Unintentionally Yours

CHAPTER 1

Omega University’s 75th Annual Field Day!

Napatingin ako sa dambuhalang banner na nakapaskil sa harap ng school nang makababa ako ng sasakyan.

“Shannel!” napalingon ako sa taong pinanggalingan ng boses na tumatawag sa aking pangalan.

I saw a lady with long, straight, and coal-black hair tied into a double French braid. She’s wearing a large black shirt tucked in her side, paired with tight jeans, and her favorite sneakers. It is my best friend, Ruth Madrigal.

On the other hand, I was wearing a white square-neck ribbed cropped tank top paired with high-waisted army green trousers and white sneakers.

She runs in my direction as she waves her hand saying hello. I welcomed her with a hug and held her hand as we enter our school.

Gray and navy-blue balloons and flags were all over our campus. Booths were pitched to the side of the entrance of the field. Teachers are busy socializing with international visitors. And maintenance personnel busy cleaning student’s trash.

A lot of students were just enjoying themselves. Mayroong mga junior high school students na nag-aalok ng mga products nila sa iba naming school mates.

I smiled at the thought of my memories when I was once a junior high school student. I don’t usually enjoy Field Day before because junior high school students oversee the booths. It was very exhausting and I never really enjoy it because I never get the chance to marry Haunth in the marriage booth. Although marriage booth is not true, it will be a good memory with him.

“Nginingiti-ngiti mo riyan?” napalingon naman ako kay Ruth na may hawak nang cotton candy. Saan galing ‘yang cotton candy niya? Kada na lang lilingon ako rito, palaging ngumunguya.

“Wala. Naalala ko lang ga’no tayo nag-enjoy last last year sa Field Day” sarkastiko kong sabi.

Napatawa naman si Ruth habang may laman pa ng cotton candy ang bibig niya.

“Anong sabi mo? Nag-enjoy ka? Eh grabe nga iyong pagnguso mo noon dahil ‘di mo mapakasalan si Haunth eh”

“Pano ko siya pakakasalan? Eh siya nga iyong pari! Nawalan tuloy ako ng gana mag-propose sa kan’ya noon.” lalo pang humalakhak si Ruth.

Kung ‘di ko lang kaibigan ‘to, sinungalngal ko na ‘to eh.

Hindi ko nalang pinansin si Ruth at sinutsutan iyong batang nagtitinda ng ice cream sa tapat ng napakalawak na field ng school.

“Ano po ‘yon?” tanong nung bata.

“Pabili ng ice cream, dalawa” sabi ko sabay dukot ng sinkwenta pesos sa aking wallet. Agad namang inihanda no’ng bata iyong ice cream.

“Uy, lilibre mo ‘ko? Yey!” kumekembot kembot na parang batang banggit ni Ruth.

“Anong libre? Para kay Haunth ‘to. ‘di mo nga ako inaya ng cotton candy mo eh”

Speaking of Haunth, dali-dali kong hinila si Ruth na kumakain naman ngayon ng hotdog sandwich nang mamataan ko si Haunth sa isang pulo ng mga estudyante. Maraming mga foreigner ang nagkalat sa school na galing sa New Yornia University sa South Carolina. Oo nga pala, muntik ko nang malimutan na taon-taon ay nagaganap ang Omega’s International Football Play. Si Haunth siguro ang speaker mamaya. Siya kasi ang International Student Body ng O. U., aside from that, he’s the top student of our school. Sino ba namang hindi magkakagusto sa kaniya diba? He’s perfect. Perfect for me.

Napaharurot pa ako sa pagtakbo nang makita kong may babaeng matangkad at blonde na palapit kay Haunth nang biglang may humarang sa daan dahilan para mapahinto ako sa pagtakbo.

Napatingin ako sa dalawang ice cream na hawak ko, natutunaw na nang paunti-unti iyong ice cream at mayroon nang kaunting ice cream sa kamay ko.

“Ano ba naman ‘yan, ang lagkit na tuloy ng kamay ko” reklamo ko. Bakit ba kasi ako bumili ng ice cream?

“Sa’n kayo pupunta, aber?” napatingin ako sa lalaking humarang sa daanan ko.

My eyes met ash-colored eyes paired with one raised eyebrow and a smirk. It is Sett Octavion Garcia. He’s wearing his football uniform with ‘Central Hammerhead’ written in front and number 7 below it. He’s the central forward of the Hammerheads, our school’s football team. He is a certified womanizer, Haunth’s friend, and a proficient bully to me.

This guy makes my mood turn from good to atrocious apace. Just with his face alone, my mood for the whole day will seriously be ruined.

“What do you care?” nakataas kilay kong tanong sa kan’ya.

Nawala naman iyong ngisi niya at tinignan si Ruth na kumakain parin ng hotdog. Nag-iwas naman ng tingin sa kan’ya si Ruth at tumanaw nalang sa field habang inuubos niya iyong hotdog sandwich niya. Agad ‘din naman ako nilingon ni Sett at ipinantay ang mukha niya sa mukha ko.

“Lagkit na siguro niyang kamay mo?” sabi niya habang nakatitig lang sa akin.

Napatingin akong muli sa ice cream na hawak ko. Medyo marami na ang natutunaw at talagang naglalagkit na ang kamay ko.

I was startled when he reaches out for my hand as he brings it close to his face. He took the ice cream I am holding with his other hand and brought my hand even closer to his lips as he licks the melted ice cream, making me snatch my hand out from him.

“What the heck is your problem, Sett?!” I said as I shake my hands that he licked trying to dry it off.

“What?” he said smirking and his eyebrow raised instinctively. It always irritates me whenever I see his arrogant smile.

“Aso ka ba?!” nandidiring sabi ko na ikinatingin ni Ruth sa amin.

“No, I’m not a dog. Gusto ko lang ng ice cream” sabi niya at tumingin sa paligid habang kinain iyong isang ice cream na kanina lang ay hawak ko.

He leaned closer and stares at me intently.

“No pets allowed. Masisira ang play. Baka malasin pako ‘pag nakita kitang nanood” pang-aasar pa niya na para bang wala siyang ginawang nakakadiri.

“No pets allowed? Eh, ikaw nga iyong pet sa ating dalawa. And you know what? Para ‘di ka malasin, ‘wag ka nalang tumingin sa maganda kong mukha”

He stands back straight without breaking our eye contact.

“Hmm. I can’t stop staring at your face every time naglalaro ako eh”

Napangiti naman ako sa binanggit niya.

“What? So, you agree na maganda ako?”

“No, I feel like I’m going to have a nightmare. Hindi pa man ako tulog, babangungutin na ako”

My smile fades as he leaned forward bringing his face closer to mine again.

“You know what? You look different. Every time you will come to watch us play; I can’t focus” he moved an inch closer for another time.

My heart starts to beat faster. It’s the first time a guy’s face was this close to mine. I’m uncomfortable. I can almost smell his minty-fresh breath. I want to look away but there’s something inside me saying not to.

He raised his hand to touch my chin and tilt my face looking towards Haunth’s direction. From where I am standing right now, I can see that Haunth is seriously looking at the field and the blonde girl is already sitting beside him.

“It’s the first time I saw a face this ugly. I bet Haunth sees the same that’s why he’s still not your boyfriend, huh?” he said slightly laughing.

I froze at what he whispered.

“Sett, stop it. We just want to watch the game. Stop harassing her” Ruth said as she gently pushed Sett away from me.

“Sett! Tara na! Magsisimula na ang laro!”

Napatingin naman si Sett sa ka-team niya na tumawag sa kaniya.

He looked back at me and titters as he goes back to the field and goes straight to flirt with the cheerleaders practicing.

“Don’t listen to him. Punong-puno lang talaga ng kabastusan iyong bunganga ni Sett” pag-aalo sa akin ni Ruth.

“Tara na manood na tayo” aya niya at kinuha ang tunaw na ice cream sa kamay ko at itinapon sa trash can na malapit sa main.

Nawala na sa isip ko na may hawak nga pala ako. Natunaw na nang tuluyan iyong ice cream. Pumunta muna kami ng restroom then hinayaan ko nalang na si Ruth ang maghanap ng pwesto namin.

“Gusto mo bang tumabi kay Haunth?” tanong sa akin ni Ruth.

“Ikaw na ang bahala” sabi ko sa kaniya at nginitian lang siya.

I know na aware s’ya na nasaktan ako sa sinabi ni Sett. Ilang taon narin kasi akong gumagawa ng moves para lang hintayin if gusto ba ako ni Haunth.

Matapos ang ilang minutong paghahanap, nakapagdesisyon din si Ruth sa uupuan namin.

Everyone was having a good time. Cheering for their favorite teams and players. Cheerleaders were practicing their routines on the field seconds before the game starts.

I look at the man sitting in front of me. He’s tall and has good physic but compare to Sett, he is a little thinner. He has a sharp coal-black eye, thin, long eyebrows, and thin lips. I became irritated watching the girl beside him making her move to be even closer to him. My eyebrows knitted into a frown when she tried to hold his hand. This girl is more desperate than me, huh?

I closed my eyes heavily as I sighed trying to calm down myself. What a view. I don’t want to open my eyes anymore.

It was three years ago when I saw him. We were in Grade Nine and I was 15. It was the day around the 72nd Anniversary of the school, just like today, there is this Annual Field Day that our university’s tradition to celebrate every year. It’s because the president of the school likes to watch football games and any other field games, so, he made this. As junior students, we were assigned for the preparation of the booths.

“Ruth, hinahanap ka ni Ma’am Dela Cruz”

Napahinto ako sa pag-arrange ng mga paper cups at napatingin ako sa lalaking tumawag kay Ruth.

Seryoso lang ‘to at nakasandal sa gilid lang ng pinto.

“Sige, pakisabi susunod ako” sagot ni Ruth sa lalaki. Napalingon naman sa akin si Ruth.

“Shannel, ikaw muna bahala rito sa plastic cups ha” nagmamadaling sabi ni Ruth at dumiretso na sa pinto. Hindi nako nakapag-react agad.

Napadako naman ang tingin ko sa lalaking tumawag kay Ruth na ikinagulat kong nakatingin ‘din sa akin. Nginitian ko siya at sinuklian niya ako ng ‘di maipaliwanag na ngiti. Hindi siya familiar sa ‘kin. Transferee siguro? Or bihira lumabas ng room nila? In fairness, gwapo siya. Pa’no nangyari na wala akong alam about sa kaniya? Matanong nga mamaya si Ruth.

Muli ko nalang inasikaso itong mga paper plates at plastic cups na idinagdag ni Ruth sa gawain ko. Aba, nakatakas ang loka. Kaya pala nagmamadali. Mautak talaga.

Napapitlag ako nang ibagsak ang isa pang kaban ng bigas malapit sa tabi ko. Agad ko namang tinignan nang masama si Sett. Pa’no ba naman kasi, kanina pa niya binabagsak sa tabi ko ‘yong bigas na mga binubuhat niya. Walang magawang matino sa buhay.

Balak kasi naming restaurant na lang ang theme ng booth namin kaya napakaraming bigas ang kailangan.

Nginisian lang ako ng loko at umalis ulit na siya ko namang ikinairap. Naiirita talaga ako sa mukha ng lalaking iyon. Oo nga at may itsura siya pero sobrang nakakainis kapag nakikita kong nakangisi siya, tumataas ‘din kasi iyong kilay niya kapag ngumingisi siya.

‘di ko alam kung bakit maraming nagkakagusto r’on sa lalaking ‘yon. Napakayabang pa naman niya at walang ibang ginawa kundi mang-asar. Anak kasi siya ng president ng school at isa sa mga football players ng Hammerheads kaya grabe kung umasta.

“Shannel, bili ka naman ng cardboard sa student’s lounge” utos ng president ng klase naming si Cindy.

“Sure” sabi ko sa kaniya at nginitian siya nang pagkatamis-tamis.

Yes! Makakatakas na rin ako.

Ibinaba ko na ang hawak kong paper plate at plastic cup sa lamesa at maayos na naglakad palabas ng room. Nang makalabas ako ng room ay agad ako nagtatalon sa tuwa at agad ‘din namang hininto ang pagtalon bago pa ‘ko masabihang nawawala sa katinuan ng ibang estudyanteng nagdadaan sa corridor.

Dapat lang siguro ako magdahan-dahan sa paglalakad para mas tumagal ang paglilibot ko. Napangiti naman ako sa naisip. Aba, kung nautakan ako ni Ruth, dapat ko naring sagarin at tagalan itong pagbili ng cardboard para pagbalik ko nandun na si Ruth.

Busy ang lahat sa paghahanda para sa field day ng kani-kanilang booth. Mayroong prison booth, horror booth, tattoo booth, at syempre ‘di mawawala ang marriage booth na pinaka gusto ng lahat. Samantalang kami, pinili naming maging restaurant booth dahil paniguradong maraming gustong kumain sa araw na ‘yon at babalik samin ang puhunan namin.

Well, for sure magiging kahera nalang siguro ako dahil bawal naman ako sa kusina. Baka magkasunog lang sa school at kesa kumita kami ay baka lalo pa kaming mapagastos.

Hindi ko namalayan na nakarating na agad ako sa student’s lounge. Dumiretso na ako sa supplies section at naghanap ng cardboard.

“Tsk” inis kong sabi nang makita ko iyong mga cardboard na nakalagay sa taas ng isang cabinet.

Bakit doon nakalagay ang mga cardboard? ‘di ba nila naisip na what if kailanganin ng mga bata ang cardboard at ‘di nila maabot ‘to? Napalingon-lingon ako sa paligid para maghanap ng puwedeng sampahan at agad ko rin namang namataan ang isang pulang malaking box. Dali-dali ko itong inurong. Laking gulat ko nalang dahil magaan ang box. Kinatok ko ang box para marinig if may laman ba ito o wala. Mukha namang mayroong laman kaya iniurong ko ulit at itinapat sa puwesto ng mga cardboard.

Muli akong tumingin sa paligid. Kaunti lang naman ang tao kaya wala naman sigurong sasaway sa akin. Iyong bantay naman ay busy naman mag-phone. Tinanggal ko muna ang sapatos ko para hindi marumihan ang box at walang ebidensya na tumapak ako rito. Isinampa ko na ang isa kong paa at ‘saka itinukod ito sa box para tuluyan kong maiangat ang katawan ko nang bigla itong lumubog at muntik na akong mahulog buti na lamang ay napahawak ako sa cabinet kung saan nakapatong ang mga cardboard.

Kinabahan ako r’on ah. Great. Wala ngang bakas ng sapatos pero may yupi naman na ang box.

Dahan-dahan ko nang hinila ang isa sa mga cardboard gamit ang isa kong kamay dahil ang isa ko pang kamay ay nakahawak sa cabinet para sa suporta. Sobrang magkakadikit iyong mga cardboard kaya hindi ko magawang tanggalin ito nang gamit lang ang isang kamay. Napatingin ako sa box na tinatapakan ko. Yupi na iyong parteng ibabaw ng box na tinatapakan ko. Siguro kung iyong magkabilang gilid ang tatapakan ko ay ‘di na ito yuyupi? Bibilisan ko nalang siguro.

“Go, Shannel” I said as I sighed in frustration.

My hands become moist as I place my foot on each side of the box. I quickly turn my gaze into the cardboard to reach it without thinking that I should balance my weight on my foot for the box not to crumple. But I realized it a little late as my left foot started digging into the box, completely surprising me to fall.

I was ready to hurt my back, expecting an impact but there was none. I slowly opened my eyes and see a guy’s face; it was the guy who called Ruth earlier. He catches me when I was about to fall.

His cold-expressionless eyes pierced to mine.

I say sorry to him as I jump out of his arms. I quickly stand on my feet as I felt that my heart started beating faster than normal. He gently smiled at me and grab the cardboard I did not get that I was reaching out for earlier.

“Thank you…” I paused.

Right, I don’t know his name. I don’t know how will I address him.

“Alain Haunth Bree” he said while touching his nape while looking away. Cute.

I bit my lips to stop myself from smiling. How can he be an ice-cold-looking guy turn into a cute one in just a blink of an eye?

“Uhm, thank you, Haunth” I said looking down then bit my lips again.  Okay, it’s awkward… but I kind of like it?

My face feels so warm together with my heart still beating fast. Okay, Shannel, calm yourself down.

“You’re welcome” he then paused. I can’t help but giggle at his cuteness. He looked serious earlier but now he’s just so cute. How many times should I say it just to justify his cuteness?

“Shannel Tate Omieron” I said smiling as I reach out my hand to him for a handshake.

He grabbed my hand accepting my handshake and slightly smiled back at me.

“Uhm, transferee ka ba?” tanong ko sa kaniya trying to break the awkwardness forming around us.

“Yeah, I am” tipid na sagot niya.

He asked me if I was okay and I said that I am fine.

“Ngayon lang kasi kita nakita rito”

“Hmm” he said nodding and looking around.

“Paano mo nakilala si Ruth?”

“Pareho kaming member ng English club”

“Hmm, I see.”

“You sure you’re okay?” he asked again.

“Yeah, I am fine. Don’t worry” I said assuring him that I am genuinely fine. My heart is not fine though…

He then waved his goodbye when Ms. Dela Cruz called him. Leaving me there standing alone in front of a crumpled box.

I unconsciously placed my hand on my chest as my heart was still beating faster than before. I glanced at the poor box I crushed earlier. Great. Now, I have to pay for this.

After that incident, I started falling deeper and deeper for Haunth. I did everything to pursue him. I think that he is worth the time and effort. I even considered serenading him on his last year’s birthday. It started from just giving him love letters to doing everything just to get his attention. I never knew that I would do these things just to pursue a guy.

Although years had passed, I still don’t know if I have a chance to him. Ruth kept convincing me that I may have no chance. But then I also convince myself of the fact that he never said no. Actually, he never showed his feelings… I don’t want to show him that I am growing weaker and weaker every year that has passed. I don’t want him to see that somehow there is this part of me who’s telling me that maybe, it was indeed an unrequited love.