloi but seeing Jhoanna and how Mikha looked at her, mukhang may fishy. Seems like Mikha knew the girl.
Gwen faked a cough, earning the attention of everyone in this room. "Hello! I want to say thank you for all your time. We really appreciate it. I am Gweneth Apuli of Grade 10 and here are my groupmates, Stacey Sevilleja and Jhoanna Robles." the two of them waved their hands.
I know my friends' ears are already clapping but I can't tease them now kasi pati tenga ko pumapalakpak na rin because of Gweneth. The room was a symphony of Gweneth's voice, a melody of scientific jargon that danced on the edge na kahit hindi ko na maintindihan at our of my vocabulary. Yet, I found myself captivated.
Gweneth's brow furrowed in concentration, her eyes sparkling as she elaborated on their research procedures. The way her hand gestured excitedly, emphasizing a key point, sent a familiar warmth blooming in my chest. Every detail, every quirk, was etched into my heart.
Poetic. Ganito ba talaga kapag nagmamahal?
The whole room had a sighed of relief after answering the forms. Of course after a few minutes of disturbing them, makakauwi na rin sila.
I approached Gwen and her friends. "Okay na ba 'yan? Sorry ang kulit nung iba." I apologized.
"No, sorry for taking a few minutes of their time. Ang hirap kasi kumuha ng respondents eh." Jhoanna smiled at me. "Anyway, una na ako ha? May practice pa kami sa broadcasting team." she added.
Jhoanna was about to walk away but I stopped her. "Ah! Hatid ka na raw ni Mikha." I smirked at Mikhs who's just looking at Jhoanna.
"What? No. Si Colet nalang." she said and pushed Colet towards Jhoanna. Mikhaela Lim, isa kang malaking torpe. "Pupunta rin naman 'yan sa library, katabi lang ng broadcasting room eh." my coward best friend added. Kaya wala nang nagawa si Colet.
"Don't worry, your groupmate is safe with Col. Wala 'yong interes sa iba bukod sa ex niya, si Keith." I assured Gwen. Alam ko kasing tingin niya rin sa mga kaibigan ko ay troublemakers like me. But nope, they're one of the most genuine and softie persons.
Gwen just nodded so I decided to insist another conversation. "Are you guys going home na?"
"Nope, we'll compile the forms pa and also the documentations." She answered.
I scratched my head. "Can I accompany you guys? I need to study too, may quiz kasi kami." I reasoned out. No, wala talaga kaming quiz bukas. Palusot ko lang para makasama pa si Gwen ng mas matagal.
"Sus! Wala kaming quiz tomorrow, Gwen. Gusto ka lang makasama niyan." Mikha suddenly butted in out of nowhere. Hindi pa pala sila nakaka-alis ni Maloi? Sa bagay, mukhang nag-eenjoy naman 'yong isa na pagmasdan si Stacey eh.
"Shut up, Mikhs! I didn't even said na tomorrow na 'yong quiz. I'll advance read no! Umuwi na nga kayo." I told them at tinulak sila palabas ng classroom.
"Bye, Stacey." Maloi shyly said. Gwen and I watched them exchanging awkward goodbyes, nagkatinginan nalang kami and gave each other knowing looks. What a progress for Maloi!
"Let's go?" I told them and the two girls nodded.
Their activity went fast naman. Kahit na allergic ako sa library, pinilit ko pa ring huwag antukin. I distract myself by finding cool books with pictures on it. Iyong mga pictures lang talaga ang tinitingnan ko dahil wala naman akong balak magbasa ng makakapal na libro. Next time na siguro kapag sinagot na ako ni Gwen.
"Kain muna tayo?" I asked them after helping them pack their things.
Stacey looked at her wrist watch. "Uh, kayo nalang? Nasa gate na kasi 'yong sundo ko." she said and waved goodbye.
I looked at Gwen but I saw her covering her neck. Hindi ko alam kung bakit, siguro ay nangalay siya dahil nakayuko lang sila ni Stacey kanina, halatang minamadali na 'yong school work nila.
"Are you okay?" I asked her. She just nodded without looking at me.
"Tara na ba?" I asked again. This time, she heaved a sigh and looked at me straight in my eyes, making me conscious.
She's looking at me intently.
"May dumi ba sa mukha ko? Na-untog ka na ba at ayaw mo na magpaligaw sa akin?" I asked.
She shook her head, still looking at me. I stood here, looking stupid and clueless kung ano ang nangyayari sa kanya.
"I'm nervous." she whispered.
"Of what? Sa research niyo? I'm pretty sure you can nail it!" I said just to cheer her up.
"No, not about the research." sagot niya habang inaayos ang buhok niya.
"Eh ano?" I asked.
"Kasi Shee, ayaw na kitang ligawan ako. Let's just stop this courting stuff." she answered.
I don't understand. May mali ba akong nagawa? Ayaw niya ba talaga sa akin?
"Because I want to make us official. Ano ... mahal na rin kita." she whispered again but this time, sobrang lakas ng pandinig ko na parang gusto kong magsisisigaw sa tuwa.
"Really?" I asked.
She made a face, "Hindi. Joke lang 'yon."
I started tearing up realizing that this girl in front of me is already my girlfriend. Sobrang saya ng puso ko. The knot in my stomach finally loosened, unraveling with a sigh I didn't even realize I was holding. Gweneth's "yes" hung in the air between us, catching the light like a dust mote dancing in a sunbeam. It was the sweetest melody I'd ever heard, erasing weeks of nervous anticipation. Finally. The word echoed in my head, a culmination of everything unspoken that had simmered between us â stolen glances across crowded rooms, whispered confessions in the dead of night, a longing that thrummed just beneath the surface.
I couldn't take my eyes off her. The way her smile, usually so confident, held a hint of shyness, the flicker of acceptance in her gaze â it was a sight I wanted to etch into my memory forever. Gratitude, warm and expansive, bloomed in my chest. It wasn't just the "yes" itself, but the unspoken promises it held, the journey we'd shared to get here. The air crackled with a silent electricity, a language only we understood. The world seemed to shrink, everything fading away except the space between us. I couldn't wait to close the distance, to finally weave the words of love that had bloomed alongside our dreams.
"Mahal na mahal kita." I said as I look at her eyes.
I'm so in love with this girl and if multi-universe is real, I will still love her constantly and consistently in every universe we'll live in.