When We Look With Our Hearts
“You talked to HIM?!!?” Kath screamed.
Nadine threw her a slightly annoyed look.
“I mean, HE talked to YOU? Tapos, anong sabi niya? Did he ask for your name? What did you say? Why did he talk to you?”
“Kat, pwede bang dahan-dahan ang mga tanong, para namang interrogation ung ginagawa mo e..”
She was getting ready for bed when her sister barged in her room. Kathryn got a text from a friend at school telling her how her sister talked to the new guy.
“See I told you he needed a friend.. that’s good ate.. that’s a start..” Kath said as she sat down on her ate’s bed.
“Anong start? He just asked for directions to his room. Yun lang… I guarantee you, hanggang dun lang yun…”
“Eh bakit niya tinanong name mo?”
“To be polite siguro… Common courtesy nalang un noh…” She sat down next to her little sister. “Wag mong masyadong bigyan ng meaning. Wala un, I was just being nice to him. Kawawa naman ung tao walang tumutulong..”
“Pero… you have to admit. Cute siya di ba? Ayiiiiiiee.. aminin..” Her sister teased.
“Bulag nalang ang magsasabing wala siyang itsura…” she admitted.
Kath gave her a smile, the kind of smile that she would make when Nadine was wrong about something and she was right.
“Oh.. ano? Sabi ko lang may istura, hindi ko siya type..”
“Asus.. may type ka na pala ngaun ha…”
“Bakit, ikaw nga sige, are you gonna deny na cute si Dj?”
“Hindi ano? Hindi siya cute?”
“Oh.. di mo masagot noh? Ganun rin ung kay James, pero ako I can really say na he’s not my type.. Ung iyo, kaya mo?”
Kath rolled her eyes at her sister’s question. “I don’t have to answer that, pero ung kay James kasi, you haven’t gotten to know him yet.. malay mo kapag mas nakilala mo na siya, malaman mong type mo rin pala..”
She’s never gonna give this up, playing cupid.. Nadine just smiled at her sisters efforts. “Kath, alam kong sobrang laki na ng effort mo.. Thank you.. but, hayaan mo na yun..”
“Sige, papalusutin kita for now.. tulog na tayo..”
Nadine had a questioning look on her face. “Tabi tayo tonight?”
“Yeah, kasi nagyaya sila kaninang manood ng horror sa bahay nila Dj, ayun.. natatakot akong bangungutin eh..”
Nadine laughed at the turn of the conversation. Despite her attempt to give her older sister love advice, Kathryn was still the ading. That idea comforted Nadine, she can still be an ate to her.
The next day at school, Nadine was praying that the whole ‘James’ thing would rest. Sana naman di masyadong career-in ng mga fangirls tong si James. She thought.
Her class started with no disturbance, no one asked her about the new guy. Walang nangulit. She took it as a good sign. Until her 1st period ended and as she walked out the door, there he was.
She glanced left and right. He was just looking at her.
“Hey..” He started, trying to see if she was the same friendly face that helped him out yesterday. “I know it’s kind of weird to ask, but, what’s your next class?”
Nadine noticed a few students watching them now. Ano ba ‘to, live TV??
“Why are you asking?” Mamaya pagtripan lang ako nito eh.. Malay ko ba kung anong ibig niyang sabihin..
“Oh.. because I have a free period next, and since you’re the only one here that actually talks to me, I figured… maybe you’d want to hang?” He said, then he stepped closer, lowering his voice. “You’re the only one that doesn’t stare at me and giggle, personally I find that normal… and I like normal… I could use a lot of normal right now, just someone to talk to without feeling so conscious-“
“So gusto mong samahan kita sa free period mo? Yun ba un?”
He took a few seconds to understand her tagalog. Then nodded and said “ only if it’s okay with you…”
“I don’t have a free period after this, may next class pa ako.. after that lunch-“
“That’s okay.. lunch then?” He asked, still hopeful.
Her eyebrows furrowed as she tried to understand him. Ano bang gusto ng taong to.. “I don’t think you understood what I said, sabi ko may-“
“I did.. you still have another class.. I know.. So lunch?”
“I don’t know.. we’ll see… I might just study.” She started walking, hoping that it would end the conversation. To her disappointment, he followed.
“You’re not gonna eat lunch?”
“I am.. but- teka… why are you following me?”
“Because I’m still talking to you…And you still haven’t told me if you’re gonna eat or what..”
“I don’t need to tell you…” She said, with a sharp tone.
“You’re right.. you don’t.. but I just need a friend… I just want someone to talk to, Nadine. And right now, you’re the only one that’s taken a chance to talk to me…”
He’s so straight-forward. Naisip ni Nadine, kawawa naman, naghahanap lang ng kaibigan… It’s like she can almost hear her sister say, pagbigyan mo naman.
She turned to face him as she reached her next class. “Okay? So we’ll go to lunch together?”
“Yeah.. I’ll be studying though, if that’s okay?”
“Totally fine, as long as I’m not alone like yesterday..”
“What happened yesterday?” She asked.
“I’ll tell you at lunch… Or better yet, I’ll show you.”
Ilang beses winish ni Nadine dati na pabilisin ang oras sa mga lectures niya. Now, she’s wishing the exact opposite, and yes her wish wasn’t granted. Kung kailan naman gusto kong pahabain ung lecture saka naman napakabilis ng oras…
Before she knew it, it was lunch. And just like last period, he was there, standing outside, waiting for her. Hand in his pocket and the other on his bag that was only hanging on one shoulder.
“That was quick…” He said.
He got a nod in response. So he decided to try again, “so.. where do you usually eat lunch? sa café? Or do you eat out?”
When they got there, it was almost full. Students were hanging in big groups and there was chatter everywhere. They sat in the middle of the place, oddly enough there was one table that was vacant.
When they sat down, that’s when Nadine found out. It was the only table in the café, where everyone sitting had a good look at whoever was sitting down. Kind of like a small pedestal/stage for James.
“Now do you see what I’m mean?” He said, sitting down as if he had no other choice.
“Don’t tell me you’re gonna sit here and let them stare like that?”
“What other choice to I have? I don’t know any other places, that’s why I asked for your company… So I wont have to deal with this.. not alone at least…”
Nadine refused, she stood up and looked around. “We’re not eating here.. let’s go..”
“Basta.. just come with me..”
She led him outside the school, to the parking lot. She opened her car and told him to get in. The keys stayed in her hand though, she didn’t start the car.
“Dito nalang tayo.. It’s the same thing, atleast you get to eat peacefully..”
“Okay…I really don’t mind..”
Nadine was confused. What is it with this guy? “Ano bang meron? Do you have a phobia of being alone?”
“Not really.. I’m just used to being surrounded by my siblings all the time.. There’s 8 of us you see, but I’m the only one studying in this school, so I get antsy when I have no one to talk to..”
“Plus, do you know how weird it is to have everyone in the room look at you, and then once you start to talk, they immediately stop talking? It’s like I have a disease or something..”
He took a bite of the sandwich he bought earlier. While Nadine opened a container from her bag. She packed a bunch of fruits, which caught James’ attention. He didn’t comment on it, but he took notice.
“Baka naman, they’re just intimidated by you?”
“How? Do I look scary? I mean, you didn’t hesitate to talk to me…”
“I was helping you.. that was different..”
“You still talked to me..” He said, smiling. “You didn’t just stand there and stared..”
“You needed help.. I just did the right thing..”
“Exactly.. Thank you for that by the way..”
“Nagthank-you ka na kahapon..”
James smiled, almost done with his sandwich, “I know.. I’m just really happy, someone talked to me.. especially because it’s you..”
“I mean, you.. you’re just genuine.”
“Kat, sige naaaa.. Please??”
“Dj, tigilan mo nga ako… Ano nanaman sumapi sayo, at naisipan mong isali ako sa school play? College na tayo, hayaan mo na mga drama majors gumawa nyan..”
Napakamot sa ulo si Dj sa kakulitan ng kanyang kaibigan. Gusto lang naman nitong sabay silang sasali. Para mas marami siyang chance makasama si Kath.
“Eh hindi ka naman magleleading lady eh. Kahit mga minor roles lang…”
“Grabe ah, etong mukha kong toh? Pang minor role lang?” She said, putting her hand underneathe her chin.
“Okay lang, basta sa puso ko, ikaw ang leading lady…” Sabay tawa siya at sinisiko si Kath. “Oh..aminin mo, the best one so far un!!!”
“Ewan ko sayo… Sige sasali tayo pero props and design lang.. Maganda ring tingnan yun sa mga extra curriculars ko kapag nag apply ako for internship.”
“So.. okay na? Payag ka?”
“Yeah.. sige, try natin..”
Daniel wrote both of their names on the sign-up sheet for volunteers. He smiled, proud of the way he wrote both names.
“Grabe ah.. allergic sa space bar? Ba’t naman magkatabi mong sinulat ung pangalan? May space naman sa baba ah..”
“Obvious ba? Para tayo lang, walang hiwalayan..”
Kath rolled her eyes, her bestfriend was really something else. “Korny mo, pre… Tayo na nga… Hahanapin ko pa si ate..”
“Talaga??? Tayo na?? Yes!!”
Kath threw him a look. And he answered with a peace sign. “Joke lang, joke lang.. sige ka, mamaya mastuck na yang mukha mo, forever ka na nakasimangot….”
“Ewan ko sayo… sasamahan mo ba ako o hindi???”
“Eto na nga oh.. let’s go.. hanapin na si ate Nadine!”
Kath figured out her sister wasn’t in the café, so she texted her and found out where she was. Not knowing that her sister had company. The cute heart-throb kind of company.
She knocked on the window, slightly startling her ate. “Grabe ka naman makakatok…”
“Sorry.. di ko naman kasi alam may kausap ka pala…” Kath smiled, she was glad to see her sister with someone aside from her or her parents. “Hi James!”
“Andyan pala siya? Hi James!” said Dj.
James was surprised at their warm welcomes, he smiled and said hi back. He pointed at Kath and asked Nadine, “Your sister?”
“Yeah.. Kathryn and her friend Daniel.. or Dj as he likes to be called.”
“I guess not everyone here stares, you guys are friendly naman pala e, how come I’ve never seen you guys around?”
“We’re freshmen here, James.. kayo ni ate ang magka-year..” Kath explained.
“Oh cool.. And what are you guys taking?”
“Fine arts kaming dalawa ni Kath… Ikaw?”
“Film Directing. I want to direct movies one day..”
“Talaga? Ate is taking screenplay writing. Partner pala mga course niyo!” Kath said. Trying to set the two up.
Nadine caught on quickly at what her sister was trying to do. She shot her sister the whatever you’re planning, stop it right now look.
“Really? So you like to write?” James turned to Nadine, asking.
“Yeah.. mostly stories ako ngayon, but I’m getting used to writing in script form…”
“Alam niyo, kami ni Kath nag volunteer para tumulong sa school play natin this sem, baka gusto niyong magjoin..”
Kath’s face lit up as she smiled, who knew Dj would come up with such a brilliant idea?
“Tama si Dj, ate! Sali kayo! Kahit mga behind the scenes lang.. Especially you James, you can help directing.. I know the professor in charge!!”
“Kathryn.. masyado kang excited.. movies nga ang gusto niyang i-direct diba? And besides I don’t think James-“
“No, no.. I’d love to help out! It would be great experience and another thing to add to a resume..”
“Ayon oh! Sabi ko sayo, Kat! Tama ako noh?” Dj offered a high-five to James, who gladly returned it.
“Sira, ako kaya nagsabi nun! So you’re game, James?”
“Yeah sure.. just as long as Nadine’s doing it too.”
“Ha?! Ba’t ako nanaman nasali niyo dyan? Kayo nalang.. And why do I always have to do things with you?”
James laughed, she can be real funny when she’s not trying. “We could both use a new environment besides the classroom and your car… Plus, we’d meet new people!”
“Hay nako, James.. Ate’s not too keen on meeting new people.. It’s like she’s allergic.”
“Maka-allergic toh..” Nadine started, but James interrupted.
“I don’t think so… We became friends quickly.. Come on, Nadz… What do you think? You up for it?”
She smiled at her new nickname. Wala naman sigurong mawawala kung susubukan ko diba? And besides, it would look good for an internship or something..
Kathryn was slightly shocked, she was so sure her ate would’ve said no. It’s the first time she’s ever tried to be involved in something else aside from studying.
“Naku… masaya ‘to. Mageenjoy tayo nito, for sure.” Dj said, happy that everyone’s on board with the idea.
“Me too.. Ate, keep him, James can actually make you try to come out of your shell.” Kath joked.
“Tigilan mo nga ako, Kath. Don’t mind her, James. She’s just joking..”
“Hey, I’m not going anywhere… Tama si Kath, I think I’ll stick with you starting now.”
He said this as he looked straight into her eyes.
No guy has ever done that before. Atleast not to me. Guys would always look away, or try a bit too hard to give a flirty gaze, which usually looks na parang matanda na nahihirapan magbasa. But this time, his look and his words, they were sincere. It’s like gusto niya talaga akong maniwala sa kanya. What is it with this guy?
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