Katukayo

Katukayo

“Hori, tigilan mo na nga pakikipag-usap dun sa katukayo ko,” daing ng kaibigan kong parang pinaglihi sa sama ng loob. Nagseselos na naman ang mokong dahil may kaibigan akong kapangalan niya. Ayaw niya raw na may iba akong “best friend” bukod sa kanya, kasi siya lang daw ang nakakatiis sa ugali kong daig pa ang math problems sa hirap intindihin at sa mood swings kong nahihiya raw pati climate change.

“Hoy, magtigil ka nga Christian. Wag ka ngang OA, okey! Hindi lang ikaw ang pinanganak na Christian ang pangalan. Classmate ko yun, at matalino siya kaya kinakaibigan ko. ‘Wag kang panira ng trip, pwede?”

Tahimik siyang tumingin, parang bata na inagawan ng paboritong laruan. Ang totoo, minsan talaga sarap upakan nun—ang lakas manita, ang daming bawal, pero siya rin yung unang nandiyan kapag sobrang malungkot ako. Kahit mukha na kong sirang plaka kakakuwento. Kaya kahit nakakapagod intindihin, hindi ko rin siya maiwan.

Nakakatawa lang, kasi ang lakas niyang magbigay ng mixed signals. Sobrang seloso na akala mo may karapatan, pero sa huli, kaibigan lang naman pala ang tingin niya sa akin.

“O baka naman… hinihintay ko lang na umamin siya?”.

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