My Innocent Man

Ten Years ago... It was a fine sunny morning. People chatting and make annoying noises. I'm used to this. I was in my senior year and I can't wait to get my ass out here. Natahimik lang lahat nang pumasok na ang kanilang guro na si Ms. Crystal. Sinabi nitong mayroon daw silang Group project na kailangang gawin at isang linggo lamang ang binigay nitong palugid. "Okay Class so this Group Project is for two person only. You'll need to research dipende sa topic na gusto niyong idiscuss. English only. And If your topic is the most outstanding among all. You will be exempted on the final exam. Since Graduating na kayong lahat I expect that all of you will participate. I will still give consideration for those who take time and effort doing the project. Lastly, ako ang mamimili nang makakapartner niyo." Umugong ang mga reklamo ng kanyang mga kaklase. Sinimulan na nitong Isa-isahin ang mga pangalan nang mag kakapartner "Last but not the least Victoria-" Hindi na naituloy ni Ms. Crystal ang pagtawag sa mga pangalan dahil mayroong biglang pumasok sa room namin. Fumier how ito sa pinaka dulo bago umupo. Umasim ang kaninang seryosong mukha ng aming English teacher. "Ms.Rodriguez." tawag nito sa babaeng kakapasok lang. I didn't know She was my classmate. well atleast hindi pa tapos ang third quarter bago ko malaman. "Kundi absent, late. You're a smart girl, sana wag mong sayangin yon sa pagiging tamad mo." That explains everything. kaya pala hindi ko siya kilala dahil lagi siyang absent. Wait? why am I thinking this? Wala sa sariling napa iling siya. "Okay where are we? Ah, Yes, Ms. Rodriguez your partner will be Mr. San Diego" What!? You gotta be kidding me. Ang dami-dami namang iba jan bat siya pa? kahit na ang dami kong gustong sabihin ng mga oras na iyon ay pinilit kong wag mag salita. Ayokong maging unfair sakanya dahil kahit siya ay walang reaction nang matawag ako para maging kapartner niya. "Okay, so you can do anything you want as I go. If you have questions regarding sa project asa faculty lang ako. That's all for now good day." Nang lumabas na si Ms. Crystal ay umingay na ulit sa classroom. Yung iba lumabas para kumaen, But me, I was just sitting there thinking.. How Am I gonna approach her? like, I don't even have friends and I prefer to be alone. Sinubukan kong lingunin siya pero nagulat ako nang makitang nakatingin na siya sakin. Why is she looking me like that? did we feel the same thing? Agad siyang nag iniwas ng tingin. Bakit ba siya kinakabahan? dahil lang duon? Come on Nathan! don't be a chicken! It's just a girl. Handa na siyang humarap at tignan muli ito upang makita kung ano man ang ginagawa ng kanyang partner ngunit laking gulat niya ng makitang nakatayo na ito malapit sa kanya. Naestatwa siya sa kanyang kina uupuan. Matagal bago ito nag salita kaya nag iwas muli siya ng tingin. Why does she has this weird effect on me? He can feel his heart beat raising and he can't explain why. "Let's talk." Iyon lamang ang sinabi nito at lumakad na palabas ng room. He snap back to reality. What the f is going on with me? Tumayo na siya at sinimulang maglakad. Hindi pa naman ito msyadong nakakalayo kaya't naka habol parin siya. Nagtaka siya dahil sa may Bench malapit sa Ilalim ng puno Ito tumigil at umupo. This spot is where he likes to sit. How did she know? Is she watching me? I automatically erase that thought. Hindi naman siguro. "Uupo kaba o magdamag kalang tatayo jan?" "Uh, sorry." What the heck Nathan? get a grip! Stop day dreaming! "So what about the so called project?"tanong nito sakin. Deretcho lamang ang tingin nito sa malayo at hindi manlang nag abalang lingunin siya. Isip-isip niya mas madali nga iyon. Hindi niya alam kung bakit parang nahihirapan siyang tignan ito. "It's a group project." Pag lilinaw niya rito. "I know. I ask you what's about it?" Napaharap ito sa kanya at halata niyang Iritado na ito. "Ang sabi ni maam dipende daw 'yon sa pipiliing topic." "Then?" Pag uusisa pa nito. "She only gave us one week to finish. So we have to start as soon as possible. Tomorrow, we only have six days left." I remind her. "That's a piece of cake." She replied confident. Hindi niya maiwasang mairita. Ganun lang? "Are you even serious about this?" Hindi niya mapigilang tanungin ito. Matamang tinitignan lang siya nito at lalo siyang nainis. "You know what? I need to-" Hindi na niya natuloy ang sasabihin niya dahil nag salita ito. "I am." Sabi nito ngunit hindi siya kumbinsido. "You sure? kasi feeling ko hindi eh." I said frustrated. This is why I like to do things alone. Naka tingin ito sa kanya bago nag salita. "Come on Nathan I'm serious about this. dead serious If that's what you want." Sabi nitong naka ngisi pa sa kanya. Tinignan niya lamang Ito dahil hindi siya makapaniwala. Ngayon palang nakikita na niyang siya lang gagawa mag-isa ng project na Iyon. Wala sa sariling napasuklay niya ang kamay sa kanyang buhok. "Okay so.. What's the plan?" I clear my throat. "I'm free tomorrow after class." Nakangiti lang ito sa kanya at tumango bilang pag sang ayon. "Uh Im-" He was about to say that he's leaving but someone talks at their back. "Babe! I've been looking for you! Andito ka lang pala." Napansin siya nito at kunot noo siyang tinignan. Tumayo ang partner niya at hinarap ang nag salita. "It's Victoria, Jake." She said back. "Whatever Babe. And who's this nerd?" referring to him. Hindi na ako nag react para dina rin humaba ang usapan. She rolls her eyes on the guy and I find it amusing. "Leave him alone Jake." At hinarap siya nito "Thanks for your time Nathan, see you tomorrow." Nakangiti Ito sa kanya. Hindi niya maintindihan ang nararamdaman. Mag sasalita na sana siya pero naunahan siya. "Like seriously? you can't choose him over me. I mean look at him." sabi ng lalaki na naka lahad pa ang palad sa kanya. Nawala ang ngiti niya sa labi at pati narin kay Victoria. Victoria..Her name is beautiful, it suites her.. "Jake pwede ba?"At lumakad na ito paalis. "Via Wait. I was just joking!" Tumayo na siya at sinimulang mag lakad pabalik sa kanilang classroom. "That's the reasons why I prefer to be alone.." He told himself shaking his head. It will be a long day for all of us....